Headlights


dbk

Admin
Staff member
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Jul 30, 2005
15,247
Metro Detroit
Headlights are being run as we speak. Should be available in a couple months. Guide did go out of business but Ford has the tooling and is going to produce a bunch more headlights.
 

GEE-TEE

GT Owner
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May 1, 2009
620
Calabasas, California
You just made my day. Thanks DBK. After I get mine on warranty, I am tempted to buy two more as back up. It is strange to me that they would make a light so large with multiple bulbs inside it one large enclosed unit. Is this also the case with the foglights or any of the other lights? Have they been scarce as well?
 

dbk

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Jul 30, 2005
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Metro Detroit
Honestly there was no info until last week about the headlights, so it is new info. I would not worry about buying additional units because Ford has the tooling from the supplier that went under. They'll produce at least another few years (probably 5) worth based on current usage rates, and those rates should decline.

Much of the parts shortages we're incurring is because guys who never drive their cars anyways are buying 5-6 extras of stuff which is a real bitch for the people who actual bought the car to uh, drive.

The only reason they are such a PITA is because they are a sealed unit. There is just no way to get that thing apart without ruining it. Especially if you're Camilo and you try with a screwdriver :lol The foglights, that I know, haven't been scarce, and even if they were, would be much less of a pain in the ass to replicate.
 
H

HHGT

Guest
Headlights are being run as we speak. Should be available in a couple months. Guide did go out of business but Ford has the tooling and is going to produce a bunch more headlights.

:thumbsup:thumbsup
 

ChipBeck

GT Owner
Staff member
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Feb 13, 2006
5,783
Scottsdale, Arizona
Strike while the iron is hot.

I have a spare brand new in the box set, Thank the lord:)

In light of the information DBK has presented, you could probably e-bay them now and get enough $ to buy two sets a month from now.

Chip
 

Spirit

Heritage GT Owner
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Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Good News

Headlights are being run as we speak. Should be available in a couple months. Guide did go out of business but Ford has the tooling and is going to produce a bunch more headlights.

Glad to hear this worked out.:thumbsup
 

RALPHIE

GT Owner
Mar 1, 2007
7,278
That's great news, Dave! I'm sure all of us appreciate this news, and takes away a lot of apprehension.

As a side, I was just re-reading Adrian Streather's book "FORD GT, Then and Now" and he states on page 133:

"The UK homogation requirements are essentially the same as for the European version, except that the headlight lenses have to be changed, and the headlights adjusted so they operate correctly for vehicles driven on the left side of the road."

I wonder what the Roush facility, when doing the homologation changes, did with the headlights which were removed? Perhaps Neilda or Viper could check with them. As I recall, 14 cars were originally sent to the UK, and I'm sure some US cars have also been imported there. Just wondering....
 

fjpikul

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Jan 4, 2006
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Belleville, IL
Thank you DBK. Good info.
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
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Sep 9, 2006
5,046
California
Woohoo! I am glad to hear this. I thought I was going to be stuck with my hairline cracked headlights for the rest of my days...

$5K per pair might have been more than I would be willing to pay, if supply was not replenished...
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
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Sep 9, 2006
5,046
California
hmmm...wonder if a fix has been re-engineered...
 

AJK

GT Owner
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Jul 12, 2006
336
Honestly there was no info until last week about the headlights, so it is new info. I would not worry about buying additional units because Ford has the tooling from the supplier that went under. They'll produce at least another few years (probably 5) worth based on current usage rates, and those rates should decline.

Much of the parts shortages we're incurring is because guys who never drive their cars anyways are buying 5-6 extras of stuff which is a real bitch for the people who actual bought the car to uh, drive.

The only reason they are such a PITA is because they are a sealed unit. There is just no way to get that thing apart without ruining it. Especially if you're Camilo and you try with a screwdriver :lol The foglights, that I know, haven't been scarce, and even if they were, would be much less of a pain in the ass to replicate.

Don't know if it would work on our headlights but I've heard of putting Porsche headlights in the oven at a certain temperature so that the plastic lense can be removed from the unit and then glued back together.

AJK
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
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Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
Don't know if it would work on our headlights but I've heard of putting Porsche headlights in the oven at a certain temperature so that the plastic lense can be removed from the unit and then glued back together.

AJK


The lenses aren't sold seperately 'cause the whole headlight assbly is ONE unit...as such, the lenses arn't intended to be removed (which IS the actual pblm here). So, one would have to buy an entire "bucket" anyway to get a replacement lense. Might just as well replace the whole thing and remove the "oven" risks. :wink
 

ViperJoe

GT Owner
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Aug 17, 2006
1,305
Washington Crossing, PA
Don't know if it would work on our headlights but I've heard of putting Porsche headlights in the oven at a certain temperature so that the plastic lense can be removed from the unit and then glued back together.

AJK
I just did that on a white LED tail light lens for a V-Rod. The lens is heat welded to the housing and nearly impossible to seperate.
 

GEE-TEE

GT Owner
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May 1, 2009
620
Calabasas, California
Sounds like a nightmare to deal with. I will wait til the real lights come. Thanks
 

Awsum GT

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Sep 17, 2005
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Carmel & Cntrl Ca
Headlights are being run as we speak. Should be available in a couple months. Guide did go out of business but Ford has the tooling and is going to produce a bunch more headlights.

Dave... So if we have a set on order through a dealer we will get them? Or is it for warranty replacement only?
 

junior

GT Owner
Mar 9, 2007
1,152
So Cal
I would imagine that Ford "knows" and make necessary design changes to the new units so the internals components can be accessed and replaced individually with ease.
 

BlackICE

GT Owner
Nov 2, 2005
1,416
SF Bay Area in California
I would imagine that Ford "knows" and make necessary design changes to the new units so the internals components can be accessed and replaced individually with ease.

As with most people, what a company knows and does are often not the same.
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
5,046
California
As with most people, what a company knows and does are often not the same.

Yeah, I'll be happy if they just address the cracking / fracture issue itself. But even then, that might be asking for a bit much.
 

GEE-TEE

GT Owner
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May 1, 2009
620
Calabasas, California
I have a few of those cracks on the fog lights. Thats true.
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
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Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
'Solution is so simple it's scary.

Just make the lenses replaceable in the new units.

That's the way they SHUDDA been made in the 1st place.



Edit: What about also incorporating one or more small "vent holes" above the lights in the 'bucket to allow all that built up heat to escape? They could be just plain holes, or louvers, or FILTERED holes or louvers to keep dust 'n' crudd out, or........? 'Too simple???
 
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