AU projector headlights - your thoughts?

[ronwest]

I'm tinkering with the idea of having AU projector headlights made.

Given the recent discussion re HID's etc there will probably be a market for whatever the minimum amount is that makes the venture cost effective.

I haven't taken this anywhere yet but I'm after a little feedback at this initial stage.

I'm talking about HID's and projector lense kits by the pair.

I'm not concerned about getting quality lights made. That can happen tomorrow.

I am concerned about retail pricing. Where does the price have to be to sell?
(I'm guessing that I'd offer them here first and then ebay the remainder)

What approvals will I need and how long does it take? (I can find out but does anyone know?)

What warranty is expected on retail car bits? (12 months?)

Any input appreciated.

As I said, I'm just tinkereing with the idea. There's more chance that it won't go ahead than otherwise, but from acorns oak trees grow

[JC]

The Dok already offers this service, so you would be in for some competition. Also, the HIDs tend to melt the polycarbonate lens on the stock AUs.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by JC

The Dok already offers this service, so you would be in for some competition.

I thought that Doc was concentrating on BA/BF headlights?

Originally Posted by JC

Also, the HIDs tend to melt the polycarbonate lens on the stock AUs.

I'm talking about having new headlights made. Not adapting currently available lights.

It will probably take 100 pairs as a minimum order (although it may be higher than that) hence my using you guys as a sounding board. I'm happy to fund it providing it make economic sense.

[HLC]

the dok has already made some... but id like to see other designs. and id buy some for the right price too.

[XR6-VCT-2000]

I don't know if what im about to mention is allready on the market , but - seeing stock AU headlight are about the size of the panel around the twin headlights on the xr's anyway, It would be good to see an aftermarket XR style panel to fit into the Stock AU headlight placement ? , maybe there is allready aftermarket seperate XR style light panels that can be purchased that will fit into the stock AU headlight hole flush with the panel work ?

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by XR6-VCT-2000

It would be good to see an aftermarket XR style panel to fit into the Stock AU headlight placement ?

yes, I agree, particularly if they were projector headlights (although I'm getting fonder of the AU headlights).

However, my involvement can only be to supply a L and R headlight to a manufacturer and let them take it from there. I haven't got the time nor talent to get involved in design work.

[Mechan1k]

You mean something like this:
Thanks to "The Dok" for these babies.

[5speedTE]

Hey....nice lights.....

Where can i get some?
Can they be posted to Perth?
How much are they?

Thanx
Jason

[Mechan1k]

Ask "The Dok" ... from the headlight hospital.
He's a member of these forums.
He did say he was taking a break from them ... as it is a little time-consuming to just make one set of these (fiddly internals).

The Dok is in Dandenong in Victoria ... and I am certain he can post them ... I think that's how Duffman got his originally.

[12]

This subject keeps popping it's head every few months. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If anyone can make replicas of the headlights that were on the 300+ Coupe (pic below), there's money to be made. Nothing.. nothing comes close.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by 012

If anyone can make replicas of the headlights that were on the 300+ Coupe (pic below), there's money to be made. Nothing.. nothing comes close.

They are very nice and I'm sure they can be made but what will people pay for them?

I'm not attempting to turn this into a personal retirement scheme. I can probably organise a "sample" pair for myself if it comes to that.

I guess I'll get a few emails away and see what transpires.

As far as you know, are they the best available pics of the 300+ Coupe lights?

They'll probably suffice for a ballpark price on X units but I may have to supply better detail at some stage.

[I6corp]

Gday,

I know that I'd be in Ron Especially if maybe some custome lights? i.e similar to the 300+ And going by the Doks lights, i think that we could easily give 'your' suppilar enough details to be able to create them.

Cheers

[XR6-VCT-2000]

Originally Posted by 012

This subject keeps popping it's head every few months. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If anyone can make replicas of the headlights that were on the 300+ Coupe (pic below), there's money to be made. Nothing.. nothing comes close.

They are nice lights ! - they almost look like the guts of BA/BF headlights (the lights and reflectors) stuffed into the outer AU light lense/shell/glass cover . ??

[AU:PROJECT:UTE]

012 Hit the nail on the head in one go, create an available supply of the lights from the 300+ and every man and his dog would be buying a set.
Maybe find out who made those lights in the 300+ would be a good start

[HLC]

if the 300+ lights were on the market, id be very poor right now.

[ronwest]

From what JC says above, these will need glass lenses... yes?

[Mechan1k]

Well ... my old HIDs ... over about 10 months ... started discolouring the polycarbonate lenses .. so yeah it would be safer to run a glass lens ... if running HID.

But if running halogen ... polycarbonate should be fine.

If looking at used HID ... you would need to use a true HID projector (Honda/BMW/Audi/Mini/Renault) for it to work correctly ... as the internals are different from a halogen porjector (like the NC Fairlane version that I have in mine).

[ronwest]

thanks Mech...

yes it's HID's that I'm looking at.

One of the things that struck me about the 300+ 's lights is the two HIDs... they won't be cheap, but I shouldn't pre-empt.

I really don't have a clue what the cost will be... but it will only go ahead if I consider that they'll sell.

[Mechan1k]

Didn't know the 300+ had HID ... they have projectors ... but i think it was a halogen globe behind it.

Don't know how well the projector would work for high beam ... it might make it a small pencil beam ... not sure how well the high beam spreads. As you see on a lot of vehicle (literally all) with projectors ... the highbeam section is still a reflector-based light.

So I don't know how successful the projector would be as a highbeam light.

All projectors run a shield in them to get the flat cut-off beam you see ... the light goes above the shield .. and the thick glass projector dome switches the light upside down (refraction ... or something along those line ... they human eye does the same thing) ... hence the beam then only lighting up under THAT line.

You could test a projector without the shield in place and see what results you get to beam pattern ... it might shine everywhere ... but it also diffuses the light slightly so you do not get the full brightness from the globe as well.

If you do fit a HID kit ... try and get a full conversion kit from a reputable car maker ... can get them from wreckers ... your best bet is getting one of the Honda models (Euro/S2000) or a BMW Bi-Xenon kit if you are lucky (incorporates high and low beam in the Xenon globe and switching as well) ... should come with complete factory harness/ballasts/relays, etc.

That part might be the expensive part.

[ronwest]

oh, ok, I'm way out of my depth here.

I won't be of any use to them a technical sense. It will really be as simple as "how much for that?... and what is it?" lol

What I should do is talk to the manufacture and see what comes of it.

[fish]

i would love to change the front light i really don't like them.
Tryed to get some from the DOK, but he is not making any more and he has sold his last pair. been looking for the head light from the TS50 but they cost to much.

Does any one no any one how can paint the inside of the light for now till some thing better come out,

[HLC]

Originally Posted by fish

i would love to change the front light i really don't like them.
Tryed to get some from the DOK, but he is not making any more and he has sold his last pair. been looking for the head light from the TS50 but they cost to much.

Does any one no any one how can paint the inside of the light for now till some thing better come out,

check the workshop on aufalcon.com

[fish]

i checked a while back, not sure if i want to do it my self. don't want to stuff it up.