Another Grille light question

[California 72]

There seems to be much discussion about the bulbs and sockets for the '71-'72 grille driving lights, so I'm a little hesitant to ask something again. Unfortunately, being unable to find any post, even utilizing the search function, has made it necessary. Maybe I'm just not using the correct words about upgrading to the twist lock Halogen or LED fog lights, but those are the exact words needed for the search and they yielded nothing so, is there anyone that has used a 9000 or H series bulb (and connector) as an option since these appear to have a twist lock mount that is possibly similar to the one already used?

The other side of that question is, what bulb/socket upgrade did work if those are too hot for the housing or lenses? I do have the original harness and sockets but also purchased the three wire, 1157 version as a backup. This became necessary since one of the sockets had the contacts so corroded, they disintegrated when I attempted to clean them.

It's worth noting that, with a little creative engineering, I was able to rewire the socket as a temp solution since the original pin connector from the socket base was intact, using a ballpoint pen spring, a bent copper connector from an American Auto rewire kit of my '66 F100 performed 10 years ago and some appropriately sized (folded and cut) aluminum HVAC sealing tape.

I presume there might be parts available to fix the socket but there's just too much information to search through, again, if you don't have or use the correct words. Wasting more funds just didn't seem responsible until I looked at what additional options were more readily available.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Stanglover]

Bill at HiPoParts.com sells LED lights for the grill lights. They are special bulbs because they have pos and neg pins.
www.hipoparts.com

 

[c9zx]

This looks to be the socket but I can't say for sure. Chuck
https://restorationpartssource.com/...-1969-73-cougar-daniel-carpenter-details.html

 

[California 72]

Thanks. Have both the new and old sockets. Was wondering if anyone had used a 9000 series fog lamp. These are the newer fog lamp bulbs that actually insert directly in the light housing, same as the sockets do but the bulb is fixed as part of the whole. Image below is the 9006 bulb I'm referring about. I would just use the thicker stock seal since it's probably needed between the socket and housing. Understand I would need to install the correct connector for the bulb but that's the easy part. It's really the twist lock nature of the items and would the newer bulb housing match the stock grille light housing? The other concern is the heat generated and would it overwhelm the grille lamp housing?

 

[Hemikiller]

The #94 bulb is an oddball among automotive applications. I'd be very hesitant to install anything of significantly higher wattage due to the potential for melting the lense or housing. The grille lights are merely decorative and serve no function other than a "cool factor". I used some 1076 when I first got my 71 on the road. Even though they were rated for twice the wattage, it didn't make any real difference in light output. The 94 and 1076 can easily be found at marine stores, as they are often used in running lights.

Adding a 9000 series Halogen will have two effects IMO, damaging the housing, and overloading the headlamp switch. They would need to be put on their own circuit with a relay.



If you want more light for driving, consider a set of low profile LED driving lights, something like this from Super Bright LEDs. They should be fairly easy to hide under the bumper.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/veh...ngle-13w-1-300-lumens+packamt-2-Pack+beam-60°

 

[California 72]

Thanks for the help too.

Given the comments, the idea of making them actual "fog lights" is not going to work so, having the new 3 wire sockets, let's run with that. I traced all the wires in a harness I obtained for grille lights. It appears that long ago, someone added the sport lamp grille to a car now being used for parts by 72MustangSprint. The grille lamps were spliced into the connector that takes the wires from the harness to the front turn-signal and side marker fixtures. It's located in the lower corners of the area between the radiator support and front grille/valance area. The owner/shop, at that time, simply stripped the uncut harness wire and wrapped the stripped end of the grille lamp lead around it. While I hate that type of connection, the owner/shop at that time did wrap everything nicely and you couldn't tell it wasn't stock from the factory without complete disassembling the harness. However, I did disassemble the harness to trace and inspect things. Just wanted to make sure age hadn't harmed any other circuit. Unfortunately, there were several splices and breaks but that's beside the point. Yet since this was the case, I simply decided to keep my original harness in place and spliced the wires to the same area. See pic below of my current work.



My splice isn't finished yet and the reason is my question. Let's just say I'd like to install the three wire sockets and make it like the '73 where it also functions as the turn signal. Anyhow, which of the wires in that plug is for a turn signal. In the pic below, there's 5 wires. Already have identified the ground and a running light so just need to know where to make a splice for the turn signal should I perform the change.



In caveat, I'm 100% certain 72MustangSprint had no idea because he took the time to remove the entire harness and sent it to me. That was an amazing effort and I'm sure had he known, there would have been a much simpler route to take by just cutting the connection to the sport lamp sockets. I feel bad because he did make a notable effort and neither of us could have expected this outcome when we started the swap idea. It truly was a very good job wrapping the harness. Doohhh!!!!

 

[72MustangSprint]

Thanks for the help too.

Given the comments, the idea of making them actual "fog lights" is not going to work so, having the new 3 wire sockets, let's run with that. I traced all the wires in a harness I obtained for grille lights. It appears that long ago, someone added the sport lamp grille to a car now being used for parts by 72MustangSprint. The grille lamps were spliced into the connector that takes the wires from the harness to the front turn-signal and side marker fixtures. It's located in the lower corners of the area between the radiator support and front grille/valance area. The owner/shop, at that time, simply stripped the uncut harness wire and wrapped the stripped end of the grille lamp lead around it. While I hate that type of connection, the owner/shop at that time did wrap everything nicely and you couldn't tell it wasn't stock from the factory without complete disassembling the harness. However, I did disassemble the harness to trace and inspect things. Just wanted to make sure age hadn't harmed any other circuit. Unfortunately, there were several splices and breaks but that's beside the point. Yet since this was the case, I simply decided to keep my original harness in place and spliced the wires to the same area. See pic below of my current work.

View attachment 72143

My splice isn't finished yet and the reason is my question. Let's just say I'd like to install the three wire sockets and make it like the '73 where it also functions as the turn signal. Anyhow, which of the wires in that plug is for a turn signal. In the pic below, there's 5 wires. Already have identified the ground and a running light so just need to know where to make a splice for the turn signal should I perform the change.

View attachment 72144

In caveat, I'm 100% certain 72MustangSprint had no idea because he took the time to remove the entire harness and sent it to me. That was an amazing effort and I'm sure had he known, there would have been a much simpler route to take by just cutting the connection to the sport lamp sockets. I feel bad because he did make a notable effort and neither of us could have expected this outcome when we started the swap idea. It truly was a very good job wrapping the harness. Doohhh!!!!

The car that the harness came from was a factory sportlamp car (Sprint) I’m surprised you found this modification from someone in the cars past. I’m sorry I assumed the harness was original.

 

[RIBS]

If this helps…this is American Autowire wiring diagram for the front of the car….they made this diagram special for me when I had trouble understanding. It’s not a facTory setup but might be useful….

 

[California 72]

The car that the harness came from was a factory sportlamp car (Sprint) I’m surprised you found this modification from someone in the cars past. I’m sorry I assumed the harness was original.

Please don't give it a second thought. We all take risks with these old cars and the job done was almost a factory look. It got by both of us. I am trulu surprised this was the case. However, regardless of the find, it does give me the opportunity to rebuild the harness and make it functional to either sell or use if and when I start the resto-mod rebuild. Just doing little things now but it will need a full going over in the remainder of my lifetime. So it's a win and a fair deal in my book.

 

[California 72]

RIBS,

That will work perfectly. My old eyes were having difficulty following some of the online schematics and the 1972 shop manuals I purchased at the very beginning are too vague with multiple vehicle applications so basically useless. Thank you!

 

[Cleveland Crush]

If this helps…this is American Autowire wiring diagram for the front of the car….they made this diagram special for me when I had trouble understanding. It’s not a facTory setup but might be useful….

That's a heck of a nice diagram American Autowire made for you RIBS.

 

[RIBS]

That's a heck of a nice diagram American Autowire made for you RIBS.

Yes it is! I highly recommend them! Great tech guys!

 

[RIBS]

Surprised no one mentioned Randy at Midlife Harnesses. I am sure he can build/rebuild that harness to exactly what you need. Only problem with that is he out with some health issues and may not be back to building harnesses till springtime. Can’t hurt to email him…look him up, he is in Arizona.

 

[California 72]

I'd have to agree, that is one trick diagram! Thanks for the additional info but I'm leaning toward the American Autowire harness now. But, until I pull that switch, on the diagram you attached there are a white/blue and black/yellow wires bi-laterally on the park/turn-signal housings. From past experiences I'm guessing the wires are the same color code between factory and aftermarket so, which is the turn-signal?

Also understand it's a simple method to check but I've lost my in-line tester, circuit tester and would like to get rolling without the drive into town to pick one up tomorrow. I've already disassembled the instrument cluster to fix some illumination issues and due to a PCM chip shortage, the '72 is now my only driver while the wife is at work. We have a 2017 Fusion Energi Platinum that has been in the shop since 21 November waiting on that same PCM. That's actually why I'm in a flurry of posts. The '72 needs some work and as much as I would like to avoid it, we're hard-pressed to use the Mustang more frequently. I'll be posting in the chassis/steering subject next. All those parts are enroute or have already arrived.

 

[351c1971]

I used this LED bulb from Amazon:
VehiCode Low Voltage 12-24v 1076 1142 1004 94 LED Bulb
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KVS6GLS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[351c1971]

Here is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KVS6GLS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[351c1971]

Not sure why the link did not post. Here it is again:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KVS6GLS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[California 72]

351c1971,

Thank you! Link worked great on this end. Just finishing my second cup so getting ready to head to the garage to see what trouble I can create for myself today. Can't dig too deep into things though, I'm needing the car this weekend for a business conference out of town. I believe I remember where I saw my in-line circuit tester so I may not need clarification on which wire is the turn-signal. However, if anyone has the answer, I won't be to disappointed if it was posted.

 

[351c1971]

LEDs are polarity sensitive. If it doesn't work, rotate the bulb 180 Degrees.
Also, if you want to use LEDs for the turn signals, you will have to replace both flashers with solid state flashers. Running lights use the parking light circuit and should be fine.

 

[California 72]