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'87-'93 Headlights, what's good?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LX Dave
  • Start date Start date May 29, 2018
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LX Dave

5 Year Member
Jul 2, 2017
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May 29, 2018
#1
  • May 29, 2018
  • #1
Bought this headlight kit for the Mustang thinking it would be good:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sda-011-fr121-6a/overview/year/1987/make/ford/model/mustang

The first indication I should have returned them was the big "Made in China" sticker on the box. I e-mailed Steeda and asked them if it was really their product and they replied yes, it was. I then replied that I was disappointed they would sell China headlight housings. No reply.

Well, the side markers didn't fit that great (had to remove a lot of flashing to get them to sit correct), then do some shimming on the outer markers.

Now when I try to adjust the headlights, I can't get the beam up to where it's supposed to be. I'm shining for night crawlers. Had everything apart a couple of times and can only figure the housings are no good. Besides having the beam too low, the drivers side beam is projecting to the right out of the housing, not straight. The housings are tilted up so far, the front of the car just looks like crap now. The housings are not even close to being aligned with each other. I even shimmed the inside turn signal housing to try to make it look better.

I have all three adjusters installed and they are almost maxed out to get the light up. I'm done with these and looking for a pair of housings that I can actually aim correctly. Checked with Ford and they said "Obsolete, can't get". What are my options for good quality housings? I would like to stick with the three piece factory look, but would consider a crystal clear lens if they're good.

These are the others I'm looking at, but am not sure of the quality:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ipc-cws-532/overview/year/1987/make/ford/model/mustang

Any help is greatly appreciated
Dave
 
Reactions: Vettn71

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
May 29, 2018
#2
  • May 29, 2018
  • #2
Check our vendor sponsor forums, they give stangnet member discounts. I think all the lights you get are from china.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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May 29, 2018
#3
  • May 29, 2018
  • #3
I have the LRS housings on my car, and I find them to be ok. Disclaimer though...I don't drive in the rain or at night so no idea how they shine at night.


SOME of the lights are available NOS on ebay. The parking lights are somewhat reasonable if looking for OEM stuff that fits well. The actual headlamp assemblies however are harder to find. Over the years I managed to put together an entire set minus one headlight. When I do my total resto one day...i'll install them

Part numbers are listed in this overpriced auction if you want to search for them.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335821607&icep_item=112988282068


But, example of individual light you can find
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335821607&icep_item=273243374027
 
Last edited: May 29, 2018

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
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May 29, 2018
#4
  • May 29, 2018
  • #4
nothing fits or looks like OEM. try and find a set of originals off Ebaym CL, or Facebook from guys parting them out
 

95BlueStallion

My assy trans to myself
15 Year Member
Feb 22, 2007
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa
May 29, 2018
#5
  • May 29, 2018
  • #5
One of our members does full head light, tail light, marker light restorations.

@95steedamustang
 

87 black gt

Member
Jan 24, 2016
70
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May 29, 2018
#6
  • May 29, 2018
  • #6
Oem, I the only way to go, so you know they will fit
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,248
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May 29, 2018
#7
  • May 29, 2018
  • #7
Doesbyour headlight have this sticker on top? If so, good chance they are all made by same vendor

 

95steedamustang

I tend to be on the ocd side…
SN Certified Technician
Apr 22, 2009
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May 29, 2018
#8
  • May 29, 2018
  • #8
95BlueStallion said:
One of our members does full head light, tail light, marker light restorations.

@95steedamustang
Click to expand...
Thanks man. I hoard and restore oem lights. I have about 30 sets of 87-93 put back. I have never found any aftermarket light to fit like oem and they all seem to cloud up over time...so I don’t use anything but originals.
 

LX Dave

5 Year Member
Jul 2, 2017
239
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May 30, 2018
#9
  • May 30, 2018
  • #9
Mustang5L5 said:
Part numbers are listed in this overpriced auction if you want to search for them.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335821607&icep_item=112988282068
Click to expand...

Ouch, those better come with a "happy ending" too...and charging shipping on top of that.


The ones I got have that yellow don't move it sticker on them. Most of the ones I've found have that too, so I just assumed they were all the same thing.


95steedamustang said:
Thanks man. I hoard and restore oem lights. I have about 30 sets of 87-93 put back. I have never found any aftermarket light to fit like oem and they all seem to cloud up over time...so I don’t use anything but originals.
Click to expand...

Are you saying you got some for sale? Pm me if you do. I do not have the originals if you need cores.


I may have to make do with the ones I got until I can get some actual Ford ones again. If anything, there's a local guy that parts out Mustangs so I could check with him too. Don't know what condition they are in if he's got any.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,248
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May 30, 2018
#10
  • May 30, 2018
  • #10
LX Dave said:
Ouch, those better come with a "happy ending" too...and charging shipping on top of that.
Click to expand...

Yeah been up for a while as you can imagine. I've got the same set minus pass headlight and I think I'm only into it for $300ish
 

LX Dave

5 Year Member
Jul 2, 2017
239
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May 30, 2018
#11
  • May 30, 2018
  • #11
Had a thought last night so went out this morning to verify it. If I unlock the bulb retainer and pull up on the connector the bulb itself moves down. The beam on the wall moved up quite a bit and actually looks like it's projecting a better beam, not scattered all over. Hmmm..I wonder if with the heat gun, I can heat the back enough to reposition the bulb and get a more correct beam pattern until I can locate some Ford housings. Gonna have to give it a try. If it doesn't work, they're junk anyways. What have I got to lose?
 

FoxMustangLvr

I love my Pimp
SN Certified Technician
Oct 14, 2012
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May 30, 2018
#12
  • May 30, 2018
  • #12
I replaced my 3pc headlights with new OEM style units from LMR. They look nice, installed OK, suck for adjusting. My lights shine at the ground too close to the car and will not adjust to project out. I don't do much night driving and when I do it's on streets that are pretty well lit anyways. I'm looking in to better options but haven't made my mind up on anything.

Good luck.
 

LX Dave

5 Year Member
Jul 2, 2017
239
181
53
May 30, 2018
#13
  • May 30, 2018
  • #13
One older thread I was reading, a poster said he was shining owls and ufos. Now another pointed right at the ground. The aftermarket ones really seem to be hit or miss.

I picked up a set of taillight covers from CJ Pony because they said they were made with Ford tooling. Fit was perfect and they look great. I am very happy with them.

Why can't an American manufacturer make front end lights to factory spec?? If the look, function and aiming was as good or better than factory, I bet people would be willing to pay a higher price for them. I know I would.
 

fredfifty

5 Year Member
Nov 23, 2011
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May 30, 2018
#14
  • May 30, 2018
  • #14
i have the LRS headlight 3 piece kit...fits good if you put them on in the recommended order. also, dont use aftermarket headlight seals (the ones that go around the top exterior of the headlight) should be good to go
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
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#15
  • May 30, 2018
  • #15
If you buy after market you want ones that are DOT certified. The mark should be on the lenses.
 

deathb4dismount

Crap, didn’t realize my crotch was in that picture
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#16
  • May 31, 2018
  • #16
I have the LMR lights as well and couldnt get them adjusted correctly. When I drive at night the high beams are on at all times in order to get the lights far enough in front of me.
 

LX Dave

5 Year Member
Jul 2, 2017
239
181
53
May 31, 2018
#17
  • May 31, 2018
  • #17
Same thing here. High beams whenever I could. Almost hit a deer, a possum, and who knows what else I didn't see when I had to use low beams. That would've really sucked considering the cars got fresh paint.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,248
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May 31, 2018
#18
  • May 31, 2018
  • #18
HID projector retrofit in a clear headlight housing with OEM type parking lamps has always been on my To-do list. Paint the reflector black and you have a nice projector setup with improved lighting.

Downside Is it's totally a DIY job.
 

FoxMustangLvr

I love my Pimp
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#19
  • May 31, 2018
  • #19
Mustang5L5 said:
HID projector retrofit in a clear headlight housing with OEM type parking lamps has always been on my To-do list. Paint the reflector black and you have a nice projector setup with improved lighting.

Downside Is it's totally a DIY job.
Click to expand...
I agree and painting everything black is a must for function as well for looks. When the projectors are too visible I think it looks terrible on our foxbody's. I also think that the tinted/smoked lenses would work well with these lights because HID's are very very bright.
 
Reactions: deathb4dismount and Mustang5L5

deathb4dismount

Crap, didn’t realize my crotch was in that picture
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#20
  • Jun 4, 2018
  • #20
FoxMustangLvr said:
I agree and painting everything black is a must for function as well for looks. When the projectors are too visible I think it looks terrible on our foxbody's. I also think that the tinted/smoked lenses would work well with these lights because HID's are very very bright.
Click to expand...

@elarm1 did it right. That's about the only one I've seen that looks good. I think paint matters too, would look way out of place on my white GT
 
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