projector retrofit?? Options

[CAcelica29]

hey guys, im curious if anyone has modified or retrofit projectors into pre face fog lamps??? i would not mind having a better quality fog lamp while retaining oem styling. my idea is to use a single projector unit and retrofit. similar to some headlights that have been done by other members. any input is appreciated.

[Box]

The only problem with that is making a clear lens. Projectors and frosted glass don't get along.

[CAcelica29]

yes im aware of this. .....looking into a clear lense solution

[Box]

Might try seeing if any businesses nearby vacuum forms plastic. They could probably take the glass lens and make a clear plastic copy.

[rentaspace]

Might try seeing if any businesses nearby vacuum forms plastic. They could probably take the glass lens and make a clear plastic copy.

would the plastic take the heat emitted by the light? and then if people put HID in there, would the plastic be UV stabilized, or will it go yellow?
(Not ripping into you, just questions that would need to be answered to help everyone in the long run)

[Box]

Somebody has done it before. Awhile back someone offered clear plastic lenses for doing your own projector retrofit. Just use automotive lighting plastic and they'll be no worse than the garbage they put on cars from the factory.

If you really want to go all out find someone that could make them out of glass. Another option could be taking the OEM glass lens and shaving and polishing it out smooth. Just depends on how the glass was done from the factory.

This post has been edited by Box: Sep 23, 2013 - 4:34 AM

[Bitter]

Fluted glass lens is impossible to polish down smooth for the home DIY'er unless you're going to spend a week on each lens and can mount it up in a jig on a drill press with a bonnet chucked up to cut then polish a circle in the middle. If you do go through all that, you'll be spending about $25-$50 in materials depending what you use and how clear you want to get it. Use a Morimoto matchbox bixenon projector if you go through all that, but don't run HID in them as it'll totally wash out the foreground and make your night vision much worse.

Otherwise, grab some projectors off a 7th gen Celica or a Lexus IS300 and make them fit. MUCH faster and cheaper, just as custom, and excellent quality optics.

[CAcelica29]

Fluted glass lens is impossible to polish down smooth for the home DIY'er unless you're going to spend a week on each lens and can mount it up in a jig on a drill press with a bonnet chucked up to cut then polish a circle in the middle. If you do go through all that, you'll be spending about $25-$50 in materials depending what you use and how clear you want to get it. Use a Morimoto matchbox bixenon projector if you go through all that, but don't run HID in them as it'll totally wash out the foreground and make your night vision much worse.

Otherwise, grab some projectors off a 7th gen Celica or a Lexus IS300 and make them fit. MUCH faster and cheaper, just as custom, and excellent quality optics.

ive looked at both of those options i dont much like the look of just the projector like the 7th gen has. would also proabably blackout the housing as well while apart. and the is300 fogs wouldnt lookvery good on a PRE FACE bumper.

[yagamius]

I did it like 4 years ago, I made the covers in a local company. Been in a car accident and made them again like 2 years ago.

here's my topic about it

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=69129&hl=

Bottom line you can do them, just need to make the covers, I'm trying to find someone that makes them in glass instead of plastic.

[Bitter]

Fog light, not head light?

Fluted glass lens is impossible to polish down smooth for the home DIY'er unless you're going to spend a week on each lens and can mount it up in a jig on a drill press with a bonnet chucked up to cut then polish a circle in the middle. If you do go through all that, you'll be spending about $25-$50 in materials depending what you use and how clear you want to get it. Use a Morimoto matchbox bixenon projector if you go through all that, but don't run HID in them as it'll totally wash out the foreground and make your night vision much worse.

Otherwise, grab some projectors off a 7th gen Celica or a Lexus IS300 and make them fit. MUCH faster and cheaper, just as custom, and excellent quality optics.

ive looked at both of those options i dont much like the look of just the projector like the 7th gen has. would also proabably blackout the housing as well while apart. and the is300 fogs wouldnt lookvery good on a PRE FACE bumper.

[CAcelica29]

correct, but preface fogs not the newer ones.

[Box]

I think they'd look better in the pre-face since unlike the 96+ there isn't the shaped recess for them.

[CAcelica29]

me too, id like to pair them with projector headlights as well. would really complete the front end i think.