Project Man-Van
May 18, 2013 | 03:18 PM
#341
Thread Starter
GFYS and STFU
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4
From: Here and sometimes there too.
No problem bro
You are the first person on this forum I've said this to that didn't reply "oh well, **** them"
respect
That's the reason I don't have them in my motorcycle or my truck yet (I did them on my ATV, but that's exclusively offroad where I VERY rarely drive towards somebody in close lateral proximity, and I dune at night so the light going everywhere including up is kind of helpful). The projector retrofits actually allow the light to go everywhere you need it (mostly down the road and along the sides) while keeping it directed away from the eyes of oncoming drivers and from being wasted in the powerlines and trees. I hate ******** who run around with their brights on all the time or run HIDs with factory reflectors. I had a couple guys argue about how they don't want projectors because of deer and such; unless you have deer with wings flying 15 feet above the road, projectors will never keep you from seeing a deer. In the event of such a deer, if it's close enough that the prjectors don't illuminate it, it's too close to do anything about (like less than 10 feet away and coming down from the sky). Then there were guys on here talking about how they need HIDs because they drive out in the middle of nowhere with no other cars a lot and need them for deer and their high beams aren't bright enough and they can't afford a retrofit; fine, just do them in your high beams so you can turn them off to halogen lows when traffic is coming. A couple of them just straight-up admitted they did it for looks and don't care if it blinds people. Everybody has either an awful excuse or the dilusion that HIDs with factory reflectors are fine.
Also, just a heads-up for anybody who is unaware: those projector headlights from ANZO and other companies may look like they're equipped for HIDs, but those are ALMOST ALWAYS halogen projectors and really no better for directing HIDs than the factory reflector headlights. I even found one where they said "HID ready" and were available shipped with HIDs to replace the factory bulbs, but they were still designed to be compatible with the factory halogen. If a headlight works for your factory halogen bulbs, it IS NOT acceptable for use as an HID headlamp.
You should do a detailed write-up when you do yours; the more of those we have on here, the better. Information breeds awareness; HIDs, like most mods, are best done right
You are the first person on this forum I've said this to that didn't reply "oh well, **** them"
respect That's the reason I don't have them in my motorcycle or my truck yet (I did them on my ATV, but that's exclusively offroad where I VERY rarely drive towards somebody in close lateral proximity, and I dune at night so the light going everywhere including up is kind of helpful). The projector retrofits actually allow the light to go everywhere you need it (mostly down the road and along the sides) while keeping it directed away from the eyes of oncoming drivers and from being wasted in the powerlines and trees. I hate ******** who run around with their brights on all the time or run HIDs with factory reflectors. I had a couple guys argue about how they don't want projectors because of deer and such; unless you have deer with wings flying 15 feet above the road, projectors will never keep you from seeing a deer. In the event of such a deer, if it's close enough that the prjectors don't illuminate it, it's too close to do anything about (like less than 10 feet away and coming down from the sky). Then there were guys on here talking about how they need HIDs because they drive out in the middle of nowhere with no other cars a lot and need them for deer and their high beams aren't bright enough and they can't afford a retrofit; fine, just do them in your high beams so you can turn them off to halogen lows when traffic is coming. A couple of them just straight-up admitted they did it for looks and don't care if it blinds people. Everybody has either an awful excuse or the dilusion that HIDs with factory reflectors are fine.
Also, just a heads-up for anybody who is unaware: those projector headlights from ANZO and other companies may look like they're equipped for HIDs, but those are ALMOST ALWAYS halogen projectors and really no better for directing HIDs than the factory reflector headlights. I even found one where they said "HID ready" and were available shipped with HIDs to replace the factory bulbs, but they were still designed to be compatible with the factory halogen. If a headlight works for your factory halogen bulbs, it IS NOT acceptable for use as an HID headlamp.
You should do a detailed write-up when you do yours; the more of those we have on here, the better. Information breeds awareness; HIDs, like most mods, are best done right
I ordered a set of projectors from the retrofitsource. Not sure when they will get here but when they do I'll make a write up of the install. Doesn't look to complicated except for the seperating the headlight part. Not sure if mine will be a PITA or if they will go smoothly, either way I'll be posting up the results.
Hopefully it happens soon because I've been doing my best to do no driving at night because I hate driving with those blinding lights! Lol The other night I was hungry but decided to eat crackers instead of going out blinding people while I got dinner!
May 19, 2013 | 06:19 PM
#342
Man Motor club
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 1
From: Sunniest city on Earth
I ordered a set of projectors from the retrofitsource. Not sure when they will get here but when they do I'll make a write up of the install. Doesn't look to complicated except for the seperating the headlight part. Not sure if mine will be a PITA or if they will go smoothly, either way I'll be posting up the results.
Hopefully it happens soon because I've been doing my best to do no driving at night because I hate driving with those blinding lights! Lol The other night I was hungry but decided to eat crackers instead of going out blinding people while I got dinner!
Hopefully it happens soon because I've been doing my best to do no driving at night because I hate driving with those blinding lights! Lol The other night I was hungry but decided to eat crackers instead of going out blinding people while I got dinner!
Yeah, from everything I've read, you can't just bake apart the GM truck headlights like most retrofits; you have to cut them apart at the seams. I assume the van headlights are the same way.
May 19, 2013 | 08:52 PM
#343
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: MT
Yup, their pricing is reasonable but damn does he take a long time! 
I ordered about 3 months ago but it was well worth the wait. He's up in Montana and I think it's a one man show, guy works on Montana time!
All his stuff is made to order/custom so you can have them made to how you want them/to your needs.
[url=http://www.throttledownkustoms.com/index.html]Throttle Down Kustoms Home[/url
I ordered about 3 months ago but it was well worth the wait. He's up in Montana and I think it's a one man show, guy works on Montana time! All his stuff is made to order/custom so you can have them made to how you want them/to your needs.
[url=http://www.throttledownkustoms.com/index.html]Throttle Down Kustoms Home[/url
He usually has a couple guys working for him, theyre just that busy. Its insane how many guys are running his stuff around here. The big oilfield blow-up has everybody who buys a truck buying a TDK to go with it.
Van looks sexy as ****. I keep saying I hate vans but I just can't get over how badass this one is.
May 20, 2013 | 01:16 AM
#344
Thread Starter
GFYS and STFU
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4
From: Here and sometimes there too.
Breaking open those lights ought to be fun...
He usually has a couple guys working for him, theyre just that busy. Its insane how many guys are running his stuff around here. The big oilfield blow-up has everybody who buys a truck buying a TDK to go with it.
Van looks sexy as ****. I keep saying I hate vans but I just can't get over how badass this one is.
Van looks sexy as ****. I keep saying I hate vans but I just can't get over how badass this one is.
May 20, 2013 | 01:33 AM
#345
I cut open my stock headlights and it didn't go as well as planned. I got them open but when I went to seal them back up I was not happy with the gap and amount of work is was going to take to seal them up. Pretty sure I had the Dremel going to slow and it just melted instead of cutting.
Are you going to try and back yours? I heard the older ones could be baked. I will eventually pay someone to do projectors in mine for me.
Are you going to try and back yours? I heard the older ones could be baked. I will eventually pay someone to do projectors in mine for me.
May 21, 2013 | 03:12 AM
#346
Thread Starter
GFYS and STFU
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4
From: Here and sometimes there too.
So I've learned a few things concerning lights the last couple weeks thanks to you fine folks and from a few others on other forums. So with the whole HID's in halogen housings dilemma, I got these in the mail today in the hopes fixing the light scattering issues...
It's a universal kit meant to convert halogen housings to projector housings. Hopefully I can split the headlight housings without too much issue and convert the halogen housings to projector housings. I'll try to do it this week if I have time but this week is gonna be a bit busy for me. We'll see but I'm looking forward to doing this so I no longer blind other motorists.
Oh yeah... I also was able to wire in a Trailer Brake Harness to go along with my 7-pin connector so now I can tow the heavy trailers without having to worry about overheating my brakes. Very stoked about that!! I do need tow bags but that can wait for now. I remember Cody's install thread so I'll probably reference that when I get a chance.
I'll probably be getting a Toy Hauler here built in a few weeks, been waiting to get my Van properly equipped to haul the heavier gear and now I'm ready so I can proceed with the Trailer!!
It's a universal kit meant to convert halogen housings to projector housings. Hopefully I can split the headlight housings without too much issue and convert the halogen housings to projector housings. I'll try to do it this week if I have time but this week is gonna be a bit busy for me. We'll see but I'm looking forward to doing this so I no longer blind other motorists.
Oh yeah... I also was able to wire in a Trailer Brake Harness to go along with my 7-pin connector so now I can tow the heavy trailers without having to worry about overheating my brakes. Very stoked about that!! I do need tow bags but that can wait for now. I remember Cody's install thread so I'll probably reference that when I get a chance.
I'll probably be getting a Toy Hauler here built in a few weeks, been waiting to get my Van properly equipped to haul the heavier gear and now I'm ready so I can proceed with the Trailer!!
May 21, 2013 | 03:14 AM
#347
Thread Starter
GFYS and STFU
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4
From: Here and sometimes there too.
I cut open my stock headlights and it didn't go as well as planned. I got them open but when I went to seal them back up I was not happy with the gap and amount of work is was going to take to seal them up. Pretty sure I had the Dremel going to slow and it just melted instead of cutting.
Are you going to try and back yours? I heard the older ones could be baked. I will eventually pay someone to do projectors in mine for me.
Are you going to try and back yours? I heard the older ones could be baked. I will eventually pay someone to do projectors in mine for me.
But I'll probably be following in your footsteps so any advice you can give when I get started will be appreciated!!
May 21, 2013 | 03:34 AM
#348
Take your time and also get the heavy duty cut wheels for the Dremel. I had the cheap thin ones when I started and they don't last and shatter really easy.
If you try and bake them do it at 200 degrees and put them in for about 10 minutes. Not sure how it will work for your van headlights but it worked perfectly when I did my Yamaha R6 motorcycle headlights. Will post a couple pics of that in a second, might be if some use.
I know the lenses on the nnbs were to large and guess didn't work with the oven method but yours are smaller so might work better. I would search and see how people have done the older headlights.
If you try and bake them do it at 200 degrees and put them in for about 10 minutes. Not sure how it will work for your van headlights but it worked perfectly when I did my Yamaha R6 motorcycle headlights. Will post a couple pics of that in a second, might be if some use.
I know the lenses on the nnbs were to large and guess didn't work with the oven method but yours are smaller so might work better. I would search and see how people have done the older headlights.
May 24, 2013 | 10:16 AM
#350
Thread Starter
GFYS and STFU
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4
From: Here and sometimes there too.
Well, I PIAA'd myself!! 
Been getting some of the smaller stuff done to the Van that I've been Neglecting. Yesterday I gapped the front bumper because it was rubbing on the fender, also got some big washers and straightened the rear bumper because it was slightly off. Also re-wired the trailer brake wiring harness so now it runs inside the frame rail, bought a new ball mount rated for 16,000lbs, got some isolators for my tow shackles, reconfigured the front Fog lamps, also adjusted the positioning of my headlights and fog lamps so they aren't as blinding and bought and wired up my rear bumper lights.
As far as the rear bumper lights, you guys think I should wire them in with the reverse lights or have them on a switch? If I do the switch it will most likely be a local switch back in the rear inside the van. I think the reverse light would be practical but maybe having it on a local switch might be better, more control?
Been getting some of the smaller stuff done to the Van that I've been Neglecting. Yesterday I gapped the front bumper because it was rubbing on the fender, also got some big washers and straightened the rear bumper because it was slightly off. Also re-wired the trailer brake wiring harness so now it runs inside the frame rail, bought a new ball mount rated for 16,000lbs, got some isolators for my tow shackles, reconfigured the front Fog lamps, also adjusted the positioning of my headlights and fog lamps so they aren't as blinding and bought and wired up my rear bumper lights.
As far as the rear bumper lights, you guys think I should wire them in with the reverse lights or have them on a switch? If I do the switch it will most likely be a local switch back in the rear inside the van. I think the reverse light would be practical but maybe having it on a local switch might be better, more control?
Last edited by Spoolin; May 24, 2013 at 10:27 AM.
