IS250 Retrofit in Progress
#32
well I bought another set of AFS HID headlights, projectors, lenses, brackets, tools and other nick nacks and it ended up that much. I still have a little more spending to do. I wanted to get another set of headlights to take my time on the retro and at the same time I still have my car to drive around in.
#34
Yeah I knew that the non AFS is cheaper than the AFS but it was personal preference.
The wiring harness on the AFS is different from the non AFS, correct me if I am wrong (no ballast vs. with ballast). I know its cheaper but it saves me some headache; I dont have to hunt for ballasts, and besides, the design of the AFS holds the ballast very efficiently and sleek. And the projectors I got were mostly from my bodyshops. The SC430/e30 combo cost me about 250; that's all I spent on projectors. That was the first and will mostly be the last time I buy projectors. The other projectors I have were no charge. The shrouds from the ISx50 are actually usable and they arent that bad; they are actually nice imo.
Tools and supplies were an extra 100 or so. That's how it added to about 1k. If I didnt get another set of headlights, it would be over half the cost for sure.
The wiring harness on the AFS is different from the non AFS, correct me if I am wrong (no ballast vs. with ballast). I know its cheaper but it saves me some headache; I dont have to hunt for ballasts, and besides, the design of the AFS holds the ballast very efficiently and sleek. And the projectors I got were mostly from my bodyshops. The SC430/e30 combo cost me about 250; that's all I spent on projectors. That was the first and will mostly be the last time I buy projectors. The other projectors I have were no charge. The shrouds from the ISx50 are actually usable and they arent that bad; they are actually nice imo.
Tools and supplies were an extra 100 or so. That's how it added to about 1k. If I didnt get another set of headlights, it would be over half the cost for sure.
#36
Thanks!
I made custom brackets using some 1mm x 10mm metal pieces and bending them in shape. Then I have to test the rotational settings on the car to make sure its horizontally level. Its alot of labor. I am at this moment waiting for my left headlight. After that I can get started on the retro on that which should take about 2 hrs for the left side; I have all my brackets ready for install. Come to think of it, if I had EVERYTHING I needed for this retro (every single part and tool), it would probably take me 6 or 7 hours to complete, it to be honest.
Well if you just use the original headlights on you car every thing CAN cost about 300 (maybe less) in parts. Labor is a different story.
I made custom brackets using some 1mm x 10mm metal pieces and bending them in shape. Then I have to test the rotational settings on the car to make sure its horizontally level. Its alot of labor. I am at this moment waiting for my left headlight. After that I can get started on the retro on that which should take about 2 hrs for the left side; I have all my brackets ready for install. Come to think of it, if I had EVERYTHING I needed for this retro (every single part and tool), it would probably take me 6 or 7 hours to complete, it to be honest.
Well if you just use the original headlights on you car every thing CAN cost about 300 (maybe less) in parts. Labor is a different story.
#42
Lexus Test Driver
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Extreme, it should look OEM as he is utilizing the stock shrouds, albeit slightly reduced in side. Projectors look like projectors.
mahcah, I have nearly finished purchasing parts for my retrofit and will begin painting and possible mounting soon
How did you test your setups? I am planning on alligator-clipping PC power supplies, but am not completely sure on how to do it yet, since Ocellaris's thread is tremendously confusing for me.
mahcah, I have nearly finished purchasing parts for my retrofit and will begin painting and possible mounting soon
How did you test your setups? I am planning on alligator-clipping PC power supplies, but am not completely sure on how to do it yet, since Ocellaris's thread is tremendously confusing for me.
#43
With everything back together to a non-IS fanatic, yes it will look oem. But if a person really knows how the original headlight looks like in full detail, then that person can point out the retrofit. Honestly I think that it still does look oem with the finished set up; probably a little better imo. I will post up another thread when I am completely finished with the project from the start to the very finish, showcasing the output at nighttime. Exciting; at least for me.