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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 12:08 AM
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Default Question. Projector ES300

Hi everyone, Please help me out.

I own an ES300 year 2002 already with HID or Xenon base lightning system on it and I want to change the headlamps to the projector model?

A friend of mine, said that I can't change the headlamps, because I will have to change all the HID system, new ballast, all the wiring, and stuff . Is he right?

Actually, I already posted this thread in ES forum and someone told me that I have to cut off the reflective shield and install a bezel. I have no idea about that. (I don't know much about automotive and technical skills. ) Could anyone help me to figure this out?


Thank you,
Michael Gani
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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 02:28 AM
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A projector retrofit from an existing projector of another car (be it a BMW, Audi, etc.) would give the best results of a projector headlamp. I suggest though that if you don't have the necessary handyman skills, pass on this project altogether as it requires a LOT of measuring, cutting, drilling, bolting, etc.

However, for your '02 ES, an easier solution to get your headlamps to be projector style is to purchase the entire OEM HID projector headlamp assembly from a '05-'06 ES330 as they come factory. Be warned though that they are pretty pricey and could take some time to self-install. Good luck.
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Old Mar 20, 2007 | 10:26 PM
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Yeah. I think I'll do it that way. Thanks Lexusk8. =) mm, btw has anyone post some threads how to change ES headlamps?
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 01:06 AM
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Is there anyone ever posted or changed his ES 300 headlamps to projectors? Please let me know. I already searched in the lightning forum and ES300 forum about this thread but I haven't find one.

Anyway, I have emailed about 8 Lexus dealers a few days ago and 7 said that the projectors will not fit in ES300 '02. Is it true? Only one dealer said that it could be done, but they ask for $2,600 to install the projectors!

There are lots of threads of retro fitting projectors for ES300 '94 '97and so on. However, I haven't seen people make retro fit for ES300 '02, though.


Please, please respond. T.T

Thank you.
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 04:01 PM
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PM sent about retro fit
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 04:47 PM
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If you're not much of a DIY guy, maybe you should just leave your housings the way they are. Your car already has HID headlights, which would not improve a whole lot by going to projectors. Most people to projector retrofits because they have halogen headlights from the start.

Also, the one dealer who said it could be done probably means that they would have to replace your whole front end to get the lights to fit. They're a different shape I think.
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by ChrisES
If you're not much of a DIY guy, maybe you should just leave your housings the way they are. Your car already has HID headlights, which would not improve a whole lot by going to projectors. Most people to projector retrofits because they have halogen headlights from the start.


Spend the money by upgrading to new wheels instead.
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by ChrisES
If you're not much of a DIY guy, maybe you should just leave your housings the way they are. Your car already has HID headlights, which would not improve a whole lot by going to projectors. Most people to projector retrofits because they have halogen headlights from the start.

Also, the one dealer who said it could be done probably means that they would have to replace your whole front end to get the lights to fit. They're a different shape I think.

I see. Thanks Chris. Actually I just like the projector model instead the halogen model. Yeah. So thats why I want to change the model IF it could be done.

mm, so do you or anyone know is it possible to change them? because until now I haven't find the answer though.

thx.
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mike.gani
I see. Thanks Chris. Actually I just like the projector model instead the halogen model. Yeah. So thats why I want to change the model IF it could be done.

mm, so do you or anyone know is it possible to change them? because until now I haven't find the answer though.

thx.
So I hear the projector headlights are slightly different shape than the reflector ones, so you would have to upgrade your whole front end to the new one. You might have to get new fenders, bumper, and grill to fit those headlights. Sounds pretty costly so I guess it's up to you.
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 04:21 PM
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Actually, having projectors will improve your lighting.

the purpose of projector is to PROJECT. in addition, the cut off line also serves a purpose. the cut off line is there so that other cars will not be blind by light glares. which in your case having HID in a reflective shield will produce alot of glare. furthermore, projector will focus its lighting to that certain area without having light output being everywhere.

if your a DIY guy then i say go ahead! or pay some1 that will retrofit it for you with a nice sets of projector.

the impossible is possible.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 11:36 AM
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hmmph, yeah, mm, I saw many retro fits DIY threads for projectors in ES 1990s and I think there is about the same with the 2002. hahaha. It will be very nice if there is someone out there who post some DIY threads retro projectors for 2002. Anyway, someone already gave me PM to retro fit in the projectors for me. I might consider his offer too though. Alright then, thanks a lot ChrisES and swifty562. Really appreciate that, man.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:00 PM
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sounds like a toss up. in projectors - the way you get the cutoff is by BLOCKING about half of the light that would normally go above the cutoff line.

when compared to the amount of light coming out of a reflector based housing, the reflecting panels do a decent job of pointing the light more towards the front of the car vs to the sides. i haven't done any extensive testing but i probably should. haha.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:55 PM
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What i would do...
WAIT a few years until a cheap set of projector lights from the 05-06 es330 shows up on ebay and install them yourself.
$2000+ is way too much to spend on lights.
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