Nathan's Smoked Depo Projector Conversion

JerZeyStangz · Jul 29, 2009

Hey Guys. I just wanted to show you what I have been working on for a week and a half. A few members know about this build up because had a few questions about the headlights. Well I am finally making a build thread out of it to show you what I am doing. The reason why I am doing this project because I want my cake and eat it too. I want functionality with style at the same time. First off I didn't whatsoever want to get rid of the smoke look. The look makes the front end. Well since I have HID's I wanted the sweet cut off line that projectors give but without the crazy look that they have. So I thought how about I used my old smoked headlights that had water damage to them and pop of the lenses. Then I had the great Idea of buying the Depo projectors since they look the best IMO for projector lights and merge the two together.

A few members know about this project behind the scenes because I had a few questions to clear up. Well here goes...

Products used - Blue Oval Industries smoked headlight lenses & Depo Projector Headlights.

- RTV clear Silicone
- 5 minute expoxy
- All purpose 3m Bondo putty
- Sanding blocks & Sand Paper
- Dupicolor Primer, and Black Spray Paint enamel
- Newspaper
- Painting tape
- Rubber bands
- Rubber gloves
- Putty knife

Right now I am in the stages of finishing them up, and if you guys have any good ideas pitch them along. Smoked lenses do not fit snug so I had to silicone them first then put Bondo putty over the gaps, then sand them down. After that its going to get painted where the bondo and silicone is over so it looks somewhat flush.

I also epoxyed all the chips I cracked off opening the lenses up, I could get everything back but it was like piecing humdy dumpty back together. luckily it wasn't that bad.

Rubber bands compressing the headlight together so the silicone can cure properly

Bondo in between the lens and the housing

Work Station

CC'S95GT · Jul 29, 2009

good project. do you have any pics of the reflector before you put the smoked lens on.

JerZeyStangz · Jul 29, 2009

DESERTCOX05 said:
good project. do you have any pics of the reflector before you put the smoked lens on.

You can see the 2 chunks I took out of it. I expoxy them back together.

Spooling2Valve · Jul 30, 2009

thats bad ass. cant wait to see how it comes out.

Steve-Oh · Jul 30, 2009

Rock on dude! When you getting the "installed" photos?! Hope the info I gave you helped out.

JerZeyStangz · Jul 30, 2009

Spooling2Valve said:
thats bad ass. cant wait to see how it comes out.

Thanks man, I really appreciate the comment. Makes me feel like its worth it haha.

Steve-Oh said:
Rock on dude! When you getting the "installed" photos?! Hope the info I gave you helped out.

Yes the info was great! Steve, your the man. I should have installed photos too, but I got to order the new HID bulbs that go with the headlight!

neris · Jul 30, 2009

wow man, this is gonna look SO nice. gonna be the most unique mod. can't wait to see it when it's done! hopefully i'll be able to stop by and see it in person since i'll be livin up by you for the next few months!

JerZeyStangz · Jul 30, 2009

neris said:
wow man, this is gonna look SO nice. gonna be the most unique mod. can't wait to see it when it's done! hopefully i'll be able to stop by and see it in person since i'll be livin up by you for the next few months!

No problem, just stop by!!! or I'll show you if your around campus. I'm like 5min away from school haha.

dafizuck · Jul 30, 2009

Those are sickkkkk.. nice job.

JonBeast · Jul 30, 2009

Looks great man...I want to do this as well...but why do you need to order new HID bulbs? Do the Depot projectors not take the 9007s?

greenscobie86 · Jul 30, 2009

^ Same question.

What a great idea though... I always thought about doing a retrofit into my lights, but this is easier and will give the same results. Much props for doing this, can't wait to see how it turns out.

JerZeyStangz · Jul 30, 2009

JonBeast said:
Looks great man...I want to do this as well...but why do you need to order new HID bulbs? Do the Depot projectors not take the 9007s?

Depo Projectors take 9006 for the projector, and for the high beam side 9005. Cool thing about it is that I talked to HIDGUY.net and they said all I have to do is get bulbs, harness, and I am good to go.

greenscobie86 said:
^ Same question.

What a great idea though... I always thought about doing a retrofit into my lights, but this is easier and will give the same results. Much props for doing this, can't wait to see how it turns out.

No problem I'll post pics up very very soon when its all done. Yeah there are pros and cons to retrofitting and doing it this way, but both will look great if its in a smoke headlight.

JonBeast · Jul 31, 2009

That sucks...why would they take different bulbs? Doesn't make sense...

Now I'm not going to do this...cause I already have 9007 HIDs, and I'm not getting diff bulbs.

I may try to get some clear projectors off ebay and just use VHT to tint them to match.

neris · Jul 31, 2009

even though this is ontop.. it shall be bumped. cuz it's so sexy and im excited to see them. the end.

CruizinKev · Jul 31, 2009

WOW NICE! keep us posted with pics :thumbsup: :headbang:

JerZeyStangz · Jul 31, 2009

JonBeast said:
That sucks...why would they take different bulbs? Doesn't make sense...

Now I'm not going to do this...cause I already have 9007 HIDs, and I'm not getting diff bulbs.

I may try to get some clear projectors off ebay and just use VHT to tint them to match.

Imagine me, when I got the headlight. So I said screw it, and push forward anyway. Its such a unique swap that you need all the rights part for it. I do not mind anyway. You could get them retrofitted but that cost a lot more I think. I was thinking of VHT the depo's but the tint wont be the same as the blue oval lenses, unless you do a lot of work and clear coat them oh well.

ARdoller · Jul 31, 2009

JonBeast said:
That sucks...why would they take different bulbs? Doesn't make sense...

Now I'm not going to do this...cause I already have 9007 HIDs, and I'm not getting diff bulbs.

I may try to get some clear projectors off ebay and just use VHT to tint them to match.

hey jon, let me know what you decide to do with this. ive really wanted to retrofit lenses, but i keep being forced to spend my money elsewhere. ive talked to steve about this in the past, but i was more leaning towards retrofitting, especially when i hear stuff like having to buy different bulbs and whatnot.

i have 9007's as well, which id rather not have to change if i dont have to. whenever i have money that doesnt have to be spent elsewhere, ill pull the trigger on one of these options. i guess at this point, im lookin at which one would be cheaper.

joekd · Jul 31, 2009

JonBeast said:
That sucks...why would they take different bulbs? Doesn't make sense...

It's the way all projectors are designed, sperate bulbs for low and high beams

JonBeast · Jul 31, 2009

joekd said:
JonBeast said:

That sucks...why would they take different bulbs? Doesn't make sense...

Click to expand...

It's the way all projectors are designed, sperate bulbs for low and high beams

I know they have diff low/high beams...but I just don't get why they take 9006s instead of 9007s...

JerZeyStangz · Jul 31, 2009

I know they have diff low/high beams...but I just don't get why they take 9006s instead of 9007s...

The projector has a smaller inlet for the bulb so that is why the diameter of the hole is smaller. And if you ever do the retrofit instead of something like this, you got to find a projector that takes the 9007 bulb, which wouldn't be to easy to find if you try to find the best projector on the market.

Overall, HID's complicate everything I've notice if you want the right type of light lol.