2020 XL Projector Retrofit

[BassRanger]

I'm about to get started and put in my order to retrofit my stock XL halogen headlights. Trying to get this knocked out before the weather turns on me. I considered the Lariat headlights, but currently they are just too expensive for me to justify. I've got a couple of retrofits under my belt so the concept isn't foreign. The last set I did was on my Mustang.

Because of the size of the reflector I think I'm going to go with the Mini H1, with either the graphite or gatling gun shrouds. I'm going to tint the amber lens. I'm debating on doing a switchback halo. If I do go that route, I will probably disable the amber running light and run the halo as the running light and just use the stock amber as the turn/flasher along with the switchback on the halo.

I'm going to leave the stock high beam alone and just run it in conjunction with the H1 for highs. I may do a LED conversion in the 9005 high beam, but that would be later down the road. Hope to get everything figured out and have my order in by today. Usually takes me about 2 days to do a retrofit. Hoping for a clean, functional setup. Nothing too flashy.

I'll keep updated when I get started.

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[BassRanger]

Well... Order is in.

 

[Tito]

My exact thinking! I will be waiting for the results. I bet it will have great illumination.

 

[cfhgarza]

Nice. I have H1 minis in my wife's car and they are great.
My concern is with the auto start/stop. On my wife's Focus, using remote start, the headlights turn on before the engine cranks. This causes the voltage drop briefly and the headlights to turn off, the BCM then thinks the bulbs are burned out and kills power until the next restart.
I ended up putting in Morimoto 2Stroke LED bulbs because of the problem.
I hope you have better luck and I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[ZincGT]

FOLLOWING

 

[docarter]

Did you ever do this? I am getting ready to do the same mini h1 8.0 retrofit and want to know what it'll be like cracking open the OE headlights.

 

[BassRanger]

I gave up and bought the lariat headlights. I could not get the sealant to budge. I heated it to the point the housing was softening and it wouldn't give. I was going to have to cut and epoxy the housing and I didn't want my first time trying it to be on a brand new truck.

 

[docarter]

I gave up and bought the lariat headlights. I could not get the sealant to budge. I heated it to the point the housing was softening and it wouldn't give. I was going to have to cut and epoxy the housing and I didn't want my first time trying it to be on a brand new truck.

Yep, failed to get the factory lights open. I have ordered an aftermarket set of lights to either pry or cut open. I guess I'll post the results. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[BassRanger]

Yep, failed to get the factory lights open. I have ordered an aftermarket set of lights to either pry or cut open. I guess I'll post the results. Thanks for the heads up.

I probably would have done the same if something had been available when I did mine. My experience is that the aftermarket housings tend to use Butyl vs permaseal, which is worlds easier to get apart. I've gotten permaseal housings apart before, but this stuff on the OE housings seemed stronger than the actual housing.

 

[docarter]

I probably would have done the same if something had been available when I did mine. My experience is that the aftermarket housings tend to use Butyl vs permaseal, which is worlds easier to get apart. I've gotten permaseal housings apart before, but this stuff on the OE housings seemed stronger than the actual housing.

Same experience here, let this be a warning to other Ranger owners.

Do not try to open your halogens. The headlight will not come apart. I basically destroyed the passenger side housing.

Paid about $350 for a replacement set which according to the reviews looks good, but has poor light output. Will be swapping in Mini H1 8.0 so that's perfect for me.

Worst case I will dremel the new housings and then epoxy closed, but that probably won't be necessary.

 

[docarter]

Update: I successfully retro'd the aftermarket halogen housings. The Auto Dynasty / DNA Motoring housing had butyl sealant.

It took a good bit of custom work, and ingenuity but the result is great. I will post pics once I get the grill back on!

 

[docarter]

Assembled headlight. Installing tomorrow!

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