00-02 Headlight Removal, Mods, and angel eyes. Ideas and tips?

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EricY

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Hi there, I own a 2001 Lincoln ls. I recently have fallen in love with angel eyes and bought the umnitza kit. I am wondering if anyone has installed this kit on the gen1 headlights and found any troubles or have any tips that would make it easier? I have read a lot on the gen2 lights and think it should be fairly similar but still want that perfect look for the gen1 lights.

I also wanted to know what other Mods would look good to do to the lights while I have everything apart and accessible? I heard of a way to remove the amber side lens, I just have not found a how to guide to do it.

Also, is there a way to change the original day time running lights (ones closest to the center) to led? Im not sure if I can buy led bulbs to put in the original socket without having anything go wrong.

Thanks so much,

Eric
 
EricY said:
...Also, is there a way to change the original day time running lights (ones closest to the center) to led? Im not sure if I can buy led bulbs to put in the original socket without having anything go wrong...
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Are you talking about the hi-beams? Bad idea.
 
I thought DTRL was a feature that Canadians could enable (via the dealer), but I would guess that would be for the outboard lights (driving lights). The inboard lights are high beams and LED's generally do not make good high beams.
 
Many DRLs run the highbeams at 6 volts. The 2000 Camry does this and the 2013+ Fusion can do this by changing a setting via dealer computer. Most LED replacement bulbs for any external vehicle light do not match incandescent light output and always have a different location for where it actually emits light, meaning headlights and fogs will not reflect correctly, the same way HIDs in halogen housings do.

As for taking them apart, take out the leveling indicator before putting it in the oven. Twist it 90 degrees and pull. It's connected to the reflectors by a ball joint that you just pull and wiggle until it pops out. I couldn't figure it out before taking the whole thing apart. The clear plastic will balloon and melt very quickly. Ask me how I know. I found it much easier to have two people pull the light apart pulling evenly from both ends or front/back.

Do not drop the black plastic insert. It is VERY brittle and thin for it's weight. Ask me how I know again.

If you're new to this type of work, I'd recommend buying a spare set of headlights so you can take your time. if you break something, at least you're not out of a headlight and can still safely drive at night. I realize cost is an issue. I got lucky and got a nice set for $25 each out of a junkyard.
 
joegr said:
Are you talking about the hi-beams? Bad idea.
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No not the highbeams. I played around with all the light settings and there are lights that turn on while im driving (i assumed they were called day time running lights, but may be wrong) they turn on from the light closest to the grill/center. it is also the same light where the highbeams come from, I am assuming that there are two bulbs in there for each light and i wanted to replace the driving lights with led to get a cleaner and modern look while the angel eyes are on.

Eric
 
EricY said:
... I am assuming that there are two bulbs in there for each light and i wanted to replace the driving lights with led to get a cleaner and modern look while the angel eyes are on.

Eric
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Incorrect assumption. There is only one bulb, the high beam. DRLs use the high beam bulb, it's just that the power to bulb is reduced using PWM.
 
EricY thanks for making the thread and LSFrank thanks for the great info above.


I'm wanting to install angel eyes on my 02 v6 ls it's gen 1 right?

I'm going to get a set from online or a junk yard that is in good condition for a decent price and try to do it.

Eric can you link me to the kit you purchased thanks.

Also do post some pics here when your done / in the process if you could thanks.
 
Major info: most Gen 1s have gray sealant between the lens and body, some have black. Gen 2s have black. The black sealant will not soften in the oven and must be cut open.

Remix, you're welcome.

EricY, the LS does not have an extra DRL bulb. There ARE some cars with a separate DRL bulb in the headlight reflector (some fleet 2013 Transit Connects, some late model Subarus, pre-2014 Forresters maybe), but those are usually cars with a dual filament headlight and therefore one reflector.

For anyone that doesn't know, PWM is pulse width modulation. It's a way of reducing power without producing [noticeable] heat. Passive systems, like using resistors on LEDs, create heat to reduce energy. PWM is computer controlled and modulates/chops up power to "reduce" voltage. If it switches power on and off equally (50% duty cycle) the voltage will appear to be 6 volts. It switches so quickly you won't see any flickering on an incandescent light. LEDs, if you or they move fast enough, will create a strobing trail. RGB LED devices will induce a subconscious stop-motion feeling on very low duty cycles (brightness).

I think the dash lights are controlled by PWM, but I could be wrong. OEM LED tail lights use PWM as well, which is why they look so weird on high end video. You can see this on the Bugatti in the Top Gear episode where they race it against the McLaren F1 in Dubai. Sometimes, only half the tail light appears lit.

LEDs are kinda my thing...
 
Thanks LSFrank, So just to confirm, the same lights that turn on while driving are the same bulb as my highbeams? just with different voltage running through it to change the brightness?

Electronics and wiring are kinda not my thing..
 
EricY said:
Thanks LSFrank, So just to confirm, the same lights that turn on while driving are the same bulb as my highbeams? just with different voltage running through it to change the brightness?

Electronics and wiring are kinda not my thing..
Click to expand...

3rd time, Yes it's the same bulb.
 
I gave the same LED rings. Love them. I painted the headlight bezel Autumn Red to Mach my LS.
 
LS4me said:
Here.....
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LOL... let me google that for you never gets old... gotta love it. However... I was curious if anyone had installed these same ebay ones vs the umnitza rings... doing a google search doesnt show these exact rings... [emoji16] there is a video on youtube im assuming a member from here put up showing how to install the umnitza ones on a gen2 and I love how it was spaced out to match the housing with no gaps. Just want to make sure this can be done on the cheaper ebay ones before buying...
 
Where do I wire the angle eyes led wire to? Just want to know before I purchase anything. What is needed to make the connection a soldier? Or just what
 
The rings come with a quick connect plug that you need to solder to a 12v source. I wired mine to come on with the key on. I also wired in a toggle switch to turn them off. I will post a pic later of them installed. Its the same pic in my avatar.
 
hite337 said:
The rings come with a quick connect plug that you need to solder to a 12v source. I wired mine to come on with the key on. I also wired in a toggle switch to turn them off. I will post a pic later of them installed. Its the same pic in my avatar.
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Thanks for the quick reply.

I'm most def going to purchase the ones you linked. I will also sit and wait till you get that tutorial up as I am not rushing this I got other minor work to do on my ls. I must say though my first car and I believe everyone else it eats money here and there but it rides very good. I wake up every morning to my mother telling me to sell it lol

I would like to do something you done about having a switch to turn them on from inside
 
hite337 said:
The rings come with a quick connect plug that you need to solder to a 12v source. I wired mine to come on with the key on. I also wired in a toggle switch to turn them off. I will post a pic later of them installed. Its the same pic in my avatar.
Click to expand...
So you have the ebay rings? Yeah post a pic if you could. Im using tapatalk and I cant get the image to go full size... id wire them up the same way you have them probably. On when the key is turned with a toggle cut off works best.
 
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Yes I have the ebay rings. Over a year now and no issues. No ballasts or anything else to install. Just straight voltage.
 
quick question what could i wire them exactly to? could you give me an example? like what has a 12v source in the front of the Lincoln thanks
 
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