My labor of love is 95% complete. Mods to headlight done:
- Replaced halogen high beam with Mini H1 7.0 HID w/ Morimoto 35W ballasts and 4.3K bulbs and Morimoto relay kit. Wired to turn on with fog light switch, or high beams.
- Swapped stock fresnel lens with KDM OEM clear lens on main beam, spaced lens with one cardboard spacer for sharper cutoff line
- Installed KDM DRL module
- Custom wired in exLED 1533 amber LEDs into the positioning light area (supplemental turn signal)
- 1157 LED turn signal bulbs (already installed, but removed load resistor as the supplemental turn signal I added creates enough draw to negate need for it)
- Used SPDT relays to alternate the turn signal and DRL module during the day and turn off when headlights turn on
- Used Diode Dynamics S1 Switchback module for the positioning lights/supplemental turn signal at night
- Installed KDM white reflector for amber reflector (and removed amber running lights)
- Painted chrome gloss black, as well as most of the silver shroud
Daytime: DRLs turn on when positioning light is off. Turn signal causes DRLs to blink opposite the turn signal (using SPDT relay)
Nightime (when parking lights are turned on): DRLs turn off. Switchback module turns off positioning light during blinker operation. Fog light switch turns on/off Mini H1 low beam (and fog light). Highbeam works as usual, even flash to pass.
And videos in action:
Further away video: Camera was in low beam path and is essentially blinded when the low beams come on
Close-up video: At angle of one headlight
No output shots yet of the beams. Reason I am 95% done is I screwed up the height adjustment on one Mini H1 (aimed low), and have to re-open the headlight. Sigh. Needless to say these easily double stock output, while keeping the glare off other drivers. High beam is marvelous, way better than the stock halogen set-up.
This is my first time opening headlights - learned a lot and feel more confident doing this kind of mod. Learned tons about the headlight wiring in this vehicle too - know it backwards and forwards now.
I'm in Tampa, so real close. Don't know if I could survive another round - had to constantly balance time with the family. That's why this project took me over a year to complete (the move from DC to Tampa didn't help though).
I may entertain the idea though (after a nice break and finishing what I have left to do). I have an extra set of headlights right now that I could work up (that's how committed I was to getting this done). And I'm much more proficient now. Sourcing the KDM stuff cheaply is the issue to get the DRL module (could get that from a Canadian unit), white reflector and main beam clear lens (not on Canadian models).
Took some output shots. All these pics were taken with the exact same camera settings, so a valid comparison to output can be made. Camera is at f 2.0, 1/200 at ISO 80. These are all underexposed from what I see with my eye, but I think it gives a better view of beam pattern. And I'm too close, but I'm too lazy to try and find a wall with 50 feet of space to show a good beam shot.
And finally, some overexposed shots at f2.0, 1/13 ISO 80. This better matches what I see with my eyes, but the center hotspots are definitely overexposed.
Once I get my alignment issues taken care of, I'll grab some road shots as well.
Other random observations/notes:
The stock beam has NO step in it (well, minuscule). I surmise this is due to the swiveling main beam to keep glare out of drivers eyes.
In the city, these quads are overkill. I'll primarily use the quad setup in dark areas.
There a good blue color band in both sets at the cutoff - I'm just too close to the garage to properly show it. The Mini's color band is bigger than the stock one.
Wish I had gotten some before pics of the stock high beam. The Mini H1 high beam is nuts, probably my favorite thing.
So I figured out my alignment issue. Turned out that the mini H1 was hitting the inside of the shroud. When I went to adjust it up, it broke the steel stick I used to secure the projector to the mount. Opened up the headlight, trimmed the inside of the shroud for clearance, aimed, and re-attached with steel stick.
Got some output pics on the road. Pics take at f 2.0, 1/6 sec, ISO 80
This is fantastic work! I am so jealous, and would also be interested in the cost to have you do a second set. What you made is everything I want. It looks amazing, and I am truly blown away.
This is fantastic work! I am so jealous, and would also be interested in the cost to have you do a second set. What you made is everything I want. It looks amazing, and I am truly blown away.
I can PM you some details, but sourcing the KDM DRL, white reflector, and clear lens (all from KDM headlights) is not easy for a reasonable price. I got lucky with an eBay listing for the pair for $300. I have a homemade DRL I still need to work on that may work and be cheap.
I can PM you some details, but sourcing the KDM DRL, white reflector, and clear lens (all from KDM headlights) is not easy for a reasonable price. I got lucky with an eBay listing for the pair for $300. I have a homemade DRL I still need to work on that may work and be cheap.
I've been eyeing that exLED module for a couple years now, but I knew it was only an upgrade module without the heatsink, optics, and clear diffuser. I've thought about getting it now that I have a module, but actually I like the alternating turn signal I have set up right now.
I've got a set of the exLED bumper modules too, but not thrilled with it's brightness. While it does stop, running, and turn signal, none of them are bright enough to be seen in direct sunlight. I like the sequential module you linked too, never seen that one.
I did consider angel eyes, but opted against it, mainly because I thought it would be too much going on. I've been re-thinking that though, so may do something in the future.
No getting around getting another set of headlights for me to do it, unless you can wait weeks as I work on it in my spare time (family's first for me, and why my build took over a year). I'll send you a PM with some details.
Oh, and you can see some more pics in my DRL build thread (that never really happened) if you want to see some of the inner workings of our headlights and how I built the supplemental switchback turn into the positioning light and the KDM DRL module broken down:
For the front and back. It require a good bit to trimming to accommodate the additional spacing required for the module. I also had to solider a couple resistors inline with the power supply to get the same brightness as the front console.
But it was definitely a good mod. BTW...KDM stands for? Is that a manufacturer..
Decided to update my headlights. Have had the parts for a while, but am now getting to it.
Going to:
- Paint everything SWP to match body color
- Add Diode Dynamics Swtichback Halos
Considering:
- Either adding home made LED bulb, or building a turn signal array
Since I have an extra set of parts (and then some), I can modify now without having to put the car out of commission.
Went ahead and stripped some paint off the shrouds. Funny that the chrome accent piece on the side of the headlight is both clear and grey when stripped of the chrome.
Drilled some holes in the shrouds so that I can attach the halos and run wires.
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