Notices
Evo X How Tos / Installations Post or link to your detailed how to / installation articles in here. If you have any questions regarding the how tos, feel free to post them in the Request sub-forum.

Custom projector headlights with BMW X5 LED fog lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 11, 2015 | 02:20 PM
  #1  
iEvoVII's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Darwin, Australia
Custom projector headlights with BMW X5 LED fog lights

Im currently working on a set of JDM Evo X headlights. Ill be using BMW X5 LED fog lights for the first time. I had always thought about using these fog lights in the Evo X headlight, ever since TheRetrofitSource started selling them.


Specs for this retrofit are:
(Quad low beam setup)

* OEM BiXenon projector upgraded with TRS ZKW-R clear lenses.
* Custom aluminium shields painted black for the stealth demon eye look.
* BMW X5 LED fog lights + E46-R shrouds retrofitted into the AFS reflector.
* EVOLUTION logo painted white on the X5 fog light.
* Full satin black finish.


progress pix:

Opening up the X5 fog light was such a ball breaking job. Got there in the end:



My assortment of paper templates that I use to create custom aluminium shields for projector lenses and also trim shrouds to fit varies headlight types:



This is my "E46-R / AFS" Evo X specific template that's taped onto the shroud:



E46-R trimmed with a dremel:



E46-R fitment into the AFS reflector is about 90%. Trial & error cutting is reduced big time thanks to my template:



New mounting bracket for the AFS reflector created. OEM mounting point circled in yellow will need to be hacked to make way for the X5 heat sink:



The AFS reflector + Evo X subframe showing the level of hack work required to accomodate the X5 fog light:





Securing the E46-R shroud to the AFS reflector, I'm using gardening wire (stripped of insulation before hand) then twist locking it into place:









X5 fog light masked up. All the chrome sanded from the middle section then painted satin black:



The painstaking 2.5hr+ ordeal to create the "EVOLUTION" logo.
The ideal font was extracted from Microsoft Word and the lettering had to be 4.5mm in height. A font size of 20 was right on the money. Once printed on A4 paper I then used green tape to form each letter. This was then peeled of and stuck onto the fog light. I used a 2nd template that was placed above the working area so I could gauge the correct letter spacing.







This is where I'm currently at:



Stay tuned for more updates...

Last edited by iEvoVII; Oct 26, 2017 at 03:18 AM. Reason: Correcting title
Reply
Old May 11, 2015 | 02:33 PM
  #2  
Kreeker's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 10
From: ny
I've been researching HIDs / retrofits and came across a few of your threads on HID Planet. Your work is AMAZING, and this looks great.

Do you sell headlights? I'd be interested in a CT9A retrofit.
Reply
Old May 11, 2015 | 11:31 PM
  #3  
deylag's Avatar
Evolved Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 148
From: Milpitas, CA
Nice work as always! Glad to see a new post from you.

For the Evolution logo on the projector would it be possible to use a vinyl decal to make the logo instead of painting each letter?
Reply
Old May 11, 2015 | 11:50 PM
  #4  
iEvoVII's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Darwin, Australia
^^ I went to a sign writing place and enquired about vinyl stickers. They said that their machine wouldn't be able to produce anything that small. Since I know that I have steady hands and I can produce clean results I decided to make them myself..


Originally Posted by Kreeker
I've been researching HIDs / retrofits and came across a few of your threads on HID Planet. Your work is AMAZING, and this looks great.

Do you sell headlights? I'd be interested in a CT9A retrofit.
I'm not a vendor so you'll have to get outside of the forum.
Reply
Old May 12, 2015 | 08:09 AM
  #5  
beetle_orange's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (58)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 5
From: Illinois
any chance you would know how to make the AFS work on a USDM car?

i am still at a lost on where exactly the AFS light is at on the housing.

On the last pic, does this mean you no longer have the AFS function?

Last edited by beetle_orange; May 12, 2015 at 08:54 AM.
Reply
Old May 12, 2015 | 08:55 AM
  #6  
iEvoVII's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Darwin, Australia
I'm not 100% sure but I think the AFS reflector operates on sensors that are speed and steering angle dependant. I don't think USDM CZ4A's would have them.
I also think the pin locations for the AFS wiring are in different locations to DRL wiring on the main 12 pin connector

The AFS reflector is the DRL reflector on the USDM CZ4A's..
Reply
Old May 13, 2015 | 04:54 PM
  #7  
Dross99_si's Avatar
Evolving Member
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 221
Likes: 11
From: Florida
Extremely creative. Nice work!
Reply
Old May 14, 2015 | 01:51 PM
  #8  
CottageLifer's Avatar
Evolved Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 14
From: Western Canada
Amazing. I admire your skills. But did you know that you can cut both positives and negative stencils super easy? Find a Cricut - Michael's craft shops sells them or someone in your neighbourhood likely has one. http://us.cricut.com/home/
Reply
Old May 14, 2015 | 03:13 PM
  #9  
iEvoVII's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Darwin, Australia
^^ Thanks for the link boss.. Something to think about
Reply
Old May 18, 2015 | 12:58 PM
  #10  
iEvoVII's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Darwin, Australia
The headlights are pretty much done! Just need to seal them up.
The projectors are currently painted black but the mate that I'm selling them to wanted to see Red & White as well before he locked in a colour.





Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tiesto14
Evo X Show / Shine
0
Jun 2, 2016 04:23 PM
kosteniuks17
Evo X Show / Shine
1
May 11, 2014 12:49 PM
LHTuning
EvoX 'For Sale' Electronics / Lighting / Audio
35
Aug 30, 2013 06:37 PM
cdubs91
Evo How To Requests / Questions / Tips
0
Apr 24, 2012 06:58 AM
dashzracing
EvoX 'For Sale' Electronics / Lighting / Audio
18
Jul 9, 2011 12:56 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:24 PM.