Replacement headlights

[Rusty67]

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]

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]

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.

 

[BLKsteeda]

Mustang Parts & Accessories - 50resto

Got mine from there with no issues after a year

 

[GettinThere]

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

This also works well for condensation in fog lights.

 

[scupking]

Mustang Parts & Accessories - 50resto

Got mine from there with no issues after a year

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

 

[Rusty67]

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]

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

 

[89lxsport50]

#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]

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

 

[GettinThere]

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

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]

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

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.

 

[spederman]

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]

#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.

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

 

[southfillyboy]

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]

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.

Did you take the black molding off and applied the RTV sealant there? Which RTV ddid you use?

 

[Rusty67]

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]

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]

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.

 

[southfillyboy]

Did you take the black molding off and applied the RTV sealant there? Which RTV ddid you use?

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.