360glitch's Gen 3.5 Camry Bi-Xenon Retrofit

[360glitch]

After many days of trying to work something out with DepoAutoLights.com I decided to say screw it, I'm doing my own retrofit. I did quite a bit of research and then emailed TheRetrofitSource.com and have received more help and faster communication from then than I could have expected from anyone, quite the opposite from Depo Auto Lights. For reference purposes, the final quote I received from Depo Auto Lights was $415 shipped for 3.5 Depo's retrofitted without halos. On top of that, it was going to be another $108 for a plug and play type HID kit to use with the projectors they were going to install. That brings the total cost of that setup to $523.

My cost of materials from The Retrofit Source are as follows:

Pair of FX-R Bi-Xenon Projectors - $165
Pair of Slightly Used Matsushita Gen 3 OEM Ballasts (35w) - $100
Pair of Morimoto 5000K D2S bulbs - $40
Pair of E55-R Bezels/Shrouds - $45
9006 Relay-Wire Harness - $20
Shipping - Free

Total: $370

I also chose to purchase a set of the 3.5 Depo headlights with corners and indicator lights to perform the retrofit on. I bought them from eBay for $189.95 shipped. I am using "Nissan Butyl Sealer" (purchased from MyNismo.com) to seal the headlights back up when I'm done to ensure no condensation finds its way inside. A roll of it was $28.65 shipped. I'd rather spend the money than have them fog up later on.

Total cost of my final retrofit setup: $588.60

Doing my own retrofit is going to cost me about an extra $65, however with that I will have the best performance from the headlights as they are higher quality components and the headlights will look exactly as I would like them to, as I am the one putting them together. This of course does mean that I will have to take the time to do the work myself, however I do think it will be worth it in the end.

TRS (the retrofit source) has already shipped my order and I hope that my Depo's from eBay are on the way as well. I will follow up with pictures of the components once I receive them and of course pictures of the final product. If you guys are lucky I'll even have a few shots of the actual retrofit process.

[bigbird]

the experinace and pride of doing it yourself with the better performance would be worth that extra money i think.

[BlueFusion6851]

Sounds like you are completely at ease with this undertaking... Good Luck!

[360glitch]

Originally Posted by bigbird

the experinace and pride of doing it yourself with the better performance would be worth that extra money i think.

If it comes out well, which it should, then yes, certainly.

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

Sounds like you are completely at ease with this undertaking... Good Luck!

I really am. Maybe I shouldn't be, ha. There are just so many people out there that do it, that it must be something that isn't that hard to do if you just take your time and do it the right way. That is the same way I approached engine building and I've had good results.

[4Cyl'erThriller]

Nice man I like having that custom touch that no one else has. Im doing an interior door inserts on my third gen now. I think I may give those lights a try too. Ive been itching for something more to do to my 3rd gen

[RU2CHKN]

good luck with the project man

[White95Cam]

"After many days of trying to work something out with DepoAutoLights.com I decided to say screw it, I'm doing my own retrofit."

I wonder why Depo wants to be such a jackass? They could have sold a bundle of these.
W95c

[cruisn76]

Originally Posted by White95Cam

"After many days of trying to work something out with DepoAutoLights.com I decided to say screw it, I'm doing my own retrofit."

I wonder why Depo wants to be such a jackass? They could have sold a bundle of these.
W95c

Tell me about it. They have horrible customer service, and after purchase service

[360glitch]

Parts have began arriving. Today I received a package from The Retrofit Source that contained all sorts of wonderful things.



















I also hooked them up to a car battery to test the output and they really are that great. I took a picture with my old point and shoot camera and the picture did not come out well at all. I am hesitant to post it as it makes the amazingly crisp cutoff look horrible. But, keeping that in mind, here it is:



You cannot tell from the picture, but in person the cutoff is 110% perfect and could not be any better. My clear Depos should be arriving tomorrow. Then the fun will begin.

[LynchburgCSI]

note to self... buy these projectors when doing a retro fit. looks GREAT!

[RU2CHKN]

nice! Can't wait to see the after results

[uibalnme]

Damn. All this new talk of retrofits is making me want to make another set. Too bad I'm broke,

[Spitfire]

I'm smelling another DIY in the making cough cough =]

[360glitch]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

note to self... buy these projectors when doing a retro fit. looks GREAT!

You can find more pictures and info regarding them here:

http://store.theretrofitsource.com/p...bb1b168d2863d7

If you think that picture looks great your jaw would hit the ground in person. Very well worth what I paid for them.

Originally Posted by Spitfire11690

I'm smelling another DIY in the making cough cough =]

Eh, we'll see.

[bigbird]

ooooh thats gonna look good. have fun dude.