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2008 XC90 3.2
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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hello all,

Doing another HID retrofit using the Morimoto D2S HID kit. It's a Bi-xenon with low and high beam (shutter). Here is a little teaser pic in progress as we wait for the JB weld to cure holding the projector lens surround. I will be posting some tips, tricks, and a few more pics in doing this later. But first to finishing up the job and getting things aligned. I hope it helps those of you who want an HID upgrade for your halogen style headlamps. I honestly did mine over 2 years ago for safety.

Though not a factory light, this gives factory or better HID light output, uses factory-style D2S bulbs (can purchase Philips or Osram), individual replacement parts are easily accessible for purchase if need be at a later date (from multiple vendors), and it works with the vehicle's CANbus (no lamp error). These also have a very good light cutoff, minimizing blinding to oncoming traffic.




Edit: referencing this hid thread as well
 

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2008 XC90 3.2
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Discussion Starter · #2 ·
Got it all done, installed, and aligned. Looks better in person. More info later this week. Not sure if this HID retrofit is of interest to some of you, but let me know if this type of information is something you would like. Thanks.

 

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98 S70 Base, 08 C70 M66, 11 XC90 V8, 13 C70 P*
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Most definitely interested - thanks for posting! Looking forward to the updates.

BD
 

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Got it all done, installed, and aligned. Looks better in person. More info later this week. Not sure if this HID retrofit is of interest to some of you, but let me know if this type of information is something you would like. Thanks.
Definitely. Nice work man. Looks like you did low beams only?

I've baked a few headlights in the past, but read something here about Volvo using a different kind of adhesive to hold the lens to the housing that makes them much more difficult to separate... was that the case with yours? I'd really like to put a set of projectors in our P3 XC70 instead of spending an exorbitant amount on the OE bi-xenon units, but that uncertainty is holding me back LOL.
 

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2008 XC90 3.2
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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Definitely. Nice work man. Looks like you did low beams only?

I've baked a few headlights in the past, but read something here about Volvo using a different kind of adhesive to hold the lens to the housing that makes them much more difficult to separate... was that the case with yours? I'd really like to put a set of projectors in our P3 XC70 instead of spending an exorbitant amount on the OE bi-xenon units, but that uncertainty is holding me back LOL.
It takes time to organize and sort a "guide" as a forum post, so give me a few days.

Only the low beams need to be done because the HID kit comes Bi-Xenon. It has a shutter that cuts off the upper beam (for low beam), then the shutter opens for the high beam. Exact same factory method as many many newer vehicles. In this set-up, the stock high beam wiring gets connected to a Y-splitter and now both the original high beam and the HID high beam will light the way. Very effective using them on bad drivers at night. ;)

Yeah, I tried to separate the housing with the original assemblies but did not have luck. What I noticed after trying to bake assemblies with different ages, the older the housing, the more difficult it will be to get the rubber seal separated. I will outline this in my post.
 

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Hello all,

Doing another HID retrofit using the Morimoto D2S HID kit. It's a Bi-xenon with low and high beam (shutter). Here is a little teaser pic in progress as we wait for the JB weld to cure holding the projector lens surround. I will be posting some tips, tricks, and a few more pics in doing this later. But first to finishing up the job and getting things aligned. I hope it helps those of you who want an HID upgrade for your halogen style headlamps. I honestly did mine over 2 years ago for safety.

Though not a factory light, this gives factory or better HID light output, uses factory-style D2S bulbs (can purchase Philips or Osram), individual replacement parts are easily accessible for purchase if need be at a later date (from multiple vendors), and it works with the vehicle's CANbus (no lamp error). These also have a very good light cutoff, minimizing blinding to oncoming traffic.

How are these two years later?
 

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2008 XC90 3.2
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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
They are going perfectly well. The pics here are on a different XC90 than the one I did on my own and mine are doing well at almost 3.5 yrs. Even got my vehicle state inspected after moving to a different state and not one peep about the headlights as they look and perform like a factory headlight.
 

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They are going perfectly well. The pics here are on a different XC90 than the one I did on my own and mine are doing well at almost 3.5 yrs. Even got my vehicle state inspected after moving to a different state and not one peep about the headlights as they look and perform like a factory headlight.
HI! I'm interested in adding projector&HID to halogen. However, I perfer the silver backing on the oem xenon/ABL instead of the black one from the halogen. So, should I paint the backing of halogen unit or should I use factory xenon housing? Does factory xenon housing require the same wiring mods as the retrofiting ABL or is it plug and play?
 

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
My pic earlier in this thread is a painted halogen lens surround. The piece disassembles and you can unclip the orange corner reflectors & plastic-chrome round bezels. I did a very light scuff with 1500 grit I had lying around, then plastic primer, then the silver paint. The paint today looks the same as when I assembled it.
 

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Discussion Starter · #11 · (Edited)
I posted the information quoted below in another thread and not wanting to type it again, I quoted it. I currently run Osram CBI bulbs and I should have included them in the original Morimoto kit when selecting the options. I installed a newer kit from mine (2 yrs newer) on someone else's XC90 and Morimoto improved the lens, the cut-off, and the locking ring.

A few more pointers:
Prep
-Obviously, start with new aftermarket assemblies. It makes removing the lens much much easier. IIRC, TYC has better wiring.
-Buy the HID lens locking tool. It helps tighten the HID lens well.
-Watch youtube videos and watch again on retrofitting.
-Ensure you program out the daytime running light using VIDA.
-Double check the new assemblies that you don't have any broken tabs for the internal frame. These tabs pivot for the headlight alignment. I've had to send one back for this reason.

Retrofitting the headlight assembly
-My first set I was afraid of the temp and I set it too low. Then realized I needed to turn the heat up more. The assemblies cool down pretty quick so you will need to heat it up again and again as needed.
-It's easier to cut the back reflector tabs with a dremel cutting disc.
-I cut the hole (with a hole saw) to feed the new wiring on the inner middle part of the back of the housing (between low and high) and used one of the round grommets from retrofitsource.com. If you put the hole on any of the rear round covers, the wiring gets in the way of the headlight assembly sitting flush.
-When you use a belt sander (I had a handheld one flipped upside down) to level the back of the headlight reflector, put a slight upward angle to it. This will help accommodate the alignment for the weight of the HID lens weighing the reflector down. You can use a credit card or playing card to check the angle and flushness of the back of the reflector. Check both the X and Y axis, or up/down and left/right.
-Don't forget to drill a small hole for the high beam shutter wiring

Mounting
-Use 15lb velcro from Home Depot to mount the ballast on a clean panel. It sticks really well.


I bought their Morimoto Mini D2S Stage III kit with 4500k bulbs and Canbus H11 wire harness. I chose the D2S because there are more good OEM D2S bulb selections if I choose to change it, but this projector does require you to bore the hole larger with a dremel (I used a small cylinder like sandpaper and stone attachments). The Morimoto H1 Stage III might not require boring the hole larger. Both kits do require to grind down tabs that stick out at the back of the reflector. Sounds more difficult than it is, which it isn't. It took me all of 3 minutes to clip some of the plastic tabs and grind down flat level.

*Remember to aim new aftermarket headlights to the factory settings on a wall or garage door when they first arrive, then test fit the aim of the HID projectors before doing the final lens seal.

Some other things you might want to get is the highbeam Y splitter (H7>H7/9006) so the highbeam will trigger the HID cover to open (cost me $5 for both sides). Also, some of the Retrorubber butyl glue that is an option on the kit. It helps to use this to reseal the lens. Easy stuff to work with and you don't need a thick run; I stretched it out just a little as I applied it. I also painted the inside black plastic surround to silver so it looks like factory. I did light sanding with very fine grit and bought a plastic primer and a silver top coat, both spraypaints from Home Depot or Lowes. Painting is the most time consuming because of drying time. I used velcro to hold the ballasts (15lb rating is way more than adequate, from Home Depot). You can also watch retrofitsource's youtube videos which also helps to understand the process. Take your time to do the retrofit because excitement could cause you to speed up and make mistakes.

If I were to do it again for the XC90, I would have chosen the 5500k bulbs. I wanted a stock look so I chose the 4500k, but now see that newer factory HIDs on cars project closer to 5500k in color temp. probably because the new daytime running lights are bright white LEDs. Mine still project white on the road, just not as white as I see on other new cars. I might also buy a set of the 9006 extension cords so it gives me a little more length to work with the connections to the ballast.

Lastly, I think retrofitsource runs a continuous discount. Try TRS10 or TRSTEN codes for 10% off. I see it on Facebook ads and their instagram.

disclaimer: I do NOT work for retrofitsource or have any affiliation with them. Just very very happy that I finally took the plunge to having focused bright headlights. The improved safety aspect cannot be stressed enough on this retrofit. Hope this helps.

P.S. I compared the Morimoto ballast to another ballast that a family member had from a different (cheaper) online HID store. The Morimoto one was both larger and thicker. The other ballast from the cheaper store did burn out after 6 months.
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 · (Edited)
Thought this would be a good update as there’s a recent thread about turning off daytime running lights (DRLs). This is a must for an HID retrofit because DRLs in the low beam use a low voltage and can damage HID, as well as, aftermarket LED hardware. Later XC90s with factory LED DRLs in the fogs can keep their DRLs on.

 
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