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headlight suggestions? what do you guys have

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smallblockfever

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Im in need of some new headlights.
I tried to clean up my stock svt headlights but the lenses are beyond repair

I want to go with some projector style headlights, must be black housing
But im still open to maybe some st 170 style


I really am looking for good, even lighting that's a major increase over what i have.

HID is a possibility, but im not in love with it.


What do you guys like? Brands? Style? rip offs? paths to not go down?
 
#2 ·
A lot of guys will all suggest the MACH HID's. I really like the look of them. I am slowly buying all of the parts for them for my SVT. They aren't cheap in comparison to your other projectors out there.

Do you like the halo look?
There are some simple ones from Spyder Auto that look decent IMO.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yea i kind of like the halo look, I've really been trying to find some pictures or vidoes of them on a focus to see what they look like both on and off

I've heard people talk about the ebay projector halos
what's the general consensus on those?
 
#4 ·
In terms of light output, fit, looks, and overall quality and reliability, I think black-painted Mach HIDs cannot be beat. With the "brights" on, the HIDs move the cutoff shield and the high-beam halogen lights come on, so you can seriously see everything. It's awesome. They are expensive, expect to pay $200-400 for a used set, and if you want them black you've got to open them up, paint them, and seal them up yourself.

But just look at 'em...
Image

Image

Image
 
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#6 ·
Discussion starter · #8 ·
swansong said:
In terms of light output, fit, looks, and overall quality and reliability, I think black-painted Mach HIDs cannot be beat. With the "brights" on, the HIDs move the cutoff shield and the high-beam halogen lights come on, so you can seriously see everything. It's awesome. They are expensive, expect to pay $200-400 for a used set, and if you want them black you've got to open them up, paint them, and seal them up yourself.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what i needed actually! I have the exact car!

I'd like to get a euro grill like that and clear marker lights, but that's next :p

I'm kind of daunted by tearing apart the lights and painting them. I just tried that with the stock ones to reseal and clean the lenses and i'm not totally confident in my work on the lenses. And what about those blue rings on the projector? that is awesome looking, how does one make such a thing exist?
 
#9 ·
smallblockfever said:
That's exactly what i needed actually! I have the exact car!

I'd like to get a euro grill like that and clear marker lights, but that's next :p

I'm kind of daunted by tearing apart the lights and painting them. I just tried that with the stock ones to reseal and clean the lenses and i'm not totally confident in my work on the lenses. And what about those blue rings on the projector? that is awesome looking, how does one make such a thing exist?
Click to expand...
Paint, painter's tape, X-acto knife, steady hands, and patience. Lots and lots of patience lol. I can go into more detail about how I did it if needed, but basically I masked off the bits I wanted to leave chrome, painted blue, waited for that to dry, masked off the parts to stay blue, and painted black. The tough part is getting a clean mask over the curved areas of the lights. It's much easier to paint the whole things black, but having the chrome rings sets it apart IMO. Oh and I used primer before everything else, and a few coats of clear afterwards.

As far as opening and sealing the lights, its not too bad. Again takes patience to not try to just force the lenses off. I should have used more RTV to seal them as I have a bit of condensation when it rains hard or I wash it.
 
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#10 ·
I bought the same headlights listed in that ebay link above.

For you guys that have installed them, did you have any trouble actually physically putting them in? I have all the wiring done but I'm trying to get them to fit and they won't. It looks like a black tab on the new headlight is in the way and I'm contemplating just cutting it off. Any ideas?
 
#11 ·
Nevermind I got frustrated with it and shaved the black tab down some then forced it in. Everything looks good and lights up correctly so I'm pleased :)
 
#12 ·
Discussion starter · #14 ·
I went ahead and bought one of the black housing spec d units

Shine much brighter already!

and SBK86, i also had issues making some of the mounts line up. What was more annoying to me was not the black tab at the top but the clear spacer tab at the bottom. It doesnt allow one of the mounting points to fully sit on the metal, even thought the headlight is fully seated. I just shoved the plastic rivet in there and it's holding fine for now.

However, one of my halo rings is already out..

Pretty sure one of my wires just came loose, but i'm going to be rather upset if it's a faulty unit.
 
#15 ·
zx5fanatic said:
http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Focus-Sm..._15?ie=UTF8&qid=1362874884&sr=8-15&keywords=ford+focus+projector+headlights+led

I bought these. They are a gloss black housing with white led angel eyes (not that blue crap). So far I love them, just looking to upgrade the standard h1s to whiter, brighter ones (most likely silverstar zxe). I've got a picture on the amazon product site and several on here.
Click to expand...
Silverstar zXe's are great, have them for fogs to go with my Silverstar Ultra headlights.

Sent from Gods Country
 
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#16 ·
If anyone wants really white bulbs with like 5% blue, try Philips Crystal Vision Ultra bulbs. I have them in my Focus, van, sons Ranger and in my old Superduty and Excursion. It will be the only headlight bulb I ever buy again. I tried the ZXE's, not near as good as the Philips Crystal Vision Ultras. JMO. Pairs can be had on ebay for about $18-$20 shipped.
 
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SBK86
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