Projector Question

eXtreMe579 · #1 02-08-2013, 11:20 PM

So I have a 99 and have been looking into swapping it into a 2010 front end look, and retrofitting some TL Projectors. Does anyone know if the TL fits into a 2010 headlight? Reason why I'm asking is because I have heard and read that the TL is somewhat big of a projector

Mikerider · #2 02-08-2013, 11:32 PM

Any thing is possible the tl projectors are large but you could make it work. That being said the ease of the d2s is very appealing and fxrs are not much harder.

Saves · #3 02-08-2013, 11:40 PM

TLs will most likely have enough of the projector itself sticking out the back of the reflector bucket that you will have to trim the header panel behind the headlight assemblies. if you are ok with doing that then go for it. my personal opinion thoiugh, if you are already going through that much work to fit TLs, you might as well just do FXR's, they blow the TL's out of the water in almost every category. the TLs are popular because they are relatively easy to colour mod.

I have morimoto D2S in my headlights, only reason i didnt go with a oem projector is because i dont want to modify anyting too much for warranty reasons.

Logan03CO · #4 02-09-2013, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikerider

That being said the ease of the d2s is very appealing and fxrs are not much harder.

The D2S's just screw in (basically), but the FX-R's require the entire back of the housing to be cut open and mounted inside.

Therefore, I would state that the FX-R install is very similar to what the TL install would be (and much more involved than the D2S setup). It's all freehand and custom - You got to cut the opening and figure out how to mount, aim & seal everything once that's done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saves

my personal opinion thoiugh, if you are already going through that much work to fit TLs, you might as well just do FXR's

x2

I have a set of FX-R's (3.0 Series) installed in my Ranger - I love them.

On my truck there was a factory opening in the header panel behind the headlights that gives some extra space so you don't need to cut into the truck at all for it to fit into place - However, I believe the TL's have an even bigger body, so you may run into some other issues.

It was pretty tight with the FX-R's.

eXtreMe579 · #5 02-09-2013, 06:47 AM

Well how about width, lighting and sharper cut. Which one would be best? TL or FXR

Logan03CO · #6 02-09-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eXtreMe579

Well how about width, lighting and sharper cut. Which one would be best? TL or FXR

Everyone has a different opinion - But remember either way; you will have better lighting than 95% of all the other cars on the road.

It's like picking between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini - Either way, you have a world-class supercar.

Here are some comparison pictures that are either side-by-side or in the same location using the same distance so you can compare.

Also, note that these pictures are from like 2009 - so they are not even the newest generation of FX-R's – which is the 3.0 series. I believe the 3.0 series FX-R has an even wider beam spread, and of course, it maintains the beautiful & sharp cutoff line the FX-R's are known for.

Top: FX-R
Bottom: TL

Top: TL
Bottom: FX-R

TL High Beams:

FX-R High Beams:

eXtreMe579 · #7 02-09-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan03CO

Everyone has a different opinion - But remember either way; you will have better lighting than 95% of all the other cars on the road.

It's like picking between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini - Either way, you have a world-class supercar.

Here are some comparison pictures that are either side-by-side or in the same location using the same distance so you can compare.

Also, note that these pictures are from like 2009 - so they are not even the newest generation of FX-R's – which is the 3.0 series. I believe the 3.0 series FX-R has an even wider beam spread, and of course, it maintains the beautiful & sharp cutoff line the FX-R's are known for.

Man from the looks of it, the FX-R does have a more solid look and sharper cut, think i just changed my mind lol

01RangerEdge · #8 02-09-2013, 09:48 AM

Logan, how much of the reflector bucket does the FXR take up? I'm asking because My plan was to leave the reflector bucket unpainted and do the normal headlight mod to the rest.

Logan03CO · #9 02-09-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01RangerEdge

Logan, how much of the reflector bucket does the FXR take up?

A large part of it.

With the FX-R's you're actually pretty limited on what type of shrouds you can use because it has to be big enough to have it fit around the projector body and deep enough still have it extend all the way back to the housing in order to not have a gap showing.

Best picture I have showing it (sorta):

01RangerEdge · #10 02-09-2013, 10:17 AM

Which shroud is that?

Logan03CO · #11 02-09-2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01RangerEdge

Which shroud is that?

They are the extended E46 shrouds.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01RangerEdge

Logan, how much of the reflector bucket does the FXR take up?

Another angle that may show the size better (slightly):

01RangerEdge · #12 02-09-2013, 10:25 AM

Thanks, tax return is coming soon and I'm getting a lot more back than I thought, I think it's projector time

eXtreMe579 · #13 02-09-2013, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01RangerEdge

Thanks, tax return is coming soon and I'm getting a lot more back than I thought, I think it's projector time

Sounds like a good plan, I might be doing the same

I've been looking at the retrofit source where different shrouds are available for the FX-R but I wouldn't know what the difference between them are

Logan03CO · #14 02-09-2013, 09:18 PM

I'm just glad more people are recognizing the superior performance of a projector retrofit (anything - from D2S's all the way up to the FX-R's) and thus opting for a quality HID setup even if it costs more to do a retrofit.

Still sad to see all the people that half-ass things and just toss in cheap HID's into a reflector designed for a halogen lamp and think it's so 'great'. LOL

Mikerider · #15 02-11-2013, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan03CO

Still sad to see all the people that half-ass things and just toss in cheap HID's into a reflector designed for a halogen lamp and think it's so 'great'. LOL

And I flash high beams at every one of those people...