Support Group/Thread For Mod Addiction or MA

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Mounce said:
Pics, sir?

If the headlights have the same adjusters as the older 94-98 mustangs you might wanna invest in the special ford tool. I think it's like $20. All I know is, quarter inch ratchet and 4.5mm or 5.5mm socket (can't remember which one) barely gets the job done on my car due to lack of adequate space. Been needing to adjust mine some but haven't due to how much of a pita it is.

Being this is not a Ford forum and all the Ford haters here, I did not deem it appropriate to post any pics.

What is this special Ford tool you speak of? Is it a tool to make vertical adjustments to the headlight without taking them off of the truck? I have always had to pull the headlights out and screw the plastic piece in or out, circled in the pic below. If there is a way to do it with the headlights on the truck, that would be awesome.

New interior dome light came in last night and LEDs should come in today for the turn signals and interior. Next week will be some window tint.
 

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Mounce

Member
Mar 29, 2014
13,667
Tuscaloosa, AL
If you pull those little caps off of the end of the threaded shafts it should have a hex head on it like a bolt. A ratchet will work but in my car it's a tight squeeze.

The special tool: http://m.ebay.com/itm/251541816117 you might be able to find it cheaper.

I absolutely hate those things adjusters/retainers. My oem lights were nearly impossible to remove and now my aftermarket lights don't hold well. Terrible design. Must SUCK for you to have to remove them to adjust them.
 
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dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Mounce said:
If you pull those little caps off of the end of the threaded shafts it should have a hex head on it like a bolt. A ratchet will work but in my car it's a tight squeeze.

The special tool: http://m.ebay.com/itm/251541816117 you might be able to find it cheaper.

I absolutely hate those things adjusters/retainers. My oem lights were nearly impossible to remove and now my aftermarket lights don't hold well. Terrible design. Must SUCK for you to have to remove them to adjust them.

I was not aware that cap came off of the threaded shaft, nor was I aware there was a specialty adjustment tool for the headlights :tiphat: Maybe its a Ford thing, but there is not much space behind the F150 headlights either. I cannot remember if I can even see the end of the threaded shaft with the headlights installed. Another PITA is having to remove the grille guard as well :no:

Don't have pics of the tail lights, but here is a pic of the headlights I purchased for the MMH1 projector retro. Not bad for $90. I seen a how-to a while back on a F150 forum and the MMH1 should be about as plug and play as you can get with a projector retro.
 

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HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
Found a basket to mod and add to the spare tire or rear bumper for some more storage. Who would a thought a trip to the storage sheds to drop off a couple things would net a new truck mod.
 
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Sib

Member
Sep 6, 2014
3,446
Thinking about ordering a set of Morimoto 3five 5000k d2s bulbs off eBay for around $28 and then ordering an Amp-to-D2S adapter so I can keep my ballasts. Been doing a lot of reading on HIDplanet and everyone seems to like the old 3five 5000k much better than the new xb 5500k. Still pondering.
 

Mounce

Member
Mar 29, 2014
13,667
Tuscaloosa, AL
Sib said:
Thinking about ordering a set of Morimoto 3five 5000k d2s bulbs off eBay for around $28 and then ordering an Amp-to-D2S adapter so I can keep my ballasts. Been doing a lot of reading on HIDplanet and everyone seems to like the old 3five 5000k much better than the new xb 5500k. Still pondering.
Or get 3five d2h bulbs on their website for $15 + shipping.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/closeouts/morimoto-3five-d2h-bulbs.html
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
Need less rain and more modding
 

Mounce

Member
Mar 29, 2014
13,667
Tuscaloosa, AL
dmanns67 said:
Now I see why Ryan can knock out so many retros. Retros are way easier on headlights compared to TB fog lights. Not bad for a couple hours of work.

attachicon.gif
IMG_20150709_161541.jpg
I figured it wouldn't take you long with how easy they are to slap into a 9007 headlight. :wooot:

But dang dude, you could totally finish those up today. Would be much quicker than my 2.5 day retro lol.

- I see those asshole adjusters in the background. :no: Did you check to see if they had a hex head on them?
 

Darkrider_LS

Member
Jan 25, 2013
9,332
Mounce said:
I figured it wouldn't take you long with how easy they are to slap into a 9007 headlight. :wooot:

But dang dude, you could totally finish those up today. Would be much quicker than my 2.5 day retro lol.

- I see those asshole adjusters in the background. :no: Did you check to see if they had a hex head on them?
You have problems if you need adjusters for your asshole :raspberry:
 

littleblazer

Member
Jul 6, 2014
9,267
Sib said:
They only come in 4300k and I'm worried it'll have a little yellow tint.
Mine are pretty white, just saying. There is a huge difference compared to the highs, for like 15 dollars you really can't go that wrong and then you'll have backups. [emoji2]
 
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dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Mounce said:
I figured it wouldn't take you long with how easy they are to slap into a 9007 headlight. :wooot:

But dang dude, you could totally finish those up today. Would be much quicker than my 2.5 day retro lol.

- I see those asshole adjusters in the background. :no: Did you check to see if they had a hex head on them?

Probably as easy as it can get. Just had to drill a hole in the back of the housing to run the solenoid wires out the backside. Lens easily pulled right off after 10 minutes at 200*F.

TRS forgot the H1 bulb mounting bracket that holds the retaining clip for the H1 bulb. 3 screws secure it to the backside of the projector. They only sent me one. I called and TRS said they would have another bag of hardware out in the mail in the morning. Hoping it arrives by Saturday. Once I go back to work, who knows when I will have time to touch these retros again.

Yes those asshole adjusters do have a hex head on them. Just have to pull the rubber boot off of the end. I also bought the Ford headlight adjustment tool. That will make life a whole lot easier.
 
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littleblazer

Member
Jul 6, 2014
9,267
uploadfromtaptalk1436482346364.jpg
Just to illustrate what I'm talking about.
 
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littleblazer

Member
Jul 6, 2014
9,267
It's pretty white, maybe a slight yellow but nothing to complain about. It's like a natural white I guess.
 
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Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
I have 5000k in my headlights on the TB but I've toyed with 4300/4500k next time around just because the slightly warmer white may make it better in certain conditions. Dark wet roads seem to soak up pure white light.
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Sparky said:
I have 5000k in my headlights on the TB but I've toyed with 4300/4500k next time around just because the slightly warmer white may make it better in certain conditions. Dark wet roads seem to soak up pure white light.
I noticed the same thing with my 3Five 4300k and XB 4500k. That is one downside I would say about projectors is that the light is absorbed into wet asphalt. I dont remember that being an issue when I was running HIDs in a reflector housing :undecided:

It has been a while. Maybe that is an issue with HIDs in general, but maybe worse at higher kelvin temps. I have never ran a HID higher than 4300k-4500k.
 

littleblazer

Member
Jul 6, 2014
9,267
From what I gather, yellow cuts through snow, rain and fog better. Don't know how true it is. Dark wet roads in the escalade with factory hids is downright terrifying. They seem like 5000 or 6000, quite a bit of blue. The projectors are much better then my headlights, which were particularly bad especially compared to the envoy. I used to not drive in the dark in the rain for that very reason to be honest.

Back on topic, I think you'll like the 4300k, I drove home a few weeks ago in dense fog, talking 100 foot natural visibility at night. And the projectors cut right through it, no noticable reflection back. Kept the road surface visible and vehicles as well for about 6 car lengths, which was very comfortable at the roads speed limit. Worst that can happen is you have spare bulbs.
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Sib said:
Might have to pull the trigger on those 4300k's.

Other downside of projectors is staring at the cutoff when driving and not what's ahead of me. :eek: :rotfl:
4300k is not as yellow as people make them out to be. To me, they look white and on top of that, 4300k produces the most lumens.

Funny you say that, when I first got my projectors, I always starred at the cut off. I still look for the color flicker when I come up behind vehicles.
 
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Sib

Member
Sep 6, 2014
3,446
Well I guess if I order those I'll have to order a set of the 4300k 880s as well. Gotta have em match (as Drew would say)...naddamean?
 

Mounce

Member
Mar 29, 2014
13,667
Tuscaloosa, AL
I personally like 4300k as well. On 55 watts they're even warmer though which I like. Don't wanna look like everybody else around here running 6-10k bulbs. Plus their color on 55w (and even on 35w for that matter) mimic OEM HIDs a little so if you catch someone on a hill just right and blind them they won't be as likely to flash you thinking it's OEM.
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Sib said:
Well I guess if I order those I'll have to order a set of the 4300k 880s as well. Gotta have em match (as Drew would say)...naddamean?
Lucky for you, TRS has 880 3Five 4300k in the closeout section for $15 a pair. I am running XB 4500k in the headlights and 3Five 4300k in the fogs. Cannot tell a difference other than their age on the bulb.
 
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Blckshdw

Moderator
Nov 20, 2011
10,776
Tampa Bay Area, FL
dmanns67 said:
Lucky for you, TRS has 880 3Five 4300k in the closeout section for $15 a pair. I am running XB 4500k in the headlights and 3Five 4300k in the fogs. Cannot tell a difference other than their age on the bulb.
:mad: Damnit Dave!! Quit making me wanna buy stuff!! That ain't the kind of support I need! :no:
 

Darkrider_LS

Member
Jan 25, 2013
9,332
Blckshdw said:
:mad: Damnit Dave!! Quit making me wanna buy stuff!! That ain't the kind of support I need! :no:
That is why I do not go on the trs site atm lol
 
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Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
I'm trying to avoid all that stuff for now.

Except LEDs. I do have LED panels for the truck I need to install in the domes. Maybe tomorrow after Matt's axle swap.
 

Darkrider_LS

Member
Jan 25, 2013
9,332
Blckshdw said:
That's also why I stopped getting on HIDPlanet. Too many ideas that cost money I don't have.
Fortunately I think my mod bug got knocked the F out in the accident lol
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
I think I am going to slow down here soon. Modding always picks up for me in the spring/summer time. Now that my fog lights are done on the TB and all the repairs are caught up, there is not much left to do besides enjoy it.

For the wife's truck, I still want to get the windows tinted. Once I receive the parts from TRS, I can finish her headlight retro. Still need to install some LED front turn signals. Nothing really left to do to her truck after that which is good. I need to start saving money again. Mod fund is getting very low.
 

dmanns67

Member
Apr 3, 2013
32,979
Ohio
Mounce said:
Get your new high beam LEDs thrown in while you were messing with everything?

No, because that is going to involve removing the headlights and doing some dremel work. The heat sink and fan on the Philips LEDs are so big that they will not fit without some modification. Kevin's Cree LED headlights are a perfect fit, no modification needed.

I am in no rush to put them in. Since moving to the city, I have not had a need to use hi beams since moving. I did notice today that there is one LED burnt out on each chip. Leaving me with one LED only on each chip. I will have to see if Kevin has anymore chips so I can replace both of them.
 
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Darkrider_LS

Member
Jan 25, 2013
9,332
One of these days I need to talk to Kevin about getting another driver for the crees so I can install my old set in the high beams on the blazer. I accidentally let my good driver go with the tb...whoops....


On a side note I already got my first mods planned for the Honda...doh!.... Oh well time to rock some Hella Supertones...
 

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