Nevin's Retrofit project
01-11-2014, 12:53 AM
#31
Beer Gut Extraordinaire
Reflection time.......what have I learned so far? While I haven't had any major issues so far, I have been close. I now know a lot more than I did before I started.
1. My respect for bilinvic and tux has grown immensely. Those guys are craftsmen, I am a hack! If my lights turn out even a fraction as well built as theirs, I will be happy!
2. Pay to have the buckets painted. Mine have a few flaws. Nothing terrible, but if I could do it again, I would pay a paint shop to do it (was quoted $60-70 to blast, prime and paint).
3. Pay close attention to the depth that you mount the projector in the bucket. I went a little bit too deep I think, and it makes removing the bucket from the housing tricky. I had to trim some of the housing (around the headlight bulb hole) to allow removal of the bucket. The back of the projector contacted the edge of the hole in the housing, preventing me from removing the bucket. Hard to explain, but if you need clarification just ask.
4. If you are going the steel stick route for mounting the projector in the bucket, get two tubes of it. One is NOT enough!
5. Don't panic.
6. Enjoy the experience. This is the most fun I've had on a project in a long time!
Tomorrow I will JB weld the back of the buckets, then reinstall in the housing after it cures. Then I just need to receive my new shrouds and ballasts, and I'm in the home stretch!
1. My respect for bilinvic and tux has grown immensely. Those guys are craftsmen, I am a hack! If my lights turn out even a fraction as well built as theirs, I will be happy!
2. Pay to have the buckets painted. Mine have a few flaws. Nothing terrible, but if I could do it again, I would pay a paint shop to do it (was quoted $60-70 to blast, prime and paint).
3. Pay close attention to the depth that you mount the projector in the bucket. I went a little bit too deep I think, and it makes removing the bucket from the housing tricky. I had to trim some of the housing (around the headlight bulb hole) to allow removal of the bucket. The back of the projector contacted the edge of the hole in the housing, preventing me from removing the bucket. Hard to explain, but if you need clarification just ask.
4. If you are going the steel stick route for mounting the projector in the bucket, get two tubes of it. One is NOT enough!
5. Don't panic.
6. Enjoy the experience. This is the most fun I've had on a project in a long time!
Tomorrow I will JB weld the back of the buckets, then reinstall in the housing after it cures. Then I just need to receive my new shrouds and ballasts, and I'm in the home stretch!
For those using the nut and bolt mounting method, just don't mount them so far in, back the nut off a little bit. If using the SteelStik method (recommended), build up enough material between the top and bottom of the projector and the bucket so that the projector is not completely recessed against the sides of the hole you bored. It's just one of those things.
01-11-2014, 02:01 AM
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
This. It all depends on how large you bore the hole for the projector, really. If you bore the hole too large like I did, don't sweat it.
For those using the nut and bolt mounting method, just don't mount them so far in, back the nut off a little bit. If using the SteelStik method (recommended), build up enough material between the top and bottom of the projector and the bucket so that the projector is not completely recessed against the sides of the hole you bored. It's just one of those things.
For those using the nut and bolt mounting method, just don't mount them so far in, back the nut off a little bit. If using the SteelStik method (recommended), build up enough material between the top and bottom of the projector and the bucket so that the projector is not completely recessed against the sides of the hole you bored. It's just one of those things.
01-11-2014, 07:25 PM
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
JB Weld all finished. Now my house smells like...........bad. Oh well, it was worth it!
I would appreciate any comments on my JB Weld job from anyone that has done this before. Does it look like I used enough? I used a whole batch on each light.
Aluminium tape over the solenoid and top vent.
First one
Second one
I would appreciate any comments on my JB Weld job from anyone that has done this before. Does it look like I used enough? I used a whole batch on each light.
Aluminium tape over the solenoid and top vent.
First one
Second one
01-11-2014, 11:38 PM
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
A few minutes ago I realized that I hadn't tested the solenoids in the projectors prior to mounting them! 
So I tested them now, and...........they both work of course! Phew!
So I tested them now, and...........they both work of course! Phew!
01-17-2014, 09:20 AM
#35
Looks awesome Nevint! I hope I can get mine finished up soon.
A couple questions:
I have the SS ballasts also... Should I have TRS send me the new ones? And...
What did you use to tint your reflectors? I was going to use VHT night shades.
A couple questions:
I have the SS ballasts also... Should I have TRS send me the new ones? And...
What did you use to tint your reflectors? I was going to use VHT night shades.
01-17-2014, 09:32 AM
#36
Senior Member
My DSP ballasts have fired every time and we have a solid deep freeze next week for the ultimate test my pulsing is also gone with the DSP ballasts.
Last edited by Azuri; 01-17-2014 at 10:09 AM.
01-17-2014, 08:50 PM
#37
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yes, I used 2 coats of night shades and several coats of clear.
01-19-2014, 10:01 PM
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Not much progress this weekend, but I did get one shroud trimmed up and painted (gloss black with sterling grey windows). I've said it a few times already, but I am not a painter. Never again! I must be using the wrong products. Everything turns out okay, but not great.
Here is the shroud mocked up in the bucket. I'm pretty happy with how they look. I should get my warranty items by the weekend, so with a little luck I will have them all buttoned up next weekend.
Here is the shroud mocked up in the bucket. I'm pretty happy with how they look. I should get my warranty items by the weekend, so with a little luck I will have them all buttoned up next weekend.
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MAH (01-20-2014)
01-19-2014, 11:02 PM
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I used a red scotch brite type pad. Not exactly sure what they are called, but it was in the sandpaper aisle! Worked really well too!
