GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Headlight Mod...

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Old 12-21-01, 08:04 PM
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Manaray
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Default Headlight Mod...

Ok folks, here it is...I've talked about it and now it's actualy done...

Black insides and a clear turn signal marker. If you're SERIOUSLY interested in such a mod, PM me.

Here's the first picture...a brand new headlight and the modded one...
Attached Thumbnails Headlight Mod...-combo.jpg  
Old 12-21-01, 08:05 PM
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Manaray
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Close up of the black..
Attached Thumbnails Headlight Mod...-blackhl1.jpg  
Old 12-21-01, 08:06 PM
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Manaray
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Oh, by the way, this was the first set done so it's not all that clean on the seams (plus the headlight is from a crashed GS...)...the production ones will be as clean as the factory seals...
Attached Thumbnails Headlight Mod...-blackhl2.jpg  
Old 12-21-01, 08:07 PM
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Manaray
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Another pict...
Attached Thumbnails Headlight Mod...-blackhl3.jpg  
Old 12-21-01, 08:08 PM
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Manaray
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And finally, a close up of the turn signal...
Attached Thumbnails Headlight Mod...-clearturn.jpg  
Old 12-21-01, 09:45 PM
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gsintensive
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can't wait to see this on an actual car.. soo special!!
i am real interested!
Old 12-21-01, 11:47 PM
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I had the same idea. It's great to see that it has become a reality.

I was thinking more like black chrome rather than just flat matte black tho. Is that possible?

And is this brand new headlight replacement set or do we have to send in our stock lights?
Attached Thumbnails Headlight Mod...-blackhead.jpg  
Old 12-21-01, 11:51 PM
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Intellexual
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Will these headlights affect light output in ANY way?

Manaray:
What do you mean by "production versions"? Are you the one taking stock lights and modifying them?

Thanks, they look great, also cant wait to see them on a car!
Old 12-22-01, 02:02 AM
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Manaray
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Intellexual - It shouldn't affect lighting in any way since the reflector is not touched....and the refector is what controls the lighting...

GSIntensive - Well there is ONE GS that has this setup on it right now...my GS will have it once I get it back from the body shop (gettin' the body kit installed)...I'll get some pictures of the other GS...

Globe - Black chrome is possible (in a couple different ways even) but for this try, we just tried semi-flat black (it was readily available)...our "real" plan is to colormatch the car with Automotive paint (between my friends, we have a quite a few bodyshops that we can use)...I'm going to do mine in colormatched black...I bet a colormatched Spectra Blue would look pretty SICK!

As for the actual logistics of it...well due to the HIGH price of the head light units, a swap won't be realistic...BUT...What we're looking for now are GS's that have been totolled out via a side or rear-end impact (in other words, something that didn't hurt the headlights) so that we can sent out a modified used set in trade for a stock used set...we MIGHT have a set soon (maybe) but the only problem is, is that we'd have to carry two *FOUR* different sets of lights...Pre-2001 (non-blue) HID and non-HID and 2001+ (blued) HID and non-HID...another problem is that people who have non-blued will probably want blued ones so that means that we'd have a build-up of non-blued ones that no one wants...

Also, another problem is the condition of the used lights that are traded-in...we might have some really good condition ones and we might get some that looks like it went through a sandstorm...now if you turn in a near-new set, you wouldn't want to get a real battered set would you?

Ya guys see the problem there? So I think just doing a send-it-in-and-wait policy is the best. I would be a 2 day turn around (depending on the finish...if you want REAL black chrome, that'll take longer since we'd have to outsource the black chroming as we don't have a chromer that large) from the day we actually get it in our hands...
Old 12-22-01, 05:53 AM
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///MDex
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Originally posted by manaray
I bet a colormatched Spectra Blue would look pretty SICK!
As soon as I read 'colormatched', I just knew you were going to say that!

Great job manaray. Very cool, and everyone knows it will be a first rate quality job.
Old 12-22-01, 07:23 AM
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LexusRules
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dude thats awsome!!!

i'd be very interested to get my orange out of the turn signals, and possibly.. i mean probobly the black chrome housing, but flat black i'll pass... its nice and all but its just not for me.

How much are you asking? how long will my lights be away for? i dunno my mom would be MAD!! haha
Old 12-22-01, 03:23 PM
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enginyr
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Get the cost down low enough and you will have a nice product. Remember KOST IS KING. You're using a light powder coat process or just painting?
Old 12-23-01, 04:37 AM
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Come on, we own $50K cars...cost is NOT king...QUALITY is king. Low prices usually mean low quality...look at the Honda aftermarket...I don't want to sell 10,000 of these...Exclusivity my friend...that why we mod Lexus cars, not Honda cars, right?

The first set was just painted...but the "production" ones will be sprayed with automotive (PPG or Dupont...no büll***** Valspar or other low quality cråp) paint...Powder coating and Black chrome will cost more as we have to outsource that and those processes are just more expensive to do...plus, powder coating would be HIGHLY unnecessary...

As for price, we haven't figured out an EXACT price yet...it's not going to be $50 though...

Sasha - We can do it in 2 days from the day we get it...we have to let the sealant and paint cure...
Old 12-23-01, 06:15 AM
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Richie
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Great idear Manaray!!
Will you be offering this mod for other Lexus models also??
Old 12-23-01, 08:19 AM
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how much u think it is for us clublexus members?


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