those with retrofits
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: California
those with retrofits
i finally picked up the stock ring that goes around the stock projector today to put around my retrofit. The ring that went around the stock projector doesn't fit around my 5 series projector. I was wondering how you ES and other guys that did the retro yourself got the ring to fit. i found that my ring was about 1/4 or so of an inch too small. I attached a picture of the ring that i made that i have been using to show you guys what i'm talking about. i want to put the stock ring in because it looks much better but it won't fit. Thanks
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,384
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From: Chicago, IL
Well...the ES ring actually is a little different from the GS one. I know for my car I used E46 3 series projectors which are smaller than the factory projectors so the fit was fine. In fact the ring is part of a special unit which has both the high beams and the low beams attached to one piece of steel. This steel contained the actual cut offs and made things easy to do the job. (Just in case we're refering to the same thing, I've attached some pics to help us get on the same page.)
Last edited by tiguy99; May 4, 2003 at 11:22 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2002
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From: Ohio, USA
Tiguy, did you get the front bezels to hide the gap between the edge of the projector lens and the the cylinder/ring in which the projector is mounted? I love how the E46 bezels have "X E N O N" embossed into them.
John,
I had to hack up the factory rings to get the projectors in, so the rings are partially there; here's a couple pics so you can see what I'm talking about. They basically cover the gaps between the legs on the BMW projector, with slots cut for the legs to go through.
I had to cut and grind out the cutoff and glare shield you saw in Tiguy's pics, and then cut about 1/4" off the back of the ring and cut the slots into it so I could slide the projector in. I hadn't counted on having to cut the slots but I was past the point of turning back and was gonna make it work if it was at all possible. I'm glad I didn't give up, I love the lights, it'd be tough to go back to halogen. It'd never occured to me until I was reading this post, I might try putting the little ring that holds the stock lens in place back on to fill that little gap I've got. I'm not sure how it'd look since the lens sits a little farther back and it wouldn't be flush but I'll have to take a closer look at things and see how that might look. I think I cut off at least one of the holes they mounted to, but a little glue could solve that problem. I like those BMW bezels that say Xenon on them too, I remember that 2nd generation GS with the retrofit using those, looked very nice.
I hope that helps answer your questions.
I had to hack up the factory rings to get the projectors in, so the rings are partially there; here's a couple pics so you can see what I'm talking about. They basically cover the gaps between the legs on the BMW projector, with slots cut for the legs to go through.
I had to cut and grind out the cutoff and glare shield you saw in Tiguy's pics, and then cut about 1/4" off the back of the ring and cut the slots into it so I could slide the projector in. I hadn't counted on having to cut the slots but I was past the point of turning back and was gonna make it work if it was at all possible. I'm glad I didn't give up, I love the lights, it'd be tough to go back to halogen. It'd never occured to me until I was reading this post, I might try putting the little ring that holds the stock lens in place back on to fill that little gap I've got. I'm not sure how it'd look since the lens sits a little farther back and it wouldn't be flush but I'll have to take a closer look at things and see how that might look. I think I cut off at least one of the holes they mounted to, but a little glue could solve that problem. I like those BMW bezels that say Xenon on them too, I remember that 2nd generation GS with the retrofit using those, looked very nice.
I hope that helps answer your questions.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: TheOC
I can't mount the E39 projector on SCs like you did Kyle. The mounting screws will be copletely messed up. =(
I think I'm gonna have to make a custom ring too. Anyone think using aluminum would be a good idea?
I think I'm gonna have to make a custom ring too. Anyone think using aluminum would be a good idea?
Last edited by siniquezu; May 4, 2003 at 10:12 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,384
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From: Chicago, IL
Originally posted by squarehat
Tiguy, did you get the front bezels to hide the gap between the edge of the projector lens and the the cylinder/ring in which the projector is mounted? I love how the E46 bezels have "X E N O N" embossed into them.
Tiguy, did you get the front bezels to hide the gap between the edge of the projector lens and the the cylinder/ring in which the projector is mounted? I love how the E46 bezels have "X E N O N" embossed into them.
1. my headlamp during the day
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/sh...t=1&thecat=506
Kyle's headlamp during the day
http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...68_27_full.jpg
2. Below is a picture the actual covers and projectors. Putting them on is pointless because it would involve cutting it and grinding it down to size just to make it fit. The size would be like 1.5 to 2 cenimeters. They cost like 60 bucks and are not cost effective to have on there at all.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: TheOC
I tested my projectors (on an SC) and there is just enough space between the headlight plastic and the projectors to glare. I'm going to go and get a sheet of aluminum from home depot and make a thin ring of aluminum to cutoff any light coming through this gap. I'm not sure if this will work but if you guys have any other input, I'd be glad to hear it.
A strange aspect is that I also get glare through the clear lens that lets you see the adjusting bubble!
A strange aspect is that I also get glare through the clear lens that lets you see the adjusting bubble!
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BabaBooey
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Mar 19, 2002 10:22 AM
