Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

pvteye

Registered
Anyone done write up on headlight and or grille replacement on a 2nd gen?... I think the headlights are simple... 3 bolts each side, however not sure how hard the grille will be to get to.
Baby's got new eyes and a shiny mouth coming this weekend....


Rex
98 White Pearlescent LSC / 02 Silver Mustang Premium GT
http://www.mark8.org/users/pvteye/98LSC032a.jpg
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

The grill is easier yet. First you take a sledgehammer... Then you..............
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

Thanks Leo... i have the service CD from you... thanks by the way, just have found that articles written up by lay folk here to be easier to follow than the service CD. I got the complete assemblies and will attempt to replace them tomorrow... also the grille, I sure hope I do not have to drop the bumper cover... that seems like a lot of work... will check the service CD see if anything is there...
Thanks

Rex
98 White Pearlescent LSC / 02 Silver Mustang Premium GT
http://www.mark8.org/users/pvteye/98LSC032a.jpg
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

...where did you get the assemblies from and how much were they? thanks..
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

Well.... got it done.... not to bad of a job... I disconnected the negative cable from the battery, though it is not mentioned to do so for headlight replacement. I also had to replace a coil on plug, and it is required for that.

Pulled the old headlights out 3 bolts and a sheet metal screw, and about 5 electrical connecters per side to undo.... bought some 9005ST silver stars for the High Beams at AutoZone also... $43 for the pair.
Swapped out the High Beam bulbs in the new Assemblies (about $210 each plus shipping from Max at 5 Star Ford.
Then tackled the Grille, yep... whole bumper cover has to come off.
I was very leary, but determined... so I went for it...

Have to remove the lower plastic shroud underneath the front end.. 4 bolts 6 small sheet metal screws and one larger screw in the front center...then remove the screws from the front of the inner fender panels.2 each side..(note turn wheels to hard lock one direction for easy access to these screws, I did not, and had to reconnect battery and turn them) . then remove 4 nuts on top of grille assembly, the 2 nuts on each side behind the marker lights, can do this without removing the headlights... but easier with them out and since I was replacing them, they were already out.
The Bumper cover then just slides forward and off the car. I did all this alone.. would be quicker and easier with a helper.

Once the bumper cover is off, there are 4 sheet metal screws holding the grille to it in a black rubber/plastic shroud thing, remove them and the grille comes off, I wanted a Chrome Grille to dress up the front of the car so ordered it also from Max at 5 Star Ford ..$186 plus shipping.

Reverse everything for the reinstall, the bumper cover has some slots below the headlights it has to fit in, and would be difficult to do so with the headlight assemblies in.

I have some pics to post, however having trouble connecting to ftp://mark8.org.... whenever I get access will post pics of the before, during and after...


Rex
98 White Pearlescent LSC / 02 Silver Mustang Premium GT
http://www.mark8.org/users/pvteye/98LSC032a.jpg
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

going to try cardomain....

before
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/416000-416999/416813_20_full.jpg

During...

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/416000-416999/416813_17_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/416000-416999/416813_18_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/416000-416999/416813_19_full.jpg


Finished Product.....
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/416000-416999/416813_15_full.jpg


Also picked these up for the Mustang this week, hopefully will have them on the Mark soon.... gotta do the hub conversion and Cobra Brake upgrade....

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/416000-416999/416813_21_full.jpg





Rex
98 White Pearlescent LSC / 02 Silver Mustang Premium GT
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

...nice job...the Mark looks good with the chrome grill...how do you like the sylvania bulbs? better than stock?
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

Well have not driven after dark yet.... I have seen other rave about the SilverStars... and thought while I was going thru the trouble, might as well.
Overall the lighting was good with the old housings and their not so clear lenses... I did this for mostly cosmetic reasons...
Will now work leisurely at clearing up the old housings and put them on Ebay...


Rex
98 White Pearlescent LSC / 02 Silver Mustang Premium GT
http://www.mark8.org/users/pvteye/98LSC032a.jpg
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

Be careful, if anything should go wrong with those housings (light bulb blows up or something), changing the stock bulbs might void warranty.
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

I always liked the "chrome" grille on the the 1997-1998 Mark VIII. If I remember right it is iridium coated plastic grille. It only looks like chrome.

It is amazingly flexible for a piece that looks like chrome. It is truly a high-tech piece.

Thanks Rex for the grille installation instructions.

Alexander
Board of Directors
Lincolns of Distinction
 
RE: Any How To's on Headlamp and Grille replacement.

you are quite welcome Alexander... hope you are satified with the grille

Rex
98 White Pearlescent LSC / 2004 Mysti Cobra Vert 1 of 495,
445.9 RWHP 417.9 RWTQ SAE Corrected
 
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