B-series Mazda w/ Escort headlights swap?

Anyone have pics of this mod done....or what all it invlolves to do the swap? I have seen pics of Mazdas, but the pics were a few years ago..any help would be appreciated.

Bump....no one can help w/ this mod?

Its pretty easy to do if you have some basic mechanical and fabrication skills. You'll need the light and their mounting hardware, the wiring pigtails for the headlights and some bristol board to make patters with. Make a cutting template by tracing around the light on the bristol board and trace this pattern onto your grille. Cut your grille so that the lense of the headlamp just pokes through to the front. I like to use a jig saw with a fine tooth metal cutting blade for my cuts and a die grinder/file for any cleanup afterwards.If you are cutting a chrome grille you can cover it with masking tape so the saw doesn't scratch it and to keep the chrome from chipping. Once your grille is cut you can set it into the truck and get a rough idea of how much of the core support needs to be trimmed to clear the backside of the light. Its not a lot but it does need some trimming, use your jigsaw to enlarge the holes and be careful not to hit any of the wiring behind the light area. Once your holes are cut out you can put the ligths in the grille and hold it against the truck to mark where the holes need to go for the mounting hardware. Drill your holes and then get out the test light to figure out what wires do what for the headlights and then solder/shrinktube the connections. Install and aim your lights and re mount your grille. Now step back, crack a beer and admire your pimp new lights. Hope this helps you, if you want more info let me know.

yes and I will add that this mod is only for looks, installing them in a mazda makes them point crosseyed and up, you will not see any benefit in lighting.

thanks

You got me on that part Russ, I forgot the for show and off road purposes only disclaimer at the end of my post, lol. They arent as good as your factory lights but they are manegable. Like alot of mods we make there is sometimes some concessions to be made. Glad the info helped you out though.

Edited: 3/14/2007 6:09:04 PM by HotShot92



Russ-D is right crosseyed and more for show. I reccomend going Ford Edge lights easier to deal with much cleaner look and more aggressive looking, still have to do cutting but not as much. You WILL be able to drive at night with the Edge lights unlike the lighting from the Escort lights that are crosseyed. Follow MazDuh's instructions and you should be fine. With the Edge lights you have minor adjusting to do with getting them down on the road to drive at night few minutes and you are on the road. Try you're local junkyard first, if not the local Ford dealer should be able to help you out, but watch out could be a little pricey $250 at my local dealer. I installed some for a buddy two weeks ago and had no problem went to the parts store once and that was for HID lights. Post some pics with the progress let us know. Let me know if you need anymore help...BTW thats not my Mazda I just like it ALOT......

is there a "best year" escort headlight to use?

Originally posted by lobdyblazr



is there a "best year" escort headlight to use?



"best" and "escort" in the same sentence. that's like saying "fast mazda".

Originally posted by HotShot92



Edited: 3/14/2007 6:09:04 PM by HotShot92



Russ-D is right crosseyed and more for show. I reccomend going Ford Edge lights easier to deal with much cleaner look and more aggressive looking, still have to do cutting but not as much. You WILL be able to drive at night with the Edge lights unlike the lighting from the Escort lights that are crosseyed. Follow MazDuh's instructions and you should be fine. With the Edge lights you have minor adjusting to do with getting them down on the road to drive at night few minutes and you are on the road. Try you're local junkyard first, if not the local Ford dealer should be able to help you out, but watch out could be a little pricey $250 at my local dealer. I installed some for a buddy two weeks ago and had no problem went to the parts store once and that was for HID lights. Post some pics with the progress let us know. Let me know if you need anymore help...BTW thats not my Mazda I just like it ALOT......

I like those lights, but will they work in a factory grille w/o the billet? They appear to be larger than Escort lights is why I ask.