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Has anyone done a successful “Winker” headlight conversion?

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Old 12-27-11, 03:33 PM
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sdrawkcab

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Question Has anyone done a successful “Winker” headlight conversion?

You know with appropriate lighting both normal and brights?
Hopefully no modifying of the main chassis?

Has there been any close projects? Maybe captured the spirit, but not all the bases covered?

Any links or information someone could pass along?

Do the winkers make the height requirement for them to be a legal lighting source?
Could these be used for lighting assuming you still have your popups as a primary source of lighting?

There are some big problems with using this location, but I have always thought it would make a very appropriate compromise between the flush mount lights, and the stock popups.

Any information on this topic?

TIA
Old 12-27-11, 03:44 PM
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You mean sleepy eye? Yes there has.




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Old 12-27-11, 03:49 PM
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No not sleepyeye, which IIRC is simply a modification to the actuation motors for the popups.

What I am asking about is the utilization of the 99 running lights/turn signal location as a headlight location.
Old 12-27-11, 03:53 PM
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Its obviously not a new idea, just wondering if anyone has gone through to fruition, and accomplished a presentable working solution whether DIY or otherwise.
Old 12-27-11, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by rotarypower101
No not sleepyeye, which IIRC is simply a modification to the actuation motors for the popups.

What I am asking about is the utilization of the 99 running lights/turn signal location as a headlight location.
Feed made a kit that uses the turn signal location as headlights.

-AzEKnightz
Old 12-27-11, 04:19 PM
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would it be these?

Old 12-27-11, 04:36 PM
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Yes. A norwegian friend of mine modified the 99 spec bumperlights to fit motorcycle mono headlights.
Old 12-27-11, 05:53 PM
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Oh really?
Would love any information or details that you could provide please.

Any pics you could forward this way?


How did he deal with the augmented functionality?
Old 12-27-11, 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by rotarypower101
would it be these?

Yes.

-AzEKnightz
Old 12-27-11, 07:08 PM
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yes, i mounted 2x of thoose 4in inside of the 99 spec section. worked well.
Old 12-27-11, 07:33 PM
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Im going to do a tsx projector in the 99 bumper lights. Getting all the stuff from theretrofitsouce
Old 12-27-11, 08:07 PM
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https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/99-spec-front-lights-885459/

User: DeeSan (post #4, can also see in his sig) retrofitted a proper hid projector into the 99 spec housing. You can try to PM him to get more information on how he completed the retrofit. According to his post, it looks to be around $1000 to do what he has done.
Old 12-30-11, 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Tuesday
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=885459

User: DeeSan (post #4, can also see in his sig) retrofitted a proper hid projector into the 99 spec housing. You can try to PM him to get more information on how he completed the retrofit. According to his post, it looks to be around $1000 to do what he has done.
Hey Thanks for the link, I have contacted him via PM, hope he takes the time to respond.

I have always thought this would be a great compromise between the total deletion and retrofit of the flush mount lights (of which I am personally not fond of) and the popups, which I feel is one of the single most out of place feature and dates the car more than any other aesthetic feature on this car.

Really hard to believe people still walk up to me off the street and ask not only if this is a brand new car?!? But dont have a clue what the make or model is.
Old 12-30-11, 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by backroad-junkie
Im going to do a tsx projector in the 99 bumper lights. Getting all the stuff from theretrofitsouce

Would you mind outlining the main details of what you have in mind?


While I can handle any fabrication electrical, and any tuning of the system to get what I can out of the equipment, I really know very little about what components are good starting points, and which to be wary of.

If I was to go ahead with a project like this I would need to know first that any modifications would not impair other drivers as a first step.

OEM components sounds like a attractive jumping off point, but I am sure there will be space and mounting restrictions that could be better met with more diversity in equipment.
Old 12-30-11, 04:19 PM
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How much does heat factor into a project like this, will the stock winkers take the kind of heat that is developed by the higher current replacement lighting?

Would the reproduction lenses be a suitable starting point as they will just be torn apart and virtually destroyed to begin with?

Are there any sources for the lenses like FEED uses, which I am guessing is just polycarbonate sheet vacuum formed over a blank?
Old 01-01-12, 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by rotarypower101
Would you mind outlining the main details of what you have in mind?


While I can handle any fabrication electrical, and any tuning of the system to get what I can out of the equipment, I really know very little about what components are good starting points, and which to be wary of.

If I was to go ahead with a project like this I would need to know first that any modifications would not impair other drivers as a first step.

OEM components sounds like a attractive jumping off point, but I am sure there will be space and mounting restrictions that could be better met with more diversity in equipment.
Before attempting it, read as much as you can about retrofitting projectors, types of projectors, bulbs and harnesses, watch as many youtube vids as possible i.e. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UMlUfBbc1M and others. With some ingenuity and cutting you can fit the projector through the back of the bumper light. i will be adding simple set screw adjuster brackets to properly align them. Heat will not be an issue as xenons run cooler than halogens.
Old 01-02-12, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by rotarypower101
Oh really?
Would love any information or details that you could provide please.

Any pics you could forward this way?


How did he deal with the augmented functionality?

hey!
Ill find his worklog and post the link to you. If i remember correctly, it was way cheaper than 1000 dollars.
Old 01-02-12, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by oyvindjs
hey!
Ill find his worklog and post the link to you. If i remember correctly, it was way cheaper than 1000 dollars.


here you go:

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/my-fix-fds-crappy-light-output-835063/
Old 01-04-12, 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by oyvindjs
exactly
Old 01-04-12, 02:44 AM
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The only thing thats going to suck with that is a narrow beam pattern due to the projector sitting so far back on the bumper light. To have a good spread it could use a unrestricted high output fog maybe(if one wasnt using the popups). I would personally use the bumper lights to drive around town normally but in rural/backroads I would use unhindered HID fogs or something.

p.s. I think I found the seller/projector the guy bought from in that original thread back in 09

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hi-Low-Beam-...#ht_500wt_1180
Old 01-04-12, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by backroad-junkie
The only thing thats going to suck with that is a narrow beam pattern due to the projector sitting so far back on the bumper light. To have a good spread it could use a unrestricted high output fog maybe(if one wasnt using the popups). I would personally use the bumper lights to drive around town normally but in rural/backroads I would use unhindered HID fogs or something.

p.s. I think I found the seller/projector the guy bought from in that original thread back in 09

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hi-Low-Beam-...#ht_500wt_1180
this is the one ye.

Ps. You could use a zippo lighter and a dental mirror and STILL get better lights than the original FD lights....
Old 04-06-12, 06:28 PM
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But once we have decided on equipment to use, no harm in optimizing what is there right?



Trying to select the best lights for the appllication.
Are the BI-XENON: MORIMOTO MINI D2S 2.0 really the best choice considering the the space requirments?

Is there anything else out there that is likely to fit and perhaps supply better patterning, or are the physical size that a light in this placement really limiting what can be acomplished?

Does anyone that has a good grasp on these HID projectors know how to compare these mini DS2 to what most consider a superior light the FXR or acura projector from TRS?

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/index.php?cPath=25


How important will the light distribution be so that it creates a even light in a normal driving scenario?

I read the mini D2S may cause a close field brightness condition, where it could/can dilate your eyes impairing the effects of better lighting.

How important is this factor, and will it be a deal breaker? How much of an effect does this have on the driver?


How much of an issue is it going to be to mount the lights as low as they will need to be with correct adjustment making consideration for other drivers?

How much will this factor effect lighting since the point of emanation is so low?


Is there perhaps anyone out there with a similar mod that can share a pic of lighting in the stock popup position VS 99 front bumper lights / winkers?

Some kind of a comparison that would show the feasibility of mounting projectors in this position?




So here is a short list, by no means definitive list, of threads on this specific topic:

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/99-spec-light-retrofit-983484/
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=835063
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=885459
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/projector-99spec-turnsignals-810897/

Thanks for any information on the topic.
Old 04-08-12, 05:40 AM
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Originally Posted by backroad-junkie
The only thing thats going to suck with that is a narrow beam pattern due to the projector sitting so far back on the bumper light. To have a good spread it could use a unrestricted high output fog maybe(if one wasnt using the popups). I would personally use the bumper lights to drive around town normally but in rural/backroads I would use unhindered HID fogs or something.

p.s. I think I found the seller/projector the guy bought from in that original thread back in 09

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hi-Low-Beam-...#ht_500wt_1180
you think you found? doesnt anybody read anymore? the links are in my thread,
QSPS sells the 56mm projector i used to make my BI-Xenon bumper lights, and narrow beam?
with the way i got the lights to fit, the lens is as far forward as the 99plastic cover will allow.
this might not be a perfect sollution, but its lightyears over stock. and the total cost of building these myself was about 300$ and alot of hours fine tuning.
Old 04-09-12, 06:28 AM
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Look into your state laws as well before doing the conversion. I'm not sure that that location would be high enough to be legal as some states have a minimum height requirement for headlight placement and Oregon is one of them:

The follow states mandate that headlight height be between 24 and 54 inches from ground level: Alaska, Arkansas, Washington DC, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas. Colorado mandates a maximum light height (44 inches), but not a minimum.

Read more: Height Regulations for Headlights | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5996942_he...#ixzz1rXe5ZqsC
Old 04-09-12, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by rcracer_tx
Look into your state laws as well before doing the conversion. I'm not sure that that location would be high enough to be legal as some states have a minimum height requirement for headlight placement and Oregon is one of them:
NICE NJ ISNT ONE OF THEM!! I bookmarked this thread and the other that was linked, hoping to do this mod when i purchase my fd.




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