TRS FX-R Stage III HID Retrofit Completed on 2012 FX4 Ecoboost
04-14-2012, 12:27 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
TRS FX-R Stage III HID Retrofit Completed on 2012 FX4 Ecoboost
Here's what I'm using:
Donor Lights: Set of 2010 F150 Chrome Headlights
HID Kit: theretrofitsource.com FX-R HID Kit, Stage III, Mirimoto 3Five 35W 4300k Kit
Truck: 2012 F150 FX4 Ecoboost FX Appearance Package in Sterling Gray
I bought the retrofitted headlights from a forum member and they were not finished. I came to find out that the lights had more damage than was noted when I bought them which required more rework. Both interior shrouds were broke due to the 7mm screw not being removed when the lens was removed. One of the headlights had a broken height adjuster in addition to another broken bucket mount. It was borderline useless and I thought I was going to have to replace the assembly. Sometimes it's not always wise to buy sight unseen so I had more work to do than I planned.
I repaired all of the damage using a combination of epoxies, JB Weld and high heat to remelt the plastic parts. The lenses had scratches so I had to polish those out as well. I then had to fix the chrome shrouds. After that I painted the shrouds semi-gloss black and used some Nightshade on the side marker reflectors. I did some test fitting on the truck and was pretty happy with how things looked so I decided to install them late this afternoon.
I mounted the ballasts behind the flaps that attach to each headlight bracket next to the radiator. I used the bracket that came with each ballast and the plastic retaining clip for that flap to mount the ballast. Works great because I can remove everything very easily and all of the components are easily accessible. I used a preexisting hole to mount the relay assembly on the passenger side behind that same flap. All of the wiring is ran neatly up to the battery and to a ground location on the passenger fender while the ballast harnesses is tucked up in the radiator core support. It looks stock and I'll get some pictures of those pieces tomorrow. I do need to pull the lights out and readjust them a bit higher and I'm considering swapping to 50W ballasts/bulbs from TRS simply to get the most light out of these projectors.
The cutoff is sharp and the kit works well. The light output is much better than stock and it looks much nicer. Let me know what you guys think.
Donor Lights: Set of 2010 F150 Chrome Headlights
HID Kit: theretrofitsource.com FX-R HID Kit, Stage III, Mirimoto 3Five 35W 4300k Kit
Truck: 2012 F150 FX4 Ecoboost FX Appearance Package in Sterling Gray
I bought the retrofitted headlights from a forum member and they were not finished. I came to find out that the lights had more damage than was noted when I bought them which required more rework. Both interior shrouds were broke due to the 7mm screw not being removed when the lens was removed. One of the headlights had a broken height adjuster in addition to another broken bucket mount. It was borderline useless and I thought I was going to have to replace the assembly. Sometimes it's not always wise to buy sight unseen so I had more work to do than I planned.
I repaired all of the damage using a combination of epoxies, JB Weld and high heat to remelt the plastic parts. The lenses had scratches so I had to polish those out as well. I then had to fix the chrome shrouds. After that I painted the shrouds semi-gloss black and used some Nightshade on the side marker reflectors. I did some test fitting on the truck and was pretty happy with how things looked so I decided to install them late this afternoon.
I mounted the ballasts behind the flaps that attach to each headlight bracket next to the radiator. I used the bracket that came with each ballast and the plastic retaining clip for that flap to mount the ballast. Works great because I can remove everything very easily and all of the components are easily accessible. I used a preexisting hole to mount the relay assembly on the passenger side behind that same flap. All of the wiring is ran neatly up to the battery and to a ground location on the passenger fender while the ballast harnesses is tucked up in the radiator core support. It looks stock and I'll get some pictures of those pieces tomorrow. I do need to pull the lights out and readjust them a bit higher and I'm considering swapping to 50W ballasts/bulbs from TRS simply to get the most light out of these projectors.
The cutoff is sharp and the kit works well. The light output is much better than stock and it looks much nicer. Let me know what you guys think.
Last edited by unixadm; 04-14-2012 at 12:43 AM.
04-14-2012, 12:54 AM
#4
Ford Freak
Originally Posted by Saev
People that upgrade to HIDs inside projector housings are gentlemen and scholars.
Bravo, sir.
Bravo, sir.
04-14-2012, 10:13 AM
#6
One day I will do this! Its nice to see more and more people doing this as the HID kits in Halogen housings just annoys me!
04-14-2012, 10:30 AM
#7
Senior Member
Excellent job. I too will do this headlight upgrade in time. It's great seeing good examples and satisfied F150 owners when care and attention to detail end in professional results 
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04-14-2012, 10:44 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks. I agree that the people who slap HIDs in regular halogen housings and then say "I'm not blinding anyone" are nuts. I see it all the time and then they say "Well I'm not getting flashed so everything is perfect". Wrong. It's so common place that I'd be flashing people pretty much daily. I just learn to live with it. Even last night when I was on a test drive with these lights I got blinded by some 8000k or so HIDs in what appeared to be crap eBay "Projector Headlights". The thing was pointed nearly into my lane and lit up the entire cab of my truck. Anyhow, I was taught to do it right or don't do it at all. 
04-14-2012, 11:50 AM
#9
Boost :)
Thanks. I agree that the people who slap HIDs in regular halogen housings and then say "I'm not blinding anyone" are nuts. I see it all the time and then they say "Well I'm not getting flashed so everything is perfect". Wrong. It's so common place that I'd be flashing people pretty much daily. I just learn to live with it. Even last night when I was on a test drive with these lights I got blinded by some 8000k or so HIDs in what appeared to be crap eBay "Projector Headlights". The thing was pointed nearly into my lane and lit up the entire cab of my truck. Anyhow, I was taught to do it right or don't do it at all.
My wife and I have friends who are a married couple and are both EMT's here in Austin. They have been doing that about 5 years and have told me stories of accidents caused by the drop in kits and the people who think they are ok. They have countless stories about this.
