Just playing around with Photoshop and some car picture off the internet as I ponder what my car might look like one day.
I like the 69 grille with extra lights, and I like the GT with driving lights although they are small. Plus the GT500 with the wide lights looks mean but that whole front end is different from the base Mustang.
I like the general idea, for sure, and definitely agree with your thoughts on the GT lights being a bit small for the look you appear to be going for. I played with ideas on how to flush mount some driving lights in the billet grille, but I ultimately decided to go the stealth route and hid a set of Hella Black Magic (~6.4") driving lights behind the grille, mounted on the rad support. Can't even see them unless the lights are on.
It was purely style. I always liked those old Ferrari models that had (nearly) flush to the bodywork grilles, and I wanted a second set of driving lights poking through to boot. I also never liked the extended forward '67/68 Shelby nose jobs, too much hanging out front. The stock mustang deep set grille is iconic though, no argument. I should mention that very few people notice what I did. It's "subtle".
They're '68 Shelby spec halogens (Tony Branda HL1), and no, I could not go larger than 5.75". Here's another angle on the front end, and there's more detailed close-up images and a description of the mods for it in the thread titled "What I came up with" pics.
I like the general idea, for sure, and definitely agree with your thoughts on the GT lights being a bit small for the look you appear to be going for. I played with ideas on how to flush mount some driving lights in the billet grille, but I ultimately decided to go the stealth route and hid a set of Hella Black Magic (~6.4") driving lights behind the grille, mounted on the rad support. Can't even see them unless the lights are on.
They're '68 Shelby spec halogens (Tony Branda HL1), and no, I could not go larger than 5.75". Here's another angle on the front end, and there's more detailed close-up images and a description of the mods for it in the thread titled "What I came up with" pics.
View attachment 736587
Yeah, there wasn’t enough clearance between the support and the grille otherwise. And that’s despite the fact that the Hellas are pretty damn thin (~2.4” I think)
Yeah, there wasn’t enough clearance between the support and the grille otherwise. And that’s despite the fact that the Hellas are pretty damn thin (~2.4” I think)
Early on I thought of doing something like that, with the grille in the stock location. The depth issue I ran into was mostly on the passenger side, the battery is right behind the rad support and would've entailed moving it back somewhat. But maybe with those Hella lamps it's not a problem? The A/C plumbing on the driver's side would have required some rerouting too. Then there's a goodly portion of the light output being compromised by the grille. I liked the stealthy idea of it all but in the end just couldn't see it as optimum. Anyway, that was my take. Where's the damned "shrug" emoji?
What surprised me is that it is t symmetrical behind the grille so there were different problems on both sides. And yes the A/C plumbing was an issue... and now that everything is in I’m going to a serpentine system that moves the A/C to passenger side.
As far as functionality, mind look to be plenty bright but it’s not all buttoned up quite yet.
Yeah, I never had any doubt the lights would be quite visible when on and looking AT the car from outside. Unmarked cop cars use colored lights like that, meant to be an alert to others when activated, but by no means capable of showing you a way home. In effect, the grille becomes a perfect diffuser, scattering the light output every which way and thereby reducing its intended focus on the road ahead. I'm no automotive lighting expert, but I know how diffusers work to reduce harshness and soften light in a given environment. That's what diffusers are for, to disrupt light paths. I'm just not sure how much effectiveness will be lost in an application like that. We REALLY NEED a shrug emoji.
I hear what you’re saying but think (hope?) that because the billet grille only has horizontal bars, that the diffusion will be minimal.
During the test shown in that screengrab above, the driving lights threw a very tight circle of light on the far wall of the garage. (Insert shrug here)
After some research I bought the Tenhulzen Auto 3300 2-Wheel Alignment System all-in-one Tool (Camber/Caster/Toe Plates). Does not require turn plates but I have the wheels on some plastic with grease and they turns easy (especially with EPAS on!!)
I can easily adjust toe and camber and those...
Trying to get to first drive and I am now down to brakes. Right now car is on jack stands in the rear with an open diff, stock converter in the trans. When I put the car in gear at idle of course the passenger side wheel turns. I cannot get the wheels to stop with strong effort on the brake...
Is the manual trans brake pedal the same as the auto brake pedal except for the size of the foot pad? I can't find a replacement brake pedal anywhere ( NPD, Autocrafters, etc.) Haven't looked on ebay yet. If its the same can I just cut the foot pad down to size or are the angles different?
This is our 67 coupe. It is a 289 auto project. It was covered in alligatored paint from an apparent collision probably sometime in the 80s. About 3/4 of the car was covered in bonds. After stripping it away there were several minor dents that were easily fixed with a dolly and hammer. The right...
I have been told there is an upgrade rear firewall that goes behind the rear seat to separate the passenger compartment from the trunk/gas tank area on early cars. I am starting to redo a '67 coupe for my daughter-in-law and I want to do any and all safety upgrades to the car that I can. School...
A forum community dedicated to vintage Ford Mustang owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restoration, modifications, NOS parts, troubleshooting, VIN codes, and more!
