OK, I've looked through a ton of threads with people who have fitted the IS300 fogs in the scoops, but none (apart from ShaunTC's) have any real info about fitment and cutting.
So I was hoping people could share there fitting experiences.
Where did you cut, how much, did you have to glass, if you were cutting again would you make the same cuts, etc.
Just any and all info about the install.
This is my Thanksgiving break project, so I have a few weeks and a possible business trip to Belfast before it starts.
Thanks in advance.
Limey
Resources:
ShaunTc's Thread Part 1 (http://scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42052&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=75)
ShaunTc's Thread Part 2 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43341)
ProjectD
11-03-2005, 12:40 AM
You pretty much have to cut the entire scoop area to make it fit. One thing Shaun did not do was flip the projectors. I used a heat gun to take the fogs apart. I then drilled new mounting holes. While the fogs were apart I painted the reflectors black to match the headlights.
If anyone is wondering, I used RC car paint for the fogs.
Limey
11-03-2005, 01:06 AM
Yeah I was planning on flipping them and the internals, they seem to fit better.
So going from the fronnt edge, how far back is still the scoop, or did you cut the top section.
Also how did you go about mounting.
Nice job on them, they look great, and thanks for sharing the back story.
ndnbolla
11-03-2005, 04:24 AM
I plan on doing this in the future, not anytime soon though. I hate the original positioning of the fogs.
I also plan on doing a retrofit just like projectD did.
Thats definetly one of the nicest front ends I have seen on a tC just because of the lighting.
Limey
11-03-2005, 12:18 PM
ProjectD, I was thinking last night, is there any space in the IS300 fogs for halos ?
ProjectD
11-03-2005, 08:51 PM
I doubt it, since the diameter of the projector is so small and so far back in the housing.
Limey
11-03-2005, 10:45 PM
So can you give any more details about how much is "most" of the scoop.
Did you have to cut the top, bottom, left right?
What did you mount the fogs to?
Can you see the cut area when you peer into the gap that's left in the scoop.
ProjectD
11-04-2005, 01:41 AM
I cut the top, left, and right. And yes you can see the cuts if you look because the hole is bigger than the fogs (much like the IS300). And I pretty much winged it on the mounting. I cut the bumper so the fogs got locked into place and then taped the crap out of it to keep it from moving. Looks ghetto from inside the bumper but no one see's that. I like it better than fiberglassed mounts because I can take them out whenever I want. I've had the fogs on for about 8 months and they are still fine, but I change the tape from time to time.
Limey
11-04-2005, 12:58 PM
Yeah, I'm actually thinking of swinging by a couple of body shops this weekend, to see how much they'd charge to fit them and fill the gaps that are left, so it's just the fog and a smooth bumper.
They aren't due to arrive 'til the middle of next week and then I have a funeral in England and a bix trip to Ireland, so Thanksgiving will be the first opportunity.
The fogs have bolt holes underneath don't they? Coule you drill two holes and use those for mounting ?
ProjectD
11-04-2005, 02:56 PM
nope, they only have two bolts on one side of the housing
Su1c1da1
11-06-2005, 06:48 AM
i am in the middle of doing this as well. just got my pair of used fogs.. any additional information would be great..
like how exactly did you heat up the lenses to take it apart? since the clips seems like its useless... where did you get the harness/plug to hook it up? where did you tap into? fusebox? or headlights? do you have a switch for it and does it turns off when you turn off ur headlights?
ShaunTC
11-06-2005, 05:44 PM
One thing Shaun did not do was flip the projectors.
No sure where this is coming from, considering that i was the first one to tell everyone how to open up the fogs and flip the projectors. Mine are flipped and my cutoff is exactly how it should be.....
Limey
11-06-2005, 09:13 PM
Shaun, could you share your cutting experience, I understand you glassed them in, can you give more details about that ?
ShaunTC
11-07-2005, 03:14 AM
Cutting the space for the housing is trial and error. I just kept cutting until it fit. By the time I was done almost the whole backside of the vent was smooth with the rest of the bumper. There was a little bit of a lip left on the top toward the middle of the bumper, but not much. My friends have a body shop, so we used their air compressor and cutting wheel. Then they used fiberglass sheets and resien (sp?) to make the housing part of the bumper. I can still change the bulbs if i need to and I could also make a clean cut if I ever needed to take the whole housing out. I don't think that will ever happed though, because I would have a big ___ hole where the fake vent thing used to be. The best advice i can give on the cutting is cut a small bit and then test fit over and over until you get it how you like it. When you get one side done, the second is easy, because you know exactly how much to cut. I don't really know what to tell you about the 'glassing, because i didn't really do that part. I know it took about 20 layers and several hours. Hope this helps.
Shaun
Su1c1da1
11-08-2005, 06:19 PM
heres where i'm stuck at currently
http://home.comcast.net/~su1c1da1/original.jpg
that is how the lamps are originally, as you can see the block off part is on the bottom side? when we mount the fogs on the tC, we'll have to flip the housing upside down, then the left fog will go on right bumper and vice versa.
since we flip them the block off will be turned upside down, now I was told to have the insides switch around, but when I do switch them around, theres no way the projectors will fit in the housing, at least without cutting out the longer leg. even if i do that, the screw holes wouldnt match up and there isn't enough metal for me to drill some extra holes.
now, i was told to have the block off part to cover the top of the projector.. but if i turn the light upside down, the block off would've been upside down in the 1st place and theres no need to bake the lights and do all these?
ProjectD: you said after u took them apart, you drilled new mounting holes, do you mind which part of the projector you drilled holes on? I can provide pix of the parts you need to circle.
any thoughts?
btw, what is the best way to get the sealants off?
ProjectD
11-08-2005, 09:47 PM
This is what I meant when I said Shaun didn't flip the projectors. I followed his instructions just like Su1c1da1 and ran into this problem. Then I looked at his pictures of the finished product and noticed that projectors were STILL upside down.
You can clearly see how the light fans out toward the street and how the beam is not cut off at all. In the second pic, more proof that the cutoff is upside down just by how the fogs outshine the headlights with massive glare. How is that possible if the fogs are mounted below the headlights?
This is pic of lights against the garage. Notice how the the fogs light up the entire garage, even the top. The cutoff isn't working because its at the bottom of the beam, not at the top where it should be.
Here's another example of how the light cutoff is upside down
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/shauntc/3.jpg
This isn't a knock on Shaun, I'm just stating the facts. And the fact is that he didn't flip the projectors at all. If you can show me some wall shots that show that the cutoff is working properly, I'll proceed to stick my foot in my mouth. I compared these pictures with my friend's IS300 and they are nothing like them.
And Su1c1da1, if you post a clear picture of the projectors, I can circle the spots where I drilled.
Su1c1da1
11-08-2005, 10:18 PM
here u go projectD...
http://home.comcast.net/~su1c1da1/proj.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~su1c1da1/proj2.jpg
let me know if you wouldl like another angle of the projector.
also, on your thread, you posted that you used some 2ton epoxy? what is that? do i need to get those, where can i get those, etc.. :P
Limey
11-08-2005, 11:08 PM
Fogs just arrived from Mr. bridges, so i am now sat with them in hand watching this thread with GREAT interest. Can't wait 'til i get back from my euro trip.
Limey
11-08-2005, 11:51 PM
Soooo, baking these bad boys.
in the oven at 250 for how long?
And then just pry apart trying to keep as much of the gunk on the housing side, yes?
I assume that sealing back up is just the reverse process, heat the two halves up, press together, wedge/clam them shut until it cools down.
Does that sound about right?
Su1c1da1
11-10-2005, 06:30 AM
i think ur on the spot there limey, maybe just get extra silicone paste to apply over cracks and seal them up.
no i have a new question. has anybody try mounting them without flipping the projectors inside. but just adjsut the light to point as far as possible.. does it still seem blinding to you
Limey
11-10-2005, 12:36 PM
That's what it looks like shaun did, check the garage shot.
Any light abive 6" (i.e. the height the fogs are off teh ground is basically going to shin in someones face down the road. Also anything above this level makes them totally useless as a fog light.
You could use them as an additional high beam (or drivers light) but we all know that nots why we're doing this isn't it. ;)
I'm flipping. I've seen it done, so it must be possible.
maximus96
11-10-2005, 08:23 PM
wow, great info in here. i need to do this too at some point...but these damn IS300 fogs are expensive...
ShaunTC
11-11-2005, 05:53 AM
Here's another example of how the light cutoff is upside down
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/shauntc/3.jpg
This isn't a knock on Shaun, I'm just stating the facts. And the fact is that he didn't flip the projectors at all. If you can show me some wall shots that show that the cutoff is working properly, I'll proceed to stick my foot in my mouth. I compared these pictures with my friend's IS300 and they are nothing like them.
And Su1c1da1, if you post a clear picture of the projectors, I can circle the spots where I drilled.
If you will take a look right in front of the headlight you will see a wire. That is the wire that is running from the fog to the battery. I was test fitting the fogs to see what they would look like, an then realized that they would not work in stock form. Some of the stuff in the original posts was incorrect. I do not remember all of the details with this install, but i do remember the projector not lining up like it did originally, but i was able to make it fit. The bottom line is my light is on the ground and does not shine in to oncoming traffics eyes. The garage pic looks worse than it is since the garage is pitch black. My city lights would light the ceiling up alone, and my nightime picture taking skills are not that great
ProjectD
11-11-2005, 05:54 AM
here u go projectD...
http://home.comcast.net/~su1c1da1/proj.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~su1c1da1/proj2.jpg
let me know if you wouldl like another angle of the projector.
also, on your thread, you posted that you used some 2ton epoxy? what is that? do i need to get those, where can i get those, etc.. :P
You basically have to drill a hole in the corner across from the B. Its the only corner without an existing hole. You won't need the epoxy, I tried to use the epoxy instead of drilling but it didn't work so I ended up drilling instead.
stephsAP
11-16-2005, 05:43 PM
ProjectD ure TC looks identical to m BF's IS ..lol ill post up pics later and put them side by side with yours lol....nice fogs BTW
ProjectD
11-17-2005, 01:12 AM
Here's another example of how the light cutoff is upside down
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/shauntc/3.jpg
This isn't a knock on Shaun, I'm just stating the facts. And the fact is that he didn't flip the projectors at all. If you can show me some wall shots that show that the cutoff is working properly, I'll proceed to stick my foot in my mouth. I compared these pictures with my friend's IS300 and they are nothing like them.
And Su1c1da1, if you post a clear picture of the projectors, I can circle the spots where I drilled.
If you will take a look right in front of the headlight you will see a wire. That is the wire that is running from the fog to the battery. I was test fitting the fogs to see what they would look like, an then realized that they would not work in stock form. Some of the stuff in the original posts was incorrect. I do not remember all of the details with this install, but i do remember the projector not lining up like it did originally, but i was able to make it fit. The bottom line is my light is on the ground and does not shine in to oncoming traffics eyes. The garage pic looks worse than it is since the garage is pitch black. My city lights would light the ceiling up alone, and my nightime picture taking skills are not that great
Got any wall shots?
Limey
11-19-2005, 08:33 PM
Baking the fogs now, ready for the projector flip.
Limey
11-19-2005, 08:38 PM
well that was easy.
Leather gardening gloves are a lifesaver for this by the way.
I'll post a bunch of pix later.
Limey
11-20-2005, 01:28 PM
Got any wall shots?
Project D, do you have any photo's of how yours look, I'd love to see how wall shots should look.
Looking at the projectors, I'm assuming you have to cut of the B tab, because if you flip them they won't fit in the space that's left.
I'm alos going to look at whether switching them left and right as well as flipping could be helpful.
Limey
11-20-2005, 05:13 PM
Well so far so good.
Baked removed the lens
removed the projector housings and flipped
first tried to line up the anchor screw with the adjustment hole, but that doesn't fit.
So i drilled two new holes (tip: use the smallest drill bit you can with that screw, the OEM holes are much bigger than they need) I was able to put in two new holes at the top, screwed them back in, test to see if the lens lines up and bingo.
They are currently baking to get them soft for re assemble.
pix to come.
ProjectD
11-21-2005, 02:31 AM
ill take some pics as soon as i get home from work tm
Limey
11-21-2005, 11:02 AM
kool
Limey
11-21-2005, 12:25 PM
OK managed to uninstall my hella fogs yesterday and I started thinking about how I'll install these.
For this example lest say we're sat in front of the right hand scoop.
OK, from what I see holding the fog to the housing you will have to remove much of the scoop on the right hand side and some near the top.
Ideally I'd like to make it so the gap that is left if you look into it will not look tooo shabby, and Ideally I'd like to have some way to adjust these once they are in (when I installed the hellas I was maybe an inch above horizontal with the cutoff at about 20' but of course that equates to straight in some poor sods eyes at 200 feet so I was always being flashed and had to adjust. I do not want to screw up and discover I've epoxyed them in at the wrong angle.
So here is my plan.
I want to make use of the two anchor points on the (looking at the flipped right hand fog) left hand side of the body of teh fog. But this is where the gap in the scoop will be.
So I'm thinking I will make an L bracket out of some metal, bolt that to the base of the scoop with the vertical on the left (by the gap) that way I can slide teh fog into the gap and attach the L bracket to the OEM holes on the fog. (if I make the holes in the L bracket horizontally wider, and use a washer I can then adjust the tilt for targetting.
The biggest issue with this though is finding a bolt that will fit in the gap, fit in the OEM bracket and be short enough that I can bolt it up.
Any thought?
(I'll try to get pix up of what I'm talking about tonight).
Su1c1da1
11-21-2005, 08:38 PM
Limey, if you can get pix of where you drill the holes, and the drill bit size you used, that would be great.
Limey
11-21-2005, 08:43 PM
Sure I'll pop some up tonight.
It was dead easy.
Bit size, I just held them up against the screw until I found a good match, I'll check in my tools and see if I can see the one I used.
gcxandy
11-21-2005, 10:57 PM
limey, did something go wrong with the hella's or you just wanted the is300 fogs more?
Let me know before it's too late!
Limey
11-21-2005, 11:14 PM
limey, did something go wrong with the hella's or you just wanted the is300 fogs more?
Let me know before it's too late!
No issue at all, but the hellas were always a temp measure (they were cheap).
I prefer the IS look, more fitted and with the lens, plus theya re 9006 so I can upgrade to a standard HID. The hellas were good but only H3 so the light output wasn't great.
Plus Mr bridge was selling them at a steal, and I had some spare cash.[/i]
And ys they are slightly off angle, but I over compensated for what i thought looked like an future install angle - we'll see.
Jimmy
11-24-2005, 06:32 AM
looks nice, but too much work. lol
install time 2 hours
http://www.scionlife.com/gallery/personal/11636_3.jpg
DuMa
11-24-2005, 06:51 AM
man i so want these but i do not want to cut into my bumper. even if i get over the cutting of the bumper, i need to see it first hand before i can attempt this though
great mod btw.
Limey
11-25-2005, 01:09 PM
tc 875, talk us through your install. How did you attach them, how much and where did you cut.
Doing mine tonight/tomorrow.
Limey
11-26-2005, 01:20 PM
Burrrrmmmmp !
Doing the mounting this afternoon (no time yesterday spent all day driving to and from Philly visiting my nephew at CHOP).
I'm probably going to Ghetto install (ala ProjectD, Duct Tape heaven) for starters, and see how the fitment and direction goes, but I want something more permanent.
Should I take the bumper off? Any good links to bumper removal 101 threads?
Anything else anyone wants to add. I have my drimmel at the ready.
:D
Limey
11-26-2005, 09:57 PM
Cutting started, got dark, got cold, came inside to eat turkey drink beer and sit infront of a roaring fire.
Cutting will continue tomorrow.
Bump for any additional attachment advice.
Limey
11-27-2005, 02:48 PM
Left fog is in.
Wow you have to cut alot, top and the outside almost right to the edge.
Only thing I'm not happy about is the outside bottom corner, the fog housing goes down to a corner, the scion scoop has more of a rounded scoop, so you either tuck it in, or have a slight gap.
I'll take pictures of the other side which i'm doing now.
I'm probably going to take mine to a local body shop and have them glass them in more or something, I just don't trust my duct tape ghetto job. I'll find out how much having the gap filled and the fogs mounted totall flush would cost, and maybe I'll treat myself for xmas. We'll see.
Love the look so far though, and the projectors with 9006's are way brighter than the h3 hellas I had. Roll on new year, I'm throwing HID's in them.
Limey
11-27-2005, 10:04 PM
Camcorder Photo's (better ones coming).
Scoop as it was (notice holes from hella fogs)...
http://static.flickr.com/32/67602755_ac2fa3fee8_m.jpg
First Cut...
http://static.flickr.com/32/67602655_23a31b7c84_m.jpg
The first bit that comes out...
http://static.flickr.com/31/67602548_305ca89223_m.jpg
What's left...
http://static.flickr.com/25/67602461_211a9053bd_m.jpg
... now it's worth mentioning here that this is half of what was cut away (the next photo didn't come out) but lets just say I cut at the top and right almost to the edge, the left maybe half way froward, and the bottom as little as possible (maybe just 1/2 inch) that way I had something to duct-tape the fog housing to.
Test fitments...
http://static.flickr.com/33/67602378_5f40101125_m.jpg
See the wierd kink in the top, the IS300 housing has an odd 'knobble' but it's only noticable from certain angles.
http://static.flickr.com/24/67602264_8412845af2_m.jpg
passengers side
http://static.flickr.com/25/67602194_bc8d08b84e_m.jpg
Lights on...
http://static.flickr.com/32/67601878_9bad452512_m.jpg
Sunny day...
http://static.flickr.com/29/67602027_0f69bb9102_m.jpg
Cut offs coming in 10 minutes... just charging the nice camera.
Limey
11-27-2005, 10:06 PM
I initially tried the cutting disks but they just snapped every 5 seconds, so I moved onto a diamond sharpening disk I had (disk with holes, looks metalic) This worked a treat as i could actually push it sideways against the plastic and it would just melt away, rather than having to cut everything.
If I was you I would just change the fogs to match the color of your headlights. Nice work though, I never did like the stock tC fog light position.
Limey
11-27-2005, 11:30 PM
My headlights are bright yellow.
I'm actually, tempted to go for the yellow fog, very white headlights.
But yellow and black is my "theme".
toastbox
11-28-2005, 11:52 PM
Camcorder Photo's (better ones coming).
... now it's worth mentioning here that this is half of what was cut away (the next photo didn't come out) but lets just say I cut at the top and right almost to the edge, the left maybe half way froward, and the bottom as little as possible (maybe just 1/2 inch) that way I had something to duct-tape the fog housing to.
Cut offs coming in 10 minutes... just charging the nice camera.
what did you use for mounting the lights themselves? I've heard some people say there are glassing them in, but I don't want to go that route, as it leaves no room for adjustment. id you use some sort of L bracket ? Pix of that, if possible, woudl be very appreciated.
Limey
11-29-2005, 01:41 AM
No L bracket, no space, trust me on this, once you start cutting the fog lights get bigger and bigger, finally when you feel you can cut no more they pop in (with some vertical wiggling.)
I'm getting mine glassed (or body shop mounted) in place.
Currently I have the big flag that was teh bottom of the scoop, so i wrapped duct tape over the top and under a couple of times.
Total ghetto job.... for now.
Can i just say, after driving home tonight with them, that I am 200% happy with the outcome. The road 40 feet ahead of me is lit like daylight, cut off is razor but by then your're into main beams. It's a nice wide solid beam. Soooo much of an improvement on the hella H3 bulb fogs i was using.
Come '06 I'm putting as low a K as possible HID in them to see what craziness that does.
Mcfly315
11-29-2005, 02:13 AM
This is a great thread, you're the pioneer I've been waiting for. Could you mount the fogs with a thin sheetmetal mounted under fogs and bented up in an L like what you were thinkng. A sheetmetal would be sturdy and thin enough to screw to the plastic bumper. I know you said space is tight under the fog, but a thin sheetmetal with some flat screw/bolts attachment might work.
Questions though:
What type of electrical hook ups did you use, did you just use your Hella parts for the switches?
For anyone that has already completed this DIY, did you guys hook up the wiring to the Scion factory wiring and just buy the switch for the dash from Toyota parts or did you go completely aftermarket for switches and wiring. I know you can buy wiring from crap places like Walmart....god forbid i have to do that...
Limey
11-29-2005, 02:22 AM
I used the hella hook ups, I'm anal about using those male female push adapters everywhere I do electrical stuff, so i can just pull and push and change stuff around. So i picked up some of the plug and wire "harnesses" added a female and plugged straight into the existing setup. There is another thread somewhere with that install and all the wiring issues i had. Keeping it simple was the key, direct into the battery, relay for the switching, single wire through the firewall from a source for the other side of the relay. Much easier than hooking into the OEM harness, IMHO.
Switches I have all my holes filled with OEM style ones that all the electrical site sponsors on here sell for $9, and Lowes or Home Depot sells for $3 (guess where I got mine) ;-)
Yes maybe you could do sheetmetal under for the screws. I also think you could actually bolt then straight through the inside scoop wall - yes it's that tight in there, I can barely poke a finger up to the first joint in the gap down the inside.
I'm no pioneer, there are many that came before, I'm just a tourist who took lots of photo's on the guided tour.
Limey
11-29-2005, 02:25 AM
Again this needs to be stressed to anyone thinking of doing this.
The fogs beyond the front are MUCH MUCH bigger than the scoop.
You have to cut LOTS of your bumper. Top and outside on mine are within mm of the front edge.
Once they are in position and level you won't need to move them, you won't need to take them out - hell you can't take them out, you'll need a new bumper.
By the way before I forget. if you cut with the bumper on, there is stuff inside very near to it, cut carefully.
streamline_jdm
01-14-2006, 05:13 PM
this looks great im thinking on putting this foglights as well on out tc . . . am closely watching this thread . . ... thanks guys for the info . . ..
Check it out! Everyone... You need Start by going to VertexRacing.com Email and contact them to get the DAMN Price under $200. We will be getting this price droped if they want to sell... 300+ is OVER PRICED!
zooduster
10-12-2006, 02:57 AM
:clap:
I've seen their version of these lights and they are GREAT. Custom made for the tc and include all wiring for FACTORY looms, seriously its PLUG AND PLAY all the way. German glass. All new design and easy to install. This company has my vote for their R&D and overall appreciation for fine quality parts
SmokingTires
10-24-2006, 03:17 AM
Sweeet! But they aren't projectors and they aren't 9006s. Could they still be as bright?
VRD
11-23-2006, 06:41 PM
Sweeet! But they aren't projectors and they aren't 9006s. Could they still be as bright?
In our view, fog lights are suppose to spread wide range down the ground, and projectors shoots straight.
can ours be as bright? we think ours is brighter than the IS300 fog.
That is total BS.
Projectors are the best for fog, becuase the cut off is so sharp. You want something that will illuminate the ground but not refract off the watter droplets in the air.
Most projector fog lighst have very wide beam patterns and are very low.
Your's will be useless in fog with all that glare.
I've never heard such vendor spin and bs in all my life.
Sold my TC buy the way, I wonder who has it now and if the IS fogs are still in it.
alleniscool3
08-01-2009, 05:05 AM
That is total BS.
Projectors are the best for fog, becuase the cut off is so sharp. You want something that will illuminate the ground but not refract off the watter droplets in the air.
Most projector fog lighst have very wide beam patterns and are very low.
Your's will be useless in fog with all that glare.
I've never heard such vendor spin and bs in all my life.
Sold my TC buy the way, I wonder who has it now and if the IS fogs are still in it.
i think smoking tires asked a rhetorical question. VRD answered it anyway LOL. wrong too. This is 2 years old and im still posting =\