Boyd
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2023
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- Location
- Southeast Tennessee
- First Name
- Boyd
- Vehicle(s)
- 17 F5 Cobra, 20 GT500, 23 F150, 21 Rocket 3
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- #1
I finished installing some lights in the grill of my Mach 1, and thought I'd post up what I went thru and things I discovered.
The plastic blanking plugs really bothered me. I HAD to do something. I did not like the 4-pod led's that I've seen out there... just didnt match the factory front end lighting.
First, I bought a kit that available on ebay. The light housings looked OK, but didnt really match the look of the existing front lights. These came with regular halogen lamps, so I tried some Sealight LEDs, and the light pattern was just a spread out mess. Most reflectors made for incandescent lamps do not work well with LEDs. I discovered that these lights were units that are available for about $35 as factory replacements for several vehicles. I just wasn't crazy about em, and it wasnt the look I wanted. Also in the same kit was a switch that I didnt like from the get-go. It was large (like 1" x 3/4"?)and rectangular and was just way too Klunky. So I didnt like the lights and didn't like the switch.
One idea was to use the factory foglight switch from a GT. This headlight switch unit is directly replaceable to the Mach 1, and the wiring is in place from the BCM to the headlight switch. But after lots of testing and trying, I figured the BCM is supplying 3 vdc to the foglight switch anytime power is on. The foglight switch is a momentary pushbutton supplying ground to the BCM 3 vdc. This signals the BCM to switch the fogs on or off, depending on the programmed lighting configuration of the BCM.
So the next idea was to use the GT foglight momentary switch to ground to control a relay. I tried several relays, but was unable to get any to work. Momentary switching means latching relays. Most latching relays require 2 switches... one on, one off. I was unable to discover a 12vdc latching relay that would simply flip-flop at the momentary application of a ground from a common switch. So I decided to simply add a switch.
I found a nice little illuminated 3/4" pushbutton on/off switch on Amazon for $10. Comes with a plug-in pigtail. After lots of searching, I decided to take the plunge and buy a pair of Diode Dynamics Elite Series Type A lights. These fit the style of the factory lighting on the Mach and have a mounting I can work with. They also have a cool amber running light feature that I didnt know if I would care for, but have since taken a liking to. @Diode Dynamics
Mounting the lights required removing the front bumper cover. I tried just removing the lower splash panel, and I can get to them that way, but removing the front end just made it way easier. I used the plastic plugs to mount the lights. These plugs are about 3/16" thick, and seem very capable of carrying the .85lb weight of each light assy. Drilled a 3.25" hole in each plug and slightly modified to make each lamp fit. Each lamp is mounted with 4 screws to the plug. I wired the amber running light to the outer parking light of the Mach. I could have wired em to the DRL's, but I liked the option of not having them on at all. The ambers pull 25mA, so no issue adding them to the park light circuit load.
After getting everything mounted and wired and front end installed, I discovered getting the lights aligned is going to be a problem. I still need to work on this. I got them as close as I could just working in my shop. The plugs are mounted at an angle and the lights have an alignment feature. But with the angle of the plugs, the alignment is pretty much maxed out. If further alignment is needed, some mods may have to be done, either shimming the mounting points or modifying the alignment feature.
I am using the switch to directly control the foglight white. The fogs pull 1.4A each, and the switch is rated for 10A. So no relay needed. Mounted the switch in the dead panel below the headlight switch. Wired it so the switch led is only on when the foglights are on.
My car does not have the heated steering wheel, so I removed the 20A fuse for that at the BCM and used a fuse tap with a 10A fuse to power the lights. Running the wiring is pretty basic. Details available.
Overall, I'm pretty happy. The appearance of the smallish lights in the grill is not 100%, but nothing ever will be with the shape of the cutouts. The more modern look really matches the headlights nicely, and the ambers lend a cool, different, almost mean look.
You may like it, you may not. Its ok if you wanna tell me I'm ridiculous or I did it wrong. Its the internet... Be A Hero! I dont care. Its a mod I havent seen anyone else do and I did it myself in a way I like. I no longer have to look at those Dead Eye Sockets.
Havent been out on the road yet, waiting on a new Magneride sensor. Still have to figure out how I'm gonna align the lights without taking the front off... maybe some small access holes and a 3' screwdriver?
OK. have a good day. Photo dump follows.
The plastic blanking plugs really bothered me. I HAD to do something. I did not like the 4-pod led's that I've seen out there... just didnt match the factory front end lighting.
First, I bought a kit that available on ebay. The light housings looked OK, but didnt really match the look of the existing front lights. These came with regular halogen lamps, so I tried some Sealight LEDs, and the light pattern was just a spread out mess. Most reflectors made for incandescent lamps do not work well with LEDs. I discovered that these lights were units that are available for about $35 as factory replacements for several vehicles. I just wasn't crazy about em, and it wasnt the look I wanted. Also in the same kit was a switch that I didnt like from the get-go. It was large (like 1" x 3/4"?)and rectangular and was just way too Klunky. So I didnt like the lights and didn't like the switch.
One idea was to use the factory foglight switch from a GT. This headlight switch unit is directly replaceable to the Mach 1, and the wiring is in place from the BCM to the headlight switch. But after lots of testing and trying, I figured the BCM is supplying 3 vdc to the foglight switch anytime power is on. The foglight switch is a momentary pushbutton supplying ground to the BCM 3 vdc. This signals the BCM to switch the fogs on or off, depending on the programmed lighting configuration of the BCM.
So the next idea was to use the GT foglight momentary switch to ground to control a relay. I tried several relays, but was unable to get any to work. Momentary switching means latching relays. Most latching relays require 2 switches... one on, one off. I was unable to discover a 12vdc latching relay that would simply flip-flop at the momentary application of a ground from a common switch. So I decided to simply add a switch.
I found a nice little illuminated 3/4" pushbutton on/off switch on Amazon for $10. Comes with a plug-in pigtail. After lots of searching, I decided to take the plunge and buy a pair of Diode Dynamics Elite Series Type A lights. These fit the style of the factory lighting on the Mach and have a mounting I can work with. They also have a cool amber running light feature that I didnt know if I would care for, but have since taken a liking to. @Diode Dynamics
Mounting the lights required removing the front bumper cover. I tried just removing the lower splash panel, and I can get to them that way, but removing the front end just made it way easier. I used the plastic plugs to mount the lights. These plugs are about 3/16" thick, and seem very capable of carrying the .85lb weight of each light assy. Drilled a 3.25" hole in each plug and slightly modified to make each lamp fit. Each lamp is mounted with 4 screws to the plug. I wired the amber running light to the outer parking light of the Mach. I could have wired em to the DRL's, but I liked the option of not having them on at all. The ambers pull 25mA, so no issue adding them to the park light circuit load.
After getting everything mounted and wired and front end installed, I discovered getting the lights aligned is going to be a problem. I still need to work on this. I got them as close as I could just working in my shop. The plugs are mounted at an angle and the lights have an alignment feature. But with the angle of the plugs, the alignment is pretty much maxed out. If further alignment is needed, some mods may have to be done, either shimming the mounting points or modifying the alignment feature.
I am using the switch to directly control the foglight white. The fogs pull 1.4A each, and the switch is rated for 10A. So no relay needed. Mounted the switch in the dead panel below the headlight switch. Wired it so the switch led is only on when the foglights are on.
My car does not have the heated steering wheel, so I removed the 20A fuse for that at the BCM and used a fuse tap with a 10A fuse to power the lights. Running the wiring is pretty basic. Details available.
Overall, I'm pretty happy. The appearance of the smallish lights in the grill is not 100%, but nothing ever will be with the shape of the cutouts. The more modern look really matches the headlights nicely, and the ambers lend a cool, different, almost mean look.
You may like it, you may not. Its ok if you wanna tell me I'm ridiculous or I did it wrong. Its the internet... Be A Hero! I dont care. Its a mod I havent seen anyone else do and I did it myself in a way I like. I no longer have to look at those Dead Eye Sockets.
Havent been out on the road yet, waiting on a new Magneride sensor. Still have to figure out how I'm gonna align the lights without taking the front off... maybe some small access holes and a 3' screwdriver?
OK. have a good day. Photo dump follows.
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