Next up, I have a full set of LMC truck replacement lights to install. Was surprised by how they’re not just replacements for the sealed beams but are an improvement in reflectors and also 9006/9005. The lighting in this car has always been dreadful.
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BUILD Quest for improved 4th gen Fbody drivability
- Thread starter Bru
- Start date
Ordered my Mustang in 2004 and delivered in late March of 2005 Still have it.
U are correct nothing to argue about. I keep forgetting it was combined and I was on svt chicago longer all the OG members from there makes this feel like it never changed.
I’ve been having fun this year continuing the modernization of the old heap. Two areas of focus are improving the lighting and sound system. For lighting, I’m going LED for marker lights and fog lights, including new Morimoto LED projector fogs. And I have a new set of replacement, updated headlight housings for the brights and lows; I plan to explore LED headlights once I can take some measurements.
I changed all the exterior marker lights (turn signal, corner marker, brakes, daytime running lights) to LED, which required more care in picking parts than I imagined. I found a brand with similar physical size to the original equipment as well as a top lens for projection, matched the bulb color with the lens color and then had to get third brake light LED bulbs with resistors so the cruise control works. Also, replaced the hazard and turn signal flashers with no load LED flashers so those still work.
Brand is iBrightstar on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s?k=iBrightstar&ref=bl_dp_s_mw_0
Overall, it was a massive improvement because the bulbs that were in there were toast. It’s wild how hot the stock incandescent stuff runs, and how nasty the bulbs and sockets were from heat. The new stuff is extremely bright even in daylight, which is what I wanted.
I changed all the exterior marker lights (turn signal, corner marker, brakes, daytime running lights) to LED, which required more care in picking parts than I imagined. I found a brand with similar physical size to the original equipment as well as a top lens for projection, matched the bulb color with the lens color and then had to get third brake light LED bulbs with resistors so the cruise control works. Also, replaced the hazard and turn signal flashers with no load LED flashers so those still work.
Brand is iBrightstar on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s?k=iBrightstar&ref=bl_dp_s_mw_0
Overall, it was a massive improvement because the bulbs that were in there were toast. It’s wild how hot the stock incandescent stuff runs, and how nasty the bulbs and sockets were from heat. The new stuff is extremely bright even in daylight, which is what I wanted.
And here are the fog lights from a company called Screaming Chicken that sells Morimoto fog lights in the same size as the stockers with factory brackets that went in perfectly. Haven’t driven at night yet. One annoying thing was that polarity on the plug was reversed so it wouldn’t click in.
https://screamingchicken.com/1993-2002-trans-am-morimoto-xb-fog-lights/
https://screamingchicken.com/1993-2002-trans-am-morimoto-xb-fog-lights/
On the sound system side, I’ve been diagnosing distortion even with the aftermarket head unit and decent replacement speaker package (Kee Audio Level 2) all around. I took out all the speakers and double checked the wiring, and saw that one of the tweeters fell out of the front speakers. I don’t think this was my source of distortion, but I then recognized how awfully insulated the door panels and sail panels are. Which means there is no insulation. So I bought a cheap-o dynamat material from Amazon, covered the whole inside of the door panel, sail panel and it made a massive difference. I don’t have to play the music as loudly anymore and it’s has much more clarity and bass response. It sounds like a real car stereo now.
KILMAT 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat, Butyl Automotive Sound Deadener, Audio Noise Insulation and dampening https://a.co/d/7S03NDs
KILMAT 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat, Butyl Automotive Sound Deadener, Audio Noise Insulation and dampening https://a.co/d/7S03NDs
And while I was at it, I figured let’s throw in a sub and let the front components take a break. I’ve had this cubby-enclosure subwoofer hanging around for over 10 years after buying it in camaro
greasy was parting out. I bought an amplifier from Goodwill for $40 that will be here soon and we will see how this goes.
greasy was parting out. I bought an amplifier from Goodwill for $40 that will be here soon and we will see how this goes.