• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Replacement headlights

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rusty67
  • Start date Start date Aug 16, 2008
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Aug 16, 2008
#1
  • Aug 16, 2008
  • #1
My 2000's headlights have fogged up as they tend to if you park them out doors. I want to upgrade to the 01+ smoked head lights. Are there any issues with the aftermarket ones ? Are they just as good as the OEM ones as long as you silicon seal them ?

Any recomendations as to who to buy the headlights from ?

I also need a new header panel and a cowl vent cover. I'm thinking ebay for those...
 

jayrw

Member
Sep 2, 2007
156
0
17
Clovis, California.
Aug 16, 2008
#2
  • Aug 16, 2008
  • #2
I recently replaced my 2000 GT's headlights with smoked aftermarket lights, they look 100x better and I havent had any issues but as for longevity I dont know, It only took 5 minutes to replace them so if I have to replace them in a couple years im not complaining, they were dirt cheap vs. other brands Ive seen online.

The brand is "Depo" and the part number is 331-1173R-AS2

A friend ordered them from his shop in town but i'm sure they can be found online.

Here's some before & afer pics: link
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Aug 16, 2008
#3
  • Aug 16, 2008
  • #3
The only issue I have with the aftermarket ones is they are all Chinese made.

Otherwise you can drill two small holes in the bottom of your existing ones to allow the moisture to escape.
 
B

BLKsteeda

New Member
Jul 12, 2004
236
0
0
Anywhere
Aug 18, 2008
#4
  • Aug 18, 2008
  • #4
Mustang Parts & Accessories - 50resto

Got mine from there with no issues after a year
 
G

GettinThere

Member
Jul 29, 2005
553
1
19
Central Texas
Aug 18, 2008
#5
  • Aug 18, 2008
  • #5
COramprat said:
Otherwise you can drill two small holes in the bottom of your existing ones to allow the moisture to escape.
Click to expand...

This also works well for condensation in fog lights.
 

scupking

Active Member
Sep 18, 2005
1,186
1
36
Enfield, CT
Aug 18, 2008
#6
  • Aug 18, 2008
  • #6
BLKsteeda said:
Mustang Parts & Accessories - 50resto

Got mine from there with no issues after a year
Click to expand...

+1 I bought from them last week and should have my ligths by tomorrow.
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Aug 18, 2008
#7
  • Aug 18, 2008
  • #7
Sounds like late model restoration is a good source for these parts. Any comments on the quality of the parts ?

Also, is there a coating you can put on the headlights to stop this from happening ?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,144
17,839
224
Massachusetts
Aug 18, 2008
#8
  • Aug 18, 2008
  • #8
IMHO

Factory Ford OEM lights > Aftermarket lights


But even they don't last as my '03's lights are starting to become a little pitted
 
8

89lxsport50

10 Year Member
Feb 25, 2003
550
5
39
Franklin Tennessee
Aug 19, 2008
#9
  • Aug 19, 2008
  • #9
#1 in Original Equipment, Performance and Restoration Parts for Late Model Ford Mustangs!!!

They have OEM Ford smoked lights at almost half the price 50resto sells them for.
 

snidehockey

New Member
Jun 18, 2007
131
0
0
Orlando, Fl
Aug 19, 2008
#10
  • Aug 19, 2008
  • #10
how big should the holes be for the moisture to drain? and where abouts on the bottom should they be. I have major condensation issues in mine
 
G

GettinThere

Member
Jul 29, 2005
553
1
19
Central Texas
Aug 19, 2008
#11
  • Aug 19, 2008
  • #11
snidehockey said:
how big should the holes be for the moisture to drain? and where abouts on the bottom should they be. I have major condensation issues in mine
Click to expand...

I haven't done this on the headlights, but I did the foglights a couple of years ago (too cheap to replace them ). Where to drill? Thats easy, the lowest part of the foglight. How big of a bit? I don't know the size but it was very small, maybe less than 1/8".
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Aug 19, 2008
#12
  • Aug 19, 2008
  • #12
snidehockey said:
how big should the holes be for the moisture to drain? and where abouts on the bottom should they be. I have major condensation issues in mine
Click to expand...

I used a 1/8th bit...drilled on both ends at the bottom. Check to see if yours have a hole already there. Some do and it has a rubber stopper inserted. Just pull out the stopper.
 
S

spederman

Member
Apr 13, 2005
732
0
16
Aug 19, 2008
#13
  • Aug 19, 2008
  • #13
my bodyshop replaced the headlights after my wreck with cheap knock off's, but i cant tell the diff between them and OEM fords. My knock off's also have the same venting as the OEM did, plus the thing i like about my knock off's is they also have a left/right adjustment for the headlight to where the OEM ford only has up/down
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Aug 20, 2008
#14
  • Aug 20, 2008
  • #14
89lxsport50 said:
#1 in Original Equipment, Performance and Restoration Parts for Late Model Ford Mustangs!!!

They have OEM Ford smoked lights at almost half the price 50resto sells them for.
Click to expand...

This seems like the way to go, thanx for the referal =-)
 
S

southfillyboy

Member
Aug 13, 2008
38
0
6
Aug 20, 2008
#15
  • Aug 20, 2008
  • #15
When I bought my smoked headlights and fog lights. I sealed the edges with RTV sealent to keep the moisture out. It seems to have worked so far.
 

mogs01gt

Founding Member
Jul 22, 2002
3,113
30
119
Ohio
Aug 20, 2008
#16
  • Aug 20, 2008
  • #16
southfillyboy said:
When I bought my smoked headlights and fog lights. I sealed the edges with RTV sealent to keep the moisture out. It seems to have worked so far.
Click to expand...
Did you take the black molding off and applied the RTV sealant there? Which RTV ddid you use?
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Aug 20, 2008
#17
  • Aug 20, 2008
  • #17
This shouldn't need to be done on OEM lights but on aftermarket lights it is highly recomended. I'm going to double check the ones I get to see if they need to be sealed or not but they are OEMs.
 

scupking

Active Member
Sep 18, 2005
1,186
1
36
Enfield, CT
Aug 20, 2008
#18
  • Aug 20, 2008
  • #18
Just installed the ones from #1 in Original Equipment, Performance and Restoration Parts for Late Model Ford Mustangs!!! this morning. They seem to be pre sealed like the original ones. I put in some Xenon ultra white bulbs (the lights come with bulbs but I wanted brighter). They fit perfect and look 100x better then my old stock fogged out ones.
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Aug 20, 2008
#19
  • Aug 20, 2008
  • #19
Awesome, I'm going to place my order tonight. If I'm super lucky I'll get them by the weekend but I doubt it. It will be nice to be able to see the road at night again lol.
 
S

southfillyboy

Member
Aug 13, 2008
38
0
6
Aug 20, 2008
#20
  • Aug 20, 2008
  • #20
mogs01gt said:
Did you take the black molding off and applied the RTV sealant there? Which RTV ddid you use?
Click to expand...

No, I sealed where the clear light cover meets the black base of it. There is a gap between the two. I used the black RTV that PepBoys had.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/headlight-condensation-remedy.html The video shows you where to apply it.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

2
Electrical mayhem
  • 2000ElectricGreen
  • Mar 13, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
201
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Mar 24, 2026
2000ElectricGreen
2
M
Electrical Headlight switch not working properly
  • MaxFerguson
  • May 26, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
944
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 26, 2024
rednotch
Electrical Test headlight switch
  • Dontknowchit
  • Mar 25, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
3K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 1, 2024
Dontknowchit
M
Resolved 2010 V6 Taillights wiring issue
  • MRMRacing
  • Dec 7, 2024
  • 2010 - 2014 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
294
2010 - 2014 Specific Tech Dec 8, 2024
MRMRacing
M
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
640
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 28, 2026
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?