Does any one know if a 88 mustang headlight will fit in my 88 tbird?
Or if there is a good place to buy the headlights?
Thanks,
Justin
The only headlights that will fit an '87-'88 Bird are from...?
You guessed it! Another '87-'88 Tbird.
No other lights will work w/o mods. None.
Do a search and you'll see some stuff a few folks are doing to try other lights, but there's a lot of work in it, and as far as I know, nothing concrete yet.
If your lights are just yellowed and oxidized, you can wet sand them with progressively finer grit paper, and get them pretty clear again.
New ones are hard to find, very expensive, and usually not worth it, unless the rest of the car is in excellent shape.
Good luck!
Well at least there is a good reason for me to stay with my Four Eyed header panel! I think I have made up my mind for this reason. Now if I can just resolve the conflict of switching back to the Tbird header panel or keep the Cougar one on it.
They are expensive,but new headlights are on Ebay for $220.00. Glad I got my NOS lights for uber-cheap.
Part #'s are as follows for the 87-88 Thunderbird headlamps....
E7SZ-13007-A & E7SZ-13008-A
Go to http://www.newfordparts.com and type in the numbers.....
Current price is $89.66 a piece.
FWIW -- I paid $277 for a Cougar headlamp and adjuster assembly--- for ONE side.....
Get one of those refinishing kits for like $10. Buff em out nice and then clearcoat and wax them. Throw in some silverstar ultras for like $25 a pair on eBay. Get a relay harness, and add some grounds. Upgrade your alternator. You should be looking good by then.
I just got a sick idea...
The reflectors on mine are totally gone. I've relayed and sanded my lights and they still suck. I've been thinking about cracking them open and installing sealed beams inside them. Don't really know what else to do. The car sucks to drive at night.
I picked up a new set of OEMs on ebay a few years ago for $120. They are incredibly bright even with standard bulbs in them when the lenses are clear.
I talked to someone at newfordparts.com and they have nothing for the 87-88 Thunderbirds.
Lol I bought my car right after the guy bought NOS ones off ebay, so i wont have to worry about new lights for a while.... was thinking about buying those LED lights to go into the stock housings, will they look any good?
I would like to find someone out there who would make a one piece clear setup with the parking lamps for both T-Bird Styles and for the Cougars, too. It would be like the ones that are availabel for the Fox Mustangs.
Yea it'd be nice to find some new headlights for these cars....all 3 pieces, not just the lamps themselves.
I always thought it would be kind of cool if I could find someone who could make a custom glass set for 87-88 birds....I'm sure it's possible, but it'd probably be incredibly costly.
Yeah it's too bad we don't have the aftermarket and restoration support for our Birds and Cats like the older Mustangs get. It's seems to have always been that way.
The lights are out there but they will cost you a lot-I replaced all 8 of the lights on the front of my car when I painted it recently. Oh yeah did I mention it cost me about $720 when I finally got them all. All I have to say is get on the phone and start calling a lot of dealers that have been in business for a while. They'll sometimes have old stock of stuff laying around-Thats how I found mine. Things like this are a must with a new paint job.
anyone ever think of building custom housings with lights? I kinda have a good idea of how to do something. I was thinkin about building a front end on my cbr that has a moto gp endurance look with a custom piaa light. it's possible to be done with a bird or cat. dunno if it'd look right though
something like this link here...
http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/rc51-technical-discussion/52368-diy-endurance-upper.html
I figure if a mold is made with blocking some foam for a solid piece for a light, then adapt something like that, that it'd be doable. But like i said, might look funny. Maybe some gto light covers on top of it?
I have mocked up all kinds of variations using the crude MSPaint program on exsiting photos. I have tried quad rectangular lamps, round lamps and just single rectangular lamps using the existing halo lamps that I have. The only ones that looked decent to me using the 87-88 header panel is the single rectagular lamps and the factory style headlamps. I decided to go with just factory style lamps simply because they drop in with no fuss and look the most finished.
mustang owners and their luck with reproduction parts. must be nice for them huh?
More eyes...
HA! Those single round ones make it look like (http://www.dnet.net/user/jkirchman/gifs/eek3.gif)
I kinda like the dual round lights, but i'd have to do the turn signals too
Yeah just been goofin around with all this and there are not many really flattering looks.
What have you done to my car? :eek:
It got Mo-lested! :rollin:
I PMED you about a set of NOS Lights
This forum is great! Just bought a wonderful twighlight blue, leather & loaded, 88 Thunderbird Sport 5.0, southern car, 75,000 miles, from original owner in amazing condition. Car looks, smells, performs, and works like new in most every way.....until I took it out after dark....the headlights are just about useless! Peered inside......yep, the insides are full of moisture and the chrome is shot.....the previous owner put in brand new high intensity bulbs that look bright when you face the car....but put out terrible light at night. I have seen several listings on ebay for NOS headlights for 88 Thunderbirds.....but EVERY one says for the Turbo version, not the more common base/LX/Sport models.
I know the turbo model has many cosmetic differences....but is there truly a difference in the actual headlight assemblly between the turbo/non-turbo headlights for the 87/88 T-Birds? Can't believe ONLY turbo-exclusive front end lenses/assemblies would be available....so are there any differences?
The '87/'88 Thunderbirds all shared the exact same headlights. As long as they're from an '87/'88 Bird, you're good.
Just like Vinnie said, the headlights are the same. It is the inner marker light that is different between the standard bird and the Turbo Coupe.
I searched the parts list at newfordparts.com and they do list left and right headlights for the 88 cougar/thunderbird composite headlamp assembly for about $178 and $169 (left is more $$). Didn't try to place an order, so a phone call may be in order. Their number is 734-996-2300, ext. 2370. Good luck, post if they still have them.
Watchdevil, I like the larger dual round lights, kind of retro-mustang, but think they would look better with some kind of fabricated bezel that would move them up even with the marker lights. That sharp corner lamp just looks a little too extreme.
Not for that kind of money. Holy !!!! I just don't understand why replacements aren't available. Well, yes I do....it's an '87/'88 Fox T-Bird..........nothing is available.
Ha Ha at first I didn't realize this was an old thread, until I saw Watchdevil's post. Then I was like, "wtf? when did he come back--Oh......"
Vinnie , you keep saying this , yet I have had no problem finding anything I was looking for , granted some of it is harder to find than mustang stuff and mostly more expensive , but it hasnt dried up .......yet :)