EXT : Complete JDM Headlight Install

[Tnwagn]

Well, after installing my own headlights I realized there was no one stop thread to get the info. Here's my attempt to bring all the info together so you only have to bookmark one thread. If there's anything you think I've left out, tell me and I'll add it in

jdm headlight FAQ A must read for everyone. It can answer pretty much any question you could have.

First you need some JDM headlights



Preperation for Installation

Alright, next thing you need are the bulbs for the JDM headlight bulbs. They use different bulbs from the USDM headlights.

Low Beams: USDM use 9006, JDM use H4
High Beams: USDM use 9005, JDM use H1

The H4 bulbs fit fine in the socket on the JDM Headlights fine, but the H1 bulbs are too small to fit in the high beam socket by themselves. So you need 2 bulb holders (one for each High beam bulb). This not only holds the bulb in place in the headlight housing, but also converts the connection on the back of the bulb making it similar to an H4 bulb

Bulb Holder Example from AirRide Accord


Next Thing to work on is preparing to wire up the JDM headlights. The bulbs that are used in JDM headlights use a different connector than the USDM bulbs. Now you could be like me and buy the small parts required to make the conversion harness. OR you could be smart and save some money and just by it from Password JDM
http://passwordjdm.com/PasswordJDM-B...s-P1768C0.aspx


No joke, those are better than what I ended up with and they would have cost less money, even with shipping.

If you feel so inclined to do it yourself here are some ways to do it.

You will HAVE to get 4 H4 Sockets to connect to the back of the H4 bulbs and the H1 bulb holders (which have H4 connections on the back, minus the top post which is unsed on the high beams)


From here you can do two things.

1. Splice these connectors into the OEM headlight harness. This is what I did, I'll include the links to the pics but urge everyone to just buy the harness from PassJDM. You'll be much more satisfied

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4166/dsc01862pf9.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4562/dsc01863kt7.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6959/dsc01864xl7.jpg
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/5109/dsc01865ir2.jpg
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4055/dsc01866cm7.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1282/dsc01867xh0.jpg
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9238/dsc01868ur0.jpg
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/605/dsc01869bw6.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/5038/dsc01870bj8.jpg

2. Or buy 9006 and 9005 sockets to create a conversion harness like Password JDM sells. suvlights.com sells these sockets if you really want some.

J-specCb4 says you can also use the headlight connectors from a Lincoln Towncar instead

im not sure if this has been covered and beat to death but the easiest and cheapest way i found to wire jdm headlights was to go to the junkyard find a 88 ish lincoln towncar thats right i said lincoln and cutting off the harnesses and wiring them to the h4's and h1's the reason i noticed was because my fathewr owns one and i saw the harness due to out headlight and they are the same....... jus my 2 cents

As for the corner lights, the JDM headlights use different connections. If you want the corners to come on when the headlights are on, then you can use the connector that served that function in your old corners (the one closer to the front of the vehicle) However, if you want to have the corners act as blinkers, then you have to do a little cutting on the bulb holder. The OEM holders have a larger nipple on the outter edge, which wouldn't fit in the JDM lights. I cut it along the two lines in the picture. After that it fit, that means no wire cutting or splicing for the corners. I've heard that some have been able to fit it without cutting, but incase this is an issue for you I've included it.



Some of you may be lucky enough to have your seller include all of this stuff with the headlights. If that's true for you I despise you

Either way, now you are ready to begin the installation. WOOT

[Tnwagn]

Installation

In order to remove your OEM headlights, you first have to remove the grill and the bumper.

Grill Removal: Unsrew the 4 top screws that are visable. The last screw is lower than the others in the very center. It's in the little notch next to the hood latch (Screws in Red boxes) Next, using a long thin object (a screwdriver works fine) push in the little retaining clips on both sides of grill. These are located in the two little ovals on either side, next to the outter grill screws (In the Green boxes)


Bumper Removal: It doesn't get much better than USC's guide
http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=959&page=1

Just to help out, here are some more pics of the process. All of the bolts are either 10mm or 12mm.

Remove your lower blinker lights. Use a screwdriver (no pic)

Remove the two screws on both sides of the bumper cover in the fenderwell


Remove the first bumper support bolt located on the drivers side next to the windsheild cleaning fluid reservoir


It's possible to move the coolant reservoir and move it's bracket to the side and take out the second bolt with an open ended wrench (ala, usc's guide) However, I suggest removing the battery and battery tray to access the second bumper support retaining bolt (it's just easier for me this way ) Remove everything in a red box to take the tray out.


Picture of the access to the bolt using the method mentioned earlier by moving the coolant reservoir.


All that's left holding the bumper on are 4 bolts (2 per side). They are located behind where the blinkers were in the bumper. You will need an extension for these ones, they're pretty far back.


After removing those, you are ready to take off the bumper. You should now have something like this. You don't have to take off the corner lights though, I did that before I knew they could stay on.


Now you can take out the headlights and their bracket.

There are two bolts on the top of the crossmember. I've already removed them in this picture, but you can tell where they were


There are two more on the bottom and the final is on the side of the bracket


Now you should have this. Be sure to connect the corner light plug now because it will be near impossible to get to once the lights are installed. While you're at it, plug in the low and high beams. Then install the JDM headlights opposite of the OEM headlight removal using the same 5 bolts and mounting points (Install JDM headlights in Red box)


Reinstall everything like you took it apart, then stand back and admire your hard work

Mad JDM indeed

[slick]

This is a good DIY for the people who didn't know how to do that. Good looking out man

[TypeG]

excellent presentation. later.

[Clean-CB7]

beatiful i will be using this soon. now all wee need is a DIY for the fogs

[slick]

beatiful i will be using this soon. now all wee need is a DIY for the fogs

Try the search engine next but here you go.

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=15489

[C91BLX7]

Just blackhouse those beauties and it will be better then secks

[tommi]

great job bro, if i get some 1pcers this will be a very useful tool to have

[Tnwagn]

Just blackhouse those beauties and it will be better then secks

I'm more looking to have the complete clear front end look (I've got clear blinker lights)

But thanks for the love everyone

[sublime]

this is a perfect example of a great write up.

you bet your ass i will be using this.

[F20A CB7]

I'm more looking to have the complete clear front end look (I've got clear blinker lights)

But thanks for the love everyone

u have clears for the wagon??

can u send a pic 2 me VIA pm or can u post it. interesting!

[Ralphie]

http://www.racinglab.com/headbulwirha.html

Another outlet for Upgrading wire harnesses.

Not trying to kill passwordJDM because thats where i got my rims from but sometimes their shipping is wow!

[slammed4thgen]

screw the harness! do it the hard way. strip and splice ftmfw! we just used some wire connectors and put the jdm plugs on the stock wiring, i know its ghetto. good diy man ohh and add one more thing the inside bracket that needs trimmed or cut down for the bumper to fit.if it was in there disregard! slammed

[ap716]

weird that you didnt have to cut a piece of the headlight that hits the bumper support.

[Tnwagn]

screw the harness! do it the hard way. strip and splice ftmfw! we just used some wire connectors and put the jdm plugs on the stock wiring, i know its ghetto. good diy man

I cut and spliced and it's held up fine. This is what people that already have the plugs can do to save a little money. Some people don't want to have to cut into the factory harness, so the harness is a good option. Either way works just fine.

oh and add one more thing the inside bracket that needs trimmed or cut down for the bumper to fit.if it was in there disregard! slammed

weird that you didnt have to cut a piece of the headlight that hits the bumper support.

Yeah, somehow I didn't have to cut on my headlights to get them to fit Don't know what that's all about. Anyway, here is the info from Mike.

EDIT: I realized why I didn't have to cut/modify the headlights. Mine are 9293's not 9091's. So there you go!

when i installed my 9091's, the bumper wouldnt fully sit against the car until i cut part of the mounting bracket off, seen in the pic below. i cut along the red dotted line (dont mind the red circle). i guess i should have used a dremel, but it wasnt outside with me, and i had a pair of wirecutters in my hands from when i did wiring... so i cut the plastic w/ them compare the brackets from the jdm headlights to ur stock ones when they finally arrive, and see if you do in fact need to make the cut. [IMG]http://www.****.com/pics/jdmheads/cut.jpg[/IMG]