Dust cover for headlight housing

speedyt5 · Post by **speedyt5** » 29 Oct 2018, 09:37

I recently found a great pair of LED headlights however the back of them gets really hot and I'm afraid it might melt the plastic dust cover to the headlamp assembly, I just need to drill about an inch wide hole in the dustcover and then the back of the headlights won't touch the plastic. Is there any reason I shouldn't do this? Honestly with the back of the led lights poking through the hole I don't think there would much dirt or water ever getting into the headlamp assembly, but just wanted to get some input before I do.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 29 Oct 2018, 09:45

I'm not one for drilling holes in stock parts. Any plastic near the headlights / in the engine bay is made to withstand very high temperatures and extreme temperature swings. I'm not sure the LEDs would get hot enough to melt the plastic, but I'm not an expert. I do know that if you poke a hole in anything, dust and moisture will find their way in. At the very least, get some dust caps from the junkyard and drill into those so you don't accidentally ruin the only set you have.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 29 Oct 2018, 12:58

Doesn't seem like a solid idea. The back of the LED could be exposed to moisture/dust, and you won't have a good seal for the whole assembly.

Additionally, HIDs and most LEDs do not produce proper beam patterns in the stock halogen housings. Ever been driving down the highway when some turd with bright white/blue lights is blasting your face? That could be be you, even with "aiming".

If you want some seriously good light that doesn't endanger other motorists, do a projector retrofit. (See below)

: HID projectors on my car

Post by **Clemens** » 29 Oct 2018, 13:44

any more info on that projector retrofit? this looks amzing

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 29 Oct 2018, 13:57

Clemens wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 13:44 any more info on that projector retrofit? this looks amzing

Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, but...

I got the kit from The Retrofit Source and used stock housings with lenses from the C70 (clear).

-Stock/OEM housings
-Morimoto Bi-Xenon Mini H1
-Clear lenses

The bi-xenon is cool because you can have high and low beam all-in-one. Additionally, you can do like I did and still use the stock high beam slot as well and essentially have dual high beams. In this case I did use LEDs for those, because with high beams I'm not worried about the potential light scatter. The results are incredible.

: Putting the retrofit together

: Finished product. (Pre-bumper respray!)

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 29 Oct 2018, 14:43

ecbsykes wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 13:57
Clemens wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 13:44 any more info on that projector retrofit? this looks amzing
Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, but...

I got the kit from The Retrofit Source and used stock housings with lenses from the C70 (clear).

-Stock/OEM housings
-Morimoto Bi-Xenon Mini H1
-Clear lenses

The bi-xenon is cool because you can have high and low beam all-in-one. Additionally, you can do like I did and still use the stock high beam slot as well and essentially have dual high beams. In this case I did use LEDs for those, because with high beams I'm not worried about the potential light scatter. The results are incredible.

16487737_10154897413330135_1248496392811044439_o.jpg

16403054_10154897413325135_9115139587030698270_o.jpg

Would love to do this retrofit, but I can't quite convince myself to spend all that money on headlights.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 29 Oct 2018, 16:14

WhatAmIDoing wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 14:43
ecbsykes wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 13:57
Clemens wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 13:44 any more info on that projector retrofit? this looks amzing
Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread, but...

I got the kit from The Retrofit Source and used stock housings with lenses from the C70 (clear).

-Stock/OEM housings
-Morimoto Bi-Xenon Mini H1
-Clear lenses

The bi-xenon is cool because you can have high and low beam all-in-one. Additionally, you can do like I did and still use the stock high beam slot as well and essentially have dual high beams. In this case I did use LEDs for those, because with high beams I'm not worried about the potential light scatter. The results are incredible.

16487737_10154897413330135_1248496392811044439_o.jpg

16403054_10154897413325135_9115139587030698270_o.jpg
Would love to do this retrofit, but I can't quite convince myself to spend all that money on headlights.

Totally understandable. I do a lot of (and enjoy) night driving, so it's worth the higher cost in my mind. Though I know that not everyone has unlimited disposable income to mercilessly throw at these old bricks (I certainly don't either!).

speedyt5 · Post by **speedyt5** » 29 Oct 2018, 18:01

I had a pair of LEDs that threw light everywhere. They were blinding oncoming traffic but I finally found a pair that has absolutely no glare. I had them in the stock housing on one side and had the stock halogen on the other and there was more glare coming off the halogen than the LED. These LEDS were also ranked on Amazon as having the best beam pattern with no glare. I must say these are the perfect bulb, minus the back sticking out. I have a set of HIDs I’m going to install tonight to see if they are as good as the LEDs but if they have any glare they’re going back and the LEDs are staying.

speedyt5 · Post by **speedyt5** » 29 Oct 2018, 18:24

Welp, just tried the HID’s... glare everywhere. Have to stick to the LED’s I got... now to drill a hole in the housing or not

speedyt5 · Post by **speedyt5** » 29 Oct 2018, 19:07

The cover fits over the LEDs, it’s just so close to the cooling fins of the LED I’m worried it will melt. For now I just put it on as normal.