Retrofit Examples
Retrofitting is a unique process that involves taking a set of parts and modifying them, as well as the headlights that will house them to "make" them work together. After the measuring, cutting, mounting, and wiring are done - you can step back, take a deep breath, and begin to enjoy your new setup. From sport bikes, to hot rods, to SUV's - TRS has helped enthusiasts retrofit an upgraded headlight system into an endless variety of applications. Below we'll showcase some examples to illustrate the flexibility of our components.
Some of the retrofits in this showcase use components other than what's normally available from The Retrofit Source. If you are interested in something a bit more unique to set your vehicle apart, contact us to see what's available. We always stock (in lower volume) a variety of unique and rare components for the individualist seeking a true one-off setup.
2002 Dodge Stratus R/T Coupe
- Projectors
- Bosch E46 bi-xenon
- Ballasts
- Slightly used Denso 35w
- Bulbs
- New Philips 85122+ D2S
- Shrouds
- Custom
- Harness
- 9007 Bi-xenon
Why this parts list?
The vehicle originally used one halogen bulb for both the low and high beam (9007). A bi-xenon projector is best suited to ensure full functionality after the retrofit is complete.
Similar applications
The most common type of retrofit - Altimas, Civics, Imprezas, Neons, Proteges etc. (vehicles that use one halogen bulb for low and high beam)
Notes
This retrofit is great for illustrating the wide variety of typical sedan and coupe headlights that the retrofitting components from TRS can be applied to. From Honda Civics to Mazda Protege's to the Dodge Stratus here - our retrofit kits are an ideal upgrade for standard enclosure headlights like this.
This particular retrofit was done by the owner. A completely custom carbon fiber overlay was used inside of the headlight to transform the look of the housing. A custom stainless steel shroud was also fabricated to cover the projector using a travel coffee mug!
The output was vastly improved over the stock 9007 halogen bulbs.
2003 BMW E46 M3
- Projectors
- FX-R bi-xenon
- Ballasts
- Mix of OEM plus Matsushita Generation III
- Bulbs
- Morimoto 5000K D2S
- Shrouds
- Mix of OEM plus E46-R
- Harness
- Custom
Why this parts list?
The stock Bosch projectors were replaced with a higher performance projector of similar dimensions. With that setup upgraded, the other side of the housings was done using the same components for symmetry and out of this world performance. Only one extra pair of ballasts was required, since the factory ballasts remained active.
Similar applications
Vehicles with factory HID's and separate halogen high beams, or with halogen bulbs for their low beam and a separate high beam.
Notes
This M3 retrofit is a prime example showing that even if your vehicle has factory xenon or bi-xenon headlamps, there is still an upgrade available. The M3 came with poor performing OEM bi-xenon projectors, which were removed and replaced with higher performance FX-R bixenons. Then, a second pair of FX-R projectors were retrofitted into the high beam portion of the housing and covered up with our E46-R bezels -making this quad bi-xenon retrofit out-shine everything else on the road. It looks great, performs amazingly well even compared to the stock bixenon headlamps, and does not produce any glare to oncoming traffic because of a proper alignment.
This particular retrofit was done by LightWerkz in New Jersey. The FX-R projectors were an ideal upgrade to replace the stock projectors, and were also small enough to be fitted on the high beam side of the housing as well. The E46-R bezels perfectly mirror the OEM E46 bezels to the point where only enthusiasts with a sharp eye would probably ever notice the second pair of projectors.
Despite sufficient performance from the original bixenon headlights, the new setup far outshines them in terms of beam uniformity, width, distance, high beam performance, and aesthetic appeal.
Mazda RX7 (FD)
- Projectors
- FX-R bi-xenon
- Ballasts
- Mitsubishi Generation IV
- Bulbs
- Osram Xenarc 66040 D2S
- Shrouds
- E55-R
- Harness
- H4 Bi-xenon
Why this parts list?
The FX-R projectors are the best performing projector that's still small enough to partially fit within the housing. They also provide the necessary low and high beam function.
Similar applications
Older applications using 4x6" or 7" round sealed-beam style headlights
Notes
Older vehicles like this 1993-1995 Mazda RX7 are notorious for coming equipped with extremely poor performing sealed beam style headlights. These small and shallow housings often use textured or diffused front lenses to help them distribute light into some kind of beam pattern, but these translucent lenses also hinder the intensity of that light output. Most retrofits in this category require modernized aftermarket headlight assemblies with clear front lenses, as the OEM diffused lenses will hinder output from the projectors too.
This particular retrofit was done by SakeBomb Garage in California. The FX-R projectors were a prime candidate for the upgrade since they're relatively small and easy to work with, an important thing when retrofitting such small/shallow housings. The bi-xenon function allows the user continued full functionality of both the low and high beam, but obviously with significantly better visibility. The E55-R shrouds were chosen for their shallow design and good coverage, allowing a clean fit within the housings.
2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Projectors
- Lexus LS460 Bi-xenon (JDM)
- Lens upgrade
- STi-R
- Ballasts
- Morimoto 35w digital
- Bulbs
- New Philips 85122+ D2S
- Shrouds
- OEM LS460
- Harness
- H4 Bi-xenon
Why this parts list?
A bi-xenon projector was required to retain functionality of the low and high beams, since the original halogen bulb type was H4 and no separate halogen high beam existed. The slight green tinge of the projectors shrouds was desirable to match the army green paint.
Similar applications
Trucks and SUV's with wide open space within their headlight housings
Notes
This Toyota FJ Cruiser came with modern reflector style headlights based around a dual filament H4 halogen bulb. The output was decent to begin with, but didn't hold a candle to the custom retrofitted LS460 bi-xenon projector. Not only is the beam pattern significantly wider, brighter, and more intense, but the beam pattern gained beautiful definition and color with the addition of the STi-R clear lenses. It's not every day you see a Green FJ Cruiser, let alone one with a pair of headlights this sick.
This unique retrofit was done by Black Flame Customs in New York for Matt here at TRS. His take on the retrofit - "Sure I would have been happy with some FX-R's and Apollo shrouds, but the LS460 projectors were cooler because they matched the OEM Toyota family of parts and filled out the big housings perfectly with their enormous size... not to mention the shrouds are slightly green tinted to match the paint! I would have rocked the Denso ballasts too, but we came out with the Morimoto's when I was just getting this retrofit together and had to put them to the test.
Honda CBR Sport Bike
- Projectors
- FX-R bi-xenon
- Ballasts
- Matsushita Gen 3
- Bulbs
- Morimoto 5000K D2S
- Shrouds
- E55-R
- Accessory
- Morimoto CCFL angel eyes
- Harness
- Custom
Why this parts list?
The bike originally had bulb that would turn on for the low beam, and another bulb that would come on when the high beam was activated. The owner, Steve, was looking for a noticeably brighter output for riding at night. The FX-R's are designed to illuminate larger patches of road in front of cars, so they'd be more than adequate for a motorcycle.
Similar applications
All kinds of vehicles with small headlight housings
sport bikes, snowmobiles, four-wheelers
Notes
This late 90's Honda CBR Sport Bike has headlights very similar to most other sport bikes. That is to say they are horrid when it comes time to ride at night. What's worse than a crotch rocket in the dark? It's hard to calculate exactly how much better the headlights are for this bike after the retrofit when you consider that originally it only had one halogen light bulb to provide its low beam. Now that it has two high performance bixenon projectors, by our calculation, it comes out to 1,000 times better plus or minus a few lumens.
This night-ride changing retrofit was done by the owner himself in Italy. Performance was certainly enhanced, but he also opted to add our CCFL angel eyes on top of the E55-R shrouds to add a little style as well. Looks great, works great and didn't break the bank since it was an easy DIY job. Doesn't get any better than that.
'37 Ford
- Projectors
- FX-R bi-xenon
- Ballasts
- Morimoto 35w Digital
- Bulbs
- Morimoto 4300K D2S
- Shrouds
- E55-R
- Harness
- H4 Bi-xenon
Why this parts list?
The FX-R stage 3 retrofit kit was applied because the owner of this 37 Ford was looking to modernize his headlights during the restoration, wanted to stick to a budget on the project.
Similar applications
Classic cars with glass lens headlights
Notes
This 1937 Ford was being brought back to life by its owner, Rob. He decided to put a modern twist on an old classic by retrofitting our FX-R bi-xenon projectors into the housings. Not only does this improve the old, worn-out headlights functionality, but helps him set apart the restoration from other owners in the club. A performance xenon or bi-xenon retrofit can be applied across the board, and is a smart move for owners of classic vehicles who are looking to modernize a bit.
This interest provoking retrofit was done by the owner himself. Like the other retrofits displayed here, light output is vastly improved, enhanced looks accomplished, and budget-minded buyer satisfied with the bang for the buck by doing it at home.