One of the most notable and unique features on some '67 Shelby GT500s were the center-mounted foglights in the car's grille. Though not legal in all states, the lights located only an inch or so from one another is a trick-looking arrangement that seems natural for the current retro-designed S197 Mustang.
Although the center foglight grille has been around for a while, we still want to see what's involved in its installation. As it turns out, fitting the grille isn't very difficult, and the result is a unique styling component for '05-'08 Mustang GTs that can be ordered right off Mustang Racing Technologies' Web site for $170. The grille, made by 3D Carbon, was in place on our '05 GT subject car in about an hour.
Finally, note that this grille only fits GTs-not V-6 Mustangs or Shelby GT500s. The GT's original light housings are reused with the new grille; V-6 cars aren't equipped with foglights and GT500s have a unique front fascia that has the foglights mounted below the headlights.
Our '05 Redfire GT subject...
Our '05 Redfire GT subject car looks great with the foglights mounted in the center of the 3D Carbon grille. Also known by 3D Carbon as an "Eleanor" grille to go with an S197 Eleanor body kit, we think it looks good by itself on an otherwise unaltered car. The grille is available from Mustang Racing Technologies.
The grille comes with all...
The grille comes with all required hardware, including a pair of modified bulbs, a pair of wiring-harness extensions, a pair of lightbulb clips, and eight short screws.
According to the installation...
According to the installation instructions, removal of the car's front bumper/fascia assembly is required. However, we were able to do the installation without having to remove what amounts to nearly the entire front of the car. Instead of removing 14 fasteners and having to deal with the front bumper assembly, we took off the grille and left the bumper in place. We began this time-saving route by detaching the radiator cover, which only involved pulling the six plunger-type fasteners. This can be done by hand as shown or with a small screwdriver.
Once removed, set the radiator...
Once removed, set the radiator cover aside.
Without the radiator cover,...
Without the radiator cover, the grille is easily detached. Eight clips hold it in place: two on each end (one of the top ones is shown here) and four along the bottom of the grille. When the tab on the bumper is gently pushed back, the black clip that's part of the grille is separated.
With a screwdriver, the four...
With a screwdriver, the four bottom clips on the grille can be accessed and separated from the bumper.
By reaching in with the screwdriver...
By reaching in with the screwdriver between the bottom of the grille and the top of the bumper as is being done here, the four clips on the bottom can be accessed to separate it from the bumper.
Once the eight clips are removed,...
Once the eight clips are removed, the grille is separated and taken off. Although it's somewhat of a reach to get to the four clips on the bottom of the grille, it wasn't nearly as much hassle as detaching the whole bumper from the car.
Unplug the factory foglight...
Unplug the factory foglight plugs from the lights in the housings. Once the lights are unplugged, the grille can be completely removed from the car.
Use a Torx bit (or an Allen...
Use a Torx bit (or an Allen wrench) to remove the foglights.
With the screws removed, the...
With the screws removed, the foglight housing lifts right out.
Next, remove the original...
Next, remove the original bulbs from the housing.
The new bulbs that come with...
The new bulbs that come with the grille are almost the same as the ones that come in the car. The only difference is that two of the three mounting tabs have been removed on the new bulbs (left). The one on the right is the original bulb with its three tabs in place. The female plug on the new lights must point downward to allow adequate clearance from the car's radiator core support.
The original foglight housings...
The original foglight housings go in the new grille the same as with the fac-tory one.
Secure the housings with the...
Secure the housings with the supplied screws. Seat them all the way into the foglight-housing mounting tabs, but be careful not to over tighten. Don't use the original Torx-head screws because they're too long for the new grille.
Install the new bulbs in the...
Install the new bulbs in the light housings with the plug pointed down.
Next, install the supplied...
Next, install the supplied retaining clips that hold the bulbs in the housing. With two of the tabs removed on the new bulbs, the new lights will need the clips to keep them in place. Slide the clips between the light bezel and behind the bulb.
After the clips are in place,...
After the clips are in place, carefully bend one end of them with a pair of pliers to keep them from backing out.
The plug extensions install...
The plug extensions install between the car's original plugs and the bulbs in the grille. Plug them in as shown and turn on the driving lights before snapping the grille in place on the bumper. You'll have to turn the ignition key to the run position for the foglights to turn on, but you don't have to start the car.
With the extensions installed...
With the extensions installed and everything else complete, the grille snaps in place on the bumper. The eight clips should also pop in easily. Complete the job by reinstalling the radiator cover and its fasteners.