The retrofit begins...it's done!
- labonnevillastrangiato
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Re: The retrofit begins!
So, will the lens cover go back in place? Looks great so far!
- LeSabreUltra
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Re: The retrofit begins!
Thanks, and yeah, I check the lens fit every step of the way!
Other side caught up:


Still...waiting...
Stuff is supposed to start arriving tomorrow. Not sure how much of it.
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Other side caught up:


Still...waiting...
Stuff is supposed to start arriving tomorrow. Not sure how much of it.
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-Dan
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s- Need For Steve
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Re: The retrofit begins!
this is gonna be good.
i can FEEL it!
i can FEEL it!
call me Steve...

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HAI, full 2.5" exhaust, resonator delete, Pioneer Audio, F17 transaxle, Toyo Versado LX 215/70/15's
- LeSabreUltra
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Re: The retrofit begins!
Haha thanks, I hope so!
Update. Didn't get much yesterday, just the bulbs. Still waiting on the adapters so I can do the final aiming, should be here either tomorrow or Saturday. Don't know where the high beams are, but I really hope that they get here by Saturday so I can wrap this up by the end of the weekend. I have everything I need to finish this project right now except for the high beams and the adapters.
I got my shrouds today and cut them to fit the low beam. They are just stuck on lightly with some tape, which is what you see near the lenses. I'll attach it more permanently near the end.


The top part here used to be round, I had to cut it flat to fit:


Hope my high beams come in soon. They are the only remaining barrier to finishing (other than the adapters, but I know they'll be here before the end of the weekend).
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Update. Didn't get much yesterday, just the bulbs. Still waiting on the adapters so I can do the final aiming, should be here either tomorrow or Saturday. Don't know where the high beams are, but I really hope that they get here by Saturday so I can wrap this up by the end of the weekend. I have everything I need to finish this project right now except for the high beams and the adapters.
I got my shrouds today and cut them to fit the low beam. They are just stuck on lightly with some tape, which is what you see near the lenses. I'll attach it more permanently near the end.


The top part here used to be round, I had to cut it flat to fit:


Hope my high beams come in soon. They are the only remaining barrier to finishing (other than the adapters, but I know they'll be here before the end of the weekend).
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Last edited by LeSabreUltra on Thu Feb 18, 2010 6:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-Dan
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s- 99bonnieSE
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Re: The retrofit begins!
wow, i REALLY like the looks of those.
Nice work!
Nice work!
It's been a very long time, but, I am still around!
- gweg_b
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Re: The retrofit begins!
Wow, those are looking nice so far!! Definitely gonna give your LeSabre a unique look. I can't wait to see the finished product!!
- Greg | -- Project Prasinos -- |

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& Exterior | 20% Tint | PA Grill & Portholes | Limited Trim | GTP Rims | Ported LIM | Plus Many More Mods | Restoration Thread
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1995 LeSabre Custom: 312K Miles | Custom K&N CAI | Edelbrock SDT Muffler | Camaro Tips | 180 T-stat | LED Interior
& Exterior | 20% Tint | PA Grill & Portholes | Limited Trim | GTP Rims | Ported LIM | Plus Many More Mods | Restoration Thread
2001 Bonneville SSEi: 225K Miles | Instense FWI | Intense MPS (3.4") | 180 T-stat | ZZP Plog | Ported Rear Manifold |
ZZP 3" Downpipe | Magnaflow Cat | Retrofitted HIDs | GenV M90 | GXP Brake Upgrade | 35% Tint | Plus Many More Mods |
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- LeSabreUltra
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Re: The retrofit begins!
Thanks guys!
Big updates today. Got my high beams and my adapter cables in the mail today, so I'm set to finish this project today or tomorrow!
Here's the first test fit and fire-up:



Only cutoff pics I can get for you guys right now.




More updates later, gonna start working on the high beams.
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Big updates today. Got my high beams and my adapter cables in the mail today, so I'm set to finish this project today or tomorrow!
Here's the first test fit and fire-up:



Only cutoff pics I can get for you guys right now.




More updates later, gonna start working on the high beams.
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-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s- 99bonnieSE
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Re: The retrofit begins!
wow..... i wasn't sure i'd like the look of it.... but man that looks cool.
Nice job!
Nice job!
It's been a very long time, but, I am still around!
- LeSabreUltra
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Re: The retrofit begins!
Thanks, and...it's done!
Cut my high beams down to size, used the same sort of mounts as on the low beam, cut my shroud to fit, aimed, etc...
First test fit after high beam install

Obligatory cutoff pic! This was before the shrouds were attached, you can see some stray light above the cutoff. All that has been eliminated.

You can't see it here, but the shrouds are attached with the same stuff I used to seal the headlight with later.

Both sides.

Sealing the lens. I used 3M window sealer or window weld I think it's called...comes in a 15' roll. Really strong, and airtight.

Both sides.


I realize these pictures are awful. I'll try to get some better ones for you guys later.
Cutoff is perfectly aimed, too. No one gets blinded, but it extends FAR down the road. I get a very commanding view of everything!
High beams aren't wired up yet. I need to do that, and I also need to seal up the rear of the headlight a little better. But it's done, and this is SO much better than the plug and play kit I had in there before!
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Cut my high beams down to size, used the same sort of mounts as on the low beam, cut my shroud to fit, aimed, etc...
First test fit after high beam install

Obligatory cutoff pic! This was before the shrouds were attached, you can see some stray light above the cutoff. All that has been eliminated.

You can't see it here, but the shrouds are attached with the same stuff I used to seal the headlight with later.

Both sides.

Sealing the lens. I used 3M window sealer or window weld I think it's called...comes in a 15' roll. Really strong, and airtight.

Both sides.


I realize these pictures are awful. I'll try to get some better ones for you guys later.
Cutoff is perfectly aimed, too. No one gets blinded, but it extends FAR down the road. I get a very commanding view of everything!
High beams aren't wired up yet. I need to do that, and I also need to seal up the rear of the headlight a little better. But it's done, and this is SO much better than the plug and play kit I had in there before!
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-Dan
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
That's actually impressive. Much better than I was expecting. Great job!
SC is me spinach!
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Looks Great!!!
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

RIP sandrock
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Looks sweet. Id buff out those lenses. Night shots!!
02 SSEi-Turning money into tire smoke, very efficiently.


- LeSabreUltra
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Thanks guys!! I already hit the lenses with a clearing kit once, but I agree, it looks like they may need another pass.
Oh and yeah, definitely some output shots:



They sure are nice and bright! It's fun casting shadows in other people's headlight beams without blinding them.
Speaking of which, I passed an 03 or so Silverado with a PNP kit, looked like 4300-5000k, and it was pitiful lol. I never realized how bad they were.
Couple more, I'll get real daytime shots tomorrow:


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Oh and yeah, definitely some output shots:



They sure are nice and bright! It's fun casting shadows in other people's headlight beams without blinding them.
Speaking of which, I passed an 03 or so Silverado with a PNP kit, looked like 4300-5000k, and it was pitiful lol. I never realized how bad they were.
Couple more, I'll get real daytime shots tomorrow:


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-Dan
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
wow..i didnt expect id like it cause i dont like projectors all that much..dont really have a valid excuse as to why..but *dang*..do those look and perform good..nice clean and clear both on the install but also from behind the wheel
great job Dan

great job Dan
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Dan, those look amazing!
I love the cutoff's precision and aim. I bet you're really happy with how well you can see at night now!
Just more reason for me to get the latest version of the HIR2/9012 bulb!
<What would happen when the fiancee found out...
Just more reason for me to get the latest version of the HIR2/9012 bulb!
- LeSabreUltra
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Thanks for the compliments guys, I appreciate it!
Dave, I'm sure you remember how bad our LeSabre's output is stock from before you did your relayed 9005's. I was behind a stock 97-99 LeSabre last night and I was casting shadows all OVER their headlight beam lol! But definitely give those 9012's a shot, I'd be interested to see how big the difference is!
Final pics! Please excuse my horribly dirty car...





Well I say final pics, I may try to grab a wall shot later, but I'm done whoring for now, lol!
I tried to take a video but it sucked BAD. Not only did it not show the output at all, but the camera kept going in and out of focus. Doesn't look like I'm going to be able to get a good driving video for you guys.
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Dave, I'm sure you remember how bad our LeSabre's output is stock from before you did your relayed 9005's. I was behind a stock 97-99 LeSabre last night and I was casting shadows all OVER their headlight beam lol! But definitely give those 9012's a shot, I'd be interested to see how big the difference is!
Final pics! Please excuse my horribly dirty car...





Well I say final pics, I may try to grab a wall shot later, but I'm done whoring for now, lol!
I tried to take a video but it sucked BAD. Not only did it not show the output at all, but the camera kept going in and out of focus. Doesn't look like I'm going to be able to get a good driving video for you guys.
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-Dan
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s- gweg_b
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Wow, those look amazing!! It looks stock, and that light output is amazing!! Great work, Dan! I'd love to do that with my LeSabre, but I'm not sure it'd work out as well with the glass lenses.
Again, good job, man!!
EDIT: You got those pictures up right before I posted, lol!! Wow, that LeSabre just looks so unique now!! Dude, I am so envious!!
Again, good job, man!!
EDIT: You got those pictures up right before I posted, lol!! Wow, that LeSabre just looks so unique now!! Dude, I am so envious!!
- Greg | -- Project Prasinos -- |

1995 LeSabre Custom: 312K Miles | Custom K&N CAI | Edelbrock SDT Muffler | Camaro Tips | 180 T-stat | LED Interior
& Exterior | 20% Tint | PA Grill & Portholes | Limited Trim | GTP Rims | Ported LIM | Plus Many More Mods | Restoration Thread
2001 Bonneville SSEi: 225K Miles | Instense FWI | Intense MPS (3.4") | 180 T-stat | ZZP Plog | Ported Rear Manifold |
ZZP 3" Downpipe | Magnaflow Cat | Retrofitted HIDs | GenV M90 | GXP Brake Upgrade | 35% Tint | Plus Many More Mods |
2005 Bonneville GXP: 101K Miles | Custom FWI
2009 G8 GT: 89K Miles | 35% Tint | Roto-Fab CAI | SOLO Mach Exhaust | BMR Tunnel Brace | BMR Sub Frames | BMR STB |
Kooks Headers | QTP Electric Cutouts | BMR Sway Bars | Elite Engineering Catch Can | Innovative Dual Wideband Kit
1984 Caprice Classic Wagon: 86K Miles | Restoration Project

1995 LeSabre Custom: 312K Miles | Custom K&N CAI | Edelbrock SDT Muffler | Camaro Tips | 180 T-stat | LED Interior
& Exterior | 20% Tint | PA Grill & Portholes | Limited Trim | GTP Rims | Ported LIM | Plus Many More Mods | Restoration Thread
2001 Bonneville SSEi: 225K Miles | Instense FWI | Intense MPS (3.4") | 180 T-stat | ZZP Plog | Ported Rear Manifold |
ZZP 3" Downpipe | Magnaflow Cat | Retrofitted HIDs | GenV M90 | GXP Brake Upgrade | 35% Tint | Plus Many More Mods |
2005 Bonneville GXP: 101K Miles | Custom FWI
2009 G8 GT: 89K Miles | 35% Tint | Roto-Fab CAI | SOLO Mach Exhaust | BMR Tunnel Brace | BMR Sub Frames | BMR STB |
Kooks Headers | QTP Electric Cutouts | BMR Sway Bars | Elite Engineering Catch Can | Innovative Dual Wideband Kit
1984 Caprice Classic Wagon: 86K Miles | Restoration Project
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
My gut reaction while reading the progress of your test fits etc., was "Why??" because I've always admired how my Bonneville's headlights gave me better light than any other car I've owned or driven, especially after doing the High-Beam bulbs in the regular headlight position modification. It just seemed like you were going through SO MUCH work to cram projectors into your car's non-projector lenses, and my first thought was "What a huge waste of time."
BUT. . . Daaaaaaaamn that looks good, and frankly, my favorite modification stories are those "totally over the top" modifications that involve way too much work and time, but where someone does it anyway, and gets really superior results. By the time I saw your finished results I'd done a 180 and I really love it.
NICE WORK!
BUT. . . Daaaaaaaamn that looks good, and frankly, my favorite modification stories are those "totally over the top" modifications that involve way too much work and time, but where someone does it anyway, and gets really superior results. By the time I saw your finished results I'd done a 180 and I really love it.
NICE WORK!
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LeSabre in Buffalo
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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Dan, I will bypass the latest 9012's since it's $80 for two. My lighting is good enough as it is with the 9005's and the relay feeding them properly. It's only 400-600 more lumens total for $80. It's not the same impact as adding 1400+ lumens from the 9005's and relay harness. If I went 9011 I'd get another 1200 lumens on top of the 9005's. I'd also be glaring everywhere and making myself a hazard.




