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LED Headlight Conversion

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by genetiix, Sep 3, 2012.

  1. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    I've always had an interest in headlights and did several hid retros back when hidforum was still around (before hidplanet).

    I purchased a base PIP back in March cause I couldn't justify the higher premium of the advanced model. As one of my first mods, I purchase a hid kit however found that the beam pattern and colors were very disappointing. I ordered 4100k but looks more like 6k. Also, with the kit, the OEM projector's beam pattern had a weird step to the sides and the throw of the lights were splotchy. I guess it was my fault for going cheap with the kit to begin with.

    Right after this, I decided to no longer spend money on kits and upgrade my headlights; Either do a hid retro or LED conversion. I got a great deal on one of my LED headlights and for the next couple months, I slowly gathered all the parts required to make it all happen.

    Below is my completed project... I do lack auto leveling however, if I went with a retro I wouldn't have it either. In addition I live in California and don't have a need for the headlight washers. I tried to take progress pics however didn't get as many as I liked. I have a couple more.. But these are the best..! Enjoy.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    The lights look great!!
     
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Very cool!

    Could you do a quick write up that details some of the major parts that needed changing or adapting?
     
  4. Plus IV

    Plus IV LowGen4

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    I think the LED headlights are around $750/each. Am I correct on that?
     
  5. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    That's about right for full retail cost. You need to purchase the OEM housing plus the LED control box. They total to around $750.

    If you're patient and resourceful... you could probably source the pieces for significantly less.
     
  6. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    peterjmc: thanks! Couldn't have done it without you. You helped provide the last piece of the project.

    F8L: it was pretty straight forward. Ill look through my pictures but I don't think I have any good shots of which wires to splice into. Maybe I can draw arrows to point it out easier.

    Plus IV: I patiently sourced my items mainly on eBay over the last 5 months. My last piece I got on here from Peter. Well worth it!
     
  7. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Nice job on the swap.

    F8L......the H11 low beam plug & the parking light plugs are the only 2 that would need to be changes. On the LED headlight, these wires are combined into 1 connector. There is a halogen to LED conversion adaptor that is available on yahoo Japan auctions but the cost of it without s&h is close to $90 USD & I'm not aware of them available in the US. That being said its not necessary to keep the OEM LED headlight connector. It can be cut off & replaced with the correct H11 connector & the same for the parking light.
     
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  8. bino

    bino JDM ZVW30

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    great job on the swap... I myself will be doing this swap.... I already have the LED lights (JDM) and I have the conversion harness/adapter as well....

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Can you show a shot of the beam pattern?
     
  10. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    Sean hit it right on the head. I have the left over harness still, and can take closeups of that. Basically on the stock LED harness you only need to tap into the black (-) and red (+) wires. I cut up a H11 harness left over from my HID kit to make this connection. The side parking light from the LED light (I guess they changed it for the 2012) was a little larger, so I trimmed it down with my dremel. Overall, these are the only 2 mods I had to do to mount this baby.

    bino like I said earlier... The JDM's look sweet! The harness should make installation basically PnP. What a difference a little orange (or lack of) can do.

    Jonny Zero I'm still at work (and charging). I'll take a picture in front of a flat wall when I leave tonight and upload it.
     
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  11. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    Couldn't find a flat wall so I just took I'm front of my garage...
    uploadfromtaptalk1346908153571.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1346908129955.jpg
     
  12. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Looks good genetiix. How far away from that wall were u?
     
  13. leeb18c

    leeb18c Active Member

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    Gene, Congrats!! Looks very nice. I always wanted the LED lights. Now I need to start stalking ebay. :)
    Do you mind telling approximate prices on parts you bought? I see dealer prices on LED headlight alone are $500+ each and that's without the ballast/control module. Thanks.
     
  14. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    Thanks Winston. The headlights were a huge range in price. On average I paid 185 each. The ballast I got for about 100 each. Throwing in misc parts to repair the lights and wires, the total came out to ~600.

    Goodluck with ebay! I was closely monitoring it for months for my last headlight. I finally though about placing a wanted ad on here. A couple weeks later... They are mounted on the car!
     
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  15. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Thanks for the pictures. Looks like the driver side is aimed a tad higher than the passegner side. My Five is the same way from the factory and it had me wondering. Pictures in thiss thread: Factory LED Headlight Aim | PriusChat
    May be this is all intentional?
     
  16. somebody7

    somebody7 Member

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    wow, thats a great price. I guess I need to stalk ebay more often. I would have definitely bought that first if I could get them at those prices. thanks for giving the pricing.
     
  17. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    I think it's even. I was up on my driveway alittle crooked. Ill double check it in a flat surface in the next couple of days.
     
  18. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    What would it take to make these lights auto-level, by the way?
     
  19. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    As far as I know, there its a way unless ur Prii already came with it.

    U can go with a manual adjustment.
     
  20. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    but i mean, all it is is just an assembly and a motor of some sort right? shouldn't it be possible to install those parts and wire them up?