Projector fogs... anyone tried to retro fit?

[Souls]

So we all know how much the OEMs suck. I still have my OEM VW projector fogs (in pieces) that I replaced with aftermarket ones... the VR6 is now replaced with my Sport3GT (talk about torque drop, but I won't get into that :bang ). I remember that the beam was actually useful, and not cosmetic. I've not pulled'em out, so I have no idea if this is even feasible (plus I need time to do it - which is limited with children).

So I was wondering if anyone has attempted to replace/rebuild their 3's fogs with projectors? I just quickly hit ebay, but there's only junk on there, nothing useful for fogs.

hmmm maybe if I can get my hands on some broken ones to mess with... anyone have a set of 06 fogs broken they don't want?

one other Q: what's the the diameter of the '06 high beam angel eye ring? If someone could accturately measure before they install their own that would be great! I only want the inners I think...as I've already done the dual eye setup on my former VR...

[Souls]

Yikes.... I was also thinking of what the dude did in Reply#28 did - pics# 2-5. utilizing what looks like a "City light" in the highs and LED-ing the holes on the lows
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=62464.0

now that I've seen it... I don't like it. Thank goodness I found those pics before I put any brain power into attempting it. I found some posts from mazda3forums.com, I guess I didn't search it enuff... some Bro named Sok07 has done something and is laying down some CRAZYASS sick beams from his pics

ahhh found the perfect write up!
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=124082.0

but these guys are doing HID in them... I just want to put H3 yellows in there... HID's for fogs are well (sorry to insult anyone) a waste in the OEM housings

[skunk2]

looking for something like this?
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?24758-Projector-fogs-retro&highlight=projector+fog+retro

[Harbour Rat]

I was also unimpressed with the performance of my ebay "OEM" type fog lights. Even with HIDs installed they didn't light up very far in front of the car. The ditches were well it and the road maybe 10-15 feet in front of the car got a cool electric green-yellow tint but they really weren't much more than cosmetic. When a rock smashed one of them I didn't feel like I'd lost anything useful.

I wanted useful fog lights so I thought about it for a few weeks then bought a pair of bi-xenon projectors from an Infiniti FX45 from an ebay vendor in Quebec. I modified them and sealed them up and mounted them under the bumper behind the lower grill with some 1/4" wire mesh for added protection, so they are protected from rocks. My install is semi-stealthy as it doesn't use the "normal" fog light position in the lower corners of the bumper. For cosmetic reasons this may or may not appeal to some. I was after function so the loss of a little bling didn't bother me.

They work very well, lighting up the road ~75% as far as the low beams. Being projectors, the cut-off is pretty sharp so the beam pattern pretty much stops about a foot above the road surface. They don't do much to light up road/traffic signs or even reflectors on guard rails, but this sort of low, flat beam pattern is what you want for fog lights.

I wired the bi-xenon solenoids into the high beams so the fogs also go high beam. I tried this with the high beam head lights disconnected and even though the projectors are mounted at fog light height they throw light noticeably further than the low beams when I activate them with the flash to pass switch. Combined with HID low and high beams they provide adequate lighting for my needs.

Some day I may bother to figure out how to post pictures on the web as this little project worked out very well and is something I actually wouldn't be embarrassed to share with others. Don't get me wrong, the fit and finish isn't exactly show quality but for something tucked under the bumper behind the grill and a layer of wire mesh they look good enough. Mostly I'm pleased with how well the lights work. It took some time, effort and expense to do the job the results are worth it.

[loosecannon]

Harbour Rat,

I'm interested in seeing your project and the finished product. You can use http://imageshack.us to upload your pictures. It's really easy.

[Souls]

looking for something like this?
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?24758-Projector-fogs-retro&highlight=projector+fog+retro

Hellyah... that's some nice DIY fabrication! :thumbsup that's what I'm talkin' about.... are the 05 sedan's fogs the same size as the 06's Sport's? I guess I'll find out soon enough. If my VW projectors don't fit/wrong size, I'll do Blazer's for sure. But I won't do HID in them... overkill - BUT your beams are exactly what fogs are supposed do. :hawt I've got 2weeks off so I'm gonna fiddle with them

[Thrizzl3]

i debating to do this for my fogs even though they are the GS type. i have to kits to play with so lets see what i can come up with.

[Harbour Rat]

Harbour Rat,

I'm interested in seeing your project and the finished product. You can use http://imageshack.us to upload your pictures. It's really easy.


I've already got a Windows Live account so Windows Live Photo Gallery is probably the simplest way for me to publish photos. Seems easy enough, I had simply never tried to use it before as the need never arose. Now I just need to take some pictures of the car, the lights, action shots, etc. There won't be any really good close-up/detail shots of the projectors themselves as they are behind the lower grill and with my nifty new groin-to-breastbone surgical scar and ileostomy I'm not currently in any condition to take the bumper off. Still, I'll get the best shots I can.

With 3 chemo sessions on deck this coming week my schedule is kind of busy so it will take a few days to make it all happen. I'll link the photos in when I get them online.

[BMWWW]

There's a few measurements, and types of projectors that may fit--not sure how far along you are, but perhaps there's some info pertinent to your project here:

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?36246-GB-feeler-Retrofit-Components-%28Toronto-Only%29&highlight=

[McGuyver_3]

May i suggest that you try and adjust your fog lights upwards a bit. At the bottom of the light there will be an adjuster screw to adjust the hight of the beam. I adjusted mine and the light output has gotten drastically better. BUT please bare in mind that the older cars eg 04 05 and 06 their is a good possibility that your adjuster bolts have seized. If that is the case then there is a good chance that you will break the bolt. I learned that the hard way with my 05. As for the projectors I had a set in my 05 aswell and they were phenominal. i am going to be doing the same with my 10 now that I have the indy fog mod confirmed and working.

[Harbour Rat]

Here is a link a Windows Live photo album with some action shots of my all HID light set-up, including bi-xenon fog/driving lights.

Photo Album (http://cid-2a4193c2bcce2563.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=2A4193C2BCCE2563!130&Bpub=SDX.Photos&Bsrc=GetSharingLink)

The quality of the photos is a bit suspect. My camera is a 2 MP Kodak compact, about 6 years old and it doesn't do especially well in low light, but it is what I have so the photos I took are what we have look at.

In real life the high and low beams use DDM slim 55 watt ballasts. The low beams use DDM 4500K bulbs and the high beams use SuperVision brand 4300K bulbs. The fog/driving lights use el-cheapo ebay 35 watt ballasts and SuperVision 4300K bulbs. The fogs have a noticeably colder/blue tint compared the low beams which are slightly warmer, more visibly white. The high beams also seem slightly colder and blue compared to the lows but the 55 watt ballasts seem to wash them out to to a slightly warmer colour than the fogs with the same brand/temp bulbs.

The first 4 shots were taken from about 15 metres in front of the car. In order they are, 1) lows and fogs, bi-xenon shutters closed 2) lows, highs and fog/driving lights with bi-xenon shutter open, 3) fogs only, bi-xenon shutters closed, 4) Just lows and high beams, no fog/driving lights.

The next three shots were taken about 55 metres from where I stood to take the first four, in front of a sand pile at my local LaFarge concrete plant. In order they are, 5) fogs only, 6) lows and fogs, 7) lows highs and fog/driving lights with shutters open.

The last two shots were taken on Grey Road 19, at the highest point near Castle Glen, facing East toward Collingwood. Anyone who skis at Blue Mountain, Osler etc will probably know the road I mean.

The first of these two is fogs and low beams, the second is all three sets lit up.

In the distant background you can see a little speck just past where the white line at the side of the road disappears. This is a sign indicating the road veers to the left. It is almost exactly one km down the hill from where I took the photos. The difference between low beams and high beams is apparent, though not as much so as in real life where even the painted lines on the road are quite visible at that distance. It may take a little while for the HID high beams to warm up but once they get going they are impressive.

[McGuyver_3]

the light output is pretty awesome to say the least but I am not digging the mounting location of the fogs. I would rather them be in the original position

[Harbour Rat]

I considered mounting them in the original position - I really did like the look of the car with the OEM style fog lights in the bumper. I am sure with the thick glass projector lenses they would stand up to rock strikes better than the thin plastic lenses on the OEM type fog lights. But I didn't want to take any chances with a set of lights which cost as much as these did by the time was done. I didn't keep an exact tally of all the parts and supplies I used but I am sure it ended up over $400. Custom stuff is never cheap and I knew that going in. It was much simpler installing the lights where I did and the way it is now they are pretty much invisible and a few rough edges here or there don't show up. Plus, the honeycomb mesh on the grill seems to cut down on glare so that is an unexpected performance bonus.

[McGuyver_3]

From experience and and able to compare them the stock fogs cause massive glare as they are reflector style fogs and not projectors. But to each their own I respect the work you put in to it. The main thing is you are happy with it and noone can complain as the light output is awesome

[Harbour Rat]

Yeah, the OEM style fog lights did seem to cause some glare with the 3000K HIDs installed. I did like the yellowish-green output though. I may try a set of 3000K D2S bulbs in these projectors and see if the output looks as good. Not sure how it will look when I hit the high beams though - could be kinda weird. Only one way to find out, I suppose.

[Souls]

Bah! I never gotta chance to even log in here, nor fiddle with this idea. Ended up replacing my 1st floor carpets with wood during my time off. I still even trying to get my 3 tinted, but other ish keeps comin' up....

I'm running my fogs as DRL's via IFM, so I thnk I'll have to hit a scrap yard for an extra set to play with