LX470 Projector - TSX-R Lens Swap

[2000UZJ]

First off I want to thank Aubie96 for swapping 100's with me today. Without him this project would not of been possible. So to Aubie96 for stepping up to the plate and lending the R&D vehicle.


A few weeks ago I stumbled upon this photo from Hoser.

The LX470 projector is almost identical to the S2K projector shown below

So what? Well, the S2K with a clear lens swap is one of the best OEM HID projectors available on the market (if you can find them). The LX470 could possibly have a projector that offers a near perfect cutoff and beam pattern with the correct lens. I picked up the LX470 today and took it into the shop where removed the headlights to perform a lens swap with a TSX-R lens and a 35W Morimoto 5K HID kit. All went well. Here are some photo's of the process, I would highly recommend this to anybody who is considering adding HID's to there LX470. It's night and day difference. I drove the truck in the evening but have not gotten a chance to see it on a dark road. I am hoping the owner of the vehicle can chime in since he took the keys from me after we talked cruisers for a hour.


1: Stock
2: Both headlights waiting for baking (275*F for 8 minutes. Remove all clips and lens retainers.
3: Lens off with shroud and projector lens exposed.

 

[2000UZJ]

Next up was removing the stock shroud (2 clips and 2 guides. Pretty simple). After that I took it over to my desk and started doing some testing with spacers and different lens's to achieve the best beam pattern and output. I found that 2 bulb spacers and a TSX-R clear lens provided the sharpest cutoff, with best beam pattern. Here are a few photos of the projector and testing/tuning.

1: Shroud off
2: LX470 projector (stock lens)
3: Backside of the shroud (you can see clips and locations here)

 

[2000UZJ]

Some of testing.

1: Stock fresnel lens with Phillips 4300K H1
2: Blocking the "squirrel finders" with foil tape (placed on lens side of shield to avoid direct heat from HID bulb)
3: Stock lens vs TSX-R Clear Lens (hard to see, but the TSX-R is much clearer than the stock LX lens)

 

[2000UZJ]

1: TSX-R lens with 2 spacers (squirrel finders not blocked at this point)
2. TSX-R
3. Frontal View

 

[2000UZJ]

Staring to button up some things. Projector not aimed in second photo. That is why it's so far off center.

 

[2000UZJ]

headlights reassembled with a nifty Xenon sticker for kicks. I mounted the ballasts in the fenders, nice and secure. Ran the harness through the fender and converted the LX's incredibly strange low beam H1 connectors to a 9006. Also, I drilled a 7/8's " hole in the LX headlight cap and ran the wires through the grommet I fitted. Retains water tight seal and stock look (besides the colors).

 

[2000UZJ]

Finally, I got the harness wired and routed through the truck. Aligned the headlight and met up with Aubie96 .. Took a few photo's on the way over.

 

[2000UZJ]

Last set. It started to rain, didn't get many good shots. Hopefully I can get with Aubie sometime before the new year and get some better shots.


Enjoy

 

[1loudLX]

Looks like it'd be worth it to do it on my trucks too. Nice work Nick.

 

[TheFuzz]

Super clean. Great job man. I always thought that the LX had a decent factory projector for HID purposes, but there really is no comparison to a proper retrofit.

Makes me rethink doing it to my truck, but I'd probably botch the hell out of the retrofit.

 

[Wilsil]

My LX came with HID high beam and halogen low beam. Is that normal or has it been added?
Another question is: the glass of one headlight has a hole in it. Is it possible to repair it?

 

[CappyKD]

Very nice work!

 

[aubie96]

Without sounding like a cliche, I can tell you that its a night and day difference between the old setup and the new one.

There is a small stretch of dark winding road that goes into my neighborhood and it was there that I could see the real difference. Sharp beam and the reach. Pictures don't do justice. If you are on the fence for getting this, I would strongly recommend it.

It was fun talking to Nick and I am so very happy with the final outcome of this conversion. The icing on the cake: I got to drive the bad ass truck that he has.

 

[2000UZJ]

My LX came with HID high beam and halogen low beam. Is that normal or has it been added?
Another question is: the glass of one headlight has a hole in it. Is it possible to repair it?

Yes, you can replace the lens. I believe some 100's came factory with HID high beams. Can you see the ballast? Should be mounted on the underside of the headlight.

FYI- there are internal ballast mounts on US spec LX's.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Nice Job

Pretty sweet on the Lexus all you have to do is swap out the lens. I am running the TSX-R as well...peforms as expected!

 

[sonk76]

Yes, you can replace the lens. I believe some 100's came factory with HID high beams. Can you see the ballast? Should be mounted on the underside of the headlight.

FYI- there are internal ballast mounts on US spec LX's.

Where are the internal ballast mounts ? I've never noticed them...

 

[hoser]

I don't know much about optics but I would think the TSX-R lens would've been designed for a certain focal length. Unless they were designed for the exact same length as the OEM halogen projectors, wouldn't the results be less than optimal?

 

[00N8]

I was on the phone with Andrew from RTS earlier today, I have morimoto 3five h1 bulbs and 3five ballasts and am trying to fit the damn bulbs into the stock housing and have troubles with the bulbs, they don't seat properly. I'm wondering if I can use them for the time being and later do the retrofit like you describe here UZJ100.

 

[2000UZJ]

I was on the phone with Andrew from RTS earlier today, I have morimoto 3five h1 bulbs and 3five ballasts and am trying to fit the damn bulbs into the stock housing and have troubles with the bulbs, they don't seat properly. I'm wondering if I can use them for the time being and later do the retrofit like you describe here UZJ100.

Feel free to PM me your number. Andrew should of directed the call to me. No worries though, it was hectic today.

Nick

 

[2000UZJ]

Where are the internal ballast mounts ? I've never noticed them...

They are on the bottom of the housings. There are 3 bolt locations that we never drilled out to mount a ballast.

I don't know much about optics but I would think the TSX-R lens would've been designed for a certain focal length. Unless they were designed for the exact same length as the OEM halogen projectors, wouldn't the results be less than optimal?

The OEM lens required 1MM spacing. The TSX-R requires 2MM spacing for proper focal length and a rubber gasket between the lens and lens retainer. If I were to do this again I could do both headlights in under an hour. It's a very simple modification...then again I do this 5 days a week so lens swaps are