For the last several years, I've been on the lookout for new headlight housings. I've tried the restoration kits but the problem is that mine are oxidized on the inside, and the reflective coating has worn off as well. Any ideas where I could order new ones?
For the 87-88 T-birds good luck. A company used to make replacement ones and you could get a set on Ebay for around $85. That stopped a few years ago. Best bet is a good used set and keep the ones you have, restore them, and have them for later. The 87-88 Cougar lamps were the same on 89-94 Lincoln Continentals and a Ford parts search shows them still available through the Ford parts network if you look up under Continental. $219 a piece WITHOUT the adjuster. $333 WITH.
Good used set of T-bird lights here....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-1988-87-88-Ford-Thunderbird-Turbo-Coupe-Headlights-PAIR-OEM-2-3L-T-Bird-LX/181560409365?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D25805%26meid%3Dd828408c2a7a49eab24ac6891708ddb4%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D10778%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D181560409603#viTabs_0
I've dealt with Ron (the seller of those particular lights) and he's very easy to deal with. He's also a member on here.
I though someone had a thread on here on how to restore them including the inside of them. Its not easy but if I remember correctly very much something a person can do with a little time and lots of patience.
Darren
The person you're thinking of - pretty certain those were NOS. I don't think anyone has ever made repros of the lights.
I don't think they can be found new anymore. Used is your only option. You could check around for places that could vacuum-chrome the reflectors for you. Then just sand the outside of the lens, clearcoat it with automotive-grade material, and be happy.
I have a pair that I purchased new some years back from eBay, then ran for less than a year before making new lights. If I ever get around to making a different new set of headlights from scratch, I would be willing to sell them off (preferably to a non-daily driver). They are mint, but I no longer have the original boxes. They are stored in other makeshift boxes now, up on some shelves, alongside all my other spare Tbird parts.
I won't be happy until I have quad 4000-lumen LED projectors up front with a drop-in emitter module, allowing easy upgrades as technology progresses. I've cleaned up my garage enough that I think this could be a real possible project this winter. As long as I have a table for a headerpanel, and my cnc router ready with dust shoe, mockups should be easy!
Your best bet is to find a set in DECENT shape and take your time cleaning them up. Good results can be had with a little time an work. When I picked up my 87 a few years ago it had new lights. The guy I bought it from said he paid $165 for each light. I have taken them out and waiting to paint my car( saveing them for that time). Wish I had asked where he got them.
I have a set of NOS lights on the shelf. I have thought about installing them, but just don't have the heart to. Once upon a time I knew another set would show up in a couple of months on Ebay or something. Those days are gone.
If I recall there are still some sites out there with NOS headlights but they are charging an arm and a leg
What I did was find a set with the reflective stuff in great shape, sand and buff the outside, put a protective coating and they look like new headlights
I don't know if it's accurate or not...the PN sure seemed correct...but I've bought a couple of Cougar/Continental HL's on eBay, and both were a relatively new cardboard box. The label font and design were newer Ford styles, and it said 'Copyright 2004'. On both. So, I'm feeling like those, anyway, were made up until '04. Which would be 10 years after the last year of the 1988-1994 generation Continental 4dr sedan. Sounds...plausible anyway? If true it would mean that there are plenty of NOS Ford HL's out there.
Not for the Birds. It sucks.
ideas from old threads>> all in my diy link below in my signature
headlamp rework and remirror the insides, clear coat the outter lense--jcassity
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?34549-Re-mirror-headlamp-interior&highlight=
headlamp rework and remirror the insides, clear coat the outter lense-- jcassity
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?35224-After-my-headlamp-modification&highlight=
Headlamp HID stuff > thanks THEFOEYOUKNOW
http://www.jcwhitney.com/headlight-conversion-kit/c2824j1s17.jcwx
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/complete-retrofit-kits/bi-xenon-morimoto-mini-stage-3-kit-h1.html#.VEG9LstATrc
HID mod> Thanks TbirdX3
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?33121-%28New-Goodies%29Need-Your-Opinion-on-Headlight-Color!%28Lots-of-Pics%29&highlight=
The lights on my car now are pretty sweet. I'd sell them to you for $155 shipped. Very nice shape. I'm installing my new ones.