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Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:56 pm
by labonnevillastrangiato
So, will the lens cover go back in place? Looks great so far!
Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:35 pm
by LeSabreUltra
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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Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:05 pm
by Need For Steve
this is gonna be good.
i can FEEL it!

Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 6:58 pm
by LeSabreUltra
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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Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 7:45 pm
by 99bonnieSE
wow, i REALLY like the looks of those.
Nice work!
Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 10:25 pm
by gweg_b
Wow, those are looking nice so far!! Definitely gonna give your LeSabre a unique look. I can't wait to see the finished product!!
Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 4:40 pm
by LeSabreUltra
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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Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 4:45 pm
by 99bonnieSE
wow..... i wasn't sure i'd like the look of it.... but man that looks cool.
Nice job!
Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 5:26 pm
by PRD2BDF
Kinda looks like the newer Lesabre which I really like.
Loving it so far.
Re: The retrofit begins!
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:29 pm
by LeSabreUltra
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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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:46 pm
by TrueWildMan
That's actually impressive. Much better than I was expecting. Great job!
Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:04 am
by 00Beast
Looks Great!!!
Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:49 am
by yourgrandma
Looks sweet. Id buff out those lenses. Night shots!!
Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 3:07 am
by LeSabreUltra
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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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 4:32 am
by wake
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

Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:16 am
by LeSabre in Buffalo
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...
Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:52 pm
by LeSabreUltra
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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Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:56 pm
by gweg_b
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!!
Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 3:25 pm
by Bugsi
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!

Re: The retrofit begins...it's done!
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:20 pm
by LeSabre in Buffalo
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.