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Blazer projector HID fog light upgrade

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by F8L, Apr 5, 2011.

  1. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    After driving around with my new 35W HID kit in the factory fog light housings I decided two things:


    1. With my new 55w HID headlights, the fog lights are useless (they helped a ton when I was using the stock HID headlights).
    2. Because the factory fog lights are non-projector, they are way too bright and very unfocused. They definitely produce a glare to oncoming drivers.
    So to solve this problem I ordered a set of Blazer Projector Fog Lights.

    [​IMG]

    They were $45+shipping. From what I've read on HIDPlanet.com they are an affordable alternative to blinding everyone on the road. They have a very sharp cut-off and focus the light well. Since I already have the 35w HID kit from DDM, this should be a simple upgrade. I just need to order new bulbs. I used 5000k bulbs. They are definitely more white than my stock headlights so if you wanted more light and to match your stock HIDs then you should go with the 4300k bulbs.

    These can be used without an HID kit and still benefit with brighter more focused light. If you decide to upgrade to HIDs later the switch would be simple.
     
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I wish someone would come with a version for the GenIII.
     
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Can you simply retro fit something in there? Are the factory projectors not good?
     
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    They are not projectors at all (fog lights). They are also have angled housings. Makes it tough to find replacements.
     
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Have you checked around Planet HID to see if there are angled pods you should use or contact one of the custom retrofit companies?
     
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Ok so after a bunch of failed attempts at mounting these things I ended up at my old stereo shop and just had my buddy create mounting brackets for them. It was not difficult to do but I'm not that handy with custom fabrication.

    He made the mounts out of plastic and then used silicone to seal the projector to the bezel. It came out looking pretty good for a quickie fix. :)

    The lights are WAY brighter than when I had HIDs in the stock halogen housing. There is now a sharp cutoff instead of the typical "squirrel hunting" pattern put out by non-projectors. I'll get some wall shots when I get a chance. Until then here is how they came out.
     

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  7. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    I went with the bling lights, but they're angled quite a bit outward. I also thought they'd look better than they do. Wish I'd waited longer because about 2 months later the OEM style ones were offered here. But I agree, I would much prefer projector style and add HID to them.
     
  8. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    So to do this, you've got to convert your existing fogs to HIDs, then use your new (existing) ballast to attach to these new projectors? Or does this kit include everything for starters?
     
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You don't have to go to HIDs. The halogen bulbs that it comes with would work better than the OEM fog lights. The HIDs just make it better. :)

    There really is no kit so to speak. It's just a foglight with a bulb in it. There is no mounting hardware either. You would need to put a new connector from your OEM wiring to fit the 881 bulb these lights use. Since HID kits are so cheap I figure you could spend a few bucks on a new connector for your factory wiring or you can spend $30 for a 35w HID kit. *shrug*

    I know how to do them now so if you decide you want to do it I could get you a good deal on the bracket labor (the shop is in Fairfield). I could install the HID part for ya for free but only because you're cool. :D

    For a bit more dough you could go with the Hella Micro DE lights. They are supposedly nicer and come with mounting hardware. I just wanted to go the cheap route. :) $138 at TireRack.com
     
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  10. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Personally I would definitely want to start with the 35w HID kit (like from DDMtuning), which is all I ever considered until today. I've always loved the way they look, especially at 3000k. Then I'd consider the projectors.

    Let's get one thing straight - You're the cool one. I haven't done anything. I really appreciate your offer and may take you up on it. :) As you know I'm not so good at these DIYs. I try, but I get scared, so when a nice guy like you comes around saying that...I'm thinking whewww, thank you! Not only could it be a good learning experience for me, but it sounds like fun too. Don't worry about me bugging you for now though, I'll let you know what I decide to do with plenty of notice. I'd hate to be an inconvenience for anybody.
     
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    No worries bru!

    I think you'll like these fog lights. I realized this morning that they are aimed WAAAY too high. I was literally squirrel hunting (looking up into trees) when I drove to work this morning. Interestingly though, they project a pretty wide beam far out in front of the car. So much so that once I get them aimed lower I may not want to do projectors in the headlights. I could see the distinct cutoff line on the tops of trees and high street signs so these things are pretty darn bright!

    I'll get them aimed and post pictures tonight if I finish the honey-do-list. ;)
     
  12. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    I'd totally do this mod if I didn't have to get the lamps custom-mounted.
     
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Hmm, maybe I could work out a deal with the stereo shop to have them mount them for you. All you would have to do is ship the materials (grill inserts and foglights) back and forth. The foglights may be able to be drop shipped to save on shipping. I could see what they would want to charge for something clean. Then all you have to do is plug them into your factory harness or HID kit then pop the grille into the bumper. Once they are mounted to the grill insert it is quite easy.
     
  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I got some pictures and while i'm happy with the lights i'm not happy with my ability to aim them better. I am to blame for breaking the lower clips on the grille when learning how to take them out. Now the bottom of the grille inserts do not tuck back as far as they should so it aims the foglights approx. 2 ft. higher than the headlights when viewed on a wall 25ft. away. Normally they should be aimed just below the headlights. Guess I need to screw the grilles down.:rolleyes:

    The first picture is of the headlights and foglights the second is of only the headlights.
     

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  15. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Hmmm the clips broke when you removed the fog housings for the projectors? Do you expect running into a similar problem when removing the front bumper for HIDs on a certain project in the future....? :rolleyes:

    I can see what you mean that the fogs are higher than the headlights at 25 ft. Odd, but fixable.
     
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Nope, I learned my lesson. I didn't even know they were clipped in like that. I always test stuff on my car before touching anyone else's car. :) Besides, doing HIDs just means removing the bumper. That is easy. If your hands are small enough we won't even have to do that.
     
  17. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    'Preciate that a lot man. In my limited amount of research I've realized these projects are very open-ended; there seem to be many ways to gain the access to the areas, like going in from the hood, going in from the bottom weather panels, or removing the bumper, etc etc. I can't plan exactly how it's going to happen but I suspect with our 2 minds we'll figure it out.

    Oh yeah, my front end is lowered 1.5" so everything is that much harder to access by bottom panel, but you guessed right - my hands are pretty small. I used to work in the Nike factory, dont ya know? ;)
     
  18. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    BTW I didn't mean to hijack your thread. Back on topic, I can tell the projectors have a more focused, intense beam of light. Definitely an improvement. And they're 5000k? They look bluish. To me, it looks like your headlights are swapped to 5000k, and these fogs are at 6000k.
     
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Good call. Close but not quite. I have 5000k Morimoto bulbs in the fogs and 5000k DDM bulbs in the headlights. The Morimotos looks white everywhere except when looking directly at the foglights at which point they appear bluish. I swapped out the stock headlights because they have so many hours on them and put the 5000ks in yesterday just to see what they would look like. Meh

    It turns out that when I do the Morimoto Mini D2S upgrade I will have to remove my 55w DDM kit and go back to 35w so I don't burn the projector bowls. So I'll likely just hook my stock HID ballast up to them and sell the 55w kit. Such a waste of money. I wish I had planned this out better but I tried to go cheap and never attained the results I wanted. Except with the fogs. :)
     
  20. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Well the problem with planning is that when you're modifying a Prius , usually you end up being the first to experiement. Nobody blames you for running around in circles. The info just isn't always there. You may be the first and last guy to ever use someone's product on a Prius. That's just the sad reality I've learned from researching various mod ideas.

    But hey, when you upgrade the headlights to Morimoto projectors everything should match. Then you'll be all good!