Need to meet UK lighting standards

[txwolfy]

Have my 05 GT on the way from the states, will get delivery here in England in 2-3 weeks. Before getting any new car registered, especially American makes, they need to meet the British requirements which include 2 white driving lights visible from the front, similar to our US amber parking lights. They are used quite often, and we generally need to have two small lights added, usually in an opening near front bumper. I am wondering if the fog lights could be converted to driving lights? Contrary to popular ideas, it doesn't get very foggy here that often, so I could live without the fog lights if the intensity of the fog lights on the GT could be greatly reduced and the wiring changed so they would be on the same as the US parking lights. Any ideas? Appreciate the help!

 

[ltccarndt]

bigger problem

chap, you have a bigger problem: the lights shine on the wrong side of the road!

Recommendations:

1. Leave the amber under bumper lights there, just disconnect parking light function. You still need amber turn signals up front.

2. Do you need side blinkers? If they force you try to get the US front side marker function in the front amber to be the blinker, they will accept it unless really cruel.

3. Drill a small hole in the fogs, insert the front Euro white bare bulb to get 'parking lights' in there. This way you get both functions: Fog or parking!

4. Driving lights? See intro. When you solve the intro line then if you still have time worry about the fog/driving light situation!

5. When all else fails: get a set of Junk yard old Mini-Cooper headlamps, place them in the round slots in the front and I wager they will work!


PS I've had to do this same stuff in Japan, England, Germany, France (when they still had yellow lights) and Kuwait! I feel your pain.

Lt Col Arndt, USA

 

[txwolfy]

Thanks Col - I figured someone had run into a similar situation. They adjust the angle of the lights, and usually add a small stick on turn signal light just ahead of the door openings - wife just had her new Escape converted so I'm familiar with the process. I will definitely try to get them to accept the rewiring of the side markers - the rule here is the blinker must be visible when you stand 1 meter to the side of the rear bumper - so if it's there they will most likely go with it!
About your number 3 - drilling a hole in the fogs - is that possible? If so, could you give a little more detail or email me direct to explain if it is complicated/technical - at [email protected]

Thanks for the help - and for your service.
USMC/USA, SFC (Ret)

 

[bridgestoneboy]

very interested to keep an eye on this thread

 

[KTP Dave]

txwolfy, it is a lot easier to convert an Escape because they make RHD headlights for the Escape as well as side markers on the Tribute and Mariner.

 

[UKFIVEO]

Most late model US cars here have a small hole drilled in the headlamp unit & a sidelight inserted. The fogs are too far inboard I reckon to be legal. Convert the rear reverse lamps to indicators & fit a rear foglamp which needs to be 25 cm above the ground.

Hey Bridgestone, any news??

 

[bridgestoneboy]

won't bore you with it all ....
will post soon though with some real news, i hope

 

[txwolfy]

They re-aimed the headlights on the Escape, which is the same vehicle as the new English Ford Maverick. No need to swap them out. Also, they disconnected one reverse light and made that the rear fog (on her current 2001 Escape they mounted one of the ugly hanging types). They said they will be able to do the same to the rear of the Mustang. I'm most interested in the fogs as driving lights. On the UK web site, there is no width seperation minimum for the front driving lights. On her new Escape the lights they added for the purpose are about 18" apart. I know that isn't the intent of the lights - they are supposed to mark the outside corners of the vehicle - but without legal minimums specified (and I have seen them right next to US size plates and pass the MOT inspection), the fogs should be far enough apart.
Damn, if I wasn't living over here, none of the above would make any sense at all! I guess mine will be one of the first over here, so I will gladly keep all interested parties informed of progress.

 

[txwolfy]

Has anyone received an 05 in the UK yet, or have a firm date? Mine was supposed to leave port in the US on Saturday, which gives me about 3 weeks before I can take it home! By the way, I'm retired military, wife is here on orders working for the US bases, so I bought it through the on-base dealership, no tax and no hassle, with guaranteed lowest price for the military (and a $1,000 rebate!)
Hope someone already has theirs, so I can get more info on the lights -
Thanks!

 

[ltccarndt]

Looked over the GT lights

I saw the Brit's follow up comments, hope that the Fogs are far enough apart, if not the same technique will work with the main lights. If you go the drilling route,(and need to make a hole) put the hole at the bottom so water won't leak in--and seal it good with some weatherstrip in a tube (almost any kind of sealer will work since the hole will be hidden)

Don't worry about the bulb life/replacement---you will PCS out of there before it burns out.

I looked at the front turn signal lens, today, on my GT, Don't believe you can see it from the side well enough for EURO standard. If you need a small side blinker, maybe you can remove the GT badge and use that hole? Then when you leave to go back stateside, push out the blinker and put the GT badge back on--simple, huh?

Like your idea of the driving lights, if you drive a country lanes over here you need that light to keep a stone wall from becoming your new front grill.

I always placed my rear fog inside the left back up lens(inside the factory OEM housing), they let me keep the red rear turn signals (guess I got lucky?, hope you do too) You only need one rear Fog, if I am not mistaken, which then leaves you with one back up light which comes in handy when backing up !

If you need an isolated rear turn signal circuit, and they will let you keep red lights: The GT has 3 bulbs back there--just isolate one bulb on each side for the turn signal--The GT (or V-6) has three individual lenses on each side--so you could be lucky again.


Good Luck.

Lt Col Arndt

 

[txwolfy]

Thank you Colonel - will pass al this on to the guy in Mildenhall that does the light conversions and we will work out the best way -
You're right - only need the one bright red fog to the rear.
On the side indicators, what they did to wife's Escape (and many others I've seen) is wire one through between the front of the door and front fender, attach with serious double stick tape - no holes, wife doesn't show when door is close and doesn't get pinched. Want to keep the GT emblems.
Since I will be in the UK for about 6 more years, wife is an AAFES manager so they let you stay basically as long as you want, I plan to pay the tax and sell it before I leave. Depending on value, and over here they are really excited about the 05 so it looks to be a hot item, I will get almost what I'm paying for it in 2 - 3 years. So not only do I get to drive a great car, but I will do so almost free. Sometimes it just works out.
Thanks again for the info - I'll let you know how it comes out and will post pics when I get it done.

 

[TT91]

There seem to be a few UK members in here..Im located off of Oxford st. in Central London at the US Embassy, anyone nearby?

 

[txwolfy]

Obviously I meant wire doesn't show - don't think the wife is going to!

 

[QCStang]

Do you mean 'Daytime Running Lights' which are required on all vehicles coming into Canada, much like Europe requires?

If it is, I would suggest you call/contact Ford of Canada and tell them you need a DRL module and harness. Might cost you $100 or so.

 

[txwolfy]

Nope, not daytime running lights. Very seldom see them here in the UK - don't know about other European countries. That has not caught on here at all. No, these are white, serve same function as our parking lights, but are used very often during daytime driving, especially in the cloudy dreary fall and winter weather here in the UK. Not dark enough for headlights, but nice to see something coming up ahead, especially on the little lanes in the country like where I live. Thanks for input. Oh, just got message - ship (and my GT) sailed on 6 Nov, expected to arrive in UK on 21 Nov! Time to start the customs paperwork!

 

[txwolfy]

Hey, Sirsureshot - nice to see a fellow Marine here! Happy Birthday! (Day late, but -) I was stationed at the Navy HQ, 7 N. Audley, Jan 73 - Jan 75. That was when the Marine Barracks was in St. John's Wood, and our 3 mile run was once around Regent's Park! Met wife in a Wembley pub, married 30 years now, which is why I'm back here now. She followed me, now I'm following her! Her family is in North London, get there often. When my 05 is on the raod, by mid-Dec at the latest, I'll be down there - maybe we can meet up?

 

[KTP Dave]

I used to live in Hendon...went to school in St John's Wood.

 

[txwolfy]

Small world - that was way too nice a neighborhood to have a Marine Barracks - very expensive property - they moved out many years ago. We used to have a nice little bar in the basement, all the local girls would show up since the drinks were cheap - usually free for them - and we stayed open for hours after the pubs closed. Ah, the good old days!

 

[UKFIVEO]

Three are at a dealers in Luton £28995 + !!! I am going to look at another one in a couple of weeks (to do a magazine review) which will have been through the SVA test & will report back with info & pics.