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Component Descriptions

We know there are a lot of choices to be made when customizing your headlight retrofit.  Below you will find descriptions of the items we offer. Further descriptions can be reviewed at www.theretrofitsource.com  

Still have questions?

Contact Us and we will be happy to help you.

Ballasts

Projectors

Morimoto Mini H1 8.0-

EIGHT IS GREAT: Morimoto invented the Mini and has always set the benchmark high when it came to the H1...But no matter how many imitations popped up over the years, the competition just couldn't compare. In fact, no alternative ever even caught up to the 7.0. It's not that the 8.0 represents an entirely new generation of Mini H1, but Morimoto definitely took a good thing and made it even better by baking in a few more years of refinement.

ADVANTAGE: Let's keep it simple and make a list of everything new about the Mini H1 8.0. The new blue AR clear lens. The ECE sloped beam pattern. The MotoHo1der precision bulb holders are now standard equipment, and the blue anodized lock ring is stronger and more strip-free than ever. The distribution of light as good as ever. Your ability to see is maximized.

QUAD PERFECTION:If you've been dying to do a quad projector retrofit but don't have the space inside your lights for something bigger, there's never been a better time. Now that the compact Mini H1 projector uses a slope style cutoff to match it's bigger brothers like the D2S 5.0 or MLED 2.0, you can do a quad retrofit with perfectly matching beam patterns all the way across. Oh yeah!

EASY INSTALL: The Mini H1 8.0's amazing ease of installation relative to the amount of performance they produce makes them our most popular Morimoto bi-xenon projectors. Simply remove fog light lens, insert the threaded mounting shaft through the pre-existing hole in the back of the reflector, hand-tighten, check rotation, tighten, and re-seal fog lights. Minimal cutting involved. (if any!) Check out the Installation Procedure for the Mini H1 8.0 linked above.

STAND OUT PERFORMANCE: With the most modern optics, the new AR clear lens, and their curved cutoff shield; The Mini H1 8.0 will outshine almost every OEM HID projector on the market and go head to head with the legendary S2000 projectors! (which cost 3x as much, are much harder to retrofit, and don't even have a high beam) Their wide, uniformly lit beam stays intense all the way to the outer limits. The Morimoto bi-xenon projectors' provide an insane amount of additional light on demand.

STANDARD EQUIPPED: With your choice of either Mini Gatling Gun or Mini Graphite shrouds to keep things compact and easy to assemble. Full size shrouds are also compatible with the Mini's using the centric rings.

MOTOHO1DERS: Are the high-precision H1 bulb holders that Morimoto released in 2018, and they now come standard. It utilizes a three-piece design that's way more effective but virtually no bigger overall than the old paperclip setup. The clever three-piece design provides even pressure on the back of the bulb, ensuring perfect alignment. To be honest, we think it's the single best upgrade to Morimoto's bi-xenon projectors that's ever been conceived since it helps make the most of the awesome Mini H1 8.0's on the road. Well worth the extra few bucks in the grand scheme of things!

ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING LENS: The blue tint to the lens is more than marketing fluff too. That's an AR coating, and it serves a real purpose. AR coatings increase the transmission of light through the glass all while decreasing bleed. The result? 10% more light and less glare compared to a traditional clear lens. The blue-hue may not be for everybody, but in this case we're down.

Morimoto D2S 5.0-

HIGH Five! Morimoto has officially achieved Projector-Perfection with the 5th gen Mini D2S Bi-xenons! If you're looking for the ultimate beam pattern boner; it's really not going to get any better than this folks. Perfectly balanced beam. The crispiest ECE style cutoff. Unquestionable OEM-quality all packed into a projector that's undeniably easy to install. If we died and went to fog light heaven, the 5.0 would be greeting us at the gate.

PROJECTOR-PERFECTION: There are other projectors that produce brighter hot spots. There are other projectors that have unholy amounts of width.But no other option creates the perfect balance of width & hotspot lux (aka distance) quite like the 5.0. In order to create the ultimate weapon for driving in the dark; Morimoto baked in best practices from a variety of well-respected OEM and aftermarket projectors. With over a decade of experience, we trust that their latest and greatest equates to the perfect all-around perfomer.

DISTANCE: The hot spot on the new 5.0 bi-xenon is roughly 70% brighter than the already-impressive 4.0 design. While the high beam unloads a lot more volume of light; virtually no additional intensity has been reserved. What that means: You get the maximum benefit from your bulbs & ballasts in default mode--where drivers spend 99% of their time. The controlled decrease in intensity from the hyper-hotspot down through the foreground results in a distribution of light that makes driving at night very comfortable & safe. Why? Because too much intensity on the ground too close to the front of your vehicle will make your eyes adjust, compromising your ability to see very far. Science!

 

WIDTH: Power is nothing without control, and even the best D2S bulbs and 50w ballasts won't always result in a satisfying output when projected out on the road improperly--so the KEY is really how that light is deployed. Thanks to the beauty in the center of this beast [all new optics package + flat cast cutoff shield] You really end up with a beam pattern that's extremely wide and flat, with zero bowing. But that's not all: The position of the shield has been fine-tuned so that there is a band of intense light that spans side-to-side directly under the cutoff line. RX350 Bi-xenons, S2000's, LS430s, SC430--all of the best from Koito now need to bite their tongue, because that's all they had on Morimoto prior to the 5.0 party!

ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING LENS: The blue tint to the lens is more than marketing fluff too. That's an AR coating, and it serves a real purpose. AR coatings increase the transmission of light through the glass all while decreasing bleed. The result? 10% more light and less glare compared to a traditional clear lens. The blue-hue may not be for everybody, but in this case we're down. Read more about AR coatings HERE.

HARDWARE UPGRADES: Forget the finicky 2 piece bulb holders found on the 4.0s, these come standard with the MotoHolders: an all-new one-piece design that's far easier to work with. The new CNC machined aluminum lock rings are not only pretty looking, but they're 300% stronger than the old die cast part. To tighten them, Morimoto now offers an optional lock-ring tightening tool that works with any 10mm socket set. Torx screws now hold the lens holder on too instead of Philips screws. While the 5.0 get's a big boost in the performance department, it's also clear they've paid attention to the details in the parts department too. We like it!

INSTALLATION SUMMARY: On a H4-based fog light reflector for example...Remove the fog light lens, insert the threaded mounting shaft through the pre-existing hole in the back of the reflector, add the alignment plate, tighten the lock ring, and re-seal the fog lights. For other applications, minimal cutting will probably be involved but you'll find the results well worth it! Check out the installation procedure linked above.

Morimoto MLED 2.0-

(not available in Econoline housings)

IT'S 2.0 CLOCK At TRS we love good old HID-powered projectors more than Kanye loves Kanye...BUT....Truth be told, The new M LED 2.0 is the best Bi-LED projector in the retrofitting world. At the same time, it's better than any Bi-xenon. Put simply it's hard not to like the new M LED 2.0. The performance unparalleled. The simplicity is sublime. The ease of installation is excellent. The instant on is awesome. The original M LED was great when it came out, but by today's standards it's no longer on the leaderboard. Now it's two-point-o time!

OUTPUT ADVANTAGE: We'll just start with the hotspot. It's brighter than a D2S 5.0 with a CBI and 50w ballast, and 10% brighter than it's closest LED based competitor. The Kuria optic clear lens and koito-esque beam shaper produce a beam pattern that's way wider than a D2S 5.0 too. Their ECE-sloped beam pattern is super sharp and colorful. You can expect up to 83,000 peak CD--that is a lot of light.

DISTRIBUTION: Width and intensity are common characteristics that are easy to engineer and explain, but it's important not to downplay the importance of distribution! 80% of the optical engineering hours went into optimizing the way that every last lumen ended up on the road in the name of maximizing visibility both up ahead and off to the sides of the road. Each facet of the M LED 2.0's dual reflector bowl was carefully considered (and re-considered, and re-considered again) to ensure that the results were nothing short of perfection (both by the numbers, and subjectively). Yoshi Ishida, Morimoto's chief engineer, Yoshi Ishida, you nailed it.

EASY INSTALL: The threaded mounting shaft has been extended to 27.2mm in length and can be removed from the projector to free up more than an inch of depth for those who don't need/want it. It comes with a CNC machined lock ring and an optional tool for easy-tightening. H4 alignment-adapter comes standard, but it's easy to setup in any other fog light too. The active-cooling fan is sunk into the heat sink, keeping space to a minimum without sacrificing the ability to stay cool. The wiring is clean, out of the way, and can be disconnected with ease.

SIMPLICITY: Forget about separate bulbs. Forget about big ballasts, or where to mount them. Forget about complex relay harnesses, and where to run them. Here, you've got the projector and a small external LED driver to regulate power and control its function. If you're a clutter-phobe, or simply tight on space working on something like a motorcycle: the M LED 2.0 is the way to go.

DETAILS: From the weather-tight grommet on the wiring to the blue-anodized lock ring, nothing was left behind. The lens holder looks great, the grille on the reflector bowl is unnecessarily beautiful. The geometry on the vanes on the heat sink were aligned to maximize air-flow and minimize temperatures. The abundance of precise, die-cast and CNC machined parts (rather than stamped) in the entire system makes for a slop-free setup and conveys quality over cost savings. It may be built for retrofitters, but the fit and finish is on-par with any OEM projector.

WORTH IT? If you want the latest and greatest, Then yes. It is. Go for a comparable Bi-xenon setup and you'll need to buy big money bulbs, ballasts, and a relay harness for about the same price. Go for something like the UPS Power Plus Bi-LED / Hybrid laser projectors and you'll spend much more and can forget about an easy install. Morimoto's M LED 2.0 projectors may seem expensive on the surface, but you pay for what you get, and all things considered, they've got the most bang for the buck in the business right now .

Shrouds

What are Shrouds? 

Simply put, shrouds cover up the projector bodies to enhance the looks of the headlight assembly.  For the most part, they do not serve a function relating to the output of the headlight, rather they offer a means for customizing the appearance of your lights.  There are many options available with the Mini Gatling being the basic option provided.  All shrouds can be painted at an additional cost.

Cruise over to the TRS link below to see all these shrouds including pictures of them installed.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/shrouds.html

Mini Gatling Gun Round in chrome or black

Mini Gatling Gun Square

Mini Turbine

Apollo 1.0

Apollo 2.0/2.0 Flat in chrome or black

Apollo 3.0 in chrome or black

Bullet

E46-R/Extended

E55R

G37R

Iris

Orbit

Full Size Turbine

Panamera Switchback LED 2.0

Mini X5-R Switchback LED

Bulbs

Bulbs are the final piece of the HID puzzle.  They contain a capsule with Xenon gas that lights from the arc created by the ballasts. They are available in different color temps and bases for most common applications. 

Acme Standard H1-

THE INDUSTRY STANDARD: ACME H1 HID bulbs are precise, color-accurate, and most importantly: affordable!

INTENSITY: ACME H1 Standard HID bulbs bring accurate bright light to an otherwise generic marketplace out there. Prepare to see the road. All of it.

PRECISE ALIGNMENT: At the base of the glass capsule resides an accurate ceramic sleeve, which ensures the alignment of the capsule is exactly perpendicular to the base and ready for whatever!.

VALUE: We'll be blunt: for their price, you're not getting a better HID bulb than ACME Standards.

Morimoto XB H1-

NO COMPARISON: When it comes to HID bulbs, Morimoto has always brought us the best in the aftermarket, and their latest examples are no exception. Sure we think the options from Philips and Osram are great too, but when it comes to bang for the buck - nothing compares to the Morimoto XB HID lineup. Compatible with 35W and 55W: The XB's will produce more lumens, last longer, project farther, and look better doing it.

LUMINOSITY: At the heart of the XB H1 bulbs is their perfectly aligned 100% Philips quartz glass that houses a capsule from APL-USA. Using high quality halide salts from German-supplier Messer, the bulbs produce nearly the same luminosity (intensity) as the amazing Osram CBI bulbs at 5500K. No, you're not seeing things here, but yes you will be seeing everything at night. In our comparison to the big brands, Morimoto's XB capsule ran with the best of em!

LONG LIFE: The Austrian-sourced Plansee electrodes help keep the bulbs running brighter for longer. In comparison to a Philips bulb with 200 hours of use, the Morimoto will maintain 83% of it's intensity whereas the Philips bulb will retain 86%. Yeah, the Philips maintains a little longer, but this kind of longevity is unheard of in the aftermarket. We're impressed!

PRECISE ALIGNMENT: Morimoto's Symmetry-Structure frame surrounds the base of the glass capsule keeping everything properly lined up, which is paramount when it comes to HID bulbs. In the past we all agreed that precision wasn't the strong suit for the XB bulbs...but the latest are indeed the greatest - and they're now consistently well-aligned, which is a good thing - because it means the output is also consistently bright and uniform throughout. [Applause]

INDUSTRY STANDARD: The XB replacement HID bulbs are built to industry-standard size specifications and are compatible with all ballasts with "AMP" outputs - making them a perfect match for a replacement bulb or upgrade! We've tested them here in the shop for reliability with all ballasts from Morimoto, Hylux, ACME, Denso, Hella, Bosch, and Koito and passed with ease.

D2S-

For D2S applications (Morimoto D2S 5.0 projectors) we also offer Morimoto XB bulbs. Those interested in a higher quality OEM bulb should look into the Osram or Philips units (special order).  They are more expensive, but the output and longevity are unmatched in the industry.  There are plenty of counterfeit Osram products sold, but any Osram labeled product we ship is verifiable on their website. 

 

Morimoto XB D2S-

NO COMPARISON: When it comes to HID bulbs, Morimoto has always brought us the best in the aftermarket, and their latest examples are no exception. Sure we think the options from Philips and Osram are great too, but when it comes to bang for the buck - nothing compares to the Morimoto XB HID lineup. Available in versions designed specifically for either 35W or 50W: The XB's will produce more lumens, last longer, project farther, and look better doing it.

LUMINOSITY: At the heart of the XB D2S bulbs is their perfectly aligned 100% Philips quartz glass that houses a capsule from APL-USA. Using high quality halide salts from German-supplier Messer; the bulbs produce nearly the same luminosity (intensity) as the amazing Osram CBI bulbs at 5500K. No, you're not seeing things here, but yes you will be seeing everything at night. In our Comparison to the big brands; Morimoto's XB capsule ran with the best of em!

LONG LIFE: The Austrian-sourced Plansee electrodes help keep the bulbs running brighter for longer. In comparison to a Philips bulb with 200 hours of use; the Morimoto will maintain 83% of it's intensity whereas the Philips bulb will retain 86%. Yeah, the Philips maintains a little longer, but this kind of longevity is unheard of in the aftermarket. We're impressed!

PRECISE ALIGNMENT: Morimoto's Symmetry-Structure frame surrounds the base of the glass capsule keeping everything properly lined up, which is paramount when it comes to HID bulbs. In the past we all agreed that precision wasn't the strong suit for the XB bulbs...but the latest are indeed the greatest - and they're now consistently well-aligned, which is a good thing - because it means the output is also consistently bright and uniform throughout. [Applause]

RELIABILITY: Not that we recommend this for any HID bulb, but go ahead and fire it up 100 times in a row or even run it underwater for days at a time and the difference between the XB and any so called "competition" will be clear. These bulbs will even work with OEM Nissan/Infiniti (Matsushita/Panasonic) ballasts, which are notorious for compatibility problems on anything aftermarket.

COMPLIANCE: The XB replacement HID bulbs are built to industry-standard specifications and meet/exceed all SAE, DOT, and ECE requirements, making them a perfect match for a replacement bulb or upgrade! They have been tested for reliability with all ballasts from Morimoto, Denso, Hella, Bosch, and Koito and passed with ease.

Ballasts

Ballasts are an essential part of any HID lighting setup.  They take the low current 12 volt DC (direct current) signal from your vehicle and invert it into a high current AC (alternating current) signal.  HID bulbs require a high energy electrical arc to ignite the Xenon gas capsule.  Ballasts also use high current to maintain that arc and adjust for changes in resistance in the circuit.  

 

There are a couple of ballast options available as listed below:

 

Hylux 2A88 35w AMP-

RIVALED: A long standing debate in the automotive aftermarket...Morimoto, or Hylux ballasts? Often regarded as the "other" great in the HID lighting industry; Hylux has been building reputable parts for about as long as we can remember - you just couldn't buy them from TRS, until now!

STANDARDS: The Hylux 2A88 EU-Spec Canbus HID ballasts produce an industry-standard 35w of power which typically provides around 3200 lumens on a quality 4300K Bulb. They will accept a 9-16V range for input and will power all HID bulbs with industry-standard AMP connectors.

CONVENIENT: They are compact and can fit most anywhere under the hood. No need to worry about moisture intrusion, as their shell is completely water resistant and the circuitry inside is protected by potting.

POWERFUL:Their powerful igniters are also capable of quick re-strikes without fail. Well designed circuitry and igniter setup results in a relatively fast warm up time for the HID bulbs when powered by a Hylux ballast, but without requiring much power.

CANBUS CAPABLE: The 2A88 has an integrated error canceler on the input line, making them compatible with most European vehicles without any extra gear required to cancel "lamp out" errors.

BACKED: By a full Three-Year warranty from the manufacturer, you know they're putting their money where their mouth is. If these ballasts fail under warranty, you're covered!

Hylux A0050 45w AMP-

RIVALED: A long standing debate in the automotive aftermarket...Morimoto, or Hylux ballasts? Often regarded as the "other" great in the HID lighting industry; Hylux has been building reputable parts for about as long as we can remember - you just couldn't buy them from TRS, until now!

STANDARDS: The Hylux A0050 EU-Spec ballasts produce a beefy 45w output which typically provides around 3800 lumens on a quality 4300K Bulb. They will accept a 9-32V range for input and will power all HID bulbs with industry-standard AMP connectors.

CONVENIENT: While rather thick, there's no need to worry about moisture intrusion, as their shell is completely water resistant and the circuitry inside is protected by potting. Mount them anywhere within reach!

POWERFUL:Their powerful igniters are also capable of quick re-strikes without fail. Well designed circuitry and igniter setup results in a relatively fast warm up time for the HID bulbs when powered by a Hylux ballast, but without requiring much power.

BACKED: By a full Three-Year warranty from the manufacturer, you know they're putting their money where their mouth is. If these ballasts fail under warranty, you're covered!

 

Morimoto XB35/XB50 (AMP or D2S)- These are the kings of the aftermarket HID lighting game.  They come in two power levels, 35 watt or 50 watt and have an excellent warranty and reliability reputation.  They are also able to grow with your lighting needs as they can be switched from standard AMP connections to a D2S OEM-style igniter.  This is a handy feature in the event you upgrade your setup in the future.  These ballasts also feature multiple screw tabs to make securing them a breeze. 

 

Morimoto XB AMP/D2S-

TRUSTED: With global distribution exceeding a half-million units over the last six years; more enthusiasts chose Morimoto over any other aftermarket ballast in the world. By adopting everything that was good about the out-going design and tossing the rest out the window, the XB 2.0 excels in every way.

RELIABILITY: When two of the best names in ballasts get together to create something new, good things happen. The new XB is essentially a Hylux + Morimoto mash up, and we are proud to bring their new ballast baby to North America! Designed to last for 2500 hours and we're confident they will. The powerful AS15-G4 IC chip recognizes outside system faults such as a loose high voltage connection, and after one misfire will cut power rather than potentially self-destruct. The software is proprietary to this ballast alone.

PROTECTED: The die-cast aluminum shell houses a 100% potted circuit board; eliminating any chance of moisture damage. The AMP SuperSeal three-pin connector from TE Connectivity between the igniter and the ballast ensures the safety of this crucial output.

COMPACT: Slim 18mm body will mount almost anywhere, and that's OK because they're fully sealed from the elements. There are four mounting points cast directly into their shell, no spare brackets to mess with.

VERSATILE: Since the igniter cord can be unplugged from the HID ballast computer, you can easily change from AMP to D2S or vice-versa (without the use of unreliable adapters, that is). Likewise, if an igniter does happen to go bad, it can easily be replaced.

FAST, FRIENDLY AND EFFICIENT: Power hungry HID ballast replacements never work well with tricky CanBus systems, but the new Morimoto XB 2.0 ballast consumes less than HALF of the start current than the previous model did. Far less than Denso, Mitsubishi, or FastBright which makes their ability to reach full intensity a more efficient process.

MODERN: Like all modern OEM ballasts: the XB has relocated igniters far closer to the HID bulb. The lack of high voltage transmitted through wiring drastically reduces EMI/RFI (radio interference). Total system reliability is also improved by shielding the main circuit board from the static produced by these high voltage bursts on start up.

FUNCTIONAL WORK OF ART: Designed in California by Morimoto's engineer, Yoshi Ishida, the Morimoto XB 2.0 HID Ballasts are just as good looking on the outside as they are well-engineered on the inside. Stainless Steel hardware. TechFlex braided insulation. Embossed circuitry on the shell. We most admire how the laser-engraved graphics on the rear incorporate the potting-ports into the design. All about the details!

MATURE: The XB 2.0 features countless advancements from the most popular OEM ballasts. In terms of modern headlight tech, High Intensity Discharge is now fully matured; and therefore the aftermarket gets the full benefit engineering progress in the OEM world.

HID Relay Harness

Morimoto MotoControl- Upgrade to standard harnesses featuring sealed construction and premium waterproof connectors.  The high beams are a 9006 male connector. We offer this harness in the standard 9007/9004, 9008/H13 or H4 input plug connector.

GM van lights require a single low beam 9006 Morimoto harness paired with a set of high beam splitters.  This combo allows the use of the low beam in the projector and both high beam outputs from the projector and regular reflector.  

Some versions may need an optional capacitor link to allow the daytime running lights to function smoothly.

Halos

Halos are circular led rings that attached to the front or inside the projector shroud.  They can be wired to operate as daytime running lights, turn signals, or to simply enhance the look of your lights and set you apart from the crowd.  We offer Diode Dynamics HD Halos and Profile Pivot in most of the popular sizes and arrangements to achieve the look you are after.  These need to be installed when building the lights since they mount to the shrouds on the projector within the sealed headlight housing.

Installation for Local Customers

If you are in the Southern California area and want us to install your lights, this option is for you.  We are located in Lomita, CA and can handle the tricky task of getting your lighting setup in and done.  The install takes a few hours unless there are additions such as halos or demon eyes.  These require extra wiring and time.

Product Liability

Vantage Optics Custom Lighting Disclaimer

Our headlights are custom assembled from individually sourced components and are intended for offroad use with no DOT approvals for the completed assemblies. We are not affiliated with the manufacturers of these parts. Defects arising from workmanship or assembly error shall be supported for a period of six months from the original date of purchase to the original purchaser only. If the error cannot be rectified after we receive the defective items, the part will be replaced with the same quality part or an equal substitute. If a better part is desired by the customer, the balance should be paid by the customer before the product is shipped. Yellowing, periodic fogging or physical degradation of the lens is not covered under warranty and is preventable with maintenance. Fogging of lenses is possible until the headlight internal environment is equalized with external conditions. Pressure washing lights directly will introduce moisture and is not covered under warranty for headlights or taillights. Electronic items are guaranteed not to be dead upon arrival to the customer. Electronic issues arising after the installation will be handled on a case by case basis. Warranty items will require photo documentation and return shipping will be sent Ground unless the customer wants to upgrade to a quicker service. All liability associated with the sold product fall solely on the purchaser. We are not responsible for items installed incorrectly or broken at the time of the installation. Any and all ill-effects of incorrectly installed product are the responsibility of the customer or contracted installer. If a product is received damaged, it is the customer’s responsibility to notify us of this damage with visual references within 72 hours of receipt. Any product returned to us shall be covered by the customer. Product can be returned within 72 hours of receipt for full refund if it has not been installed on the vehicle, modified or damaged in any way. Returns are to be cleared with us before sending and will be given a return number that should be clearly printed on the package. Refunds will only be granted once the product has been inspected for condition upon receipt and deemed brand new. We reserve the right to use photographs of the product for marketing purposes as well as any installed images released by the customer and agreed by both parties. Any issues with the product should be communicated with us first before going public so we have a proper chance to help correct the problem. It is the responsibility of International customers to pay all duties and fees associated with clearing customs regardless of the shipping services used.

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