Yaris SR Projector retrofit

[Eren_13]

Hey everyone.

Still pretty new here but I'm after some pointers for a project.

I've decided to retrofit projectors to my 2012 SR.

I'm going to use Morimoto Mini Bi-Xenon D2S projectors with my HID kit (all adapters I have) which I'm getting from The Retrofit Source in The US. They've been really helpful which is great but I do have a few questions:

I've noticed there are a couple of wires coming out of the projector itself, is this for the solenoid that controls the hi/lo beams? And if so how is that connected to the car? Has anyone fitted these projectors and what did you think of them?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Eren.

[mario98c]

Yes, the black and red cable are for the hi/lo beams selenoid. They need to be connected to the relay harness that the Retrofit Source sells. http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=14027
The Morimotos Mini D2S and the Mini H1 are great projectors! Much better that the ones that ebay sells. I think they worth every penny!

[Eren_13]

Thanks for the reply. I've been recommended the plug and play bi-xenon upgrade kit from TRS. Does that come with the harness I need? And is anything in the kit connected to the battery at all?

[Eren_13]

OK, spoken to TRS again and I have everything I need now. Just paid for my kit so now I wait! If anyone is interested I will post up progress photos as I don't seem to be able to find any Yaris SR hatchback retrofits on here.

[Eren_13]

Hey guys can I ask a favour? I've found a DIY guide to removing the front bumper for my SR but is there a guide of removing the headlight itself or is it easier than I'm thinking once the bumper is off?

Thanks

[CTScott]

Hey guys can I ask a favour? I've found a DIY guide to removing the front bumper for my SR but is there a guide of removing the headlight itself or is it easier than I'm thinking once the bumper is off?

Thanks

Once the bumper is off, there are three screws on each headlight.

[Eren_13]

Once the bumper is off, there are three screws on each headlight.

Sweet. So taking the bumper off is more work than removing the headlight by the sounds of it! Thank you for the reply. Waiting on my bits from TRS now. I'm in the UK so hopefully won't be too long.

[Scubaru Steve]

good choice on the morimotos! i have done 2 of the retrofits on both a echo and a wrx. they are well worth the extra money! pm me if you need any help.

[Eren_13]

good choice on the morimotos! i have done 2 of the retrofits on both a echo and a wrx. they are well worth the extra money! pm me if you need any help.

Thank you, much appreciated. Still waiting on delivery. They do look pretty good, I did tons of research before I went and ordered these. Looking forward to getting started. Anyone else get that feeling of 'I just want it now so I can get on with it' when there's a pretty big project up ahead? I got that now. Also, I'll be fighting this crappy British weather when I eventually begin.

[Scubaru Steve]

whats worse is when you have a huge project and know you have to wait over a year till you can actually start it... :(

[Eren_13]

Oh man, I bet. I get super impatient, like now, I've already thought through what I have to do about a million times! Take it yours is a pretty big one to wait a whole year?!

Had an update: my bits from TRS are in sunny Florida on their way to meee! :D

[Gideon]

I have been super satisfied with my Morimotos and they are pretty simple and quick to install. I'm impatient like you and I think it look me less than half a day to get them installed. (Plus another half day three weeks later to reseal my passenger headlight after it leaked during a heavy rain, whoops.)

[Eren_13]

Oops, hopefully I'll be ok resealing. As the headlights are still very new I'm hoping to just reuse the original sealant, assuming I don't lose too much when taking them off. How did you go about aligning the projectors once they were fit? May sound like a silly question but will the projectors only go in one way up or was there some tweaking to have a perfect straight line cut off?

[Scubaru Steve]

you can reuse the old sealant if you wish, just make sure you put it back in the part of the headlight it came from. to align the projectors i installed them in the car without the lens so i could adjust. then remove tighten the nut on the back, check alignment again. then put some epoxy back there so the projector never spins. place in oven and reseal then your done!

[Eren_13]

Thank again. I'll do just that. You have any preference to what epoxy to use? I have seen that the projectors look as thought they will tighten up pretty well but the last thing I want to be doing is taking apart the headlights if they start to move.

[Gideon]

To echo what Steve said I did the same to align them. Parked the car in front of a flat surface with the headlights installed and no lenses and did some tweaking. I went with a full kit so it had adapter plates that go into the headlight housing which resulted in very minimal tweaking.

This was without any tweaking after installing the driver's side:

http://i.imgur.com/QWtM7CO.jpg

Steve is more experienced so I'd listen to him if he has a different recommendation but I just used a healthy amount of Loctite to around the nut and threads. I have a pretty stiff suspension and there's crappy roads where I live so my car gets bounced around but they have stayed tight FWIW.

Regarding resealing my issue was that my passenger headlight was the first to be baked in the oven to loosen the sealant and because I was nervous about melting the headlight I kept removing the headlight and trying to separate the lens from the housing over and over so the sealant was getting pulled around a lot and in the end when I resealed that headlight it was unevenly distributed and I didn't get a good seal on one part. Driver side I waited and wasn't impatient and it resealed perfectly.

[Eren_13]

Thanks for the reply Gideon. Hearing that it didn't take much tweaking makes me feel slightly better. I believe I have the adaptor plates with my kit also. I got the bi-xenon upgrade kit, fingers crossed they'll be there. Sounds like I'll have to get myself something to keep them projectors safe and still though. May have some time to get something as my parcel is floating around customs according to USPS tracking..

[Gideon]

You're welcome!

That's what I had gotten too, though I went with the bixenon H1s instead of the DS2s since I didn't have any existing HID equipment already.

Out of curiosity what shrouds did you get for your projectors?

[Eren_13]

I'm hoping my existing HID kit stands up to the standard of the stuff from TRS now! If not it'll be another long wait for some ballasts :)

I got the bullet shrouds if I remember rightly. I wanted to cover most of the reflector up as possible. Hope they look OK!

[Gideon]

Oh yeah you'll be fine. I went with the Iris shrouds which are very shallow but wide as I wanted a clean OEM look. Our headlights are pretty deep so you can't see the projector bowl even though it's exposed because of how far back it sits in the headlight.

http://i.imgur.com/XGLEPdz.jpg

FYI don't do what you see there and not paint the reflector bowl. I opted not to because I wanted it to look OEM. It's been mentioned with other projector retrofits that there is some light scattering out the sides from light bouncing off the reflector and it's true.

It's not enough to blind anyone beside you but it's obnoxious when going down unlit roads and lighting up the trees in each upper corner of your field of view. I drive in the city 90% of the time and I don't even notice it unless I'm on an unlit street.

[Eren_13]

That's a great looking retro there :) see, I have the new shape yaris, so I know the reflectors are a different type. I have HIDs installed at the moment - 6000k with no projectors, there is a small amount of light scatter to the sides but not a huge amount.

There is something that looks like a shield at the side of the headlight too so maybe that will help cut out some of the scatter. The shrouds I bought I am hoping cover enough that there won't be any light scatter but is it advisable to paint the reflector then?

[Scubaru Steve]

i had to use epoxy on the subaru as if i changed the bulb the whole unit shifted... so i recommend it just so there is no chance of that happening. make sure you get the black headlight sealers for the back from TRS as well because you will have a large gap for moisture where the bulb socket is.

there were my 2 kits and some pics along the way.
and these are the Morimoto D2S original. running 55W 5000k

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w357/scubarusteve/photo13.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w357/scubarusteve/photo14.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w357/scubarusteve/photo15.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w357/scubarusteve/lights003.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w357/scubarusteve/photo11.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w357/scubarusteve/photo12-1.jpg
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w357/scubarusteve/photo-2.jpg

[Eren_13]

By black headlight sealers, I'm hoping you mean ones that might come with the kit I ordered, if not, it's gonna be another loooong wait to start this :(

But guys I can't thank you enough for your replies on this so far, they've all been a massive help. So thank you all once again!

What's the best brand / type of epoxy to use for this? There's bound to be some name differences since I'm coming from the other side of the pond.

[Eren_13]

It's here! The parts are finally here :) Slow UK customs! Very much looking forward to getting this going.

Can I just ask a couple of questions regarding aligning? I believe I have the H4 adaptor plates with the projectors, when I come to refitting the headlight unit, how reliable are these keeping the projectors straight? Any tweaking needed when getting that straight line cut off?

Thanks.

[Scubaru Steve]

they are alright, you do still have room to adjust them side to side, and yes you will have to to make it perfect. That headlight sealer piece is new and never came with my kits so that awesome if you have those, reduce moisture from entering the assembly.
take lots of pics along the way. let me know if you need advice.

oh! and go get some tinfoil tape! and wrap up the projector around the sides to prevent stray light from escaping! unless you want your headlight assembly to glow. you can kind of see it in my second picture.

[Eren_13]

Thanks for the tips. I'll go ahead and get some foil tape. I had a test today with the shroud around the projector with a light inside just to check the cut off and not much scatter seemed to be present. So just foil around the projector where it's all open?

I'll make sure to take as many photos as possible. I'm in the last stages of getting is underway now. Need to find out if my radio will need recoding as I'm going to disconnect the battery, unless its safe to do whilst connected? Then I have to wait for a whole day of great weather as I don't k is how long it'll take me and in the UK at the moment good weather is hard to come by!

[Scubaru Steve]

Thanks for the tips. I'll go ahead and get some foil tape. I had a test today with the shroud around the projector with a light inside just to check the cut off and not much scatter seemed to be present. So just foil around the projector where it's all open?

I'll make sure to take as many photos as possible. I'm in the last stages of getting is underway now. Need to find out if my radio will need recoding as I'm going to disconnect the battery, unless its safe to do whilst connected? Then I have to wait for a whole day of great weather as I don't k is how long it'll take me and in the UK at the moment good weather is hard to come by!

I don't disconnect battery because i hate setting my stuff, although you should. And yes foil tape around the gaps around the projector, just don't stick the tape to the cutoff shield for obvious reasons. it wont stop scatter, it just gets rid of any light making the headlight "glow".

[Eren_13]

That's great. I'll do that to avoid glowing. I'll cover all areas and see if I'll need to recode my radio if I do disconnect the battery. There's nothing in my owners manual to say it will need it, just that all preset stations will be lost. Seems fair enough and I don't mind redoing those, I just don't want it to screw up my sat-nav. I'll hopefully get some photos up soon of progress, like I say I'm just waiting for some good weather. I'll get started on the foil around the projector though. And get hold of some epoxy for fitting and some silicone for the shroud.

[Eren_13]

Great start - by my measurements it doesn't seem my lights will fit in my oven. Crap :(
What's the alternative do peeling apart the headlights then? Also, I have the H4 adaptor plates, unless I haven't looked at them at the right angle it seems though the projectors are going to be slightly tilted if I use the plate - roughly 10 to 20 degrees off so the light cut off will not be dead straight. If this is the case any pointers on how to alter this to have them straight?

Thanks!

[Scubaru Steve]

alternative to oven is a heat gun, i,ve never done it this way but all you need to do it melt the glue,

[Eren_13]

Thanks again, sorry for the delay, I'd been away. Got the headlights out and began heating with the heat gun. I can't seem to fine where the lens peels away from the housing itself. I've had the heat on it for about 4 minutes all around and it does not seem to budge. The glue looks like it's just cracking and not becoming pliable. Can anyone help at all? I don't want to hack away at the lights and ruin where they're sealed. I've got a few photos - hopefully they help.

[Eren_13]

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj531/EN_12/05E316BC-B393-427C-A929-754A7AD93964-165-00000005B1DD28CD.jpg

Front of the light just under the projector.

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj531/EN_12/FDB9BE25-3227-4F32-AEB6-727FB4D73397-165-00000005AC103EF3.jpg

Same again

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj531/EN_12/CE356273-F324-4184-9224-1DC23DE3FB4C-165-00000005A34A6D71.jpg

Looking from the back of the light at the top.

Hope these help. Can anyone see where it would separate and the best place to heat? Thanks all.

[Eren_13]

Anything guys?

I'm struggling with this. I know that as soon as I get it open I'll be ok fitting it. Would really love to get this going :)

[mr_miles]

So jealous of you doing this to a third gen before I can lol. Have you thought about putting them in the oven, yet? I haven't really looked at mine hardcore yet, but i thought there were also clips that hold the housings together?

[mazilla]

Anything guys?

I'm struggling with this. I know that as soon as I get it open I'll be ok fitting it. Would really love to get this going :)



Neighbors oven?

[Eren_13]

So jealous of you doing this to a third gen before I can lol. Have you thought about putting them in the oven, yet? I haven't really looked at mine hardcore yet, but i thought there were also clips that hold the housings together?

Wouldn't be too jealous lol, I can't get the damn things open to retro them! My oven is too small and can't seem to get a uniform heat with the heat gun :( but yes, there are clips on there also.

Neighbors oven?

Thanks for the reply. Same problem - just too small. Ovens seem to be wide enough to fit them, just not deep as the back of the headlight goes way further than originally anticipated. They are deceivingly large!

[Scubaru Steve]

it has to get hot enough that the actual plastic start to get soft, you will need gloves as it will be to hot to touch. you can see where the backing folds over the clear plastic, you will have to get a screwdriver in there and pry the clear plastic forward as seen in your last picture, there are also black plastic tabs that help hold the clear plastic in. its always nerve racking peeling them apart, if you can find someone with an oven it makes it extremely easy. if not make sure you have enough heat. that glue is hard otherwise.

[mazilla]

I'd leave the oven door cracked if need be and rotate the headlight as it gets to temp...200 is plenty.

[Eren_13]

it has to get hot enough that the actual plastic start to get soft, you will need gloves as it will be to hot to touch. you can see where the backing folds over the clear plastic, you will have to get a screwdriver in there and pry the clear plastic forward as seen in your last picture, there are also black plastic tabs that help hold the clear plastic in. its always nerve racking peeling them apart, if you can find someone with an oven it makes it extremely easy. if not make sure you have enough heat. that glue is hard otherwise.

Thanks again, I did notice the plastic going soft so I guess I was going in the right direction. Can I do half the headlight at a time or try to keep the heat as uniform as possible and then peel apart?

I'd leave the oven door cracked if need be and rotate the headlight as it gets to temp...200 is plenty.

If all else fails, I'll go for this. It was an option of mine to begin with but avoided it. Thanks! :)

[UberSilver]

I have a pretty stiff suspension and there's crappy roads where I live .

LOL! in Sunnyvale? Your kidding? I love driving in Sunnyvale, smooth roads and high speed limits.

Try Oakland/Berkeley, for some fine quality crap roads!

:confused:

[mr_miles]

if you cant get an oven, when I cracked open the second gen headlights i pry'd them apart slowly and cut the glue with a razor blade as I was pulling, then when I was done I put them back together and ran the heat gun and applied generous pressure the them to re-seal the glue. :)

[Scubaru Steve]

Thanks again, I did notice the plastic going soft so I guess I was going in the right direction. Can I do half the headlight at a time or try to keep the heat as uniform as possible and then peel apart?



if you flex the housing when its hot it may stay in that shape, so try to heat the glue evenly.

[Scubaru Steve]

Thanks again, I did notice the plastic going soft so I guess I was going in the right direction. Can I do half the headlight at a time or try to keep the heat as uniform as possible and then peel apart?



if you flex the housing when its hot it may stay in that shape, so try to heat the glue evenly.
its funny when i did the ones on the echo, i had to use my friends garage for the bumper removal, then drive 30 mins across the city to use my oven. than drive back and install them tot he car and align. then use a heat gun to put them together.

[Eren_13]

if you cant get an oven, when I cracked open the second gen headlights i pry'd them apart slowly and cut the glue with a razor blade as I was pulling, then when I was done I put them back together and ran the heat gun and applied generous pressure the them to re-seal the glue. :)

This might be an option. I can see the glue as I start to peel open the light but its just solid.

if you flex the housing when its hot it may stay in that shape, so try to heat the glue evenly.
its funny when i did the ones on the echo, i had to use my friends garage for the bumper removal, then drive 30 mins across the city to use my oven. than drive back and install them tot he car and align. then use a heat gun to put them together.

Lol that sounds like a mission! I won't give up on this, don't you worry. I'll just give it a good, even blast with the heat gun. Then if all fails, I'll do the oven again with the door cracked I guess. These projectors will be worth all this though but man are they making me work for it!

[mr_miles]

This might be an option. I can see the glue as I start to peel open the light but its just solid.!

I'd give it a shot! It's gotta soften up after some heat, I hope. :biggrin:

[Eren_13]

Maaaan, I've tried all these tips you guys have given me and its just not going :( tried the cracked oven door - the heat just escapes so quick. The heat gun - I just can't seem to get the uniform heat around, I'm afraid I'll just bend the plastic beyond repair and then it's no good to anyone. I'm really at the point of giving up now and it's a shame because I know that as soon as them things are open I'll be ok fitting the projectors in.

I know this is a really big ask but is there anyone at all that would do the honours and help me out if I sent all the bits to you? I'm in the UK, but I'm sort of set on having these projectors (hopefully someone can relate to that same feeling of really not wanting to give up!) Or failing that, are there any retrofitters local that anyone knows of? I tried a quick internet search but that didn't come up with much.

Thanks guys.

[ucsmfu]

Any luck ?

I feel you, I tried removing the headlights. Super hard, this thing is sealed tight !!!

[ucsmfu]

8 hours later :)

http://oi62.tinypic.com/v2w65k.jpg