HID Install (99-04)

[AZSonicSnake]

99-04 Mustang HID Install
By Tony Nesbitt

This is a write up for the install of an hid kit on a 99-04 mustang. The car used for this write up is a 2004 GT, but the info will work for all mustang models (99-04 for wire routing).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3249525324_2394d31579.jpg

Tools and Supplies Required:

- HID kit of your choice (apexcone 35w 6K kit used in this write up)
- Flat Blade Screw Driver
- Phillips Screw Driver
- Razor Blade
- Scissors
- Double sided tape (3m body panel tape is the best!)
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Zip ties


Step 1: Remove the headlight housings by pulling up the two clips the hold the headlight to the header panel.(Pic A) Unplug the headlight and the turnsignal bulb to completely remove the housing from the car.(Pic B & C) You may need a flatblade screw driver to remove the headlight plug due to the size of the clips. Its also rather likely that you will break atleast one of the clips retaining the parking light socket. My car is missing both, but the socket stays perfectly attached once the headlight is back on the car.

Pic A
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3248697659_88af401c3d.jpg

Pic B
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/3249525406_ab3c8a0e05.jpg

Pic C
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3248697761_864001ec92.jpg

Step 2: Plug the power adapter into the bulb connecter, and connect it to the hid ballast, and connect the ballast to the hid bulb that is still in its protective plastic case. Turn on the lights to verifiy the bulbs proper operation.(Pic D) This is done to make sure all the parts are in working order before going through the hassle of mounting the bulb in the housing, or the ballst to the vehicle. Sometimes the power wires have to be swapped where they go into the ballast.(Pic E) This step will verify if you need to do this.

Pic D
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3249525554_848e265ee1.jpg

Pic E
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3249525590_d9e1554821.jpg

Step 3: Remove headlight bulb from the housing buy twisting the connecter and gently pulling the bulb out. Install HID bulb into the housing, being extremely careful to not let you hands or anything else touch the glass on the new hid bulb. If something does come into contact with the hid bulb, use a dry lint free towel to gently wipe the bulb. Any finger prints or debris will make your bulb explode. After the bulb is back in, place the retainer back on and twist till it locks.(Pic F)

Pic F
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3249525686_ae83ffb7b9.jpg

Step 4: Remove the clips the hold the radiator support cover, and remove the cover. This will expose the area just in front of the radiator, and the back side of the front bumper which will be used as a mounting place for the ballast.(Pics G & H)

Pic G
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/3249525354_82af8f00ae.jpg

Pic H
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/3249525736_de604cce67.jpg

Step 5: Trim off the rubber grommet that is on the power harness for the hid kit. on a 99-04 mustang is is not needed, and removing it allows for a cleaner install, and better routing of the wires. (Pic I)

Pic I
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3249525628_43012a2f67.jpg

Step 6: Clean the mounting surface and the back of the ballast with alcohol and apply double sided tape to the backside of the ballast.(Pic J) also clean the surface on the backside of the bumper with alcohol so that the tape will adhere properly. Carefully mount the ballst on the backside of the bumper allowing enough room for the wires to attach to the hid bulb, and to the power harness.(Pic K)

Pic J
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3249525782_9334c6afd3.jpg

Pic K
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3249525910_27b9da3ba5.jpg

Step 7: Connect the power conecter to the socket(Pic L), and route the wires to the ballst. Also connect the hid bulb harness to the bulbs while carefully routing the harness through the header panel.(Pic M) I used a couple of zip ties to tie the wires together to make for a nice clean install.(Pics N & O)

Pic L
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/3249526004_b1279d5c60.jpg

Pic M
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3248698305_958274497e.jpg

Pic N
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/3248698177_d93d56c543.jpg

Pic O
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3248698145_b82d66a719.jpg

Step 8: Carefully push headlight back into place while routing the wiring and making sure there is room for the clips that retain the headlight to slide in.(Pic P)

Pic P
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3249525976_92a0b12369.jpg

Step 9: Slide the headlight retainer clips back in, and turn on the headlights to verify proper operation.

Step 10: Stand back and admire the beautiful light that your car now emits! (Pic Q)

Pic Q
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3249526058_3345da8d48.jpg

Step 11: Complete steps 1-10 on the other side of the car.

Step 12: Replace Radiator cover removed in Step 4.

Step 13: Adjust headlights if necessary.

[AZSaleen04]

Thanks for the write up! I will give it a shot tomorrow night.

[AZSonicSnake]

i hope it helps! and please let me know if there is anything i can add to this. its my first actual write up, and i tried to be extremely detailed.

[AZSaleen04]

Just finished reading it and looks simple and detailed. Will give you a call if any questions do come up.

[AZSonicSnake]

sounds good!

[evil281]

looks like a nice write up

[ttocs]

I would not suggest mounting anything fairly perminant to the outside of your car with double stick tape out here. It works well in almost everyenvironment except here as it will dry-rot in 5-7 yrs. I would recomend some wire ties myself as I know how picky you are about your car, and justifiably so......

[AZSonicSnake]

and i would agree if you use cheap double sided tape. i have this same method used in my mazda, and they have been holding fine for 4 years now. thats why i have put 3m tape in there. its kinda spendy, but it works great. and i tested how far the ballast would drop if the tape came undone, and it only comes down about 2-3 inches. no where near the ground. i suppose if one wanted they could pull the bumper cover and use some self tapping screws into the bumper support for a better piece of mind, but the 3m tape has done me well, and with proper surface prep, it will hold up quite decently.

[ttocs]

we use to use it all the time back in the midwest and never had an issue. It was not until I started to install out here before I found out about how it rots out here from the heat even inside the car. As long as you know it will stay clear of moving parts and the road then obviously there is nothing to worry about. I was aiming more at an FYI as I was suprised to hear that even the good 3m stuff just can't last out here.

[AZSonicSnake]

yeah, i made sure to ziptie the wiring in such a way that the ballast won't go anywhere even if the tape was to fail. otherwise i would have not suggested it. thanks for the head sup though.

[AZSaleen04]

The HID's are in and what a difference. Thanks Tony for posting up the detail install.

[TruBluScreamer]

Nice write up tony!!!

[04WhininCobra]

damn you tony, now i dont have a reason not to do them!

[AZSaleen04]

If I could install them anyone can!!:biglaugh:

The hardest part was getting the bulbs in the lights.