Where can i buy a complete set new ? I looked and looked!!!
Thanks
Brian
:burnout:
Can i use a 84-86 nose on 87 cougar fenders ?
Yeah you can use an 83-86 nose on the 87 cougar, think you will need to redrill some holes though. Complete sets for these cars are not in production I believe. I think you can use Lincoln Continental? headlights and i know a guy in Mexico makes the outer and inner lights for the T-birds not sure about the cougar though, sure someone with more knowledge will chime in.
Unless you get really lucky and find a set of NOS (new old stock, such as something found hidden in a dealership's parts inventory, basically long forgotten otherwise new "old" parts) there's no new headlights for our cars. You can polish and wax the lenses though..for now, that's about our best option.
You can also swap on a 4 eye front, but the trim and minor body lines won't match up, but it's been done.
If you do this, don't go onto four eyed pride and brag about it lol, they'll have a conniption, and say some not-too-nice things lol
There are new Lincoln lights on Ebay most of the time that fit these cars. I'll see if I can find a link. Not REAL cheap, but, new.
Here's a brand new pair....There are more, a little cheaper, and as I stated, some lincoln headlights interchange, and can still be found at salvage yards for cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-PAIR-Mercury-Cougar-87-88-Headlight-Lens-OEM-/230899904504?fits=Model:Cougar&hash=item35c2b4eff8&item=230899904504&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
I tinted my old ones and are to dark! Dangerous
I cant believe they dont make headlight kits for this car wtf...
You Cougar guys have it a lot easier than us Thunderbird guys. At least you have certain Lincolns that you can get the lights from. If you're patient, and check ebay or the salvage yards, the Lincoln lights are fairly common, and be found with really nice, clear lights for a cheap price.
Mercury Cougar 1987-88 (all models)
Lincoln Continental 1988-94 (all models)
I've not seen aftermarket replacements although it's possible someone like DEPO has them.
eBay is about the best source I've seen so far.
NOS are getting to be expensive, yes...so are good used ones.
Sorry but that's the way things are now. It's not going to get any better.
Go on ebay, be sure you do separate searches for "continental headlight" and "continental headlamp". DON'T put a year in.
Sort each search price high to low, change the setting at the end of the list to show "200 items per page" and then of course look through the pages until the prices drop out of the 200-400 dollar range. Highest are HID kits etc for the late 90's jellybean Conti 4-doors. You'll be surprised how many salvage listings there are. Some sellers know they exchange with the 87/88 cat, most don't. And again, "light/lamp". No guaranteed "standard naming convention".
Easier way to search on eBay:
In the search field, type in the following: 89 continental headlamp -hid
This gets rid of the BS HID bulb listings and leaves just the headlamps.
The result is here:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=88+continental+headlamp+-hid&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=89+continental+headlamp+-hid&_sacat=0
Substitute 90 for 89 in the search string, etc. until you find what you need.
eBay works tremendously well with Boolean commands.
You should see how I search for parts...I have about 20 different searches saved, each with its own purpose, and each filtering out unnecessary or unwanted items (in my case, I care not about any parts/cars from 1967-79, so those are all listed as -67 -1967, etc. in the search string). Any search can now be saved as its own URL, so you can bookmark it in your browser. I think they started that around 2001 or thereabouts. Made life a lot easier.
Anyway, hope that helps with the headlamp search.
I have no lights on my car now, ps never try and tint your headlights with spray tint...
over 500 for headlights !!!
What happen with the spray tint lol
it dryed up to dark and had cracks in it..
Nooooo, That's for an NOS pair in the boxes., and not $500.00, about $270. Look at what Eric posted. Some around $65 for minty ones. I saw even more when I looked. I'd bet you could get a really nice set for about $150 or so. Probably less if you're patient.
Here are a few NOS ones:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COUGAR-87-88-CONTINENTAL-88-94-head-lamp-assembly-LH-ORIG-FORD-NOS-/390519804892?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5aeccb53dc&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-PAIR-Mercury-Cougar-87-88-Headlight-Lens-OEM-/230899904504?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c2b4eff8&vxp=mtr
Not cheap but available.
I snagged a NOS set on ebay awhile back. I just need NOS outer markers.
That guy in Mexico (I have to find his ebay listing) sells brand new outer lights for the Cougar and the Birds. The ones for the Sport look great. I believe they run about $55 or so shipped for the pair.
I need all 3 on both lh side and rh side!
The guy in Mexico sells new inner and outer lights, but not the head lights.
I'll try to find the ebay name of him.
Thank you vinnie, im so pissed off dude!! I cant even think stright...
Hey, don't sweat it. Most guys here wish lights were the biggest issue they (and I) have faced. Lights are, in the end, easy enough.
Also remember this, just because somebody on Ebay is asking a certain price, most will deal with you fairly and come down on price, especially if you're buying more than one item, then, you can get a little cheaper price, and combine shipping prices.
He has the inner lights new....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-88-Cougar-OEM-LAMP-Turn-PARK-E7WY-13200-B-RH-Light-/130749219717?hash=item1e7142c385&item=130749219717&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
more...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-88-COUGAR-R-CORNER-PARK-LIGHT-/230750566556?hash=item35b9ce389c&item=230750566556&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
A cheap one....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-88-COUGAR-OEM-LH-PARKING-LIGHT-LENS-/160941431154?hash=item2578db5972&item=160941431154&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Make him an offer for all of them....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-88-COUGAR-OEM-LH-PARKING-LIGHT-LENS-/160941431154?hash=item2578db5972&item=160941431154&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
He has corner lights...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-88-MERCURY-COUGAR-LH-CORNER-SIGNAL-LIGHT-LAMP-USED-OEM-RECYCLED-Socal-Parts-/290754507480?hash=item43b251b2d8&item=290754507480&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Nice inner lights...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-88-FORD-COUGAR-RIGHT-CORNER-TURN-SIGNAL-LIGHT-LAMP-OEM-USED-3-/261121995169?hash=item3ccc1571a1&item=261121995169&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
He has the lights...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-88-COUGAR-R-CORNER-PARK-LIGHT-/160428247058?hash=item255a44c812&item=160428247058&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Cheap, free shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/87-88-COUGAR-R-CORNER-PARK-LIGHT-/250938608829?hash=item3a6d1b4cbd&item=250938608829&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
HERE HE IS !!!!!! Less than $40 shipped, and he also sells the outer lights as well for a bit more. These are re-pops, but nice looking parts, and for the price, you can't beat it.
I will say, these are not Ford parts. They are aftermarket lights. Now, shipping takes a while. He said 30 days, took less time for me. When I got them, the outer lights looked awesome (I still have them packed away), and the inner lights were really nice. Especially for what I paid since I can't find affordable new lights for my car anywhere else.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-1988-Mercury-Cougar-Inner-Turn-Signal-Lights-New-Reproductions-55F-/370621972931?hash=item564aca81c3&item=370621972931&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Good finds
yea thanks, sad that nobody makes lights for these cars...
Well, in Mexico, somebody DOES make two thirds of the front lights...............
It crazy i have to make like 3 different orders for lights on this car, on the 87-93 mustangs you can buy a kit for less then $150 shipped...
*sigh*
If you're only making 3 orders to get what you need with these cars, you're doing good. Mustang guys have everything at their fingertips. Easy access to everything. That's good for them, but, if you want to have a Fox Bird or Cougar, then you have top work a little harder at it, but, you also end up with something you don't see ALL the time. Also, be happy you have a Cougar. Try finding Super nice T-Bird head lights for $65.00 (Nice ones, not polished ones that will fade again in a month or two). Just look around, order them up, and be done. As I stated before, check the local salvage yards. Lincolns are everywhere, and I showed you many places to get the rest.
Half the fun with these is the hunt for parts. Well, fun may be the wrong word,.....it's just the way it is. Part of the game.
I think im going to buy another complete Cougar! Anybody need parts ?
So the solution to buying new headlights for your car is to buy another car?
Even though we provided good links and sources?
Alrighty then...
No kidding. Didn't know about the "-" command. Will keep that one on the back burner. I was aggravated recently to learn that they stopped accepting the wildcard * command. That was always great for these cars, albeit with a little extra. I would search 198* cougar and that was always nice. At least there are only six model years, not a terrible hassle really.
I've never tried to bookmark a search before. As in, the results page and that will perform a new search each time it is recalled?
Yes. Make your initial search, and if the results page is good for you, then save it as a bookmark in your browser.
You can return to that bookmark infinitely.
And if you need to modify the search, just resave it as a bookmark and chuck the old one.
I do the same thing. I have many ebay bookmarks. Gotta be quick to grab the parts you need. LOL.
Lol ^
Like always the people on this forum come thru with some great info and options for anyone that needs it. Maybe you should get a Mustang since you want Cougar parts for Mustang prices.
I have one already! : )
Fixed! Thank God...
The guy i bought the car from had a complete set in really nice shape he gave them to me >...
I emailed him several months ago, never heard anything back.
I still didnt see the 88 outer marker lights. It could just be me though.
I have an '88 TC which still has the original plastic headlight lenses. Awhile back I polished mine up, and then clearcoated them. They are still looking good over a year later, and actually won't haze up again until the clear starts to wear away in 5-10 years. It's a cheap and easy fix for anyone with plastic headlamp lenses. No need to buy expensive NOS or quality re-pop pieces!
That's the right way to do it. Keep the lights sealed and your reflectors will hold up very good, and just sand/buff/clearcoat (with UV resistance built in) to keep the lenses clear. People never clear afterward, and the spray/compounds in a bottle don't really work unless you apply them every couple weeks (with every week to 2 week car wash).
That's actually not a bad price for NOS parts. I paid at least that much, maybe more, from the Ford dealer 10+ years ago.
I don't see them either. I contacted this same guy (micas_y_mas) about a year ago looking for them, but nothing came of it. Seems like quite a few guys are looking for those outer lenses, so you would think it would be worth his while to get some in stock or make some or whatever it is he actually does.
on a slightly related note, I've found that most of the time the same "naming convention" logic applies to birds and bird parts as well as some people list Thunderbird as Tbird or T-Bird
Great info on this thread, thanks to everyone.
Vinnie:
I sent this guy an e-mail as I'm looking for the passenger side corner light. Do you know if he makes these?
Thanks: Charlie
I'm curious when people polish are they doing the inside or just the outside? If you clean or polish the inside, what are you using to get inside to do this without taking the lens apart?
What yellows the headlamps is the deterioration of the clearcoat from the factory on the outside of the light. Just buffing them makes them look better for a while, but to get the best results sand off the factory clear, polish the light, and reapply clearcloat. Most of the time the inside does not need cleaned or polished, unless they have had the bulb removed and been in the elements for a long period of time, even then just a good shake with soap and water does wonders on the inside. At the shop we use a 3" dual action sander and start with 400 grit and work up to 1500 grit, buff the lens with compound, and polish with plastic cleaner (all 3M products), some customers choose to add the clearcoat, most don't.
Just the outside. Very few people realize that they need to clearcoat the lights afterward though. Otherwise they are wasting their time. I usually just wash out the insides of the light lense with soapy water. Just be careful doing it though, and don't spray out the inside with high pressure water. There is a thin clear coating on the inside of the lense that keeps it from stress cracking during the extreme temperature changes of the summer. I've accidentally removed this coating on the inside of the lense before doing this, and it only took a few weeks of summer heat to stress crack the lenses to hell. If you wash it back out gingerly under a sink faucet, they are usually fine.
What are you guys clear coating them with?
We use dupont 74500S at the shop, but any automotive clearcoat should do. There are some aerosol clears out there, but not sure how long those will hold up.