GX470 Quad HID Projector Retrofit (1 Viewer)

[ZiaMan]

This was my first retrofit. So here are just my thoughts.

-I used a heat gun because the headlights wouldn't fit in my oven. It should be easier with oven. One thing I had to redo was when closing them make sure to close the corners all the way, the corner towards the body where the plastic lens slides into the headlight housing. If it's not in all the way you'll have a gap between the headlight and body (plus potential for leaking). I'm assuming you got Morimoto RetroRubber to help seal them back up?
-I got M4 bolts, washers, nuts from Amazon. Way cheaper then my local HD. Links below.
-Once you open the headlights you'll need to remove the stock projectors. Need to unscrew the adjustment mounts and then pop-out the projectors from the ball joint. I used a long flat head screwdriver to pop it out of the ball joint.
-For initial aiming of the projectors i just mounted the projectors to the brackets and did the aiming inside my house. You'll want a wall that's about 25' away and you'll want to aim the two projectors with each other. I aimed the two projectors on each bracket to be level at 25' feet. After aiming each set of projectors on the bracket I mounted the brackets to the headlights. I then checked the alignment again before putting the lens back on. Once on the car you do the final aiming. I used a computer power supply to power my ballasts when I was aligning/aiming the projectors inside my house. The aiming/alignment on the bracket took the most time but is probably the most crucial step.

Thanks @teejnut ! I order the bolts and nuts from your links and I have the Morimoto RetroRubber.

For final aiming, do you lose the ability to use the stock adjuster? In other words, does your final aiming on the car need to be your final aim when everything is bolted in and sealed?

 

[teejnut]

Thanks @teejnut ! I order the bolts and nuts from your links and I have the Morimoto RetroRubber.

For final aiming, do you lose the ability to use the stock adjuster? In other words, does your final aiming on the car need to be your final aim when everything is bolted in and sealed?

No final aiming can still be done with the stock bolt adjusters. It'll all make sense when you open it up.

 

[ZiaMan]

@teejnut How did you mount your ballast?

Thanks!

 

[teejnut]

@teejnut How did you mount your ballast?

Thanks!

I just zip tied them to wherever was convenient. PS I used the bracket for the power steering reservoir. DS has less space there, used the wireloom that comes out near the radiator.

 

[2Tangz]

Yes I do.

pm sent to buy

 

[reubixkube]

Yes I do.

How may I contact you to find out about pricing, availability and the process to convert them?

 

[drowzyGX]

this might be a stupid question, but i'm pretty new to all things lighting.

currently i've got the XenonDepot HID kit with philips XV2 4800K bulbs and 35W ballasts. Massive upgrade over stock.

From what I've read, the best way to really use those bulbs is with a full HID project retrofit. This involves...new HID projectors and a bracket?

I'm getting ready to crack open the headlights to black everything out, and don't want to open them twice.

1) am i thinking about this right, that the next step would be proper HID projectors and a bracket?
2) is the bracket in this thread the right one for the job? i really would prefer to keep the ballasts and bulbs i've already got.

 

[teejnut]

Running hids in projectors made for hids is the proper way and this bracket allows you to do that. I've gone from stock halogens, to hid retrofits, and then this quad projector setup. The difference in running quad projectors is huge.

You can't reuse your bulbs since the base is setup for h11 or whatever the stock projector bulbs size are. You can use your existing ballasts with new bulbs though.

Not sure if Burt still has brackets? If not you can check out Bxbuilt they use the same brackets but sell it already made. 2003-09 Lexus GX470 Quad Projector Retrofit Headlights | BXBuilt - https://www.bxbuilt.com/product-page/2003-09-lexus-gx470-quad-projector-retrofit-headlights

 

[ambiguous]

I am out of brackets but BXBuilt, Andrew has been offering them. I'm not sure if they are available by themselves or must be purchased with the LED projectors.

If you are able to get the brackets, I can definitely help you source the projectors, bulbs, wiring harnesses, etc etc.

 

[drowzyGX]

Running hids in projectors made for hids is the proper way and this bracket allows you to do that. I've gone from stock halogens, to hid retrofits, and then this quad projector setup. The difference in running quad projectors is huge.

You can't reuse your bulbs since the base is setup for h11 or whatever the stock projector bulbs size are. You can use your existing ballasts with new bulbs though.

Not sure if Burt still has brackets? If not you can check out Bxbuilt they use the same brackets but sell it already made. 2003-09 Lexus GX470 Quad Projector Retrofit Headlights | BXBuilt - https://www.bxbuilt.com/product-page/2003-09-lexus-gx470-quad-projector-retrofit-headlights

This is really helpful, @teejnut, thank you. i was looking at the bxbuilt kit (can't afford their complete LED retrofit headlights), but i thought it was for LED projectors.

@ambiguous - got it, thank you for the heads up!

If I want to use the BX Built Kit with HID bulbs instead of LED, would i need to get separate projectors to use with their bracket? or would the better option be their kit + my existing HID ballasts and wiring harnesses (and just selling the philips bulbs)?

 

[ambiguous]

This is really helpful, @teejnut, thank you. i was looking at the bxbuilt kit (can't afford their complete LED retrofit headlights), but i thought it was for LED projectors.

@ambiguous - got it, thank you for the heads up!

If I want to use the BX Built Kit with HID bulbs instead of LED, would i need to get separate projectors to use with their bracket? or would the better option be their kit + my existing HID ballasts and wiring harnesses (and just selling the philips bulbs)?

You would want to ask Andrew to sell you the brackets only. As far as HID projectors go, I would go with two pairs of Bi-Xenon: G5-BRT.

As this is a quad projector set up, you will need to purchase additional ballasts, bulbs, wiring harness, high beam splitters, and sealant. And most likely one more set of D2H bulbs if you want to use your existing ballasts. Message me if you want me to throw a package together for you on parts.

 

[teejnut]

You can't put HID bulbs in a LED projectors. LED projectors are self container with the projector/led is my understanding.

 

[drowzyGX]

You would want to ask Andrew to sell you the brackets only. As far as HID projectors go, I would go with two pairs of Bi-Xenon: G5-BRT.

As this is a quad projector set up, you will need to purchase additional ballasts, bulbs, wiring harness, high beam splitters, and sealant. And most likely one more set of D2H bulbs if you want to use your existing ballasts. Message me if you want me to throw a package together for you on parts.

I will reach out to Andrew about purchasing just the brackets. As far as a parts list, any chance we could compile a general one in thread to help folks who may look for this info in the future?

It seems like all I would really salvage from the kit i have installed are the 2 ballasts. as far as parts go...

- Bracket from BX Built
- Bi-Xenon G5-BRT x 2 (~$280)
- D2H bulbs x 4 (~$90)
- 35W HID ballast x 2 (pretty sure I can keep using the 2 35W HID ballasts I have) (~$120)
- wiring harness x 4
- high beam splitters (not sure how many of these i need, but i think i need them since bi-xenon are high beam and low beam in one)

from the above prices, i'm pretty close to the $600 retrofit kit from bxbuilt. is there a significant advantage to piecing together a custom HID retrofit kit vs buying the pre-made LED one?

i really appreciate all the input, and sorry for any dumb questions. just trying to wrap my head around this before committing to the project. mostly i just want great visibility at night. i do a lot of night driving in rural GA. so illumination & longevity are my goals here.

 

[cr4west]

I'm interested in the idea of a parts list. Already ordered a set of brackets for my GX470 from Custom Brackets and Design back on 12/29/20 so it will be interesting to see when it arrives. Was not aware the brackets were available separately from Andrew. Now trying to decide on which projectors and bulbs to use. So many choices in quality and price.

 

[BukkakeAisu]

So I'm still working on my headlights and I'm doing something a lil different with the side reflectors....

 

[aquilon]

any update on if BXBUILT will just sell you the brackets. I did a retrofit on my 4runner and was really happy with G5 projector. I'd probably do that and maybe do the G5XL for high beam. Anyways, I'm not too interested in the BXBUILT projectors.

 

[aquilon]

I will reach out to Andrew about purchasing just the brackets. As far as a parts list, any chance we could compile a general one in thread to help folks who may look for this info in the future?

It seems like all I would really salvage from the kit i have installed are the 2 ballasts. as far as parts go...

- Bracket from BX Built
- Bi-Xenon G5-BRT x 2 (~$280)
- D2H bulbs x 4 (~$90)
- 35W HID ballast x 2 (pretty sure I can keep using the 2 35W HID ballasts I have) (~$120)
- wiring harness x 4
- high beam splitters (not sure how many of these i need, but i think i need them since bi-xenon are high beam and low beam in one)

from the above prices, i'm pretty close to the $600 retrofit kit from bxbuilt. is there a significant advantage to piecing together a custom HID retrofit kit vs buying the pre-made LED one?

i really appreciate all the input, and sorry for any dumb questions. just trying to wrap my head around this before committing to the project. mostly i just want great visibility at night. i do a lot of night driving in rural GA. so illumination & longevity are my goals here.

I'm also in the GA area and want to do ultimate lighting solution, although not a huge rush now for me.

I think the control of choice on projectors is the main advantage. I don't know anything about bxbuilt bi-led projector. Although it may be a re-brand. I think the G5 stuff is proven. And while LED is cool, I'm not entirely sure it's totally surpassed a well setup HID setup. Especially if you start getting higher end bulbs like Phillips or Osram etc. To me, the only advantages for LED right now are instant fire up, and self-containment (no ballasts). But you do have to worry about the little fan for the bulb possibly failing?

 

[drowzyGX]

Hey, BXBuilt will indeed sell just the bracket. I think it’s $100. I put the headlight project on the back burner for a bit. Work got crazy busy, and my GF bought a used Xterra that needed a little TLC.

totally agree on led vs hid. I think the crazy led setups are fun and cool. I’d love to do all the rgb stuff with my headlights like I have for my gaming pc, but not for $1200! And not at the cost of having worse light output for night driving. A proper hid projector setup IMO is unmatched as far as nighttime visibility.

since you’re in GA you also have the ability to get morimoto, xenon depot, and the retro fit source products right from the warehouse. It’s all the same warehouse and about 10 minutes west of GA Tech’s campus.

 

[aquilon]

Ah yes, I've been to TRS a few years ago there in Howell Mill, I suppose that saves in in shipping some

I will also piece together my kit since it will probably end up being close to $1k all said and done using new OEM housings.

 

[SamAbadir]

Did you ever get these in production? Where can I buy the brackets? Thanks