Headlamp Conversion

[revolution]

Hi,

My 2008 Vitz RS was front-ended by a suicidal cyclist whilst parked, and both my front headlamps have been damaged, along with the front bumper. i'm taking this opportunity to have Insurance (Ahem!) convert me to the 2010 Front Bumper and i have to change the headlamps as well, due to the facelift where the headlamps have a little bulge on them towards the grille... (which my old headlamps dont have)..

My question is, that as my Vitz RS has the OEM Toyota HIDs with separate Dim and Bright Bulbs, can i gut the inside bulb mounts and chrome reflector and trnasplant it into the 2010 headlamps? I really dont want the H4 setup from the 2010 headlamps, would rather retain the 2008 OEM HIDs...

I haven't disassembled headlamps before so im hoping someone out there may be able to tell me if this may be possible to do, or if the bulges on the headlamps will mean it wont fit...

[djct_watt]

When it comes to retrofits, anything is possible with time and skill. Sorry if that answer is not very helpful. I'm sure someone w more experience will chime in. But to keep the light dispersion and cutoff, you will need to transplant the entire reflector bowl, which will be a slight different shape between the two headlight styles. I have no idea if the differences are small enough for any easy retrofit. IMO, it might be easier to just to a projector retrofit.

[revolution]

Thats what i was thinking - transplanting the entire reflector bowl to the new headlamp, but not to sure if it is actually removable from the plastic part of the headlamp...

[SAV912]

In order to do a retrofit for projectors, you have to remove the plastic shell from the bowl anyway, and there's proof that people have done that. The difference in your case would be getting a 2010 plastic shell with the curve on the inner edge to fit over a 2008 reflector bowl. And without some epoxy and lots of silicone sealant, I don't see that happening.

There really aren't many differences between the two front ends. Unless you're getting the full S treatment, why are you bothering with the 2010 conversion? I'd stick with the 2.0 gen, rather than the 2.1, especially if there are OEM HIDs involved.

-C