PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

this is for plastic lenses only. you can try it but i can guarantee you that the lenses will not come out anything near clear. just messing up your headlights.

OEM E-series 96-02 (thats W210 chassis) had fluted glass lenses and halogen bulbs just like the pre 98 LS400.

read up
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=239785

there is no way to sand/polish the fluted lines out of the glass in the gen1 headlights.

one japanese company (Hilltop) uses industrial machinery to GRIND the glass clear but it is in excess of $800, and a primary complaint is the presence of swirls and scratchmarks on the remaining glass lens since even they cant grind the glass "optically clear"

pito

I agree that sanding on the glass lights will do nothing but hurt you.

Get yourself a nice $170 HID kit off craigslist and call it a day. Once again for best results get a 6000K rated set. Get bi-xenon if you care about the highbeam function.


I am glad that older owners or people who have had these cars for over a decade have tried different options to improve on things. Let us not forget that with time comes change. Things have become cheaper and are more accessible. So something that may have not worked 10+ years ago may have been improved upon during that time. HID kits used to cost upwards of $500. Now you can get one under $200. I have only seen one custom job where someone cut the projector into the glass itself. This was on an Acura legend but on that car the glass is inside of a housing which has an outer glass. On the LS It might not look as clean with a projector poking out.

What happend to the guy researching the Volkswagon setup for the LS's???

steph

i just bought the bi-xenon hella kit off ebay $165 shipped. my manager put the low beam kit on his 96 accord so i had to buy some for my ls .

as for the diffusors in the hid factory headlights they come stock on MANY cars including the S-Class mercedes so they do NOT have to be clear like most other cars have even with plain halogen bulbs. I see more cars that have blinding lights without hids anyways.

thanks for the help for those that were helpful...

Post more hid pics!

pito

Good post pics when your done. Remember just aim them right using a nice white wall and you'll be ok.

akxx

iTrader: (1)

Original Poster: You didn't mention what your objective is. If it is high-quality lighting, then no, HID retrofit cannot be done effectively. Heck, even the guy on this thread who did it has his pointed to the ground to prevent glare--which means compromised actual lighting where you need it. The best bet is to go with Silverstar Ultras and be done with it.

If your objective is purely for looks and the bling factor, then you can retrofit, but your actual light quality put on the road will suffer. Sure it will be brighter, but brighter is NOT better--pattern, light dispersion, lumens, etc. all contribute to *quality* light put downroad in a manner that does not cause visual fatigue.

steph

I was just wondering if anyone has done it before. not how. I know how. I wanted to see a few pics.

EXE.UCF10

iTrader: (3)

avalon42, when you retrofitted the H3 HID bulbs into your 9004 housing, did you make sure that the focal point of the H3 bulb matched up with the focal point of the 9004 bulb while it was in the housing? I understand that you've aimed your headlights to their lowest setting, but if you match up the focal points, I think you'd get a much better beam pattern than you have right now.

'90-'92 models use 9004 bulbs. It's the fogs that use H3C bulbs instead of H3 bulbs like on the '93-'94s.

I believe Lexkost is still doing R&D on those.

EXE.UCF10

iTrader: (3)

Here's my Philips 6000K H4 setup in Toyota Celsior (JDM spec) one piece headlights... taken next to the driver's side.

avalon42

iTrader: (1)

I did not match the original focal points, all I did was hollow out some stock 9004 bulbs and made them so they would fit the H3 bulbs I already had. It was that or either buy a new kit. I just didn't want the engine fumes and dirt getting into the headlight housing. I know the beam pattern looks bad, but it's because they are aimed down so low.

Props on your setup and the 1 piece JDM headlights (which I'd get if they didn't cost a grip...


To everybody else:

Cmon guys, 1LS wasn't bad. If there wasn't a 1LS, there wouldn't be anything for Toyota to improve on. Stop knocking it, honestly.

Lexkost

I believe Lexkost is still doing R&D on those.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I am still working on them and they WILL WORK, but now I am installing a full front bumper kit that does not have turn signals it so I am deciding on what do to with the front turn signals, use the corners lights or the ones in new headlights.

Also since persian451 sold his 1st gen LS I do not have a first gen to also retro fix ....So are there any takers out there with a 1st gen LS in Socal let me know.

avalon42

iTrader: (1)

So are there any takers out there with a 1st gen LS in Socal let me know.[/QUOTE]

I'd be willing to try...but my question is...what Volkswagen lights are we talking about?

Don't beat me with the Search Stick please.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

i DID post the link up a few posts ago

aftermarket jetta lights.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=239785

avalon42

iTrader: (1)

My bad, PD! In all my excitement I should really read...read...read

akxx

iTrader: (1)

Speaking of needing to read--read the context of the posts. The 1LS is an amazing car. Has horrible headlights, that are not easily upgraded in a manner that provides good light pattern. End of story.

avalon42

iTrader: (1)

As Capn Jack would say, sticks and stones...