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Thinking about retrofitting my headlights, is this the right kit?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Acidbass32, May 10, 2015.

  1. Acidbass32

    Acidbass32 Member

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    So I recently installed a light bar on my gen 2 and finally came to the realization my stock halogens suck nice person. I have seen several posts about retrofitting headlights but nothing pertaining the detail I need to really feel confident about taking apart a headlight, doing what I need to do and resealing it. I am looking at a kit on TRS and it includes, bi-xenon morimoto mini stage 3 (h1), morimoto xb amp, gatling gun shrouds, 70mm xsb switchback LED's, morimoto xb35 (35W) ballast, h1 xb 4500K bulbs, motocontrol, bi-xenon H4/9003 wiring harness, and black retrorubber sealant for $357.00. Has anyone had experience with these products during their retrofits and anywhere I can look for a "tutorial" to kinda help me as I go through the process. I've never retrofitted a headlight assembly before, just installed aftermarket lighting, so my confidence level is mediocre. Any input is good input in my books so please let me know if there are any subs I can use or tips and tricks that have worked. I also plan to paint the headlight housing.
     
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    That's a lot of work and downtime to do the retrofit. I wonder if something like this might work out for you:

    http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=221504691710&alt=web

    I don't know how it does the highbeam though.

    Very little downtime for your vehicle versus the retrofit route. Though the retrofit will definitely produce superior results if done properly.
     
  3. Acidbass32

    Acidbass32 Member

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    I was going to buy another headlight to retrofit anyway because I need to replace one due to the uneven wear of them after my accident last year. I have plenty of down time over the summer to do a retrofit (not as many classes for me), so that is not an issue either, I'm willing to put the time and effort in to do it right. I just need some clarification on how the wiring is done. The building of the headlight I feel pretty good about, I have always been a little wary with wiring though. I really want to stay away from plug and play headlights like the ebay ones or the ANZO ones because not only do I want the custom look I want the satisfaction of doing it myself.
     
  4. Vinnie_febs

    Vinnie_febs Junior Member

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    This is the exact kit I bought for my retrofit, but I got the 5500k instead of the 4500k, and unlike you, I messed up and bought the wrong harness, which is why I'm currently on hold waiting for the new/correct one.
    I did not do a step by step this time because I had already done one for my 4Runner, if you like you can take a look at that, it's pretty much the same, (for the most part) just different assembly, and you will NOT have to dremel anything out.

    my 03-05 retrofit - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

    For the Prius is is much easier since it's literally a bolt on kit, perfect for it. On my 4Runner I had to dremel and grind my reflectors in order to make them work. But like I said, that is not the case with the Prius, just pull the shield out and insert the new projectors in.
    Anyways, the main thing is to take your time opening your headlights, don't just go beast mode and yank on them. Pick a corner, pry with a flat head and pull slowly and hold, then pull slowly again and hold, as you pull the rubber sealant will stretch and give way. I baked mine for 7 minutes in 265 degrees. Remove all the screws prior to baking of course. I will post more pics later if you like, but in the meantime, you can look at it in this thread:

    What Did You Do To Your Gen II Today? | Page 5 | PriusChat
     
  5. Acidbass32

    Acidbass32 Member

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    Rock on, thank you so much! Now based on the parts list I have, I shouldn't have an issue with the harnesses or ballasts, correct?
     
  6. Acidbass32

    Acidbass32 Member

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    Just looked at your 4Runner and it looks fantastic, exactly what I want to do just with different colored halos, very informative thank you again.
     
  7. Vinnie_febs

    Vinnie_febs Junior Member

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    Nope, you did good..... unlike me (y)
     
  8. Vinnie_febs

    Vinnie_febs Junior Member

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    The Halos in my Prius are actually Poxy'ed, no wires like in the 4Runner. I used JB kwik, it's more than enough. and I used heatshrink to cover the wires. I'll post pics later tonight.
     
  9. Vinnie_febs

    Vinnie_febs Junior Member

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    As you can see, it's really not that hard, just take your time. As you can see, the H1 mini reflectors will fit right in. Few things off top of my head now:

    Before you put everything back together and you seal it:
    1. Do not tight the H1 mini reflector nut super tight, just hand tight it first. Install the headlights on the vehicles and make sure your reflectors are aligned in a straight line, you will have to rotate clockwise or counter to get the line (cut off) straight, while trying to get your beams aim in the general area/spot, not perfect, but you want to make sure it's no completely out of whack either. Then tight it down, these are crush thread, so once you tight them down all the way, that's it, no going back. You can aim the beam to perfection afterwards with the elevation and side to side adjustment screws of course.
    2. Before you seal it down, give it a good clean. Wipe down all that dust and fingerprints/oils off of the lenses.
    3. Don't tape the Halos wired to the H1 mini reflectors like I did with my 4Runner, it is dumb and it may only cause problems with overheating the wires. Yes these are HIDs, but they still create heat, and taping wires to a hot metal reflectors it's not a good idea.

    That is all I can really think aside from my 4runner thread and the rest, it is really not hard, it just takes patience. Just take your time, do a little at the time. Maybe the others can chime in, but once you start, everything will fall in place. Good luck!
     
  10. Acidbass32

    Acidbass32 Member

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    Awesome I definitely appreciate the input. I feel more confident about a project if I can see whats going on instead of reading it, although TRS has a pretty awesome database of manuals and such. I'm stoked about this project now, just gotta wait until A&M takes my money for summer classes and then I can order the parts.
     
  11. Acidbass32

    Acidbass32 Member

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    Ok so quick update, and maybe Y'all can help me out. I got the retrofit kit with the switchback halos and a RGB demon eye kit, all set in the housing and the car and now I'm running into a problem of wiring everything up, I got the projectors working but the halos and the demon eyes aren't either. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for a second gen Prius with the switchback halos and projectors? I talked to the guys at TRS and they have a great basis regarding the kit except actually wiring everything up into the pre existing wiring harness and that's the issue I'm running into.
     
  12. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    What did you wire your halos and demon eyes to? Either tap the parking lights, or tap a fuse in the engine compartment fuse box that's hot when in Ready mode.
     
  13. Acidbass32

    Acidbass32 Member

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    I tapped into the blinker and the parking lights considering the halos are switchbacks and the demon eyes I haven't done anything with yet