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!

  

Pre-paint check

A big hello to all!

Well, I haven't posted for what seems like ages now, but I can assure you I have very good reasons.
First, in May, I got married to the most wonderful woman in the universe. Then, in July we went in our honeymoon for 2 glorious weeks.
And now, in September I am planning what to do next on my car.

So, as you already know, I have decided to update the car, and change the color. I also made a poll for all of you, to help me decide what shade of Volvo blue should I choose as my next car color. This poll will end on the 1st of July next year.

But this project will not be just a paint and drive one. Oh, no... During this project I also intend on switching the front bumper and grill with the 2007 model, headlights again with 2007 ones, electric mirrors (this I haven't decide yet whether to go with 2005 model or 2007 model that has the side blinkers integrated), jewel tail lights, new V O L V O badge, rear bumper (again 2007 model) and the double exhaust system I've put off for so long.

I hope all this mods, with the new paint job will cut a few years off my car. Besides, the car really needs a few paint spots repaired because this year no less than 3 folks gave their best shot in destroying my car with the classic method of ramming theirs into mine. :))

After all this will be finished, I will start to look for ways to improve my engine performance.
Very soon I will write another post or two about 2 items I bought from Ebay which you will find in the Unboxing section of my blog.

Wish me luck. Also, If you happen to know someone who is interested in selling the parts I described above, new or used condition, do let me know.

What I changed first

My very first post

It was the summer of 2009, and what a glorious summer it was. After discussing all night with some of my friends about our cars and about modifying them (like all boys do), I left home dreaming, but with an uneasy feeling about changing my sooo "perfect" Volvo. Second day, at the same bar with my friends again, one of them told me that he knows a guy who can convert my halogen lights to xenon. Without thinking, we drove there in a heartbeat. It was pretty late (about 8:00 o'clock in the evening). The guy told me to come back around 23:00. While there, I met his partner who was specialised in tinting car windows. I decided to do both the xenon lights and the window tinting. And I left my car there. Oh, the horror. Maybe I have issues but I always had a problem of leaving my car unattended somewhere. 

So, I left the car, took a cab back to the bar and waited. Three coffes and 3 sodas later, we took a cab back at the shop. 

Shocker!!! My car doors were taken appart, hood up and wires hanging out of my headlights, one of witch was now using a xenon bulb. One hour later, under my supervising eye, the conversion was complete. Car had tinted windows and xenon lights. I almost convinced myself that night to make a full conversion to xenon (high beam and foglights too), but because of budget, I gave up. 

The xenon systems were and still are not one of the top of the line, but they still do their job just fine. However, the xenons gave me from time to time a "burned light bulb" error message. After some research, I found a site and decided to do what it says, and presto, no more error message....ever.

So..., this is the story of my first mod ever. Hope you liked it. Maybe it made you remind your first mod to your beloved car. If so, write me a comment with your story.

original halogen lights

the xenons

front side view

 the windows tinted