I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Topic: I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install) (Read 5862 times) previous topic - next topic

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

October 07, 2007, 11:13:05 PM

I got a last minute call from my buddy to go hiking in N. GA last weekend, so I decided to take the T-bird. It would involve driving at night so I also decided to slap in my new headlights that had been awaiting installation for almost a year.

R&R is pretty straightforward.

Remove headlight bulb and place it safely out of the way.
Remove 4 nuts holding intermediate headlight bracket to chassis
Remove 2 nuts holding inner light (This is needed to get clearance to remove headlight assembly)
Remove headlight assembly from car
Rotate 3 headlight adjustment pieces 90 degrees to release headlight from intermediate bracket (I used a set of adjustable pliers and needle nose vise-grips)
Install new headlight onto intermediate bracket
Installation is reverse of removal

My old headlights were quite yellowed, as you can see in the pictures. The difference between the old/new set is beyond amazing. High beams with the old pieces were noticeably less bright than std. beams with the new ones. On the way over to Atlanta, I put the high beams on and a lil' pee came out from the excitement.

Intermediate bracket.
The three adjuster pieces go into the back of the headlight. There are 4 studs on the opposite side that interface with the chassis.

This is what happens when you mess with 20 year old plastic. I need new adjusters.
Two of the studs can also be seen.

Don't think it is supposed to look like that.
The three slots are for the adjuster pieces.

Are the adjusters long or short?

E7SZ-13032-D HEADLIGHT ADJUSTER SHORT
E7SZ-13032-C HEADLIGHT ADJUSTER LONG

Anybody know where I can get NOS outers?

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #1 – October 07, 2007, 11:56:10 PM

you need 1 short and 2 long per side if memory serves me

you can also use help brand #'s
42151 headlight adjuster long

42152 headlight adjuster short

nos right outer on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Thunderbird-Cougar-OE-Parking-Light-Lamp-Right-1987_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33710QQihZ001QQitemZ110170153211QQtcZphoto

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #2 – October 08, 2007, 10:46:18 AM

Looks good! Where did you get the new headlights from?

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #3 – October 08, 2007, 12:46:04 PM

Looks good. I like the wheels too :D

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #4 – October 08, 2007, 01:24:23 PM

Quote

I put the high beams on and a lil' pee came out from the excitement.

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #5 – October 08, 2007, 02:29:44 PM

I just did this a few weeks back before the Fun Ford Weekend. I replaced every light in the front except the elusive drivers-side corner light (5 new pieces). I noticed the requirement to loosten the inner light to get the headlight out.

One thing I discovered after ruining the adjuster plastic (as you show there) the first time I did this (after polishing the old head-lights) is that you can use a single-edge razor to cut the lock-ramps off of the old headlight. These "ramps" only let you assemble the headlight, but they are not designed to be reversed and efforts to lift the tab before attempting the 90 deg. rotation will usually only result in a broken locking tab. If you slice the lock-ramps off, you can carefully un-key the locks by rotating -90 degrees. No guarantee you can save the old locks anyway, but I was able to reuse mine.

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #6 – October 09, 2007, 11:09:13 AM

Quote from: JeremyB;181431

I put the high beams on and a lil' pee came out from the excitement.

That made me laugh so hard that I had to pick my self up off the floor.

Those light sure do make a BIG difference. you need to clean the inners and outers. Get some fine steel wool use that and then go over them with some tire wet.

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #7 – October 09, 2007, 11:33:52 AM

Quote from: 88BlueBird;181478

Looks good! Where did you get the new headlights from?

Headlight Warehouse

Quote from: ipsd;181654

Those light sure do make a BIG difference. you need to clean the inners and outers. Get some fine steel wool use that and then go over them with some tire wet.

How long does the shine last? 5-10 years? I'd like a solution that is set it, and forget it.

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #8 – October 09, 2007, 12:58:04 PM

looks really good. i got lucky in the fact that the previous owner of my car already replaced them for me.:hick:

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #9 – October 09, 2007, 05:38:03 PM

I think you got jipped alittle on those, you can get a pair on ebay for about $130

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #10 – October 09, 2007, 06:11:42 PM

Quote from: 88turbo;181689

I think you got jipped alittle on those, you can get a pair on ebay for about $130

I'll pay an extra $20 to keep from using Ebay.

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #11 – October 09, 2007, 08:14:43 PM

Quote from: JeremyB;181697

I'll pay an extra $20 to keep from using Ebay.

I wouldn't buy from ebay either. AFAIK you can still get them from Ford for 45-55 bucks each.

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #12 – October 09, 2007, 08:54:25 PM

Quote from: mjbtbrd;181710

I wouldn't buy from ebay either. AFAIK you can still get them from Ford for 45-55 bucks each.

Lenses, yes. Complete assemblies, no.

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #13 – October 09, 2007, 09:18:40 PM

Quote from: JeremyB;181656

How long does the shine last? 5-10 years? I'd like a solution that is set it, and forget it.

Actually IF you wax them every few months they should maintain the crystal appearance... The key is don't let them get hazy in the first place...

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone... (Headlight Install)

Reply #14 – October 10, 2007, 12:25:48 PM

The headlight adjusters have been discontinued from Ford. I bought 2 short, and 2 long from fastpartsnetwork.com (That is all they could find in the dealer database).

Also, randomly, the non-ATC blower motor is also unavailable from Ford.