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About the retrofit source

Despite modest beginnings, our unwavering and obsessive passion has resulted in TRS becoming the largest general distributor of automotive lighting upgrades in the world.

TESTIMONIALS

THE START OF SOMETHING BIG

Years ago there were no formal sources for retrofitting components. You would have to get a damaged headlight off of eBay or from a salvage yard, extract all the parts from it yourself and design and put together your own wire harness. There were no guarantees on the internal or working condition of these parts, and they were expensive too. You want a set of OEM [plastic] projector shrouds from a BMW E46? $200. A set of OEM clear lenses? That'll be another two bills. You haven't even purchased the core components for the retrofit yet. How about some Acura TL projectors? 300 bucks. Decent condition used OEM ballasts and Philips light bulbs: $200 please and thank you sir. And thus, The Retrofit Source was born in June of 2005.

Originally specializing in collecting and supplying the hard-to-find HID headlight retrofit components, we started out as a company who purchased and recycled slightly damaged headlight assemblies in bulk from salvage yards around the US. Everything salvageable was cleaned, tested and sold; only to realize road-use once again in a retrofit. Eventually we developed our own purpose-built lineup of parts. Starting with the high-demand parts that could be used across the board such as our E46-Replica shrouds or ZKW-Replica lenses, they were an instant hit. Offering OEM-like performance on an aftermarket budget, we expanded the lineup to include other necessities such as ballasts, bulbs, wire harnesses, and of course projectors. All of these components were conceptualized and engineered in-house and ultimately became the foundation for what we are today!


The World’s Most Trusted Source for Automotive Lighting

At The Retrofit Source, we believe better lighting changes everything: how you see the road, how your vehicle looks, and how confidently you drive at night. For drivers who care about performance, safety, and style, TRS is the destination for high performance LED and HID lighting upgrades built and supported by real enthusiasts. We specialize in LED projector retrofit kits, HID projector retrofit kits, LED headlight bulbs, and complete LED headlight and tail light assemblies designed to deliver clean beam patterns, reliable output, and long term durability. No gimmicks. No shortcuts.


Built by Enthusiasts. Supported by Experts

Automotive lighting is not just a category to us. It is our passion.
When you contact The Retrofit Source, you are not routed to a script or a generic call center. You are talking to lighting specialists who build, test, install, and run these upgrades on their own vehicles. Our team understands the difference between brightness and usable light, between scattered glare and a proper cutoff, and between “fits” and fits correctly. That expertise is why customers consistently tell us they feel confident upgrading their vehicles with TRS, even when tackling their first retrofit project.


Making Custom Lighting Easy and Done Right

Custom lighting should not feel intimidating. We remove the guesswork from upgrading headlights and tail lights by offering:

  • Vehicle specific retrofit kits engineered for proper fitment and performance
  • Carefully curated LED and HID solutions tested for real world driving conditions
  • Clear installation guidance and educational content, including videos and how tos
  • Honest recommendations, even when that means pointing you toward a simpler or different solution

Whether you are upgrading a daily driver, building a show vehicle, or dialing in a trail rig, TRS makes it easier to get the right parts the first time.


The Best Brands in Automotive Lighting

We carry and support industry leading manufacturers known for optical performance, reliability, and innovation, including Morimoto, GTR Lighting, Osram, Philips, Sylvania, NHK, and other trusted names. Every product we sell is chosen because it meets our standards for beam quality, longevity, and safety. Not because it is trendy or cheap. This commitment to quality is why professional installers, automotive enthusiasts, and everyday drivers trust TRS for lighting upgrades that last.


Trusted by Drivers, Builders, and Installers Worldwide

Trust is not claimed. It is earned.
The Retrofit Source is backed by thousands of verified customer reviews across Google, Yelp, and independent platforms. Customers consistently highlight:

  • Knowledgeable, enthusiast level customer support
  • Fast, reliable shipping and careful packaging
  • High quality lighting products with real performance gains
  • Long term reliability across multiple vehicles and builds
Many customers return to TRS again and again, not just for one upgrade, but for every vehicle they own.



A Community Fueled by Passion and Education

Lighting culture is driven by community, and we are proud to be part of it. From social media and YouTube to customer build photos and feedback driven product development, TRS stays connected to the enthusiast world. We listen. We test. We evolve. The best lighting solutions are built with real drivers in mind.


Upgrade With Confidence

If you are searching for a reliable, knowledgeable, enthusiast driven automotive lighting source, you are in the right place. At The Retrofit Source, we do not just sell lighting. We help you see better, drive safer, and build smarter.

OUR SHOP

Located in West Midtown in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia; our 50,000 Sq Ft facility houses our entire operation. Up front, our showroom is decked out with the latest product offerings on display. Our modern customer service office is home to 30 of the best product specialists in the southeast. Our CEO, CMO, Accounting team and digital media team maintain modern, dedicated office space to the rear. Our fulfillment warehouse stays stocked with massive amounts of headlight happiness at all times. Behind it all, a 6000 Sq Ft studio garage is home to all of our product photos, testing, and video production. The car guy culture at TRS is strong.

Each one of our unique quality control procedures has a dedicated workspace to ensure consistency. We even have a purpose-built dark room for tuning and testing projectors in the perfect environment. Our inventory lives in a fully digital warehouse designed to maximize throughput.

On any given day, the shop is filled with the sounds of coffee brewing, phones buzzing, keyboards clanging, tape guns unreeling, new product presentations, and car guys gawking. Come by and beg for a tour, we'll show you around!

A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER

With so much specialized knowledge, talent, and history under one roof, our team of 50+ individuals can't help but consume headlight tech for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's in our blood.

Was it being in the right place at the right time that got us here? Is it the "no let-downs allowed" attitude in our customer service? Maybe the parts just sell themselves? Whatever it is, it's amazing how much we've accomplished since opening up shop in 2005. The Retrofit Source currently collaborates with over 50 various manufacturers, all of the most professional lighting outfitters in the US, and has served tens of thousands of individuals worldwide. We are proud to have a prominent customer base in Canada, the Middle East, the UK and Australia. We recognize that sometimes we're imperfect. Sometimes we have growing pains. Sometimes we flat-out fail. We are human. At the end of the day we are a young, enthusiastic group of car guys with a passion for perfecting the night time drive and our goal was, still is, and always will be to supply you with the most appropriate, best performing products for your application at the best price. We've worked hard to earn our reputation in this industry, and promise to make every customer happy without exception.

Whether you're just getting started by dealing with our excellent customer service or you're already comfortably cruising on that dark road at night, you'll be glad you dealt with The Retrofit Source. Huge thanks to all who give us the pleasure of serving you!

Yours truly,

Matt Kossoff Founder



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