If ever we needed proof of...
If ever we needed proof of how old SN-95 Mustangs have become, it shows in their exterior plastic pieces, such as head and parking lamp modules, which turn milky like old yellowed paper over time.
Seems like yesterday when we were at the '94 Mustang Job 1 ceremony. At Dearborn assembly on October 4, 1993, there was much fanfare celebrating the all-new SN-95 Mustang's mass production start-up. Ford's chairman Red Poling and soon-to-be chairman, Alex Trotman, hopped into a bright red '94 Mustang GT convertible and blasted through a curtain to launch an exciting new Mustang era. It was at the SN-95 Job 1 launch that Poling handed over the symbolic keys to Ford Motor Company to Trotman, signaling Poling's retirement.
That moment in Mustang history is 16 years gone now and the "Team Coletti" SN-95 Mustangs are suddenly overnight contemporary classics. They were an exciting first step toward getting back to what the Mustang was to begin with. The SN-95 was well received and remains one of the most popular Mustangs ever produced with untold thousands still on the road-many of them with aged headlights.
We decided to replace our...
We decided to replace our friend's milky headlights and parking lights with replacements for the '94-'98 SVT Cobra, which have more of a clear appearance. Brothers Performance also offers stock replacements made from durable GE Lexan plastic.
We decided to help out a buddy by replacing the milky headlights and parking lamp modules on his '95 GT coupe with a new set of SVT Cobra pieces from Brothers Performance. This is an affordable, one-afternoon project you can do in your driveway without burning up a month's lunch money.
The SN-95 Mustang was the...
The SN-95 Mustang was the first to have a radiator support cover, which is retained by pseudo push-in plastic Phillips screws, which are actually rivets. In theory, you're supposed to remove them with a Phillips screwdriver (gently, counterclockwise) and they back right out. Darned if we've seen many work that way.
Once you get the plastic retainers...
Once you get the plastic retainers out, remove the radiator cover.
The parking lamp modules are...
The parking lamp modules are retained with one threaded stud on each side.....
....Remove the retaining nut...
....Remove the retaining nut using a 10mm socket and remove the lamp.
Gently disconnect the parking...
Gently disconnect the parking lamp lead like this. We stress caution because, over time, the plastic can dry rot and break.
Headlamp module removal is...
Headlamp module removal is not as easy as the parking lamp removal. Depress the plastic adjustor inserts with a common screwdriver or needle nose pliers and gently pull on the module.
Remove the module as show...
Remove the module as shown,....
....then disconnect the h...
....then disconnect the headlight.
Headlight adjustment can be...
Headlight adjustment can be carried over to the new module, but don't count on luck because no two modules are exact. You want to get the adjustors in the neighborhood, then properly align the headlights before night driving.
There are two headlight adjustors...
There are two headlight adjustors on each lamp-one for right and left and another for up and down. There is one support post outboard.....
.....Each adjustor fits into...
.....Each adjustor fits into the radiator support, which also secures the lamp. Adjustment happens when you turn the hex-tip screw with a small wrench, about 3-4 mm in size.
Slide the new headlight into...
Slide the new headlight into place. Connect the lamp, then line up the post and adjustors and press....
....firmly into place until...
....firmly into place until they click. All they need at this point is proper adjustment.
Parking lamps get new press-in...
Parking lamps get new press-in bulbs, which makes them a lot different than the vintage Mustang 1157A push and turn types......
.....But like the old 1157A...
.....But like the old 1157A lamps, you can only install these lamps one way.
Connect the parking lamp socket...
Connect the parking lamp socket as shown. Make sure the contacts are clean.
Install the new parking lamp...
Install the new parking lamp module and reinstall the 10mm flange nut. Do not overtighten.
We like the '94-'98 SVT Cobra's...
We like the '94-'98 SVT Cobra's composite headlamps and cool parking/side marker lamps.