Retrofit Projector Headlights for Your Mustang
Retrofit projector headlights can be installed into existing reflector-based headlights to increase their performance. They do this by aiming down instead of upward, increasing road visibility while also reducing headlight glare for other drivers on the road.
There are a variety of different types of projector headlights available, including LED bulbs that are more energy efficient than HID bulbs and last longer than halogen bulbs. The type you choose will depend on your personal preferences and vehicle model.
Increased Visibility
The term “projector headlight” refers to a type of headlight that utilizes a lens and a projecting element to direct light toward the road. These types of lights have been used on cars since the 1950s and are still used in modern vehicles today to help improve visibility. Unlike the acetylene headlights that were once used, these newer projector headlights do not contain any acetylene but instead use a halogen, HID, or LED bulb to produce light.
A projector has a special lens that is designed to focus intense light into a tightly-organized and evenly-distributed beam pattern. This beam pattern is shaped and aimed by the projecting element, which can be an elliptical or parabolic reflector. The projector also has a cut-off shield, which helps prevent glare from oncoming traffic by creating a crisp and clear cut-off line.
This combination of lenses and reflectors ensures that your vehicle is able to light up the road, even in the darkest conditions. In addition to enhancing your visibility, adding projector headlights will also give your car a sleeker and more refined look.
Many companies make headlight retrofit kits that are compatible with your specific vehicle’s factory headlights. Some of the most popular options include Morimoto, GTR Lighting, and Alpharex. The best choice will depend on your budget and the style you prefer. For example, if you are looking for the highest quality plug-and-play upgrade, go with a pair of Morimoto XB LED Hybrid headlights. They are backed by a 5-year warranty and provide better light output than stock headlights.
Reduced Glare
Projector headlights aim down instead of towards the sides, which makes them less likely to blind oncoming traffic. They also tend to produce a more consistent and focused beam of light over a wider area, which helps illuminate the road surface and prevents glare from oncoming vehicles.
Unlike classic reflector headlights, projectors use an elliptical-shaped reflector to focus the light emitted from the bulb. They then pass the light through a shutter, which creates a sharp retrofit projector headlights cutoff line that effectively aims your lights at the road and avoids blinding other drivers. This feature is especially important when you’re driving on highways at night.
When you engage your high beams, a solenoid inside the projector will drop this shutter to let more light escape from above, which gives your vehicle a clean and clear high-beam effect without affecting the low-beam performance. When you reengage your low beams, the projector will return the shutter to its original position so you can continue to enjoy optimal lighting.
Unlike some other retrofit projects, which require you to bake your stock headlight assemblies open, vehicle-specific projector kits are designed specifically for your car and include plug-and-play components like lenses, shutters and reflectors. They’re typically easier to install and don’t require any excess cutting or soldering.
Aesthetics
Like any other performance upgrade, upgrading your headlights provides aesthetic benefits as well. In particular, projector headlights provide a sleek look compared to reflector-style factory headlights. In addition, they have a clear cut-off line that minimizes headlight glare for other drivers on the road.
While halogen projectors are still the most common type of headlight on the road, there is a growing demand for LED projector headlights as well. This is due to their energy efficiency, longevity, and enhanced light output. Many LED headlights on the market today are plug-and-play, making them easy to install in your existing headlight housing.
The first step in converting your headlights to LED is by replacing the stock bulbs with the proper type of bulb. The halogen headlights in your vehicle will need to be replaced with HID or Xenon HI-beam bulbs. These will offer a more focused, whiter, and brighter beam than halogen bulbs. The next step is to replace the factory lens with a clear one. There are a few different ways to do this. The most popular is to use a kit, such as the Morimoto XB LED kit that includes a new lens and shield modification for a seamless transition to a high-performance lighting system.
Other options include using a HID conversion kit that can be installed directly into the headlight bucket. This method may require extensive cutting to the stock headlight bucket and will be more difficult to align correctly. Finally, there are also aftermarket projector kits that utilize a threaded shaft that fits into the existing hole in your reflector bucket and clamps down with a variety of hardware. These types of kits are typically cheaper and easier to align, but they may not offer the same quality as a Morimoto kit.
Easy Installation
If you’re looking to upgrade your car’s headlights, retrofit projector headlights are a great option. They’re simple to install and provide a number of benefits, including increased visibility and reduced glare. These lights also help to give your vehicle a more retrofit projector headlights sleek and stylish look. They can be easily installed on any model or year of Mustang, making them a great choice for any Mustang enthusiast.
One of the most common upgrades for headlights is the addition of HID (high-intensity discharge) bulbs. These are brighter and have a longer lifespan than halogen bulbs. However, it’s important to note that HID bulbs must be installed into a headlight housing that is designed for them. Otherwise, they can cause glare for other drivers on the road. Fortunately, The Retrofit Source offers a wide variety of HID projector headlights that are a perfect fit for your vehicle.
When installing projector headlights, it’s important to take your time and make sure everything is a good fit before you put the headlight back together. It’s also recommended that you bench test your solenoid before installing it in the headlight to ensure it works correctly.
The first step is to remove the black bracket from the back of your headlight housing using a screwdriver. There is a spring and 3 clips that must be removed in order to loosen the bracket. Once this is done, you can then remove the 2 rubber condensation vents and 5 Philips screws that hold the fender/hood weather stripping on.
