The Headlights...Quick Story need Advice and Opinions
 

Hi all members and 370z fans alike. So here is the run down. I browse craigslist from time to time, seeing if anyone getting rid of something useful for a good price locally. I hate waiting for shipping as most do, and dealing with people online can sometimes be frustrating. Ok BOT, I found a set of 2010 370z Headlights with only 8k miles. The asking price was $100, which I thought was a good deal. So I emailed the guy inquiring about the HL. I got a response to call so I did. He was very polite and told me they are just taking up space in his garage, and have been sitting there for 4 years. (I had a similar scenario with a set of Mistu HLs a while ago)

So I ask him how much he was asking for the set, and he told me $75!!! I thought he was going to say $100 like the ad but he obviously just wants to clean out his garage. He also stated that one of the tabs on one of the headlights is broken. Other than that they are sealed and in excellent condition. Posting pics for your review.

I need your advice, opinions and insight. I want to say this is a GREAT DEAL! What do you guys/gals think? I know new headlights cost around $6 to 800 USD depending on location, and used can go for $2 to 400.

Here is what I plan on doing with them. I have my stock headlights in good condition considering the car was not garaged or the previous owner did not take good care of the exterior but still good. I want to modify these or the stock ones. My Z is my DD and I could still use her with a spare set of HL.

Which set should I invest to get modified? Should I do it myself or send it to a pro? What would you do and would you buy them? Could I still use the one with the broken tab? Thanks in advance :tiphat: (mods I don't know if this is the appropriate section to post this thread, my apologies if it is not).

I def would have bought them and do it myself. Worse case scenario is not that bad if you mess them up. worth the gamble.

If you change your mind ill buy them from you ;)

DIY! do the one you're buying so you don't have to take yours off

The deal you got, at the least those would be a practice set to do them yourself. Its not that bad as long as you follow the DIY and have patience.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I definitely am considering doing it myself. I got the HL's and they are pristine. The tab is not bad at all. More like a small cut instead of broken. Should still hold. One thing was, since they have been sitting in the garage for 4 years, a bug or bugs got inside one of the headlights and pooped or left little tiny dead eggs or something. Easy fix just clean and the price was good.

I am on the fence for doing them myself, want to go gloss red shrouds, with black housing and halos. Would use factory matched paint if I did. The thing that is holding me back is the cost/risk to do it myself, versus paying a pro. I don't know the estimated cost of materials, and I have been googling and searching and more googling. Paint, Halo Kit, switch/wiring to be able to turn them off and on anytime without parking light, etc etc. Once again thanks for the replies

That is exactly what I am doing, that way you can take your time doing them so no rush.

After thoroughly reading a 39 page thread on the HL's for DIY. I decided it was well worth it to do it myself. It would cost me close to $1K to probably do what I want to have done to the headlights by a pro. But after reading this thread http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...-w-videos.html I will probably spend somewhere around $200. Started ordering supplies last night!

Subscribed. Want to do mine as well. Look forward to seeing the end result!
Where did you order your halos and switch etc... From?

The lenses and Halos I got from TRS can be found here FX-R - Clear Lenses from The Retrofit Source
and here for Halos Morimoto XB LED Angel Eyes - Accessories from The Retrofit Source Inc

The switches I got from here Full Size Rocker Switches | WiringProducts

The demon eyes I got from here https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ight/639/1929/

Thats pretty much al you need, here are some pics of the work. Not done yet waiting for the blue demon eyes, and thinking about recoloring them solid black or doing a CF wrap, debatable, looks alright but it can look better.

Shrouds added clear coat to make them pop
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...i/shrouds1.jpg

resprayed housings to match each other and give it an almost balck but not black look
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...ghtrespray.jpg

testing the Halos
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...headlight7.jpg

Testing demon eyes
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...headlight3.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...headlight5.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...headlight4.jpg

side by side compared to factory before respraying the housing
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...headlight2.jpg

and finally almost done, not resealed yet, have some wet sanding to do, and wiring clean up, then reseal and mount.....maybe...think I might do my priginal HL's with just a single Halo and demon eyes.....still thinking about it.
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...almostdone.jpg

A word of advice, there is a protective coating on the inside of the HL's lenses whatever you do try not to get anything on the inside of the lenses or touch them for that matter, used compressed air to get rid of any dust or dirt, if you do clean them, use an extremely mild dish washing soap-- one drop of soap to a bucket mild, otherwise you will be like me and doing a restore on the inside of the lens. P.S. this is my first time doing this and if I can do it anybody can, it's taking me a little longer, because you know college, being a full time husband/dad/slave to my family but it's good because it gives me more time to try my best to get these perfect.....kinda :tiphat:

That looks a hundred times better than the stockers! And thanks for all the info.

Great job man#

So close, yet so far away. Ok so I had to do a lot of work considering these headlights were stripped complete from ballast, connectors, mounts etc etc. Well one of the demon eyes in HL lens got yanked out, own fault. Don't want to unseal and reseal.....well all that is left now is wiring to the switches, let me know what you guys think so far

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...lmostdone3.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...omostdone2.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...lmostdone1.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...lmostdone4.jpg

looks like I will be powder coating these wheels soon....this is how it starts, with one simple headlight mod.:stirthepot:

Looks awesome. :tup: Bet that's a lot of work adding in the lighting.

Thanks, yes it was and a real pain in the #$%, since I did not want to open up my factory HL's yet. Removing the wiring from the inside of the HL's without breaking anything was like pulling teeth.

Question for you. Did you wire them up so only the halos come on while your driving? If so,which wires did you use. And if not,do you know how? Anybody with some feedback would be appreciated.