LX 470 round headlight conversion and grille (3 Viewers)

[jLB]

$1500 is a good bit more than the original estimate, but potentially still interested.

Do you think you have the dimensions down to “plug and play”, or do you still consider them prototypes that “will require some effort to fit properly”?

Estimated time from initial payment to completion/shipment?

100% up front? 50% up front, 50% before shipping?

 

[daohaus]

definitely gives the LX a more militarized look. Having this size round headlight opens up to a lot of different lighting options. They're the same diameter as what the JEEP's are running?

 

[xplore]

I'm entertaining the idea of doing this upgrade. I don't love the look and I don't hate it either. One of the biggest reasons I would consider it is to get some better headlights on the LX. I have a steel bumper with big hoops on it, and I actually think it might look nice with this setup.

I really like the idea of trying to integrate a light bar into the upper grill portion. I'm not sure if it would work or not with the hood latch, but it would look nice and clean.

 

[unleashd]

Following the thread to add my name to the list if there is a potential to be closer to the earlier quoted group buy price. What size and depth will the headlights be? Asking to see if we can get HIDs inside of them. If they are the same size as a heep JK, then even the trucklite heated LEDs would be a good option.

 

[kelly saad]

I know the original price was $750 if I got 10 orders, and that was a year ago. I had more time to spare and wanted to get these kits out there on vehicles at the time but now it’s a different story. I will not even consider this again unless I can get $1500 and at least 4 orders. These are metal sculptures to say the least, and it’s not easy, seriously.

Not sure on the depth, but it should be almost exactly the same as the 100 Land Cruiser. @Clunky can measure his to see how much room there is for lights.

I think the light bar will work on the top piece, if I remember correctly there is plenty of room. You would just need heavier hood struts.

If these sell, then payment is due up front, and purchased through my website, the same as all the other products. The build time would be 2 months because I have to send the files out to be laser cut, then I have to build them while I’m not working my real job.

There might be slight adjustments on these but nothing major. It would be slightly bending a couple parts to fit perfectly but it should be very close.

Other design options for the grille might really help the look. The prototype was very basic.

 

[TxNative00]

I’m still in. Just let me know when to pay. I have a 2004 LX470.

My OEM lights are terrible and I drive on very dark and narrow roads often. I’ve considered a bumper (for light options) and will definitely add one, but getting the grill opens up a lot if possible light options without adding a lot of additional weight. I think all cars should have round standard headlights. There are so many great light options.

I’m in.

 

[MycoManiac]

Yeah, I’d consider being in as well honestly. Pricey, but I like the look and not a ton of options.

 

[TxNative00]

I'd like to organize this so we can move forward. The current list of interested people are below. It sounds like @kelly saad is willing to do the builds we have at least 4 folks commit. So we basically need 3 more before we can move forward.

• @TxNative00 (Definitely in)
• @MycoManiac (interested)
• @unleashd (interested)
• @xplore (interested)
• @daohaus (interested)

 

[unleashd]

I'd like to organize this so we can move forward. The current list of interested people are below. It sounds like @kelly saad is willing to do the builds we have at least 4 folks commit. So we basically need 3 more before we can move forward.

• @TxNative00 (Definitely in)
• @MycoManiac (interested)
• @unleashd (interested)
• @xplore (interested)
• @daohaus (interested)

I can understand @kelly saad 's point on the current cost and pricing. But, $1500 is a bit too rich for me to consider this mod. Please take me off this list.

 

[Roosevelt T]

I’m still in. Just let me know when to pay. I have a 2004 LX470.

My OEM lights are terrible and I drive on very dark and narrow roads often. I’ve considered a bumper (for light options) and will definitely add one, but getting the grill opens up a lot if possible light options without adding a lot of additional weight. I think all cars should have round standard headlights. There are so many great light options.

I’m in.

Why dont you upgrade the projectors? Way cheaper, great output, and you front end won't look horrific (with all due respect to Kelly who puts out great products, this front end looks horrible to me).

 

[kelly saad]

Hahaha!! I know!! This design must really suck, obviously, or there would be more than 2 buyers. It’s too expensive also. I get it. I did try, but it’s a really awkward shaped hood. Not much I can do to change the design really.

 

[MycoManiac]

I thoroughly enjoy it. But I get why some won’t. I prefer it over what the LC has stuff there. If you ever do get rid of one, or make another, I’ll grab it.

 

[Roosevelt T]

Hahaha!! I know!! This design must really suck, obviously, or there would be more than 2 buyers. It’s too expensive also. I get it. I did try, but it’s a really awkward shaped hood. Not much I can do to change the design really.

Thanks for not taking that the wrong way, it definitely wasnt a shot at you Kelly, you add a lot to the community and I love your products. The LX front end is just a strange design that somehow Toyota ended up pulling off. I think they got lucky that other manufacturers, particularly MB, have used the 4 quadrilateral headlight design to fairly good effect as well, so it aged better that I thought it would.

 

[Clunky]

Everyone has their own tastes, thankfully! I think it looks rough and tumble. It's infinitely better than any other LX front end that I've seen. The added bonus is that it's one of a kind (for now). Oh, and I can see at night with my low beams

 

[xplore]

I did a quick mockup on my LX. I'm warming up to the look, and I think I can definitely live with this. Now, I just need to overcome my apprehensions over the cost.

 

[kelly saad]

To be honest, and not trying to throw a sales pitch at all, I do believe it can look entirely different with other design options and vehicle colors. Also, black headlights will completely change the look. Color matching the headlight face frame on some vehicles would look really good also. I don’t believe the green color on the prototype vehicle is presenting the best representation of this kit. I do think it has potential, but I’m far too busy to try and prove it. Although, I could be totally wrong.

 

[kelly saad]

Clearly i'm no Photoshop expert

This does tell me that the LX cannot have the "vintage" style chrome headlights, as it clashes from a design perspective. The LX has a permanent modern look, or say it how you will, but using classic bulbs doesn't flow on the vehicle. Here is an example. I think there is hope, if I can ever get some stinking time to mess with it. It seems that the focal points have completely changed from the left pic to the right. Although, there will still be haters of course, and I am on the haters side too actually to some extent.

 

[xplore]

Clearly i'm no Photoshop expert

This does tell me that the LX cannot have the "vintage" style chrome headlights, as it clashes from a design perspective. The LX has a permanent modern look, or say it how you will, but using classic bulbs doesn't flow on the vehicle. Here is an example. I think there is hope, if I can ever get some stinking time to mess with it. It seems that the focal points have completely changed from the left pic to the right. Although, there will still be haters of course, and I am on the haters side too actually to some extent.

If the headlight surround was painted the body color rather than being powder coated black, I think that would be a massive improvement with most colors. At least in black, like in my mockup above, I really like the look, but I also have the hoops on my bumper that frame the lights in, so It's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison.

What about an arrangement like this with the larger lights moved to the inside to get centered under the hood cutout, and then doing another vertically oriented light on the outside. That could be interesting.

 

[kelly saad]

If the headlight surround was painted the body color rather than being powder coated black, I think that would be a massive improvement with most colors. At least in black, like in my mockup above, I really like the look, but I also have the hoops on my bumper that frame the lights in, so It's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison.

What about an arrangement like this with the larger lights moved to the inside to get centered under the hood cutout, and then doing another vertically oriented light on the outside. That could be interesting.

View attachment 2816560

Agreed on the color matched headlight frames for sure. Impossible to move the 7" headlights, as there is a mount location underneath the fog light that is stepped up. It was quite a challenge to make it work because of the 2 level lower section of the housing. The headlight barely fits where it's at currently.

 

[Clunky]

I'd be curious if it is possible to make the headlight openings a perfect round fit with the lights instead of square/rectangular. Maybe even making the headlights flush with the opening instead of recessed.