Mexicola420

Hey guys, been over 8 years since I've posted. Had another car for a while and decided it was time to come back to a tC so I got myself a 2016 in Cosmic Gray Mica. I've been looking around the forums for info on a 2.5 HID retrofit and haven't really found
a definitive answer on what would be the best projector to retrofit into the stock headlight. Are the projectors the same between the tC2 and the tC2.5?
Is the RX350 projector still the closest to a drop in projector, or would a mini h1 or something similar fit just as well? Also, does anybody know the best size of halo to fit flush in the stock shroud?

Sorry if this has been discussed before, I just couldn't find it. Thanks guys.

EDIT: I just realized this is in the wrong forum. Mods can move/delete it if needed.

tC_toph

The headlights/projectors are not the same for the tC2 & tC2.5 I believe the tC2 has a separate projector for the Hi/Low beams and the tC2.5 has one for both and the projector just moves up and down with a motor.

I just got the Morimoto retrofit (retrofit source) and I got the 9012 kit but ended up needing the 9006 kit to get it to fit properly. Others seem to of had success with the 9012's but they were way too loose and were in the wrong orientation for my setup (2016)

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Mexicola420

Hey, thanks for the response but I'm actually looking to swap the stock halogen projectors with some HID projectors, not just a bulb swap. I know the stock bulb is a 9012 but if I change the actual projector, the bulb size will likely change as well. This is why I'm holding off on buying the actual HID kit until I find suitable HID projectors to retrofit into the stock headlight. I know that the lexus rx350 projector is basically a drop-in replacement on the tC2, changing it to a bi-xenon setup. I'm wondering if the size and bracket also fits the G2.5 or if it is a totally different projector. I'm aware that there will be some minor modifications involved, I just want to find a projector that is the best fit and will involve the least amount of modifications to my stock headlight. I was really hoping someone would know if the rx350 projectors would fit because the brackets are the same as in the tC2, and I really don't want to open up my headlights just to measure everything.

Mexicola420

Ok so after a lot more searching, it seems that the 14-16 tC's have 2.5'' projectors while the 11-13s have 3'', meaning the rx350 projectors aren't going to work. I'm thinking it's going to have to be between the mini H1 and the mini D2S. Does anyone happen to have pictures of an opened 14-16 tC headlight? I'd really love to see the bolt pattern on the projector bracket. I've scoured the whole internet and it doesn't seem like anyone has opened a G2.5 tC headlight and documented it.

Cedar

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/26620948344_e3cf258fb9_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/26620951754_8b4ad65c7a_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7589/27227736725_981e4197e2_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/27227742145_3e6c49fb4e_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/27162341211_2e63a96df6_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7714/26625873083_9ea03b6549_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/26625830183_31dfa67cef_h.jpg

Cedar

I dont know where my post went that had all the info you needed. It told me that I needed to wait for a mod to approve it, but all the links I posted were instantly visable...

Cedar

I overlooked a question, the halo that I used that I feel fits perfectly is 80mm. I used very thin picture hanging wire. You drill a few tiny holes into the shroud behind where the halo rests, and on the halos I bought(Morimoto XSB), they have integrated holes for wire-mounting techniques like described. There is a photo in the previous links I posted showing the wire, and how you bread tie the halos on. I thought this was a cheesy way when I first read about this, but honestly they are EXTREMELY secure, and have had zero issues. Good luck

Cedar

So after i re-wrote my long post explaining the tC2.5 retrofit that I did on my car, the website tells me I need a moderator to approve the post....still waiting. Well short posts show everytime so I will be basic...

14+ lights are permasealed now.
The stock projectors ARE 3"
RX350s are direct bolt in, but the mounting bracket needs the inside diameter enlarged in order to seat the projector.
The factory high beam wiring plugs directly into the RX350's.
Don't trust the stock mounting points to give you correct horizontal alignment, my driver side needed modifying.

Mexicola420

Awesome! Thank you soo much. This is exactly what I was looking for. I was just about to order the mini H1's because I read somewhere that the 14'-16' tC's have 2.5'' projectors stock. This will save me a lot of hassle. What color temp of HIDs are you running, 5500k? They look amazing. Also, do you happen to have a pic of the halo close up without being on? I'm interested to see exactly where it it sitting in the shroud. Thanks again!

Cedar

You're very welcome! I sort of took a gamble on the 3" but it is definitely 3".

I run 35W 5500k xB Morimoto bulbs.

I do have pics of the halos off, the fit against the shroud in the inner area....they fit a bit oddly, but look fine.
I was never a halo fan, but though it would be a nice change, I know love them! Pics soon

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Cedar

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7589/27227736725_981e4197e2_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7627/26622094193_4c19b05279_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7752/27193593526_cf1f0853f4_h.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/27231280375_3c27f79e8c_k.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/27197231646_8bbbf46178_k.jpg
I will have to take a few pics close up for you, I have none on hand, but these pics should give you some more to think about!

Mexicola420

Thanks again Cedar, I almost ordered the wrong projectors. Also, thanks for all the pictures. So am I seeing it right that you basically have your halos in between the shroud and the projector? I was thinking of putting the halos in the little groove on the front of the shroud, that way they don't block any of the light from the projector. Have you had any issues with that? It doesn't seem like it from the pics of your cutoffs. I was thinking of using ccfl instead of LED's that way it would sit a bit more flush but your setup looks amazing and is making me lean towards an LED setup.

Cedar

Im glad I could help! I was also told 2.5" but it just did not make sense for our car to have 3" in the 11-13's, and that Camry's too had 3"....so if you think about it why would you use different projectors than the Camry, just make sense when you over think it lol.

The halo is NOT in between the rear of the rear, and projector lens, it is mounted on the outside of the inner most area of the shroud, the following pics will make more sense of it. I LOVE these XSB Switchback Halos! Definitely makes your car unique!

Cedar

I have to submit short replies for some reason, hence multiple posts, sorry guys.

I'm not sure if you're aware but the RX350's with STI-R clear lens' are direct swap now! No need for enlarging the inner lens holder, or lens' spacers and leg shims JUST to fit/focus the lens. You still need to tune in order for color mods, or sharpness if you are into that.

Cedar

Headlights are permasealed. I used 240 degrees for 20 minutes. Preheat oven THEN place headlight inside. A heat gun helps immensely! You will need to reheat the headlight housing a few-to several times in order to remove the housing lens. The first housing took about 7 hrs to open, second one took a little under 2 hours.
Make sure you scrape out all of the permaseal prior to adding butyl for resealing. Not sure how much you know about retroing, just trying to give as much info as I can, because I was i was in your shoes, and felt overwhelmed with too many unanswered questions.

Cedar

Please do not overlook my point about NOT trusting the factory allignment of the projector mounting bracket. I trusted it, and bolted them in.....driverside was way off clockwise in rotation from driver's view, and the passenger side was counter clockwise just a pinch. I had to reopen, and peanut shape the holes in the projector itself, this way i could rotate the projector, and retighten using all the correct mounts. I did the same thing on both sides. Honestly the driverside was a nightmare. I guess the stock projectors had such a soft fuzzy cutoff that these rotation issues were unnoticeable, while these RX350s are razor sharp! I also blacked out the interior of the projector. I high heat flat blackened the entire cutoff shield assembly to try to achieve a stealthy look. That also gives a harsher transition at the cutoff.

Mexicola420

I'm feeling pretty confident about the retrofit now. Thanks a ton. I've never done an actual retrofit but I've opened a few headlights before and pretty much understand the process. Plus, I'd like to think I'm a pretty handy guy so it shouldn't be too hard. All of your pics are definitely going to be a big help. Now I just have to save up some more cash for the rx350's.

Cedar

You'll be fine then, hardest part is opening the headlights due to permaseal. Other than that it's really just swapping parts.

Good luck!

SoKrispy

omg! One of the most frustrating/rewarding mods ive ever faced.

Tips:
*Take your time prying the headlight apart. If you mess up here, it'll make it difficult to close it back up
*Use high heat gloves with grip on the tips
*Scrape of as much of the black seal as possible, before you reapply new sealant
*For my seal i used Black Silicone, its the best option if you've mutilated your headlights
*When you pry at the headlight, you'll hear cracking. It's okay, dont stop or it'll cool down

Cedar

Yeah the channel where the black permaseal is will be out of form. I had to reform it back to normal with a heat gun and pliers.

LoL definitely a nightmare opening them! I never want to do another permasealed set!