Started my Projector Retro fit!
 

Just some teaser pics but will post stuff once it's all done.

I am using mini ds2 projectors and philips oem bulbs.

I am using normal size gatling guns with 100mm led rings behind them... to make them look different. I was never a fan of halos but I think this is going to turn out well...

Just some teaser pics because this is in progress...

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336106294

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336106294


Test fit of the led ring behind the shroud. Note that the shroud isn't center using the hub centric rings so it doesn't look even because it isn't... I have to trim the top of the back part of the shroud so it sits mor flush.

I like it ...

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336106294


Will post more, hope to have this done this weekend!

-Nigel

Nice start! Should looks good.

MOAR PICS!!!!!





Are you using the SuperBrightLED angel rings? I got 'em too for around my signal. Test fit 'em and test modded a already cut up housing and they looked awesome. But chose to not run them.

so the projectors just screw into the orginal housing and the the surrond goes around that. could you use this with a ddm hid kit and the projectors?

Looking good!

I gotta get around to putting my FX-R retrofit on my truck....it's all done, but I have to find some time to actually install it!

You could, but if you're spending the money on decent projectors, why would you want to?

Yes sir! Got them and the clear ring diffusers but those don't fit in the shroud even after hacking them to bits... so I'm just running the straight led ring.

You have to enlarge the back hole for these to fit, which is a lot less work than actually mounting and aligning a true projector in the headlight housing. My STi has s2k projectors in them but I didn't want to spend as much time doing that on the ranger because of school, work, and moving at the end of the month.. I simply don't have that much time to invest in doing a retro like I did years ago. So this is a compromise on price, performance and mainly time..hahaha

You could use the DDM tuning HIDS in this projector but as stated above why would you. Spend the money and get a quality HID setup. DDM is fine and I have used them on my motocycle but it's chinese garbage(not to offend anyone that uses them, it is what it is, most HID stuff on the market is garbage or extremely poorly made). It's cheap and works so far and I've been using it on the bike for probably 2 years, but then again my bike sees less than 1000miles a year, last year I think I rode it for 30 miles...

I got the entire kit back in November since TRS was offering a "christmas" coupon.

Got the following:
•2x D2S Morimoto Mini bi-xenon projectors w/ clear lenses (Low & High Beams)
•2x HID ballasts (Morimoto, )
•1x Ballast test lead
•2x D2S HID Lamps ( Philips)
•2x Shrouds/ Gatling gun
•2x Projector Centric shroud spacers
•2x metallic BIXENON bezel emblems
•2x Alcohol prep pads for the HID bulbs
•1x Plug n Play Bi-xenon Relay Harness
•1x TheRetrofitSource.com decal
•5-year worry free replacement warranty
•Personalized after-sale customer support and "how-to" PDF's are available upon request.


Think I paid something like $270 shipped for it all which I think is a great deal/value for the coupon which I think was like 20% or something like that.

By far retro's in my opinion are the best mods to do. I still get a huge smile on my face when I turn on my headlights in my STi and the s2k projectors illuminate the entire road, it's just epic.. :-)

Hope to get more done tonight!

-Nigel

could you give us a cost estimate all in all; just estimate

so this mod process isn't all too hard then

Edited the above post for you.
It's one of the cheaper mods that you instantly see when you drive at night, hands down.
It's better than the HID in the stock headlights that blind everyone with glare and it puts light where it should :-)

not at all, at least with what I went... when you actually have to mount the projector and align it, it's not as hard persay but just more time consuming making sure everything is right before you jbweld everything together and then seal the headlights backup.

-Nigel

Two pics... Getting there.

HID on and testing, with LED ring. Fitted the shroud pretty good.. still minor tweaking.

Cut off projected on ceiling.. I need to play with the cut off shield and get a crisper cut off maybe a little more blue..etc

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336200301

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336200301

-Nigel

You need to adjust your headlights. They are wayyyy to high. hahhaa jk

P.S. Man that looks awesome!

looks awesome man...i love my projectors

Do you have a thread? If you do, just please reply with a link. I'd hate to goober up the OP's thread. lol. Not many do Fx-R's and I've got my 1.1's sitting since like October because of the amount of time required to get it done.

You could just do the Projector Upgrade kit....it's not that expensive and it utilizes your existing ballsts. That's it....Upgrade kit has projectors, shrouds, bulbs, and harness.

Clicky: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=178

I suggest flipping through their site to answer many other questions you may have. The D2S is commonly used because of it's size and ease of installation. No jigs needed and the projector will actually fit inside the very shallow Ranger lamp housings.

I notice I've got quite a good amount of yellow at my cut offs, some purple, some blue, and even some red. But in person with the truck coming torward you, all you see is a minimal flicker of yellow, blue, and purple. Mine are right out of the box, unmodded D2S w/ 3" lenses.




Back to an earlier comment about the LED halo rings.... Is yours going to be visible with the projector turned on? Or will they primarily be viewed with just the parking lights on? H

Here's mine in testing stages. lol.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336282823

No sorry, I really don't. I took the easy way out (aka - wimped out) and paid Lightwerkz to professionally perform my complete retrofit since I was using the newly released FX-R 3.0's and knew it needed all the cutting & aiming. Outcome is amazing...but you do have to pay for it! However, I went with lots of upgrades including the newly released Osram Xenarc 66240 CBI lamps...they are pricy as hell ($185 just for the lamps from TRS)...but generally regarded as the best performing HID lamp out there.

Here are some pictures that were taken by Lightwerkz:http://www.lightwerkz.net/news/2012/...or-conversion/.

That's a thing of beauty NSG!

This thread caused me to finally go out yesterday and wire up part of my retrofit. I only have one light installed and it's temporarily wired in, but the difference from stock is unreal! Loving the cutoff line and control a proper HID retrofit gets you!

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Good question on the being able to see the led ring with the HID on.. .probably not unless stand to the side of the truck... I was concerned with heat so I am adding an on/off spst switch to the LED rings so I can shut them off as soon as I turn the actual headlights on., I mainly wanted to have the rings on when the parking lights are on to match the parking lights... give it a cool affect..

I ran into an issue with the harness... but that is getting worked out... so hopefully this weekend I can finally finish everything. The headlights are all sealed up and I will take a picture or two once it's daylight. I'm going to adjust the headlights now inside the parking garage at work csince I'm bored...lol

So far though it looks pretty factory.. infact if you didn't know I'd say it looks OEM with the headlights and shrouds/projectors. My neighbor asked what did I do to my headlights and I'm like exactly!..lol

-Nigel

Just a couple updates.

My wiring harness is not right and not really compatible with our rangers according to matt over at TRS... so I'm in the process of getting a new harness.

In the time being though I have the projectors mounted in the headlights, aligned them and sealed the headlights back up.

I'm going to wiring the LED rings behind the shrouds once I get my new harness, so I can then run them with an on/off switch in the cabin. I was initially going to tap the parking lights but didn't want them on when the HID is on to shorten the life of the LEDS, so I am going to be able to turn them on or off at will but mainly have them on via the parking lights.

Just a couple pictures.

Lighting sucks:


https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336483170

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336483170


I painted the inside of the shield black.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336483170

Gives it a darker look... Should have done some type of yellow maybe to match the fogs a little bit but that's ok. I like it so far.

Before adjusting the lights.

The wall is angled to the right so it slopes.. need to get on a flat wall at work tonight in the parking garage.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1336483170

-Nigel

Nice! Looks great!

Thats awesome.

These are going to look awesome when your finished.

NewShockerGuy,

OK OOOLLLDDDD Post, May 2012 last post. I had to ask some questions.
Nice work !
You didn't mention you had done a projector retro to a Ranger before !
Can you fill in the blanks for an old guy... or maybe you can't remember ?
How did you decide how much to cut out of the housings ?
How did you decide where to put the bolt holes for mounting the Projectors ?
Etc., etc., etc... !
Did you d a write up ?

Thanks for any info on this, I was going to order through The Retrofit Source, but I am not sure i want or even can do the install properly and i don't want to screw it up !

Ltr

Wondering about the same thing and found this.
The forum is for a Ford F150, but the bulb socket is the same, so it should work.

https://www.f150forum.com/f6/lightni...195523/index2/

Hello,
I have not done the Projector Retrofit as yet.
First I am a procrastinator, I have the parts, I received the Jig I was after, all I need is time and the proper alignment positioning.
I have an idea the headlight's lower edge is level to the Projector, I will be using that as the alignment point.
I will attach the Drill Jig and align the Jig to the same flat position as the housings; secure the Jig, with the center bolt, and then mark and drill the four bolt holes, I think using the bolts to secure the Projector Housings will take a little more time and effort but I believe the Housing will be better secured and hopefully will not move around.
After the Projector Holes are drilled I will need to machine a Plug with a center hole; to go in the OEM Bulb Mounting Position, and allow me to use a Hole Saw to cut a 3" Hole; how I arrived at the Hole Size is, I measured the Projector Housings, and determined the size based on those measurements !
Cutting the Hole through the back of the Housing will take a little more measuring to make sure I have the correct size because once the hole is cut there is no center position anymore... it will take grinding to open the hole further, so measure a few time and get it right the first time... not too big and not too small !

Hoping to start the Headlight Projector Retro soon, maybe during the Christmas Week, but around here you never think past tomorrow, there is always something on the Honey Do List !

Once I start I will post what ever pictures I take, and try to do a write up... sorry if anyone is waiting for me to finish... just no rush around here anymore !

Got the PARTS..., got the JIG..., now I just need the TIME !

p.s. Before starting the retrofit... you will need to get a reference point setup so you can go back to it and check if you are way off or not.
Hopefully, your retro project will come close tot eh OEM positioning !