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Monday, May 12, 2014

Behind blue eyes


Hello again!

As you may have read, I really want to facelift my car. I've made a few steps in that direction. Now, it was time to do the headlight.
So, this post is the last time we will see my car looking like this:
What I did first? Well, I started by buying the new headlamps. I really wanted the ABL (ACTIVE BENDING LIGHTS) models but they are so expensive and in the end the bending function will not work. So I settled for the halogen 2005+ model.
The new pair of headlights were nice and all, but I was still haunted by the look I really wanted, but fortunately I have a friend that works at a specialist shop that told me he could make them look closer to the 2007 ABL headlights and make them bi-xenon by adding a projector lens. So, I agreed.

First step was to disassemble the headlight glass so that the projector could be placed. The glass is held in place with some sort of industrial adhesive, nothing a little heat from a professional heat gun can't handle. Of course you need a pair of strong but steady arms to complete the separation.
Here's how it looked after removing the glass:
We also removed the outer chrome trim surrounding the inner headlight that was held in place by a few small clips. This step is optional but it assures that you don't let any of the industrial glue to land on this chromed part.
Afterwards, we removed the metallic guide and assembled the projector lens.
The lens are Morimoto Black Series and they fit perfectly in the original bulb socket. They fit H11 bulb. 
All was needed now was to make them look better and not out of place so we used a no name chrome trim.
After wiping all the finger marks it was time for the heat gun again to place back the glass and to seal it.
This modification of the headlamp left me without a park light, so I decided to move it to the side on the orange reflector area (like the US models).
All of the steps mentioned above were done on the other headlamp as well.
All what was left to do was to buy a pair of H9 halogen bulbs for the high beam (although I now had bi-xenon, I still wanted the close to stock look). 
So after a little trip to a 24/7 parts shop, I returned and it was time to put the headlights on the car. So, we needed to make a few modifications to the wiring. I also draw a diagram because I only managed to take one blurry picture (I was holding one headlamp with my leg, bended over the the engine compartment and took the shot). I recommend, however, to do this part at an electronist shop, or at least, if you don't have the experience, to go to an electronic expert. This photo is for the right hand side (passenger side) headlight.
If you'll like to see a short video from that day, follow this link.
Also if you have any more questions regarding this topic, please let me know in the comment section or on my facebook page.
I should mention now, that all the little fiddly work was done by my wonderful friend Grigoras Ionut whose hands are golden and let's not forget the rest of the team at CARSX. It's because of them my car looks like this now:
Thank you all!
Safe journeys everyone!
  

15 comments:

  1. hi i follow you from IG. Just wanna ask if you have the picture of that no-name chrome trim. i have the 2009 s60 with that stock halogen headlight. Finding the matching and goodlooking and perfect fitted trim is not easy..Thanks

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    1. Hi Tanyawat! I don't have a picture of just the trim. However, when I'll go back to the shop where I did my headlights I'll ask them if they have another pair so that I could take a picture, or even better, I'll ask them where did they buy it from. Thank you for the support!

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    2. wow cool! haha but unfortunately i am the s60 driver in Thailand :P

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    3. two more questions
      Is it round or oval shape? and does it come with the CCFL donut-ring light?
      thanks

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    4. Hi Tanyawat. I know from Instagram that you are from Thailand, what I was trying to say is that CARSX (the shop where I did my lights) also buys the chrome trims from somewhere, and so, I was hoping to help you by providing the source. The trim is round and it doesn't have any type of CCFL or LED light. It's just a round chrome plastic trim. As soon as I can get to the shop again, I'll take a photo and direct message it to you on Instagram.

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  2. They look great much better than stock. Keep up the good work!

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    Replies
    1. Hello Martin and thank you for the support!

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  3. Hey there- Are you the guy the modified the S60 fog light relay so that your fog lights stay on with the high-beams engaged? I though it was your blog that had the mod, but I can't find it! Good stuff, man!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Dan! I never did that, however it can not be that difficult to do.

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Salut,

    Vreau sa schimb farurile la S60-ul meu din 2004. S-au cam sablat si as vrea sa pun ceva dare sa arate mai bine. Cele de 2005+ s-au potrivit direct sau a fost nevoie de ceva modificari?

    Mersi

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    Replies
    1. Salut! Totul s-a potrivit 100% cu excepția firelor care ai trebuit tăiate conform schiței din post. Baftă la modificat!

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  6. Hi, is the light a direct fit? I have a 01 S60 and want to buy these lights.

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  7. hello, do you have dimmensions of the lens and chrome trim?
    did you cut anything to mount the lens?
    is it h4 bixenon?

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