How hard is it to install new Headlight/Tailight assembly?
- Thread starter Quijibow_69
- Start date
), but it's really a no-brain operation.
If you bought Genuine Ford headlights, the adjustment will be easy. If you bought reproduction headlights, they will be very difficult to align properly. I bought reproduction units the first time, and my headlights could not be aligned: they would shine up in the trees and across the road. I even had all 3 screws set up as adjustment screws.
The set of headlights I now have say "Ford" on them and they seem to line up properly.
There are two sets of screws that hold the light assemblies in place. One set secures the headlight mount to the car front bumper. All these are supposed to be tight, with no slack. They have a 7/16 hex on them and are not for aligning or adjusting the headlights.
There are 3 screws that fit into sockets in the headlights. They are secured in place by C shaped spring clips. Two of the three screws are for aligning the headlights and have a 5/32" hex on one end. A third screw obtained from the junkyard may help in getting them aligned.
The adjustment screws are upper inside and lower outside screws. If the headlights were re-assembled properly, they will have a 5/32" hex on the screw. You can use a 1/4" ratchet with a 5/32" socket. The upper screws can be reached with the hood up, while the lower screws may require you to lay on the ground in front of the car and reach them from the bottom.
To align the headlights, find a level spot with a wall 25-30 feet away. Disconnect the driver light and align up the passenger light so that the light pattern is slightly below of the actual centerline of the headlight. This is to illuminate the right hand side of the road. Reconnect the driver light and disconnect the passenger light. The driver light should be aimed so that the light pattern on the wall is inward about 6" and slightly below the centerline of the headlight. This keeps you from blinding the oncoming cars. Disconnecting and reconnecting the headlights helps to show which headlight is shining in what direction. Reproduction headlights may shine in several directions at the same time, making it very difficult to align them if both lights are on at the same time
One Stangnetter recommends putting a fender cover over the headlight that isn't being aligned. I like his idea, it's simpler than disconnecting the lamps.
The set of headlights I now have say "Ford" on them and they seem to line up properly.
There are two sets of screws that hold the light assemblies in place. One set secures the headlight mount to the car front bumper. All these are supposed to be tight, with no slack. They have a 7/16 hex on them and are not for aligning or adjusting the headlights.
There are 3 screws that fit into sockets in the headlights. They are secured in place by C shaped spring clips. Two of the three screws are for aligning the headlights and have a 5/32" hex on one end. A third screw obtained from the junkyard may help in getting them aligned.
The adjustment screws are upper inside and lower outside screws. If the headlights were re-assembled properly, they will have a 5/32" hex on the screw. You can use a 1/4" ratchet with a 5/32" socket. The upper screws can be reached with the hood up, while the lower screws may require you to lay on the ground in front of the car and reach them from the bottom.
To align the headlights, find a level spot with a wall 25-30 feet away. Disconnect the driver light and align up the passenger light so that the light pattern is slightly below of the actual centerline of the headlight. This is to illuminate the right hand side of the road. Reconnect the driver light and disconnect the passenger light. The driver light should be aimed so that the light pattern on the wall is inward about 6" and slightly below the centerline of the headlight. This keeps you from blinding the oncoming cars. Disconnecting and reconnecting the headlights helps to show which headlight is shining in what direction. Reproduction headlights may shine in several directions at the same time, making it very difficult to align them if both lights are on at the same time
One Stangnetter recommends putting a fender cover over the headlight that isn't being aligned. I like his idea, it's simpler than disconnecting the lamps.
darthcual
Member
Nuts on tail lamps....ridiculous! The tail lamps provide u have an 87-93 model should pull straight away and pop right off. Very easy do it urself, the hard part is putting the sticky sealant that comes w/ the tail lamps on. Head lamps very simple just be sure to start w/ the turn signal and work your way out to the side marker. Hope this helps
DC
DC
Ordie
Member
darthcual said:
I jsut took my Taillights off 2 nights ago. There are nuts holding the taillights in. The only sealant, was around the studs/nuts to keep water from getting in the trunk. The taillight lenses are a different story.
