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burt ragio
10-01-2019, 03:14 PM
Knowing the darker days ahead the loss of apx 3 mins a day It brings back the memory of the poor output of our headlights. I have tried different type bulbs with no noticeable results. So today I took the plunge I bought a universal Morimoto projection Mini H1s 35 watt kit. Can't wait to see the result.

vkirkend
10-01-2019, 03:18 PM
See the Panther Light Facebook page.


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Invective
10-01-2019, 06:05 PM
For some perspective - Acetylene Headlamps being operated on a 1914 Chevrolet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL8aHhbV7WA

offroadkarter
10-01-2019, 11:36 PM
Universal? I hope you got the stage 3 9004/9007 setup.

blazen71
10-02-2019, 05:50 AM
I put just the LED’ s in and are an improvement over standard

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/9007-led-headlight-bulbs-morimoto-2stroke.html
.

justbob
10-02-2019, 01:52 PM
I’m honestly impressed with the stock bulbs after adding a high output alternator and doing the big 3. It’s a staggering difference from all the years before! The whole car changed as the windows actually go up at normal speed now, my lights don’t dim at every stop light anymore, idles smoother, ETC.

I never thought I’d say those candles work great!

My car has had lazy electric and flickering/dancing dash lights since day one..


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offroadkarter
10-02-2019, 03:22 PM
I put just the LED’ s in and are an improvement over standard

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/9007-led-headlight-bulbs-morimoto-2stroke.html
.

Not the right way to do it


I’m honestly impressed with the stock bulbs after adding a high output alternator and doing the big 3. It’s a staggering difference from all the years before! The whole car changed as the windows actually go up at normal speed now, my lights don’t dim at every stop light anymore, idles smoother, ETC.

I never thought I’d say those candles work great!

My car has had lazy electric and flickering/dancing dash lights since day one..


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IIRC the stock bulbs are only running at around 11.4v if you throw a DMM on there, years ago I threw a harness on my friends 04 sport that used the stock wiring to trip the relays but powered the headlights straight off the battery and the lights were noticeably brighter. Certainly made the best of a bad situation there.

(In theory) running the lights off a harness takes a load off the LCM which should help it last longer

blazen71
10-03-2019, 05:21 AM
Not the right way to do it.

Neither is putting a S/C on a stock block, but many do it with great results. Just saying.

offroadkarter
10-03-2019, 03:03 PM
Neither is putting a S/C on a stock block, but many do it with great results. Just saying.

Putting a SC on a stock block isn't going to cause blinding glare to be projected at oncoming traffic, all while having a crappy beam pattern for you to look at.

I did the whole poverty beam thing back in college, when DDM kits were all the rage (many people on this forum ran DDM kits). Once I started building real headlights I never went back (zero reason to ever consider). Aside from the fact that the output on our housings suck in general, all you're doing is taking a bulb that throws light different from a halogen, with a focal point that isn't near the same place, putting it in a housing it wasn't design for, and making random bright hot spots of light on the ground. But since you can really see those hot spots, it must be a huge improvement!

This is what you get with PnP HID's in a factory housing, I'm willing to bet your LEDs aren't far off. I know in a crown vic housing LED bulbs are equally terrible

https://scontent.fphl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/46254_1555361244549_6966576_n. jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AQmmCPgKk4gs4NRmssbAQKF 78n0gFXwiOmk8XigNzG9E0Ow1PQDqn g0JrV1WpfKIhX0&_nc_ht=scontent.fphl1-1.fna&oh=8acd1d78f9d2ba2fff22cb9f0e9 365a2&oe=5E332A46

This is the output from 1 of my headlights, obviously aimed it up a bit to show the full pattern

https://scontent.fphl1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/292079_2451375484345_200237788 7_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_oc=AQkqgRQN8W3M8laPpH9_kkE ZVLWblo3wj4xQblIOFOHLPdYizj2Wx NP_7ijb_uvz7Bw&_nc_ht=scontent.fphl1-2.fna&oh=5466bf6ca3b4cef482ce1635eaf 85c84&oe=5E28EE62

burt ragio
10-03-2019, 05:58 PM
Universal? I hope you got the stage 3 9004/9007 setup. Yes, that was my choice.

sailsmen
10-03-2019, 07:33 PM
It's so awesome when people jack up their trucks and install super bright lights with out adjusting the head lights!

"Blinded by the light
Revved up like a deuce
Another runner in the night"

offroadkarter
10-04-2019, 05:01 PM
Yes, that was my choice.


Feel free to PM me if you get stuck on anything, I've begrudgingly built enough of these

top tip: a heat gun and a butter knife is a great way to open the housings without dinging up the plastic like you would with a flathead screwdriver.

https://photos.smugmug.com/2003-Mercury-Marauder/Headlight-Foglight-Retrofit/i-Qd2Tkc5/0/304092ca/L/DSC_9958-L.jpg

Logan86
10-11-2019, 01:55 PM
I have projectors from Panther Lights and I love them. 1000% improvement over stock. Just my 2 cents.

fastblackmerc
10-14-2019, 12:17 PM
Still running 6K HIDs. Never had anyone flash me.

SteelQualityMan
10-14-2019, 04:44 PM
Still running 6K HIDs. Never had anyone flash me.Are you running projectors or bare bulbs?

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fastblackmerc
10-15-2019, 04:46 AM
Are you running projectors or bare bulbs?

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Bare bulbs. They are Hi / Lo combined units (2 bulbs in 1 socket) that use 4 ballasts.

Blakshukvw
10-16-2019, 10:58 AM
Offroadkarter, I just want to know how do you know where to begin cutting on the housing to mount the new projector so that when it’s finished the projector is mounted in a manner that the actual headlight housing doesn’t have to be adjusted in an exaggerated manner to aim the light output that is very noticeable? Hopefully this question makes sense.

offroadkarter
10-16-2019, 03:44 PM
Offroadkarter, I just want to know how do you know where to begin cutting on the housing to mount the new projector so that when it’s finished the projector is mounted in a manner that the actual headlight housing doesn’t have to be adjusted in an exaggerated manner to aim the light output that is very noticeable? Hopefully this question makes sense.


When I built the headlights for the red car I made the brackets to have adjustability on all 4 corners so I could level the projector out once it was in the car. Normally you'd shine the factory light against a wall (making sure the housing is level) and mark the beam. Then you mock the projector up and level out the beam to match and go from there.

When you use the Morimoto MH1 or D2S you don't have to worry about this as it just mounts where the stock 9007 bulb goes. You can rotate the projector straight and lock it down with the nut.

Blakshukvw
10-16-2019, 09:06 PM
Ok so the Miromoto mounts to a known flat surface? So adjustment is made in the OEM manner then?

offroadkarter
10-16-2019, 10:56 PM
Ok so the Miromoto mounts to a known flat surface? So adjustment is made in the OEM manner then?


The Morimoto MH1 fits through the hole for the stock 9007 bulb, you just lock it down with a big lock nut on the back. Nothing to it really. You can aim the headlights just like factory once you're done.

I have FX-R's on the red car which required more work.

Blakshukvw
10-17-2019, 12:19 PM
That’s awesome info. I really appreciate it. I’ve been considering lights from panther lights but it sounds like this is pretty easy for a diy project with the MH1 projectors.

offroadkarter
10-18-2019, 12:34 AM
That’s awesome info. I really appreciate it. I’ve been considering lights from panther lights but it sounds like this is pretty easy for a diy project with the MH1 projectors.


It's really straight forward. browse hidplanet.com if you want to look into the ins and outs of retrofitting.

MyBlackBeasts
10-23-2019, 06:59 PM
Sorry if this has already been answered, does anyone sell Marauder lights with projector mod or does anyone do the mod?

TY

vkirkend
10-23-2019, 08:31 PM
Panther lights


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Roush588
10-24-2019, 09:14 AM
Same retrofitted headlights as Panther Lights
On sale at Headlight Revolution for $99.50

https://headlightrevolution.com/starr-hid-xp3017c-bi-xenon-chrome-projector-headlights-kit-1998-2011-ford-crown-victoria/

blazen71
10-24-2019, 01:43 PM
Same retrofitted headlights as Panther Lights
On sale at Headlight Revolution for $99.50

https://headlightrevolution.com/starr-hid-xp3017c-bi-xenon-chrome-projector-headlights-kit-1998-2011-ford-crown-victoria/
Too bad they only have chrome. Could be a decent cheap alternative?

RubberCtyRauder
10-24-2019, 02:55 PM
Crown vic lights don't fit Marauders

offroadkarter
10-28-2019, 06:43 AM
Same retrofitted headlights as Panther Lights
On sale at Headlight Revolution for $99.50

https://headlightrevolution.com/starr-hid-xp3017c-bi-xenon-chrome-projector-headlights-kit-1998-2011-ford-crown-victoria/


1. Those are crown vic lights

2. Those are not retrofits, those are an entirely new and different housing. These Starr HID housings came out probably close to a decade ago for crown vics.

burt ragio
12-17-2020, 02:15 PM
So I finally got around to installing the projector headlights. One of the best mods I have done highly recommend. Such an improvement night and day difference. Easy Peezy .

Joe Polo
12-17-2020, 07:50 PM
I love my Vled's conversions, worst part about them is the little fan to cool the bulb makes noise but once you start the car you can't hear them. I like the stock headlights to much to run a projector type.

RubberCtyRauder
12-18-2020, 02:50 AM
51265
Projectors in stock housings

blazen71
12-18-2020, 06:21 AM
51265
Projectors in stock housings

Do you notice the lens etching in the actual light beam? Mine are going to Panther Lights and I want the etching, but not if it messes with the beam.

RubberCtyRauder
12-18-2020, 08:12 AM
No, panther lights made these.. He said etching effects very little. They are bright..aim them good when back in car and should be good

PRCARGUY
12-19-2020, 09:12 AM
51265
Projectors in stock housings


No, panther lights made these.. He said etching effects very little. They are bright..aim them good when back in car and should be good
I have the same one's from them.
They are a big a difference from the original setup.

vkirkend
12-19-2020, 01:08 PM
I have the same etching(s) on my lamps. They are great for show and illuminating also.


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