It just followed me home (version 2)!

[scott9050]

It improved massively! It went from "Are my lights even on!?" to the normal baseline crappyness I've come to know and love. Sorry... I like my Exploder, but, mid-90's Fords have terrible headlights. ... or i'm just to use to the euro goodness of my fun car:

Either way, i've got a plan in the works... Stay tuned!

They are nearly as bad on my Explorer as my two past first generation Mark VIII's. I am spoiled by the HID's on my Mustang. These and a valve body will be my next two repairs.

 

[J_C]

Guys, you're not going to like this suggestion but I'm putting it out there anyway.

This is not a mustang. The headlights, in proper working order, do not need improved unless you're driving at excessive speed per the vehicle. Speed limit is just a number, some vehicles can safely go faster and some can't. This is not a mustang. Enabling yourself to drive faster because you can see further will cause more accidents. The headlights already exceeded the handling limits. This is not a mustang.

If your headlights aren't doing well enough you are probably driving too fast, and comparing to headlights of vehicles that can safely go faster is pointless. They do not need to be as good as headlights for vehicles that can safely drive faster. Did I mention that it's not a mustang?

If you are driving a safe speed for your vehicle capability then all brighter headlights could do is blind other drivers more. It's not a mustang. It's a brick on wheels.

 

[96Green]

I totally hear what you are saying, however, I do genuinely feel the Explosers headlights are not sufficient. That said, I live on a very dark road that frequently has deer (and often my neighbor's cows which have a habit of escaping) on it. I'm not driving any faster than the speed limit, and often drive under it at night.

While your statement is valid, if I can't see ****.... ...

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Well in most cases I just drive with the fog lights, (99 has a home run set IMO) because the headlights are just not cutting it even on high beams. Can't go over 45 safely and that's not safe to start with on busier highways

 

[J_C]

^ Then you may indeed not have headlights in proper working order for whichever reason (clouded lens, leaking housing with water vapor inside, mis-aimed, old bulb, corroded electrical contacts or frayed wire, etc).

 

[koda2000]

I heard on my local news just the other day that nearly all new car headlights are poor. Even many expensive brands with HID's. As I recall there was only one that was considered good and they were LED's (Kia maybe...?). So we're not alone with are weak headlights. I don't drive at night much anymore, so I don't consider it a big deal.

 

[J_C]

^ I consider most new headlights to be excessive. I should mention I have pretty good night vision and barely need headlights at all except for the darkest of nights, except for the night blindness that comes from other people's lights. IMO, beyond a certain point what you gain with everyone having brighter lights is more than taken away by being blinded by other vehicles' headlights. At least most of us have auto-dimming rear view mirrors.

Not too long ago I got rid of a car that didn't and it was a real pain to drive at night when someone following me had either upgraded or newer vehicle HID lights. Even tilting the mirror down, the cabin just got flooded with light due to the windshield angle and lower ride height. Ironic that people were probably driving on my tail thinking they were going to get where they were going faster when all they were doing was causing me to drive slower.

 

[96Green]

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Should've gone with four of those overkill ones then again, that might be just a tad much.

 

[96Green]

Not only would it have been SERIOUS overkill, i'm not sure where you would mount 4. :

 

[96Green]

Mounted the switches for the aforementioned lights. Top switch is the Light Cannons of Doom, bottom switch is the other set.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

You have noticed that your cigar lighter has gone on into the dash? Mine did that, went to the local junkyard and got a pair of them, even though I don't even use that port.

 

[96Green]

You have noticed that your cigar lighter has gone on into the dash? Mine did that, went to the local junkyard and got a pair of them, even though I don't even use that port.

I did notice, and i've unplugged the lighter so it doesn't flop around, and taped off the wires to prevent any shorting. I've got another 12v on the center console, so... no biggie. I'll get around to fixing it eventually.

 

[96Green]

I've put 720 miles behind the Green Monster since acquiring it, and it's running like a top. I also tossed the one surviving LED spot lamp from my last explorer under the rear bumper. It's set up to come n w/ the factory reverse lights.

It's bright as balls.

 

[96Green]

My center console was... icky. It had ciggy burns in the plastic (po was a smoker). So, i broke out the sand paper, rubbed it all down, and painted it.

Pretty pleased with the results, but, then again, my opinion may be biased.

 

[J_C]

^ Looks great. What paint did you use?

 

[96Green]

^ Looks great. What paint did you use?

Thanks! Going to do the radio surround as well, as that's all scratched up.

I'll post a pic of the can when I get home.

 

[96Green]

Krylon Ultra-Flat black

I got good results with multiple light coats, then giving it a firm rub-down with a rag to knock off any roughness.

 

[koda2000]

What the hell does Ultra-Flat Black Camouflage look like?

 

[96Green]

I have no goddamn idea, but it was the only non-gloss black at my little local hardware store.