JDM headlight update...
#1
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JDM headlight update...
here's an update for those that care about fitting JDM headlights into your car. here are some things that i took note of.
JDM vs. USDM
JDM headlights have continuous lines that keep going across the side corner lamp to diffuse the light better (my guess). USDM headlights have that clear area. If you "clear" your USDM headlights, you will see straight into the reflector housing for the corner lamp (this is one of the reasons i got the JDM headlights. as i cleared my USDM headlights, i ended up putting DEEP scratches in the chrome reflector part. it looked hideous ). Oh, and theres a little bump on the side corner lamp on the JDM one.
The JDM headlights have a space between the corner lamp, and the main headlights called a positioning light (term thanx to {-.-} ) . USDM headlights do not have this, and it will take extra wiring to make this useful. You could probably just splice into the corner lamp and use it as an extra turn signal.
In the JDM headlights, the projector has one less metal piece in there. I looked into my USDM projectors, and there was a metal piece (cutoff line) blocking the bottom half of the projector, and another piece on the top that blocks (diffuses?) more light. In the JDM ones, the top piece was nonexistant. I recall someone saying that the JDM headlights were made for HID lighting, and it throws more light out. I guess this could be the reason for that .
There are no leveling bubbles, nor that white leveling thing (found on the USDM lights) on the JDM headlights. All the screws to adjust the positioning of the lights are there, just that you have to eyeball it when you adjust the JDM ones.
This one really got me mad. On the JDM headlights, both use a 9005 bulb, whereas, the USDM one uses a 9006 in the projector, and a 9005 in the high beams. I bought an HID kit with a 9006 base for my USDM headlights. Now that I took apart my front bumper / headlights, I find out that the damn bulb will not fit. Now I have to spend more $$ to buy 9005 base HID bulbs .
I was really hoping to get these on today so I can see how they look, but now I have to wait for the arrival of my 9005 bulbs...which I hope they still have in stock. Hopefully this will help some ppl later on down the road.
JDM vs. USDM
JDM headlights have continuous lines that keep going across the side corner lamp to diffuse the light better (my guess). USDM headlights have that clear area. If you "clear" your USDM headlights, you will see straight into the reflector housing for the corner lamp (this is one of the reasons i got the JDM headlights. as i cleared my USDM headlights, i ended up putting DEEP scratches in the chrome reflector part. it looked hideous ). Oh, and theres a little bump on the side corner lamp on the JDM one.
The JDM headlights have a space between the corner lamp, and the main headlights called a positioning light (term thanx to {-.-} ) . USDM headlights do not have this, and it will take extra wiring to make this useful. You could probably just splice into the corner lamp and use it as an extra turn signal.
In the JDM headlights, the projector has one less metal piece in there. I looked into my USDM projectors, and there was a metal piece (cutoff line) blocking the bottom half of the projector, and another piece on the top that blocks (diffuses?) more light. In the JDM ones, the top piece was nonexistant. I recall someone saying that the JDM headlights were made for HID lighting, and it throws more light out. I guess this could be the reason for that .
There are no leveling bubbles, nor that white leveling thing (found on the USDM lights) on the JDM headlights. All the screws to adjust the positioning of the lights are there, just that you have to eyeball it when you adjust the JDM ones.
This one really got me mad. On the JDM headlights, both use a 9005 bulb, whereas, the USDM one uses a 9006 in the projector, and a 9005 in the high beams. I bought an HID kit with a 9006 base for my USDM headlights. Now that I took apart my front bumper / headlights, I find out that the damn bulb will not fit. Now I have to spend more $$ to buy 9005 base HID bulbs .
I was really hoping to get these on today so I can see how they look, but now I have to wait for the arrival of my 9005 bulbs...which I hope they still have in stock. Hopefully this will help some ppl later on down the road.
#4
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actually the 9006/9005 ARE capable of fitting each others housing. the ONLY difference is i think 1 of the leg on the bulbs are different. all you have to do is use a dremel or soemthng and sand down 1 of the legs a little and it wouild be a perfect fit.
#5
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Thread Starter
when i was trying to force that bulb in, it seemed the base itself was too big. i had these Piaa Super plasma bulbs from before which were HB3/4. I was told that it would fit the 9005 / 9006, just change the rubber o-ring to get it from 9005 to 9006. The Piaa's fit right into the JDM housing, but the HID's would not go in. Seemed like the base of the bulb was too wide, and would not go into the hole. I measured the base of the HB3/4 bulb...it was about 20mm thick. The base of the 9006 bulb was 22mm thick. The JDM projector had an opening of about 20mm, and the USDM projector had an opening of about 22mm. I'm hoping that the 9005 base is close to 20mm, but i will buy some cheapy bulbs to test the bases, and see if I can just cut something to make them go in
#6
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Re: JDM headlight update...
Originally posted by Mischievious GS
The JDM headlights have a space between the corner lamp, and the main headlights called a positioning light (term thanx to {-.-} ) . USDM headlights do not have this, and it will take extra wiring to make this useful. You could probably just splice into the corner lamp and use it as an extra turn signal.
[/B]
The JDM headlights have a space between the corner lamp, and the main headlights called a positioning light (term thanx to {-.-} ) . USDM headlights do not have this, and it will take extra wiring to make this useful. You could probably just splice into the corner lamp and use it as an extra turn signal.
[/B]
#7
Intermediate
Thread Starter
The JDM headlights use a HB3 (9005) bulb on both the low beam (projector) and the high beams. I compared the 9005 bulb base and the 9006 bulb base, and one of those little nipple things face the opposite way, BUT the base of the 9006 bulb (22mm) was 2mm wider than the 9005(20mm). That is the reason why my 9006 will not fit, even if i cut one of those little nipples off .
As for the positioning lights, i'll think of something to stick in there...
As for the positioning lights, i'll think of something to stick in there...
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#8
Lexus Test Driver
You figured it out yet? I'd like to see what it looks like. What are the real-world advantages of having the JDM headlights (I know what you wrote above I was wondering if once you installed them that was true)? Sounds cool man. Nice work.
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Last edited by Pianoman72; 08-28-03 at 10:45 AM.
#11
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Originally posted by The Ju1ce
hey do any of you guys know where to purchase JDM 93-97 gs 300 lights??? or where to order just stock oem 93-97 gs lights???
i know at least one of you does
hey do any of you guys know where to purchase JDM 93-97 gs 300 lights??? or where to order just stock oem 93-97 gs lights???
i know at least one of you does
#14
Lexus Test Driver
USDM - $370 each on www.oemwholesale.com
if you have condensation in yours or it has yellowed there are FAQs on here on how to fix that so you don't have to buy new ones.
if you have condensation in yours or it has yellowed there are FAQs on here on how to fix that so you don't have to buy new ones.
#15
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Originally posted by Pianoman72
USDM - $370 each on www.oemwholesale.com
if you have condensation in yours or it has yellowed there are FAQs on here on how to fix that so you don't have to buy new ones.
USDM - $370 each on www.oemwholesale.com
if you have condensation in yours or it has yellowed there are FAQs on here on how to fix that so you don't have to buy new ones.