DIY retrofit.

[sleepyalero]

Well. Boredom at work has made me want to reveal the secret. I was gonna keep it a secret. But this site is dead and all I see is sound system threads... WE NEED SOME FKIN EXCITMENT! Well, lucky for you. Im bringing you that today.


I have already made a thread on this on a retrofit forum. So bare with me... im just going to copy/paste my progression up to where im at..... enjoy!


Sorry I already made a thread about this... sp I just copy and pasted all the stuff so I didnt have to type it all out. I will update this often when progress goes on.



Hey guys got all my stuff from TRS. Here I will show you my progress till completion. But also ask you guys questions.... I actually have a few. Lol but pics first then ill move onto questions.

I have 2 drivers side headlights im practicing on before I move to the good lights that are on the car now. Basically getting it down to the T on fitment then recreate it in my good set.


But anyway here is all the stuff.

- Morimoto d2s 3.0
- Morimoto 3five LC
- Osram CBI
- HD relay
- 2 splitters
- e55r shrouds


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140510_155810_zpsrcsraykk.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140510_155810_zpsrcsraykk.jpg.html)


Had to cut a hole in the bottom for the hi beam solenoid plug.


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140510_202805_zpsd95vbx5i.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140510_202805_zpsd95vbx5i.jpg.html)



Hey thanks man. ill give It a shot when the time comes... im HOPING to have this finished in my good set of lights by next monday...


But anyway got home and grabbed a headlight lense to test fitting and a headlight bezel in as well to check for fitment.

Good news: the way I have the projector in clears the lens by about 3/4 of an inch.

Okay news: The bezel clears thr projector BARELY! its close... but works.

Heres a "worry" im thinking about. The headlights themselves of course have adjusters to aim the headlight left to right. And up and down. I have 8k hids in my current lights. And the way I have the headlights adjusted now are perfect imo (dont have a wall pic atm) But does anyone suggest I leave the adjustment on the lights where they are? Lower them a bit? Or raise them? Im sure thats hard to answer without a picture. But unless I put the projector in deeper into the low beam cup. I wont be able to raise or lower the headlight because the bezel is to close to let it. Even when I have a shroud in.

Basically the cups (high and low beam) move when you adjust the headlight and the bezel seats in the channel of headlight assembly and the headlight lens. So it stays stationary.

But its 4 am im losing my mind... need sleep.. anyway here are some pics taken earlier after I got home.


Headlight with bezel on but no lense.


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_024818_zpsmxn0uxkk.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_024818_zpsmxn0uxkk.jpg.html)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_024909_zpsodrudsqg.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_024909_zpsodrudsqg.jpg.html)



And with lens on and seated.


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_025059_zpsv1a9uszh.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_025059_zpsv1a9uszh.jpg.html)



I did two versions... I like the "after" better then my before. The projector sits in real nice and the cut off is dead straight because the low beam keeps it straight which is nice!


As for the shrouds. Its not set in stone what im going to do. But its going to be tough. Ill just say that... if I cut it in half. The shroud halves would be trimmed to the T And sit flush with the low beam cup. So it looks like it was kind of meant to be..

Heres my first cut. (Before)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_163932_zpshnvhpdx5.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_163932_zpshnvhpdx5.jpg.html)



New cut (the after) I like this one better. Projector goes in more. And keeps the cut off straight.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_163941_zps3biihawf.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_163941_zps3biihawf.jpg.html)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_163132_zpsdhoxpnih.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_163132_zpsdhoxpnih.jpg.html)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_154511_zpsdt0fvwnl.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_154511_zpsdt0fvwnl.jpg.html)


Cut off using flashlight with it "mounted" in

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_163155_zpsuolsqhv3.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_163155_zpsuolsqhv3.jpg.html)




Here is a picture of the clearence I have.... this is where I need to figure out shroud work...


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140511_190813_zpsq6sweoaa.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140511_190813_zpsq6sweoaa.jpg.html)

[sleepyalero]

Whats nice is my most recent cut, and showing you the clearence on bottom pic. Its very tight but fits with some cutting. But with how it sits in there the projector stays level keeping the cut off straight as shit. So I dont have to worry about leveling that out.


The projectors are 3 inch lenses. Im hoping to have this done this weekend. But we will see.


The shroud is where I am stuck atm. Probably wont modify that until the projectors are in my good housing.

But non the less im excited to see the after results.



P.s. I have 2 test lights which are being used in pics to practice before I move to the lights in my car.

[Babyblue]

Looks awesome!

[sleepyalero]

Thank you good sir. :)

[Chris2000]

Good stuff!

[S8track16]

Looks good. Also, I like sound system threads lol.

[sleepyalero]

I know you do haha. Thats just what ive seen the past 2 weeks haha

[sleepyalero]

Took out my headlights. Removed DDM hid kit. Installed morimoto HD relay kit. Ran the grounds/power for it. All hooked up and hidden. Also installed my morimoto 3five ballasts. Hid ballasts and wired those up. Now just gotta finish up test lights throw them in car. And see how the beam alignment is. If its good and I like it. I will be recreating my cuts into my good lights.


Once projectors are mounted into my good lights I will then figure out shroud work.

[Nas Escobar]

If you really find this site boring, I can bring my Cutlass Supreme restauration here... It seems no one on the W site cares so maybe you guys would. I'm at a stand still but yeah I'm starting to find it pointless to post over there for no comments lol

and I like the retrofit. Are you on hidplanet? I haven't been out there in a while so yeah.. I want to do that to my Camaro one day but probably not until 2015. I almost did it to my Grand Am before I sold it.

[sleepyalero]

The site isnt boring. I love aleromod. Its always the first forum I check before any other. Its just been so dead unfortunately :(



Whatever man! We are open to all cars and projects! Unless its ford ;)


And yes. I am on HIDP

[Vella's Alero]

If you really find this site boring, I can bring my Cutlass Supreme restauration here... It seems no one on the W site cares so maybe you guys would. I'm at a stand still but yeah I'm starting to find it pointless to post over there for no comments lol

I have my Rover 414 (now 417TD...lol) build thread on here. I would definitely love to see what you do with the Cutlass!

[Vella's Alero]

Sleepyalero, how did you find the wiring for these?

I have a kit that I'm gonna put into my Rover this summer and wondering how the wiring is going to be. My kit comes with Angel Eyes as well and then I am going to put my DDM set into the High Beams.

[negolien]

Yeah we're all friends I'd be interested I love the gutless my first car was a 73'

[sleepyalero]

The wiring harness its from theretrofitsource.com
Its all plug n play.

[sleepyalero]

Got my lights ready for testing before mounting projectors are mounted in. Gotta get the beam alignment set before I mount the projectors in.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140513_121816_zpsbgg11yna.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140513_121816_zpsbgg11yna.jpg.html)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140513_122215_zpsoabmtdmz.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140513_122215_zpsoabmtdmz.jpg.html)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140513_140451_zpsjdwgyyuu.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140513_140451_zpsjdwgyyuu.jpg.html)

[tw0123]

Looks great man and a lot faster progress than I expected lol :)

[sleepyalero]

Thanks buddy!

I know. Moved faster then I thought I would too lol. I plan on throwing the lights in the car tonight and checking the beam.


Once that is done. Gotta wire up high beam plug. Clean projector lenses of dust particles. Clean chrome bowls. Figure out a shroud if I even do one. Doesnt look half bad without. But we will see... and seal the lights.

[Nas Escobar]

Sleepy, can't wait to see the pics of your beam. Hopefully it isn't very off.

The site isnt boring. I love aleromod. Its always the first forum I check before any other. Its just been so dead unfortunately :(



Whatever man! We are open to all cars and projects! Unless its ford ;)


And yes. I am on HIDP

Yeah, I don't get why it has been so dead lately. It used to be somewhat alive when I first joined. I blame obamacare! :eek:

I have my Rover 414 (now 417TD...lol) build thread on here. I would definitely love to see what you do with the Cutlass!

Yeah we're all friends I'd be interested I love the gutless my first car was a 73'

All right, I'll start bringing stuff over here then :coolio: :usa: :usa:

[sleepyalero]

Yeah its upsetting how dead it is...

[sleepyalero]

Bump to page 2!

[sleepyalero]

Well I test fit! Everything works well. But my projectors point to far outward. Im now debating how to go about getting them pointing more inward.


But anyway here are some pics.


Color banddddddd!!!

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140514_003229_zpsqvrstbnx.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140514_003229_zpsqvrstbnx.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140514_003252_zpso6zrhgif.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140514_003252_zpso6zrhgif.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140514_003847_zpsuceribv8.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140514_003847_zpsuceribv8.jpg.html)

[Nas Escobar]

Yeah its upsetting how dead it is...

I think it's time to market the forum... either that or find ways to get more of the older people back into an Alero.

I notice now that manwhore got rid of his Alero, it got dead. :(

As far as the pics, it seems one side is brighter than the other in the pics. Is it like that in real life?

[Babyblue]

That looks amazing!

[sleepyalero]

Manwhore still has it. For now.


Aside from pics no. Not really. The projectors are way off right now. I think its just the pic. But ill look at that more after they are aligned to see if one is brighter. If so. Idk what would cause that


And thanks parker!

[sleepyalero]

The driver side light is more on the wood then the passanger side. And its a tad lower too

[sleepyalero]

Cutting up the lights more. Further testing soon.

[sleepyalero]

Dont refer to the tape btw.


Lights are mounted with quik steel atm and aimed where I want them! Cure time for the quick steel is 1 hour. So waiting for that then I will pull lights out and epoxy/jbweld them to assure they are steady.


Left to do.

- jbweld projectors.
- clean up assembly lens and headlight it self.
- seal back of headlights since I had to cut back there. :/
- seal pilot holes in back (easy)
- wire up high beam
- put headlights together
- figure out how to cut the shroud to work, if I can even use it.....



Some pics

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140514_154427_zpssoidbcy6.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140514_154427_zpssoidbcy6.jpg.html)
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140514_154128_zpsxopvt4o0.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140514_154128_zpsxopvt4o0.jpg.html)

[Nas Escobar]

You can't get a single line to form? It still seems low on the driver's side

[sleepyalero]

There is a total of basically 4 lines. The humps and the lines have to be level with eachother. And thats how theu are you just cant tell by the pic.


Heres a google image. See how the bottom cutoffs line with the top cut offs?

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/IMG_0499_zpsxwkty0ea.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/IMG_0499_zpsxwkty0ea.jpg.html)

[Nas Escobar]

I see that. I was hoping you could get rid of that. I've seen that on a lot of pics, and I personally don't like that cutoff. I like the TSX's projector cutoff better.

http://maka-rth.com/pics/preludemeets/19sep2009/meet07.jpg

[sleepyalero]

Whats the difference they pretty much look the same? All prjectors pretty much produce the same cutoff. Just some are more precise then others.

[Nas Escobar]

The cutoff line is less sharp. That has always been my gripe with the Morimotos.. the cutoff line.

[sleepyalero]

I love a sharp cut off line.

[Nas Escobar]

That is valid.

[mfuller]

The retro looks to have turned out really well, Nate.
The aim needs a bit of fine tuning is all.
For reference, here's the cutoff on my Morimoto H1 projectors.
Major difference is my 2.5" lenses compared to sleepy's 3" lenses. Because my projectors are more compact, I was able to use an E46 shroud.
http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu132/matthew_fuller/CFAE59FC-C7AE-4B5F-AB0D-5AF285393B26-2936-0000036A01B00E2A.jpg

[sleepyalero]

Thanks matt. The aim looks a tad slanted in pic for some reason but in person is straight as an arrow pretty much.


Only down side to my retro is I may not be able to do a shroud with them being so big.

[sleepyalero]

Last night, wired high beams up. Cleaned headlight lenses, threw some epoxy/jb weld to better secure the projector. Will be adding more jbweld on the back soon to assure durability.

[sleepyalero]

More jbweld setting now. Hoping to put headlights together today.

[kinkyredalero]

Looks good Nate! I hope to see the final project tonight! I wish i had time to do all the stuff with my Alero!

[sleepyalero]

Headlights are pretty much done! Thanks kinky.

Basically all thats left is put lenses on and seal up that back since I had to cut. Still trying to think what do to for that. But pics will comr later.


Hate to say though. I was not able to use a shroud with these projectors. Which doesnt bother me to much. I pretty much figured that with the projector I chose. But these are really nice so thats why I wanted them.

[Kalimaze]

Very. Very nice.

[sleepyalero]

Thanks. Stay tuned for finished pics! I put the lenses on about 4 hours ago. Waiting for caulk to dry..

[sleepyalero]

Here ya go finished product. Sadly no shroud. But hey doesnt look to bad to me.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140516_131300_zpsxmax6pdc.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140516_131300_zpsxmax6pdc.jpg.html)

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad58/natesalero/20140516_131435_zps1l2zfkpo.jpg (http://s921.photobucket.com/user/natesalero/media/20140516_131435_zps1l2zfkpo.jpg.html)

[smccarthy1883]

Where can I buy the projectors and shrouds? I tried on theretrofit site, but couldn't get to a buying stand point.

[sleepyalero]

Theretrofitsource.com

[smccarthy1883]

Tried that. Couldn't get to the part where I could buy it.

[smccarthy1883]

Can I keep using my bulbs I have now for this?

[sleepyalero]

Try on a mobile device. Thats how I use 99% of my internet stuff.

And depends what projectors you want. But the morimoto 3.0 projectors use D2S bulbs. Other projectors can use h1 or h7 and d1s etc.