HID Headlight Bulbs / HID Projector Retrofit

CbrownGT · September 14, 2015

I tried this a few months ago with not much luck. The projectors in the replicas must have different mounting specs than the projectors in the OEM LTZ headlights. The brackets from fast headlights are designed for the OEM specs. I had the FXR projectors in the replicas, but they were not secure as I wanted them and you have to do some flexing on the mounting kit. I picked up a used driver side OEM LTZ headlight and the kit went in must nicer.

Hmmm, thanks for the feedback. Did you run the replicas as they came with HIDs at all? Just curious what the projectors that come in them are like. And when you say they weren't as secure as you wanted them...did you have at least 3 screws in? Or did you not feel comfortable with how you had to flex/adapt? the mounting kit?

badchevy · September 15, 2015

Hmmm, thanks for the feedback. Did you run the replicas as they came with HIDs at all? Just curious what the projectors that come in them are like. And when you say they weren't as secure as you wanted them...did you have at least 3 screws in? Or did you not feel comfortable with how you had to flex/adapt? the mounting kit?

No, I didn't even run the projectors that came in the replicas. I already had my box from TRS with the FXRs and the D2S bulbs and took the replica projectors out as soon as I got the headlights. I think I may give them a try though. I could only get the bottom two screws in the fxrs with the adapters. The bottom adapter needed to be flexed as the mounting holes in the headlights were closer together. I actually broke one and had to call to order another. The projectors flopped around since there wasn't anything on the top side to hold them down. I didn't want to go too tight on the bottom as that is how I broke the one adapter. Also, the metal in the replicas are cheap pot metal or something. I successfully cracked the metal on one of the screw mounts. I wasn't going gorilla on them as I was being very diligent with the lenses and all. Since I had so many issues, I ran the setup for a couple weeks and switched back to stock housings until I find another option to run the projectors. Still looking for a good deal on a passenger side OE housing as the driver side one I have setup went well.

OldDawg45 · September 19, 2015

I have finally finished reading this thread and the 39 page led fog lamp thread and with the shear number of different combinations that have been mentioned..... My brain hurts.

I am getting the SAE approved Rigid D-Series fogs and a 9012 Morimoto Elite HID system... But should I get the 4500 or the 5500. I am trying to match the fog with the headlamps.

Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

SheeB · September 19, 2015

Well I emailed TRS to inquire if they have delayed powering relays as I would prefer a slight delay (10 seconds) before the HID's were powered on. Anyone know if these exist if I were to use a TSR Morimoto Silverado Spec System?

DAP56 · September 19, 2015

There is some drilling involved and the rubber grommet that comes with the kit doesn't really fit because the bulbs stick thru the hole in the cap. At least it did on my 15 LTZ. I didn't realize this until after I had purchased the kit. I just recently returned mine because I'm like you didn't want stray to far from factory just yet considering I just bought the truck.

Guys, buy the $100 each custom made deeper caps to allow your HID system to be as OEM as possible. This is the route I plan to take. I'm not cutting anything. I'm not doing the retrofit until I find another set of LTZ headlights to mod. I want to have a stock set for the next 3 years/36K miles just in case... Links to the caps are in the huge thread somewhere. Expensive but worth it.

Edited September 19, 2015 by DAP56

DAP56 · September 19, 2015

I tried this a few months ago with not much luck. The projectors in the replicas must have different mounting specs than the projectors in the OEM LTZ headlights. The brackets from fast headlights are designed for the OEM specs. I had the FXR projectors in the replicas, but they were not secure as I wanted them and you have to do some flexing on the mounting kit. I picked up a used driver side OEM LTZ headlight and the kit went in must nicer.

This is so freaking helpful. Thank you for posting about your experience. I have had the knockoffs in my cart for days now. So glad I didn't buy them. Sorry for your experience.

Stanleyj42 · September 19, 2015

Where did you find the deeper caps? My google foo must not be working because I couldn't something like that. That would be a game changer.

DAP56 · September 20, 2015

Here's the link below. I can't remember what page these are on in this posting. Expensive, but worth it. A few members have tried these besides the member who designed them. I believe these caps may even have clearance for an LED bulbs with the fans on the back. I'm not sure if anyone has tested that yet or not. You can buy two of these for $160, or pay $65 for an extra OEM GM set, and have to drill them out and then try to water proof them. I would prefer this way.

What I would really like to see if someone has modified the ANZO "U Bar" headlights with FXR projectors. I'm willing to bet they too are cheap pot metal like the OEM knockoffs, and it is doubtful the FXRs with adapter would line up properly.

My LTZ has 250 miles on it, just drove for an hour in the dark tonight. The stock lights are TERRIBLE, the shadows kept making me think there was Debri in the road. Even my wife thought she saw things in front of us. The funny thing is, the halogen 5202 fog lights put our more light than the H11 projectors. Sad face.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/FTQHHLVEP/one-thinner-extended-silverado-headlight-cap?li=more-from-shop&optionId=56102883

rdtpp1991 · September 21, 2015

It took me about 3 hours to install TRS Silverado spec kit on my 2014 LTZ yesterday. If anyone is on the fence about getting it they are definitely worth it.

It took some time drilling the holes in the dust covers in the right spots so the grommets fit right behind the new HID bulb connectors correctly.

If you take the 12 clips out and removed the plastic cover over the radiator, then you can run all the wires under it and ends up being a very clean install. There is also a place where the relays fit perfectly. I didn't do any drilling just installed ballasts with Velcro and a zip tie to help support them. Below is a few photos of the grommets installed and the relay location.

Good luck to anyone else that gets this kit and if you have a questions I'll help best I can.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

badchevy · September 21, 2015

I have finally finished reading this thread and the 39 page led fog lamp thread and with the shear number of different combinations that have been mentioned..... My brain hurts.

I am getting the SAE approved Rigid D-Series fogs and a 9012 Morimoto Elite HID system... But should I get the 4500 or the 5500. I am trying to match the fog with the headlamps.

Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

Those fog lights are a clean bright white, so you will not want the 4500k lamps. They will have a hint of yellow and be closer to the stock bulbs. You will want 5500 or even 6500 to get that LED clean white.

badchevy · September 21, 2015

This is so freaking helpful. Thank you for posting about your experience. I have had the knockoffs in my cart for days now. So glad I didn't buy them. Sorry for your experience.

If the projectors that come with them are not bad, it still could be a good way to go. The D2S bulbs are really powerful and put out a nice beam. I coupled mine with the Matsushita Gen V ballasts from TRS and glad I did. The 6000k bulbs are a clean white and lay down and good beam. Could be the FXRs that make it look so good, though. I was too busy this weekend to try out the replica projectors, but plan on doing it soon. If they don't work all that good, I will see if I can figure out a way to make the FXRs work.

OldDawg45 · September 21, 2015

Those fog lights are a clean bright white, so you will not want the 4500k lamps. They will have a hint of yellow and be closer to the stock bulbs. You will want 5500 or even 6500 to get that LED clean white.

Thanks for the tip. I ordered the 35W 5500 to go with the Rigid fogs. I also ordered LED cargo and reverse lights and some diodes to do the jumper so the fogs remain on with highbeams and cargo/reverse.

Thanks again for the info!!

Edited September 21, 2015 by OldDawg45

goblue4016 · September 22, 2015

wow... just like a previous postyer my head hurts from reading about 30 pages today on this...

So i have a 14 silverado with projectors.. yes they are terrible.. i want to install the fxr 3.0 projectors and would like to do the least amount of drilling possible.

i reached out to TRS and this is the kit they recommended:

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-retrofit-kits/bi-xenon-fx-r-stage-iii-kit.html
FX-R 3.0 Bi-xenon projectors (LHD)
Morimoto Ballasts
Morimoto Bulbs
H11 Relay Harness( you will also need the capacitor link here: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/harnesses/capacitor-relay-harness-link.html#.Vei6qn_BzRY)
Shrouds(Not needed)

a couple questions though..

1. is this kit only for the low beams? would i need a separate kit for high beams?

2. would the headlight extended cap that a member created be needed so i wont have to cut anything?

3. do I/would I need anything else for this upgrade? my goal is to have HID high and low beams and fogs - Which i see the HID Extra 5202 HID fog kit will work pretty good.

sorry for all the questions im just new to HID and trying to figure it all out

eznonby · September 24, 2015

After installing a retro fit what are you guys doing with the low beam bulb? Is it still beneficial or does it just set there looking happy?

CalDirt · September 28, 2015

I have finally finished reading this thread and the 39 page led fog lamp thread and with the shear number of different combinations that have been mentioned..... My brain hurts.

I am getting the SAE approved Rigid D-Series fogs and a 9012 Morimoto Elite HID system... But should I get the 4500 or the 5500. I am trying to match the fog with the headlamps.

Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

Hey OldDawg45 - I feel your pain. Been reading up on this for about 2 weeks before I'm ready to pull the trigger. This is the combination of HIDs and fogs that both Morimoto and TRS suggested for a '15:

Morimoto Sierra Spec: Morimoto Elite HID System - 5500k KIT The Retrofit Source

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid-systems/morimoto-elite-hid-system-sierra-low-beam.html

http://www.amazon.com/Morimoto-Elite-HID-System/dp/B013N20NSU/ref=sr_1_1_m?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1442849575&sr=1-1&keywords=9012+Morimoto

http://www.morimotohid.com/hid-systems/morimoto-elite-hid-system-sierra-low-beam.html

Morimoto GM XB LED Fogs 50374

http://www.amazon.com/Morimoto-Type-LED-Projector-Light/dp/B00XA3C0FC/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1442852322&sr=1-2-fkmr1&keywords=Morimoto+50374

http://www.morimotohid.com/complete-headlight-fog-light-housings/morimoto-xb-led-fog-lights-type-gm-h16.html