03 LS V8 with HID's... can they be downgraded?

[daspyderman]

SO... might seem silly to consider but here's the reality... I backed into my own car destroying the RH Headlight. The HID ballast, bulbs and everything else is fine but the lens and backing are cracked. So I called the local parts department and they (Ford/Lincoln) sell every part EXCEPT the lens/backing assembly... but I could buy the whole assembly for $1800+

So after purchasing 2 assemblies that do not fit my car/lights and searching for several months for a replacement I've decided it might be cheaper/easier to just downgrade to standard lights. The wiring looks pretty straight forward, though the harness plugs are different, I'm just concerned that the voltage output may be different and cause computer issues if I attempt it without asking advice first.

The only other reasonable option is that the one assembly I bought is close enough that I may be able to alter it to hold the HID bulb (would take some careful tedious work and may not result in anything but wasted time and $100).

That OR if you feel bad for my stupidity you can donate yours!? yeah, i didnt think so

[shorod]

That's a bummer!

Have you checked local salvage yards and their networks fro a replacement lens assembly? I wouldn't try to modify one that doesn't fit the HID bulb. The focal distance and other optical measurements are different between halogen and HID. You and the other drivers on the road would probably not be pleased with the result.

As far as downgrading the headlights and going with standard bulbs, the wiring, if done properly, should not interfere with the PCM and other electrical system components since it's straight DC at battery voltage, no high frequency, high voltage ballasts to worry about.

-Rod

[joegr]

You might try Max at Five Star Ford (he will ship anywhere). In the past, he's sold the factory HID assembly (includes lens, reflector, so on) for far less than $1800. It might have been less than $600.

Anyway, If you put the HID bulb and ballast in the halogen assembly, the reflector will be wrong and you will throw light in the wrong directions. It will blind on coming drivers and give you less light.

You can plug the halogen assembly in instead of the HID. You just need to file some nubs down on the connector. The HID wiring harness adds some low beam relays that aren't in the halogen harness, but this won't hurt anything. It would work just fine.

I have a 2004 LS without HIDs and a 2006 LS with HIDs. The different in lighting is there, but it's not that great. The 2004 with the fogs on is about the same as the 2006 with just HIDs.

[daspyderman]

@joegr - which 5 stae are you referring to?

[joegr]

Originally Posted by daspyderman

@joegr - which 5 stae are you referring to?

Max Zuckerberg

Internet Part Sales
Phone (800) 866-1520 ext. 236
Fax (480) 949-8478
[email protected]

http://fivestarford.com/Department-Parts.aspx