Got a grand to spend on your Sedan Headlights

[fnkngrv]

So I was checkin out a search engine that I hadn't heard of before because of an article on fox news about how poorly google's search is performing now and found this gem:

http://blackflamecustoms.com/product...f326198f1f366f

I am still trying to figure out why on God's green earth one would drop that many Benjamins on your headlights?

[WeeYari]

These are the ones that I believe echo_hrs commissioned Black Flame Customs to build for him. Beautiful headlight. You pay dearly but they are one of the best custom retro-fitters.

http://blackflamecustoms.com/product...adlights-p-112

[Brian]

Both of my retrofits cost about $600 each. The price really isn't that bad considering the amount of work that goes into it. It also depends on the parts used. My projectors with clear lens' cost about $400.

[cali yaris]

^ +1. Mine cost that much, and I spent more with Clear Corners on my tC lights.

I am still trying to figure out why on God's green earth one would drop that many Benjamins on your headlights?

I'm sure there are people who would ask you that about most of your mods.

How about this answer: "Because it's God's green earth, and He gave us the gift of free will."

[Focus_Sh1ft]

^ Beat me to it lol. I had the link in hand and was about to post.

Anyways, check these out http://www.clearcorners.com/products/scion/tc1/

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Brian

Both of my retrofits cost about $600 each. The price really isn't that bad considering the amount of work that goes into it. It also depends on the parts used. My projectors with clear lens' cost about $400.

Here is the major difference and will be an argument until the end of time...you built them yourself so you have the experience and satisfaction of the accomplishment. This is where the paths diverge right? Someone could also take the path of "if I had the time and the expertise then I would do it myself, but since I don't I will just drop the coin." I completely understand that...to each their own. My question would be what truly separates these from some of the other fabrications for HID headlights out there? As for the cost on the parts when I looked at their store to buy individual components the costs and then what they are asking just didn't add up, but once again I could be wrong. You can call me a complete hypocrite seeing as how I am going to be willing to drop the loot that I will be on the car and have in the past as Garm has said, but then again there are certain things that I have on my car that you just can't get for better prices. Hell, from that line of thinking I might as well go ahead and throw down the 2500 to buy that CF wing.

[Brian]

Less than half the cost would be spent on parts. When there aren't a lot of shops that will do a custom retrofit they can charge a lot more. I knew nothing when I started my first retrofit. I'd say save yourself some money and do everything yourself. They you'll have something no else does. I've got a couple extra sets of projectors so just buy the rest of the parts and I'll hook you up.

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Brian

Less than half the cost would be spent on parts. When there aren't a lot of shops that will do a custom retrofit they can charge a lot more. I knew nothing when I started my first retrofit. I'd say save yourself some money and do everything yourself. They you'll have something no else does. I've got a couple extra sets of projectors so just buy the rest of the parts and I'll hook you up.

I picked up a kit to do it myself and would prefer to do anything that I can on my own if at all possible. The exception is if someone else is doing something themselves I will support them in their endeavors by giving them the opportunity to do something for me which will help them grow/learn. I appreciate the offer and will take you up on it if I need the parts. I completely agree as previously stated to do it yourself, but others have a good point too that if you have the money to do it why not just buy it and be done with it...I guess that I found the price a bit much when you can compare for example to the headlights from Thailand or Malaysia for half the price. Sure the quality of the parts might be different, but they may not be either.

[47_MasoN_47]

Gotta pay to play yo.

I spent $350 on just a trigger for my DMR AR lol.

One day I'll retrofit my headlights with that kit I got from barber...

[Kaotic Lazagna]

You gotta be facking kidding me. That's horribly priced. The kit they're using is $150 at most:

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...tah3p6esihrfpo


The ballast is $100 (or you can get a cheaper one)
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=160


Headlights probably cost $300 at most.


So you can get the same thing for $550. Install is the same as the bolt on projectors that Garm sells. BIG WTF!?!?!?!?!

[CrankyOldMan]

Wait, why were you watching Faux News in the first place? =P

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by CrankyOldMan

Wait, why were you watching Faux News in the first place? =P

The unit I work for has it as their launch page. The DoD loves their Fox News ya know.

[cali yaris]

So you can get the same thing for $550. Install is the same as the bolt on projectors that Garm sells. BIG WTF!?!?!?!?!

Does anyone ever put a value on their time, though? I do. So if this project would take more than four hours, it's "cheaper" for me to pay them to do it (and know it's done right, have a warranty, etc.)

What is your personal time worth? It's not an argument, the answer is probably different for each of us. But have you ever actually put a number on it?

[HTM Yaris]

Triggers are worth it

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

Does anyone ever put a value on their time, though? I do. So if this project would take more than four hours, it's "cheaper" for me to pay them to do it (and know it's done right, have a warranty, etc.)

What is your personal time worth? It's not an argument, the answer is probably different for each of us. But have you ever actually put a number on it?

For a really busy person, I suppose it might be worth the price difference. Or for a person who doesn't like to DIY, this would be good. As for my personal time, if it's something I enjoy doing, there's really no price to it. If it's doing something I hate, then yes, I'd rather pay someone else to do it. lmao.

Also, if it were a "true" retrofit, you know, the one where you would have to cut up your headlights instead of the bolt on kinds, then yes, I would say this is an awesome price, but these are the bolt on style being used.

[47_MasoN_47]

Originally Posted by HTM Yaris

Triggers are worth it

Dang straight :P

[Lil Abner]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

You gotta be facking kidding me. That's horribly priced. The kit they're using is $150 at most:

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...tah3p6esihrfpo


The ballast is $100 (or you can get a cheaper one)
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=160


Headlights probably cost $300 at most.


So you can get the same thing for $550. Install is the same as the bolt on projectors that Garm sells. BIG WTF!?!?!?!?!

I did this, with the D2S minis and Gatling Gun shrouds. Less than $250 including bulbs and ballasts. Yes, it took time because I made new rubber gaskets for the wires, and used OEM spec connectors (Michigan weather!). But in the end, I'm happy I spent a day working on it, and not paying close to a GRAND getting it done!

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Yeah, I found that after I posted. lol. There's always a satisfaction from DIY. hehehe. Props on doing extra stuff like the gasket and connectors.