led strip installed, orange reflector gone!

[Native2PS]

inspired by the Q45 retrofit mod by Leo2005, I decided to open up my headlights and remove the orange reflector. While I had them open, I installed an LED strip and wired them to the parking lights. I also installed stealth bulbs for the blinkers, and 6000k xenon bulbs to upgrade the stock xenons. I also disconnected the parking lights (I know its illegal) so when I turn on the parking lights, only the led strip goes on, Audi A4 style. Boy, what a difference without the orange reflector!

[THawks]

I do hope you took pictures for a How To: tutorial. I would absolutely love putting in the LED strip like that. How is the orange reflector attached inside the housing? Also, I'm not exactly the most car savvy, but which lights are the parking lights you are referring to? The orange ones that come on when you turn the light switch one click? If that is the case, do the LEDs at least show more light?

[THawks]

How is the orange reflector attached inside the housing?

Did a search for Leo's thread, found how they are attached so you can ignore that portion...

[insomnia816]

Is it legal to remove the orange reflector housing?

[philipa_240sx]

Is it legal to remove the orange reflector housing?

Any modification to the lighting including removing the reflectors is not legal for road use. Specifically, Transport Canada specifies (Tech. Standards Doc 108):

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsa...0s5.3

1) The vehicle must have amber turn signal lamps on the front. Amber or red can be used for the rear.

2) Reflectors must be provided: When viewed from the side, amber in front, red at the rear. And 2 additional red reflectors when viewed from the rear the vehicle.

In Ontario, Canada at least, each illegal modification carries a minimum $85 fine.

It's important to note that some Canadian provinces (New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia) as well as several US states have annual/biannual vehicle inspections. You will likely fail this inspection with modified headlamps.

Regulations in the USA are very similar. Modifying the lighting or reflectors is illegal for a vehicle that is driven on public roads.

[Native2PS]

Since Leo2005 took many pictures and explained how he did it, I left that part out, but I can give tips to anyone who is interested in doing it. Yes, the parking light is the blinker light that turns on when the parking lights are on. The led strip gives off much more light. Driving without the reflector is illegal, but I have removed the orange reflector on the past 5 cars that I have had, and have been driving without one in SOCAL for the past 15 years, and have never been pulled over or ticketed for it. The hardest part is getting the lights off of the car, the whole project took me 5 hours from start to finish, but well worth it to me!

[rjchoops]

LOOKS AWESOME!

[Ryepow]

Wow that looks great. I love the wheels too. Great job.

[Leo2005]

Nice. Now for real audi a4 style stripe should go off when you make a turn and go back after that. If you can do that then it would complete the project. At least I would connect them to ignition wire so it will be DRL and then you didn't have to disconnect the parking wire.

[Igg]

That's a cool mod!

When you replaced your stock xenon, did you noticed if the stock lighting uses same plugs as the aftermarket HID bulb wirings?

I was thinking about changing mine to a 55w 6k also.

Thanks

[Native2PS]

the 6k bulbs that I bought on ebay fit right in the socket of the stock bulb, very easy to replace

[SenorPayne7]

does anyone have the link to leo's instructions on how to remove the orange reflector i cant find it. thanks!

[harryg]

q45-projectors-on-nissan-rogue-t351086.html

[EddNog]

That looks totally awesome and super clean!

-Ed

[Nick 568]

Hey Native2PS, I was wondering if you had a pic with both the lights off and the LEDs off.

Also, dumb question: I see tons of tutorials for various methods to open up the headlamp assemblies. However, I see no mention of sealing them back up. Is the sealant just good enough to re-use, or do you have to get some some type of new sealant?
I think I'm going to remove the reflector on mine in a few weeks, and my Rogue spends most of its time outdoors, so sealing them back up is a concern.

[Native2PS]

same procedure to seal up, just re-heat for about 10 minutes, I'll post some pics with lights off soon, had trouble logging on since the software migration

[Nick 568]

Oh ok, awesome. Look forward to seeing them!

[Native2PS]

here is a pic with all lights off

[Nick 568]

Oh very nice. Most of the LED strips I've seen were black, so I was curious as to how much they'd stand out when not turned on. But clearly, it's not very noticeable on yours.

[btufail]

native that's awsome. couple dumb questions. what is the stock temp for the HID bulbs on the rogue? with the current hid kit in the rogue would it support 8000k or 10000k ? and where is a good place to get these bulbs? thnks in advance.

[Native2PS]

I think that the stock color is 4500k, and yes, the HID system will support 8000 or 10000k, you can get the bulbs on ebay, but dont buy the cheap bulbs, I paid $60 for mine, there are some that only cost $19.95, and those have been known to blow out after a short time

[btufail]

nice. couple more questions and i'll leave you alone. are the bulbs difficult to install? do i have to remove the whole assembly or just pull the bulbs out from the back like traditional cars? also do they make the fogs in hid?

[harryg]

nice. couple more questions and i'll leave you alone. are the bulbs difficult to install? do i have to remove the whole assembly or just pull the bulbs out from the back like traditional cars? also do they make the fogs in hid?

assuming you have the Xenon HID lights in some of the USA Rogues you just have to remove the bulb itself its plug n play, just like traditional cars, the passenger side isnt hard to install but the driver side you most likely will have to remove the air intake tube to get better access to the bulb

for the fogs you just need the right HID bulbs and ballasts

[btufail]

Thanks for all the help guys. My rogue came with factory Xenon package. I was planning on upgrading the fogs but i think i just might just upgrade the bulbs to 8000k instead. found a website that state they sell high quality bulbs http://www.xenonliquidators.com/HID_Lights_D2S_D2R.html, also another store called http://www.plasmagarage.com/XENON-bulbs.html. may check them out before ebay.

[alisyed]

Can you give me a link to were you bought those Xenon lights? Because I want to get it for my Rogue.. And also the bulbs you installed in your rogue, is it like leveled like the stock or is the lights like all over the place...

[topete.h]

Hey can you send me the page where u baught your led strip please.. and also how did you took the orange reflector out.. i want to do the exact same thing on my altima if you can help me.. thanks..

[jsellberg]

This is all sorts of awesome !

[ThandaPani]

FYI, My friend just got ticketed for stripping off his orange reflector from the headlight. Its illigal in North Carolina, it seems. The rule might be similar in other parts of USA, also. Not sure though...

[Pescakl1]

It is illegal everywhere in NA.
Just the fact people don't get ticketed doesn't mean it is legal.

[Leo2005]

FYI, My friend just got ticketed for stripping off his orange reflector from the headlight. Its illigal in North Carolina, it seems. The rule might be similar in other parts of USA, also. Not sure though...

I bet police didn't pull your friend over for reflector. That was something else either a tinted windows or speeding but this part is just an addition to what he was pulled over for or maybe he got this ticket instead of speeding. I've seen people with 5% limo tint all the windows and never got a ticket for it. At the same time people with 20% tint get a ticket when they get pulled over for speeding etc. If you drive careful most of the time cops will close their eyes on your illigal toys such as reflector.