Headlights - ES 300
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: PA
Headlights
Hi i was wondering if i could fit projector headlight assembly into my 97 lexus cuz i want to get hid conversion kit, and found out that it looks much better with projector headlights rather than the ones i have now
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
ooo, i dont know, your headlights are much bigger than my little projectors. it would be quite a project... i would say get some real HID projectors... AUDI for example...
Last edited by EGainer; Oct 28, 2002 at 04:49 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
I would say, you would have to cut your reflectors out, then replace them with audi projectors... this is going to be a hard conversion, since there isn't a new housing for you. you are going to have to work around the old housing...
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Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 51
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From: PA
I just felt like posting these pictures of my car cuz i got permission to write in this website two days ago, and i have been reading and seeing stuff in this site since last year i think. Anyway i hope i can get a lot of comments on what i should do next
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 16
From: Chicago, IL
I've got good news for you....it can be done!!! One question though...when did the ES come out with Hids? Was that 99 or 98? They use the same headlight size I assume (someone please verify this)This is what you will need:
-2- *1998/1999 HID Lexus ES300 reflector headlamps (assuming you want to keep the factory look of your headlight)-
-2 ballasts (unit that provides power for HID lighting)
-2- D2S Xenon headlight bulbs-
Good research, patience, someone that can perform the install or some craftiness on your part. Plan on spending probably 500.00 to 700.00 for everything. These factory units don't come cheap. I would suggest EBAY searches...(hey you never know), junk yard searches for salvaged ES300 vehicles that have good HID units intact (probably the best deal you'll get) and or check with lex400sc, amrit50 and or do a search on HID here on this board. Several people have done successful professional retrofits that have fooled the average and even techinally savy people that said the conversion couldn't be done. Anyhow, the process would require some hours for a quality installation. I've got some Audi A6 projectors on the way. I'm preparing for my HID installation on a pre 97 model ES. Good luck! I know exactly how you feel!
Here's a very good place to start your search:
http://faq.auto.light.tripod.com/car-oem-hid.htm
and my forum
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=61013
-2- *1998/1999 HID Lexus ES300 reflector headlamps (assuming you want to keep the factory look of your headlight)-
-2 ballasts (unit that provides power for HID lighting)
-2- D2S Xenon headlight bulbs-
Good research, patience, someone that can perform the install or some craftiness on your part. Plan on spending probably 500.00 to 700.00 for everything. These factory units don't come cheap. I would suggest EBAY searches...(hey you never know), junk yard searches for salvaged ES300 vehicles that have good HID units intact (probably the best deal you'll get) and or check with lex400sc, amrit50 and or do a search on HID here on this board. Several people have done successful professional retrofits that have fooled the average and even techinally savy people that said the conversion couldn't be done. Anyhow, the process would require some hours for a quality installation. I've got some Audi A6 projectors on the way. I'm preparing for my HID installation on a pre 97 model ES. Good luck! I know exactly how you feel!
Here's a very good place to start your search:
http://faq.auto.light.tripod.com/car-oem-hid.htm
and my forum
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=61013
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: PA
thanks for your help, but i have the hid conversion already, and i would love to convert it somehow to projector rather than reflector cuz i know projectors make better color with after market. Thanks anyway
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 4
From: Ohio, USA
It would probably be tough to find the HID reflectors. Those lights were a fairly rare option on the 00 and 01 cars, introduced during the 2000 refreshening.
Since you're interested in a projector retrofit anyhow, for color flicker, etc, the two main routes are usually Audi or BMW projectors. There are shops that do it professionally, or you could do it yourself if you're handy with a Dremel roto-tool.
Check out this thread, it has a S4 retrofit in a Civic, and a A6 retrofit on a Grand Cherokee (the owner of which has a 7 page instruction guide on retrofitting projectors into the reflector housings of the Jeep. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=61013
Just a tiny tech note, if you were to use the 00-01 HID optimized reflectors, you'd want to use D2R bulbs, rather than D2S. The D2R have a pinstripe that reduces upward glare from freeform reflector headlamps (e.g. ES, IS, GS, LS, RX models w/factory HID).
Since you're interested in a projector retrofit anyhow, for color flicker, etc, the two main routes are usually Audi or BMW projectors. There are shops that do it professionally, or you could do it yourself if you're handy with a Dremel roto-tool.
Check out this thread, it has a S4 retrofit in a Civic, and a A6 retrofit on a Grand Cherokee (the owner of which has a 7 page instruction guide on retrofitting projectors into the reflector housings of the Jeep. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=61013
Just a tiny tech note, if you were to use the 00-01 HID optimized reflectors, you'd want to use D2R bulbs, rather than D2S. The D2R have a pinstripe that reduces upward glare from freeform reflector headlamps (e.g. ES, IS, GS, LS, RX models w/factory HID).
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