HID Morimoto H1 Mini Projector Install Writeup/Pictures

[capt512]

This is a poor attempt at a writeup on the install of Morimoto H1 Mini Projectors in my MM. I already had a DDM Slim Ballast kit installed (very easy to do that install, hook up the two grounds, hook up the power, and plug into the harness essentially) so that part of this writeup will be missing.

I ordered new aftermarket (some of previous retrofitters say they work better for this due to the glue used) headlights for the project.
They were packed well and wrapped with a saran type wrap.
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG0995.jpg

One of the other big advantages of having a second pair of lights is it gives you more time to work on them without having to worry about needing them immediatly. This project can take longer than you expect, depending on how attention detailed you are.

First things first we need to get the headlights apart so we can insert the projector. So we want to remove any bulbs, retaining rings, etc on the headlamp. Now we have two choices for how to get the housing open, using a heat gun or hair dryer, or use the oven. General instructions for oven use is 200 degrees for 5 minutes...then longer if needed...I would be 5 minutes would be enough.

I used a hair dryer to make sure I didn't damage the housings, which took about 10-15 minutes per housing. My first piece to heat up is the three tabs at the top and 3 at the bottom enough so that I could lightly bend them up over the lens.
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG0997.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG0996.jpg

Then work your way slowly around the lens heating up and prying apart, I used a thin flat screwdriver to start them prying then used my hands for the rest. You can also use a spackle knife to pry them open.

Then we remove the diffuser or bulb cover. This is held on with 1 screw.
Here is a half shot of that

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1008.jpg

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1009.jpg

I then went ahead and drilled a hole through where the post attached ^ see above. This is to run the wires that power the actuator through.
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1010.jpg

Now lets test fit the projector.
We need to remove the three screws that hold the bulb retaining bracket onto the projector. Then after removing those three we unscrew the large nut thats on the projector (this may be 1" size?). You can see it here
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1012.jpg

Then place the large rubber ring on the shaft of the projector and then place the shaft through the headlamp housing hole....yes thats what she said... We then screw the large nut back on ... now it may be hard to do and be tight, so I used needle nose pliars to twist the nut. You want to make sure to keep the projector aligned here, the actuator motor needs to be at the bottom so the cutoff is straight.

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1011.jpg


Now comes the fun...fitting the shroud... The Morimoto Mini H1 projectors come with gatlin 2.0 shrouds, and they dont need fitting, they are screwed on vs. the snap on type.
on the top
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG0999.jpg
top
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG0998.jpg

[capt512]

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1000.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1003.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1005.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1004.jpg


However I also purchased some E46 Extended shrouds as I liked the look of them better, and they use shroud centric rings...kind of like a mix of a clip on and tension. For these you will slide the black centric rings on the projector or shroud, then slide the projector and shroud together.

This is the look of the E46 shroud
bottom
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG0999.jpg
bottom
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG0998.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1001.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1002.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1007.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1013.jpg

[capt512]

For these shrouds you will need to trim to fit, go slow and test often. When you get these shrouds one side is flat and one side is a circle, the circle side goes on the bottom of the headlamp housing, and needs to be trimmed.

Now that we have the done, we need to work on the wiring and routing of wiring. So here is what I did... you can make your own decisions but i liked doing it this way so it was clean and sealed.

I cut the factory harness connector in two pieces, then removed it completly. Dont discard both of these, you will still need one to conect the factory harness to your ballast kit.

I then flipped the rubber gasket thing that the harness went through upside down and put it back in the hole to seal it up and make it a little bit cleaner.

Then I drilled a hole in the housing back and dremeled it out until the bulb gasket fit how it should.
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1016.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1017.jpg

Now we are pretty much done! Yays!
So I recommend testing the setup before resealing the lights.

When you are sure they are how you want them, we need to reseal the lamps, I recommend either TRS butyl or 3m. Oreilly and Napa carry the 3M. You just use it like putty and press it into the slot, then reheat the lens and press it all together.

Now install and enjoy!
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1018.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1019.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1020.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1021.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1022.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1023.jpg

[myrodr]

nice write up good info thinking of this for mine

[MOTOWN]

That looks sweet! me likey!!!!

[slickster]

Good job sir.......

[capt512]

To anyone that is considering it, its an easy job so dont be afraid. I will try to get some night shots when I get a chance, still have to aim them tonight.

I will say in comparison to the DDM kit, the color on these bulbs is a million times better!

[rossv1]

I used e46 extended shrouds with mine too. looks great.

[BirchMarauder]

Did you have as difficult a time as I did getting the cutoff line completely horizontal and making sure the steps were directly in front of each projector at distance?? The whole alignment process for me took longer than the install.

Sent from EVO using Tapatalk 2

[ctrlraven]

The passenger side cutoff line should be slightly higher than the driver's side.

Nice install!

[capt512]

The alignment wasnt great, and I cant get them as high as I would like, I adjust the housing with the bolt on the back, and when I get it about right it makes a popping sound and the headlight aims all the way down...almost like the aiming screw is stripping out...dont know what the deal is with that.

[BirchMarauder]

I had to cut a washer in half and wedge it between the nut and housing on the back side to get an adjustment left to right that the housing wouldn't give me. Would work the same for your vertical aim.

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[capt512]

Good idea...then I have to reopen the housing though :( lol

[BirchMarauder]

That is the only down fall. I opened and closed mine 3-4 times before I finally felt good abt the whole thing. I'll know better next time.

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[Krytin]

Very Nice!

Let us know how many washers/shims you wind up using when you're done!

[DOOM]

Very clean install. :beer:

[capt512]

I probably need to do mine so that they angle in also as the beams dont match up in the middle, but my biggest problem is them not being angled high enough. Will say the high beams are amazing!!!

[Mebot]

This is a poor attempt at a writeup on the install

Lol whatever man, this isn't a "poor" writeup at all! Its very well written, comprehensive, & very informative! Looks great & thanks for the info. You did a great job

Sent from my handheld Zack Morris iShoe 4S.

[capt512]

I added a spacer to the bottom outside screw on my projectors to get them centered at 25' and aimed higher, seemed to work really well. Had to use a 1/2" screw as the original is just short of a 1/2" long
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1024.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1026.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j379/ReflectionsAD/IMAG1025.jpg

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Nice Job. Parts cost and where you obtained them? Also, is there a way to swap out bulbs should they go bad? Seems they are built in to the projector itself.

[capt512]

Total rundown as much as I can remember:
DDM ballasts and wiring (got this as the full kit for $70) - Looks like you could get this minus the bulb for maybe $30ish?
Or just go with the kit from TRS - $270
Theretrofitsource.com Projectors & Bulbs (dont need these if you get the kit) - $120
E46R extended shroud - $45 (again dont need with the kit)
Resealing butyl - $20 (Oreilly)
Spacer and Longer screw ($5 - Lowes)
New Headlights - $150 (optional)

So without new headlights w/kit - $295
without new headlights w/o kit - $220-250

New headlights w/kit - $445
New headlights w/o kit - $370-400

This is a pretty darn simple thing to do, just takes a bit of time. If I could do it anyone can. I was on the fence about how they looked for a while before installing them, then decided I wanted to have better light so I installed them. I L.O.V.E. them, they throw an amazing amount of light (and the high beams are freaking wonderful), smooth even light, much better for oncoming traffic, and look awesome. At night the whole reflector lights up, but the projectors throw the light, so I dont just have the circles. In the day the extra chrome ring makes the light housing even blingier lol.

[capt512]

Yes the bulbs can be replaced easily enough, I forgot to take a picture from the back when the bulbs are installed, but they are held in with a retaining clip, you just push the clip down and out and they can be unplugged and replaced. Simple enough. I HIGHLY recommend the Morimoto bulbs over the DDM bulbs. Neither of my DDM bulbs were the tempature they were supposed to be, after getting these bulbs.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Excellent. Sir you are a gentleman and a scholar.

[capt512]

I will try to get some more pictures of the headlights at night and throw.

[capt512]

Also the biggest challenge I have found it resealing the dang things. Today will be my 4th time redoing that, as they are still fogging up.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

I've left the rear sealer plastic thing on the back of the housing off on both my Marauder and GM, and has never fogged up. In fact the GM used to fog up all the time until I did that.

[BirchMarauder]

they will fog up because you've changed the atmosphere inside the housing by opening them up. I've found that the fogging goes away after a few hours of running the lights. if not you didn't use enough sealant. its easier to trim the fat with a razor blade than it is to add to it once you've sealed it.

[F8LBITEva]

That looks nice!

[capt512]

Ive got enough butyl on there to seal a submarine...yet still have some condensation it appears. I took the back seal off to see if that helped, and when I went through a car wash had a fish bowl...so I definetly need that on.