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Topic: Custom Built Headlight Cluster (Read 3015 times) previous topic - next topic

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Has anyone built a set of custom headamps?  87 XR7 is what they will be for.

I have been just disgusted lately with the inside of my lights.  They are down to a flat matte grey instead of

I've looked into getting them re-coated in a mirror finish "stuff" but they place wants like 50-60 for EACH light.  thats $300 bones and is a bit much for my pocket book considering the lenses are still going to be less than crystal clear even after being refinished.

My thought was to fabricate my own series of headlamps using the current housing as a frame so the attachment points will be reusable.  As long as the light bulb position is in the same place...they should line up good.

i guess i'm just wondering if anyone has tried something like this.  I have a few spare parts laying around I could try it on and I'm going to take some pics and photoshop what I mean to see how they would look.

Also, i'm considering abandoning the lenses all together and using ONLY the black out lens covers.

ANYONE BUILT THEIR OWN?  or have feed back on my thoughts/plans.  Suggestions?  Ideas?

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #1 –
Look up Cougars 2 Go's car...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #2 –
i checked out all his threads and posts but didnt find much for pictures.  I will have to shoot him a PM i suppose.

Thanks for the suggestion

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #3 –
no dice...hes not taking PMs and i never found any threads or pics about his ride or lights

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #4 –
He was making lights only for his car,  there weren't a lot of pictures just photo-shopped ideas. If I remember correctly, the lights he has now, he liked but they weren't the greatest, but hell, none of us can see at night with the headlights we have.

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #5 –
I believe you'll find a pic of his car's custom lights in his signature. Think "BMW".
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #6 –
Here's a few from COOL CATS



Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #7 –
I had a thread a couple years ago about custom headlights, but all of the pic links are now dead.

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=6889

I might be able to find some of the originals on my hard drive at home.  I had some ideas but never pursued it much past the concept stage.  The most promising lead at the time was to gut Lincoln LS lights and most likely vacuum form a new lens to fit the shape of the car.
Foxless :(
 

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #8 –
Quote from: thesoldan;325893
I had a thread a couple years ago about custom headlights, but all of the pic links are now dead.

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=6889

I might be able to find some of the originals on my hard drive at home.  I had some ideas but never pursued it much past the concept stage.  The most promising lead at the time was to gut Lincoln LS lights and most likely vacuum form a new lens to fit the shape of the car.


thanks...it would be GREAT if you could rustle up the pics.  i'd love ot see them.

I will be doing some photoshop work to visualize myself shortly.

I checked on a place to re-do all six light housings with the vacuum chrome application, (The side markers would be $30.00 each, the signal pieces would be $35.00 and the main head lamps $45.00 each so each 3 piece set would be $110.00.) and that seemed a bit high..but its better than not being safe at night.  10+ years for $220 might  be worth it since I'd really like to completely ditch the stock lenses and just use the GTS lens covers fitted into place.

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #9 –
Quote from: c_bass16
I'd really like to completely ditch the stock lenses and just use the GTS lens covers fitted into place.

I don't see how that would work, at least not very well.  The stock lenses have a pattern built into them that shapes the light pattern as it shines from the headlights.  If you remove the lens and replace it with a GTS cover which has no light shaping pattern, wouldn't it just allow the light to scatter sooner and, thus, reduce its effectiveness?
-Jim
1987 Cougar LS 5.0

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #10 –
Dayuumm! I REALLLLLLY want cougars2go's headlights.However,they look like alot of work...too  much for me anyway
im gonna have to settle for driving at night with my highbeams on.:D

i've thought about just blacking out the lights and just leaving the main ones clear..thats probably the route i'll take
331 stroker,rebuilt AOD,8.8 rear w/3.73 gears,dual exhaust..wallmart $20 flat back paint job :D

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #11 –
Quote from: jpc647;325882
He was making lights only for his car,  there weren't a lot of pictures just photo-shopped ideas. If I remember correctly, the lights he has now, he liked but they weren't the greatest, but hell, none of us can see at night with the headlights we have.


Actually, they are bright.  I just have to adapt the wiring from the two-light version to the four-light version so the low beams are bright enough.  The high beams are bright but the wiring is messing up the low beam brightness.

I haven't updated my cardomain but here are more pictures:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/383878
"lol.. because not too many people care for that style of car"
[size=-2]Click on paw print \/[/size]

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #12 –
Quote from: c_bass16;325917
thanks...it would be GREAT if you could rustle up the pics.  i'd love ot see them.

I will be doing some photoshop work to visualize myself shortly.


Here's what I could dig up.  It's not everything, but it's a decent amount.  Some concepts look a little sillier than others.

Ford Escape Lights, Fiberglass b/w lights and grill
X

Jeep Cherokee Lights with Mustang GT500 Style grill (lacked turn signals - needed to be custom added)
X

Lincoln LS Lights (grill was photoshopped wider, but the lights are actually larger than shown)
X
Foxless :(

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #13 –
Here's the actual LS lights against the Cougar.  I think it looks pretty good from the front.  But the second and third pics show that the angle of the lens just would not work with the car.  The internals of the light would need to be used in a custom formed enclosure.  If you want to pursue this further PM me b/c I think I still have the LS light.

X

X

X
Foxless :(

Custom Built Headlight Cluster

Reply #14 –
Good lord man, After is a beautiful car!:bowdown:


Those LS lights look promising. I would like to see what may come of that. Are those seperate H/L beam lights in them?
--SteveN 👍
[thread=28690]1988 Cougar V6[/thread]
2012 F-150 3.7L