HI all,

Those of you who either cleared your headlights or replace the orange part with Rick's diffusers, I need your help.
I ordered a pair of JDM style diffusers from Rick and planning to do the conversion, but prior to that I need those who has already done it to give me some tips in order to do it successfully. I have never taken out the bumper or even open up the headlights before, so anything I should keep in mind while doing this? I am more concern about the part that you need to re-seal the two pieces of head lamps, any tips for that? I really don't want to destroy my headlamps with the water leaks. Thank you all for the help! Any pictures of the installed JDM diffusers would be great.

Gary

 

It's much easier than it seems, just time consuming if you've never done it before.. I spent twice as long on my first headlight. The second one was cake. Advice I can give you.

1. Follow Rick's directions carefully, they're very accurate
2. You have to pull pretty hard on your bumper to get it off. Do a search.
3. Don't be afraid to leave your headlights in the oven for more time if they don't come apart very easily. Just watch them closely.
4. Don't leave new diffusers in hot water for more than a few seconds. They get VERY soft, so be careful.
5. Before replacing lense on the housing, heat the glue, apply new glue, then press lense back on. heat it some more, and press it on completely.
6. Let the lenses sit inside for at least 12 hours before putting them back on your car.
7. You can paint your stock clear bulbs with an orange sharpie. It works great.

good luck..

 

 

The only things I would add:

1. Don't leave them in the oven for too long. At 225 for 20min should be about the max.
2. If you remove the HID Ballast it will fit in the oven better.
3. Don't get distracted while they are in the oven or you will be looking for a new headlight. 225 for 1hr melts them.

 

great writeup by Arnell, with lots of pics. That's what I used. he is an offical "S2000 God"

when it's all done, you're gonna kick yourself....for not doing it SOONER!

good luck

 

I would also add: something soft to lay your bumper on while it's off. I have three (tiny) nicks from mine being off in the garage. Just some fine debris is all it takes....

that and have a lot of patience when prying that thing open. It's a bitch. I have an '03 and I knifed out almost a handful of silicon between the two, and I didn't clean out the groove, that was simply from prying it. Once you get an opening going on a corner heat it again for about 5 ~ 7 minutes then it should just pull apart.

Good luck, and get yer swear words ready

 

Thanks for all your inputs. Have anyone used a blow dryer instead of the oven? Which one works better to you guys? Thanks!

gary

 

i would think that a blow dryer would take longer.. i used an oven.. just follow ricks directions

 

someone i met used a heat guy. I dont think a blow dryer would get it hot enough...

 

Arnell's treatise on this on this subject is pure genious! Kudos to Arnell. I did mine with the help of Matt25 here in Utah. Might want to have another there to help especially when lifting off and on the bumper. Two thoughts. I did the first light to Arnell's specs and it was a bit hard to remove the lense. I recall we left the second lamp in the oven an additional 5 minutes and it peeled back a lot easier. The biggest problem I have heard is post installation fogging....probably due to the wet towels which I would recommend you definitely use. After install I let my car idle for about an hour with the HID's on and the turn and parking lights not yet installed. I think the heat of the HID's drives off any residual moisture (IMHO). At the time I did mine there were no diffusers on the market. I trust Rick with my heart and soul and would not hesitate to buy any product offered by him. It will fit. I would retrofit my diffusers now but as you will find it is definitely an all day job for 2 .

Utah

P.S. If you get stuck PM me.........