When I was trying to pick up a kit for a "surprise" for everyone I did a lot of research and decided to wait based on some stuff I saw on the rings and the fact the company I was trying to use was selling $4 bulbs for $18
Their e-mails left a lot to be desired and I wanted to see some first hand anyway, plus with so much to do I didn't want to pop for the new housings (didn't want to risk the factory housing as the chance for something going wrong on 1 housing was deemed very high, lol).
Keep us posted on how the ring gets handled...I think the way you handled it might be best (cutting the housing etc). The hard wiring would work well for late night parking lots and cruise stops etc
Do you have any night time shots?