mrphilipanderson

I am wondering if anyone know of a place I can get this done? I live in San Francisco/Oakland area of California. I think these look GREAT!

So Im asking, for resources, starting points of where to get it done and if its even worth considering as far as cost.

real_mckoy

i would start by searching the forums and connecting with members who actually got them done and start from there. I think its the RDX jewel that is used.

FallenTSX

The only one I've seen are the ones with the MDX Jewel headlights. It's been done, but mostly on the east coast.

-DeL

carbonTSEX

There are a few guys with this mod. Like Fallen said, most use the MDX jewels. I've seen one guy with the RLX dual jewels. I know SD_retrofits can do it. He's located in Las Vegas now. Not sure on price but it ranges between $1200-1800 depending on the person who does it.

Mr Marco

A ton of work for something so trivial. Why bother. Save your money and take a really great vacation instead.

mrphilipanderson

YESSSSSS!!!! The RLX DUAL are the ones I want. i think.
The double (to me) looks more luxurious and would be the perfect accent to the 4g Aggressive Elegance. As far as SD retrofits, is that a username? Or like a shop. I am new to the forum so not savvy to the popular people on here. Maybe a link or tell me where to look?

mrphilipanderson

I signed up for this forum because I am an Acura Enthusiast. I get a thrill of modifying select things about the car. Headlights, is one of them. Trivial to you, significant to me. Im not selling limbs to modify my headlights LOL. Its a high driving a car that looks exactly how you want it to. Its kinda like your date wearing an outfit hand picked from your imagination. Kinda hot, right?

CruzanTLSH-AWD

Check that dude in vegas the one Carbon Recommended.

carbonTSEX

You can find him under that name on Instagram along with his work. He modified my headlights and I would highly recommend him. He was trying to get me to do the RLX jewels as well. If you don't have Instagram you can send him an email at Sd.retrofits@gmail.com or contact him by phone at (619)847-0266. You can let him know I referred you and you should be able to get a good price. He was also offering a discount on the labor a few months ago when doing jewel conversions. I would also recommend having him swap in the clear side diffusers while the headlights are open.

Good luck!

mossman77

WTH are you guys talking about? Can someone post a pic for reference?

I googled it....no me gusta. Makes the car look like a vacuum cleaner. Total waste of money IMO. Buy a couple of these vacuum cleaners for a fraction of the cost and take the light bars out of them...

carbonTSEX

.... Where have you been. A lot of the 2016 model vehicle use the same style LED headlights as Acura.

mossman77

Come to think of it, I remember seeing a few vehicles on the road recently with the jewel headlights . I'm personally not a fan, and don't care for the latest generation of Acura models. They look cheapened. Maybe they'll grow on me, but I doubt it.

Edward'TLS

All new Acura models will come out with this Jewel headlight treatment.

This is the signature Acura headlights. This gives Acura vehicles an identity to differentiate from other vehicle makes, especially Honda.

mrphilipanderson

Okay, so here I have created a few concepts for Custom Headlight Retrofit and Grill.
My car is a 2012 TL SH-AWD. Bella White on Black. Advanced. I would like to know which one you guys like best. I am going for something that will look good even 5 year from now. The one that will age the best. Please chime in with your thoughts.

I know some of you may not like ANY of them, and feel this would be too costly,
But lets entertain the imagination and suspend cost. Which looks best in your opinion?




• RDX GRILL<br/>• 2011 Headlight Frame (Silver)<br/>• RLX Jewel Eye




• RLX GRILL<br/>• 2012 Headlight Frame (Black)<br/>• RLX Jewel Eye




• MDX GRILL<br/>• 2012 Headlight Frame (Black)<br/>• RLX Jewel Eye




• 2012 4GTL FACTORY GRILL<br/>• 2012 Headlight Frame (Black)<br/>• RLX Jewel Eye Lights




• RLX GRILL<br/>• 2011 Headlight Frame (Silver)<br/>• RLX Jewel Eye




• 2012 4GTL FACTORY GRILL<br/>• 2011 Headlight Frame (Silver)<br/>• RLX Jewel Eye Lights

thoiboi

It's your car, not ours..


The better question is which one YOU like best

mrphilipanderson

I like them all. I cant decide.

thoiboi

RLX grill IMO

mrphilipanderson

there are TWO RLX...which one

Mr Marco

Converting your ride from HID to LED "jewel eyes" is kinda like wearing a bow-tie at work. Although people may say, "Oh, you got a bow-tie" with a smile on their face...when you walk away they whisper to your co-workers, "What an idiot, he looks like a clown!"

mrphilipanderson

Unfortunately, I disagree. That may be your perspective, but its certainly not mine. Those "people" you mention, you know the ones who whisper..
those are the true idiots, They dont realize he is confident and happy and doesn't need to put others down to make himself feel better. Keep wearing the bowtie my friend, haters hate. That's what They do.

Mr Marco

Rae Rad

Jewel eyes is straight up EYE-CANDY. I have yet to find a person whom dislikes Acuras Jewels eye design, but I'm sure some of the Acura haters beg to differ...

OP get you some Jewel eyes and put a bowl on your grill for the haters

usdmJON

Lets just say this conversion has been done so often the jewel eye headlights are now a staple in the retofitsource store and I probably wont even go that route anymore. It's a bit over done IMO already. Does look good though.

Rae Rad

Rae Rad

Bow not bowl. Lol

carbonTSEX

Realistically your choices are jewel eyes, stock grill and either 09-11 silver bezel headlights or 12+ black housings. If it was me, I would go with the 12+ Headlights. Doubt you'll be able to make the RDX, RLX or MDX grill fit the TL without some body work. So your option is the factory grill. You could always paint or wrap it though.

mossman77

I actually kind of like them, but sure as hell wouldn't go through all the trouble and expense of retrofitting. I think the standard headlamps with jewel fog lights could look sweet.

thoiboi

OP wants it and is willing to pay for it so just do it Phil.


Then post pics here so we can tell you how they look and you can feel good about it

thoiboi

Do the headlights before the grill mod. You're putting the cart before the horse.

Blaze9

Stock grill + jewel eyes look really nice IMO. The 2012 picture.

raystl

I spotted a black 3G tl with jewel headlighst this morning on the 210e in Azusa this morning. Gotta be someone on here (3g section).
Then ran into this this thread... so did the OP ever do the conversion? Or was it all talk?
I have to admit... it would look nice.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^there's LOTS of conversions happening.
if you check out Instagram, you can see TONS of 3G TL's that have done the Jewel eye conversions.

mrphilipanderson

I finally found a few guys to do the Retrofit/Conversion. One of them seems flaky and came highly recommended by the website "Theretrofitsource.com....no responding to emails after sending me a quick message saying hell get back to me. Another dude i found from searching the ends of the earth came recommended by a company called FlyRide. He seems like the real deal. It sounds like its gonna cost between 2000 and 2500 for the WHOLE job. Which is slightly ridiculous. But I want it. So If al goes well i will keep you guys posted every step of the way. At this time I am saving up to start the process

mrphilipanderson

This is the specs Ive submitted to the potential craftsmen.
I think the end result will be AWESOME; if they can actually pull it off.
I have also researched a few pitfalls of the process. Some guys that have had jewel eye retrofits by various shops have brought forth the following complaints.

1. The Alignment/Aim of the Light beam (The guy I've consulted with says this will not be a problem at all. Says he uses the same angling system acura uses to maintain acuras low profile beams)
2. Condensation in the lenses ( The professionals Ive spoken to assure me this is an issue when the headlights are improperly sealed. I was assured this would not be an issue)
3. Having to cut away parts of the space behind the factory headlights so the retrofitted lights to fit. ( Some guys build their own ballast, some use pre existing ballast. The guy im using says he builds his own ballast and in all of his retrofits there is no need to cut any parts away behind the fitting of the lights because he creates a new fiberglass back)

Without further Adue here is what I submitted to the two final choices.


I ended up Selecting the 2016 RDX Jewel eyes because of the sharp angular features of the lights. They fit the Agressive Look of the 4g TL front grill. In my opinion. Im not a fan of the rounded edges of the MDX and TLX jewel eyes.
This retrofit would use the existing Side light (im not sure what its called) that is on the 2012 TL but just inserting the Jewel eyes from the 2016 RDX.
This version is a full adaptation including the sides of teh housing from the 2016 RDX into the 2012 RDX.
This is a photoshopped sample. with full adaptation/retrofoit
This is retrofit with jewel eye portion only. Side lights Stay factory.
This is my plan
My plan in more detail.

carbonTSEX

Nice plan. I have thought about the conversion as well in the past. I also find the 16+ RDX has the best setup because of the drl led strip and amber signal. I have the 16 RDX as well. I do believe you could get something similar but the amber led turn signal may be overkill since our factory turn signals are located on the bumper. Keep us posted!

raystl

wow, for that price, you just might want to spend an extra couple grand and just do an entire front end conversion. might be easier.
a buddy did a complete front end conversion on his tacoma for two grand... with headlights.

echodigital

Nice mockups!

Djmatajr

It can be done

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

it's been done for years! since the 2014 MDX came out. we know it can be done...
but can it be done like what Phil wants?

phil wants to change the shape of the head light...that is a no go

Rancher2005

Mr Phil.. Love your enthusiasm and your photoshop skill are on point. I'm sure your mock-ups would make a lot of other members happy as well.