removing the yellow reflector in the headlights

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by dynasty, Mar 21, 2011.

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  1. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    just wondering if anyone has tired removing the yellow reflector in the headlight for a nice clean look. The JDM headlights has a nice white reflector which makes the front end look clean.
     
    #1 dynasty, Mar 21, 2011
  2. Teakwood

    Teakwood Member

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    Are you suggesting that everyone else's Pius is less than clean looking?
     
    #2 Teakwood, Mar 21, 2011
  3. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    You don't want to remove it completely. You want to swap the yellow reflector with the white reflector.
    US side reflectors
    [​IMG]

    White refletors
    [​IMG]
     
    #3 cproaudio, Mar 21, 2011
  4. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    has anyone swapped the yellow reflector out with the JDM-white?
     
    #4 dynasty, Mar 21, 2011
  5. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    :cheer2: :focus::cheer2:.
     
    #5 dynasty, Mar 21, 2011
  6. green4u

    green4u New Member

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    it is US law that you have orange reflectors somewhere on the front of your car. if you take them out, then you'll have to slap on an orange sticker reflector somewhere around the fender to stay street legal.
     
    #6 green4u, Mar 21, 2011
  7. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    You'll have to bake the headlight unit until you can break the adhesive seal between the clear cover and reflector housing. Then you'll have to find a clear signal cover, replace, and reseal...
     
    #7 HI MPG, Mar 21, 2011
  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Could you not just buy a European LHD headlight? That way you get the correct beam pattern AND the white reflector? (though I think the hole for the bulb is filled in as we don't have side markers here).
     
    #8 GrumpyCabbie, Mar 22, 2011
  9. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Yes it is. To avoid problems you need to replace the Clear Bulb with a Orange one!
     
    #9 KK6PD, Mar 22, 2011
  10. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    I suppose you could... or even the JDM headlamps. But I would think that after purchase, shipping, and readjustment, the cost will be fairly steep??
    But then again, trying to find that clear reflector piece would be like a needle in a haystack...
     
    #10 HI MPG, Mar 22, 2011
  11. flareak

    flareak Fleet Captain

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    only if it doesn't have clear side reflectors. duh
     
    #11 flareak, Mar 22, 2011
  12. shawnb2

    shawnb2 Active Member

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    You may just really be better off finding something else to change. I understand where you're coming from and I love the look of the JDM pieces but as already stated wouldn't be real cost effective to do it. On the other hand, if you have money to burn, buy some JDM headlights, open them up, do the switch on the reflectors and seal them back up. Surprisingly, the Japanese like putting USDM stuff on their cars. Have seen in magazines that they sell a transparent amber sticker that goes over the clear one. Go figure. Although with all that's happened over there probably wouldn't be much in the way of interest for awhile. Just a thought and my .02.
     
    #12 shawnb2, Mar 22, 2011
  13. green4u

    green4u New Member

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    'Tis funny but true. I've searched for JDM headlights on a Japanese auction and all I could find were the USDM ones! LOL.
     
    #13 green4u, Mar 22, 2011
  14. bino

    bino JDM ZVW30

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    #14 bino, Mar 24, 2011
  15. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    looks great! keep us posted. on your Gen 3 mod thanks
     
    #15 dynasty, Mar 24, 2011
  16. bino

    bino JDM ZVW30

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    got the lights yesterday.... will post pics when I have it installed.... (just a little busy at the moment)
     
    #16 bino, Mar 25, 2011
  17. dellrio

    dellrio Im pretty much awesome

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    In all my previous cars i just removed the amber Lens. Its not legal but i have never had a single cop mention it - EVER - in 12 years of doing this stuff.

    I would have mine already baked and removed BUT since I am leasing the car i have not done it - If I decide to buy the car it will be the first thing I do.

    Everything I have done is reversable - HID's, Tint, Redout Tails, cracking open the headlight Lens is a different story.
     
    #17 dellrio, Mar 25, 2011
  18. bino

    bino JDM ZVW30

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    #18 bino, Mar 27, 2011
  19. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

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    Is baking the headlight assembly the only way to get inside? I would also like to replace the orange reflector with a clear reflector. And while I am in there, replace the accent LEDs with some brighter LEDs.
     
    #19 AZGeek, Jul 25, 2012
  20. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    U can open the headlight & remove the amber reflector but you will have the hole where the bulbs goes plus ull see the 4 small holes that the tabs from the reflector slide into.

    U could get the JDM headlights but the u are faced with 2 issues:
    1) no hole for the side marker
    2) white reflector isn't legal in the US.

    With that said.......I've never been pulled over for having wht reflectors. In my opinion HID kits in reflector housing are 100% dangerous yet u see them all over the place so ur chances of getting pulled over for wht reflectors are very slim. Only place I can see them being a problem is in cities where they have yearly vehicle inspections.

    So to over come issue # 1 u would have to swap the reflectors from each headlight & try selling the extra set to recoup some of the money.

    For those that know I'm doing a retro, I'm going to take a different route........I will be using the JDM housing for a few reasons:

    The US headlight won't accept the JDM leveling motor.
    The US headlight only uses 1 headlight adjust where as the JDM uses a total of 2.

    What I will be doing is making the holes to allow the use of the side marker.
     
    #20 sfv41901, Jul 26, 2012
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