Ford E-Series Van HID Projector Retrofit lights

[REDOVAL]

Originally Posted by depark

Hi everyone

First let me apologize for the length of this post. I just couldn't shorten it. Too much to tell.

I thought I would do a write up about the new HID lights that I just bought from REDOVAL. I went full out with this set. I will post the specs at the bottom of this post. I will also include before and after shots of the lights in low and High. I have wanted to get a set since Scott 1st started making the over a year ago. The 1st email I sent to him was March 2015. Finally time and finances fell into place and I sent him the order March 2016. Scott was great to deal with. He answered all my questions promptly and in great depth. I listened to his suggestions and researched all the options. During my research I would get more questions and quick responses. He really made the process easy.

I received Scott’s price breakdown email back in February. After looking over The Retrofit Source (TRS) website at the different options my questions started. Admittedly some silly questions but it helped me make a decision that I completely confident in.

Here’s the set that I ordered

• Option 4 in black with the LED running light strip
• UPGRADES
• LED turn signal bulbs/flasher relay
• LED Halo option on premium shrouds - Apollo 2.0 flat shrouds, vent mounted halos
• Elite HID kit by Morimoto - XB55 ballasts (50W), XB H1 bulbs, 6500K
• Extra 5500K H1 set

I did a lot of reading about the ballasts and bulbs. I even sent an email to TRS and asked about them, in particular the brightness and colour when using the XB55 (50W) ballasts. Their email made my decision simple. Here it is.

"Hi Darryl,

Thanks for the email and the patience waiting for the reply. 35W systems are more efficient, longer laser, and are the industry standard in all vehicles that come factory-equipped with HID headlights. For vehicles that have canbus systems or weaker than average electrical systems (older cars, motorcycles, etc) the 35W ballasts are recommended.

35W Systems will produce anywhere between 5800-6200 lumens (3x compared to stock) depending on the bulbs, are rated to last around 2000 hours, and will not alter the rated Kelvin (color) of the HID bulbs. The Morimoto 35W systems carry a 5-Year warranty.

In contrast, the 50W systems are brighter, more power hungry, and run a bit hotter so they have a slightly shorter lifespan. These produce more light output compared to all factory-installed HID headlight ballasts. We don’t recommend using 50W ballasts without a full relay wire harness, or in a smaller headlight/fog light housing.

50W Systems will produce anywhere between 9100-9700 lumens depending on the bulbs, are rated to last around 1500 hours, and will reduce the rated Kelvin (color) of your HID bulbs by about 1000K. The Morimoto 50W systems carry a 3-Year warranty.

Overall it’s really depends on whether your prefer plenty of light and the best reliability/lifespan, or are willing to compromise a little there in exchange for the most possible light output. We generally recommend the industry-standard 35W.

Please let me know if we can help you further.
Thanks"

As you can see in the email using the 50 W ballasts produce 9100-9700 lm. That’s awesome! Coupled with that the loss of 1000 K of colour I decided to use the 6500 K bulbs. As an aside Scott suggested adding a regular set of 5500 K bulbs as a backup. It was only 15 bucks. That way if I’m unhappy with the 6500 K ones it’s easy to swap them out.

The install was very easy to do (about 2 hours). Everything is well documented and straight forward. I did have one small issue with the setup and that was to do with the operation. Scott was very helpful in diagnosing the problem and providing a prompt solution. High marks for that. The issue had to do with the plug that connects to the vans factory headlight harness. Specifically the 9007 connector was pinned wrong. The harness is shipped from TRS wired as a 9004. I just need to swap the wires around. Scott gave me the correct solution and I also found the answer in a review on the TRS site located here: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VwhnDk8rJaQ . It’s the last review.

Impressions

First I have to say these are Awesome! The amount of light these lights throw is astonishing. Words and pictures do not do these lights justice. You really have to see these in person to really appreciate what you get. The lights also look super cool. I have had them in for a couple of months and have had a lot people comment on the looks. It’s something that they had not seen before in a van.

The lights have a nice stepped cut-off and throw a wide beam. I have no problem seeing the ditches. I haven’t had anyone flash me yet either. The High beams are also great. I was totally surprised when I clicked them on. I thought that I had my driving lights on. They really light the way. That’s how well these lights work. With my 2 Rigid Industries 6” SR Spectre Driving Lights I have plenty of light now.

All I can tell you is to check out these if you can. You will be impressed!

Darryl,

Thanks for the kind words and excellent review! I'm glad we were able to take our time and get your set completed properly!

Scott

[REDOVAL]

Had some fun in Big Bear over the weekend and took some van glamour shots. Amazing how bright the Baja Designs dust light is especially with a long exposure time!

Scott

[mikracer]

Your light output looks great. From the picture, they look to be pointed too far down. If you adjust the light up a bit, you will see further down the road and with the sharp cutoff, you wont be blinding people.

Originally Posted by depark

Light output Lo/High After install

[depark]

Originally Posted by mikracer

Your light output looks great. From the picture, they look to be pointed too far down. If you adjust the light up a bit, you will see further down the road and with the sharp cutoff, you wont be blinding people.

Thanks for the tip. I am going to do just that.
Cheers
Darryl

[REDOVAL]

Wrapped up another set of Option 2 lights for a fellow SMB member last night. These should clean up the looks and lighting a bunch!

Scott

[MadScience]

I understand that these projectors are the right way to do this, and that properly adjusted they are technically as correct as anything. However, I'm curious if anyone here has been given a hard time by an officer over them?

I'm painfully aware that I'm driving a bit of a monster truck, and really don't want to end up with a binder full of fix-it tickets.

[REDOVAL]

Originally Posted by MadScience

I understand that these projectors are the right way to do this, and that properly adjusted they are technically as correct as anything. However, I'm curious if anyone here has been given a hard time by an officer over them?

I'm painfully aware that I'm driving a bit of a monster truck, and really don't want to end up with a binder full of fix-it tickets.

I have never been pulled over for the projector retrofits. I have been pulled over many times for the regular HID plug and play kits in halogen housings, but that was when they were in the infant stages many years ago. Since then, most aftermarket kits and many OEM vehicles come equipped with them and they are not frowned on WHEN ADJUSTED CORRECTLY. That is the key! I think I have been flashed at a couple of times, but only by cars that are tiny or when you crest a hill and the lights have to pass through oncoming drivers' field of vision. They are quite pleasant for most people when adjusted properly.

LED light bars and aux lighting is the most current target, at least in Southern California where it's cool to drive with them on for some reason....

Scott

[MadScience]

Sounds like the officers are actually paying attention to what really matters. Nice to hear.

I'll take a closer look at your lights when I have the transmission sorted. (One project at a time.)

[REDOVAL]

Originally Posted by MadScience

Sounds like the officers are actually paying attention to what really matters. Nice to hear.

I'll take a closer look at your lights when I have the transmission sorted. (One project at a time.)

No worries! Lights won't help much if the van can't move on its own! Let me know when you are ready.

Scott

[REDOVAL]

Another set of Option 2 lights for a fellow member completed. This set features Apollo 2.0 shrouds with Morimoto halos and switchback demon eyes. The demon eye color is white or amber to the eye...not sure why the camera picked it up as blue in the white mode.

Off to build more lights....

Scott