North American Turbocoupe Organization



87-88 Headlight Restore
Brett Nicholson Offline
Junior Member
#1
Hello All,

I've read a few of the articles about how to restore the lens and housing for 87-88 Thunderbird headlights, and several posts reference "shinylenses.com" but that link doesn't seem to work anymore. Is there a way I can contact whoever does the work so I can get mine restored?

I've used the Meguiars headlight restore for my lenses which worked well, but the reflective backing in the housing is almost completely gone and makes the headlights dull and are not bright at night.

Any help would be really appreciated; I have a spare set of headlights to use as well, but on one of them the lens has come off the housing.

Thank you!
Brett N.
1988 TC 152,000 miles and counting
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kunar Offline
Member
#2
contact jmthunderbirdturbo through the forum. i believe he's the man that does the lens restoration.
1987 Turbo Coupe
1987 Ranger 4.0, 4x4
1991 Escort GT
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Not B Anymore Offline
Posting Freak
#3
I don't know if Jon is doing this anymore or not. This is the email from his sale ad on TF:
[email protected]

We haven't seen him much in almost a year though. I think he moved a while back.
Brian Leavitt
'86 TC 5-Speed -- MS2x w/COP | 83 lb. injectors | T3/T4 50 Trim Stage 3 .63AR | Full 3" Exhaust - No Cat | Motorsport FMIC | Ranger Roller | Ported E6 | Walbro 255HP | Kirban | 20psi | 120-amp 3G | 8.8" 3.55 rear | '03 Cobra Wheels
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Brett Nicholson Offline
Junior Member
#4
Thank you both for the help; I'll send an email to that address and see I will let you know if I get a reply.

Does anyone know of any other leads for headlight restoration? Thanks again!
Brett N.
1988 TC 152,000 miles and counting
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T-BirdX3 Offline
Senior Member
#5
Restoring lenses helps but IMHO it is just a short term band aid. Your money would be better spent purchasing new/newer headlights or making your own.
'88 T-Coupe 5 speed/'88 T-Coupe Auto
'87 T-Coupe 5 speed/'87 T-coupe 5 speed(76k orig mile)
..... and there was light!
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee36...tled-2.jpg
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Ryan50 Offline
Member
#6
I have tried refurbishing the outer surface of the lense numerous times. And I had them done by Jon and it hasnt lasted but maybe 6 months at the most. I am going to start doing my homework on replacing them with different assemblies that actually have an aftermarket availibility. It will be very difficult I presume, and and cosmetically will be very different from everyone else's. I will definitely post pictures when done. It will be a little while. and luckily I will be getting another header panel so I can use my existing(broken) one for a draft.
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T-BirdX3 Offline
Senior Member
#7
Quote:Originally posted by Ryan50:
I have tried refurbishing the outer surface of the lense numerous times. And I had them done by Jon and it hasnt lasted but maybe 6 months at the most.
^ This X 2!

Kev started making his own quite a while back. I gave it a try and really love the results. Here is a thread linking to all three threads on home made lenses.
http://natomessageboard.com/ultimatebb.p...024363;p=1

Here is the finished product!
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee36...747076.jpg
'88 T-Coupe 5 speed/'88 T-Coupe Auto
'87 T-Coupe 5 speed/'87 T-coupe 5 speed(76k orig mile)
..... and there was light!
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee36...tled-2.jpg
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Ryan50 Offline
Member
#8
^^^^^^ It is absolutely amazing what you have done and, like other people have said in the actual thread including your steps and success in making them, you have a HUGE potential in making a business in this for not only Thunderbirds, but a tone of vehicles with low aftermarket availibility!!! I literally just finished reading 95% of the threads about you guys fabbing the new headlights. My brain is super tired and I still dont think I'm capable of doing what you guys have done! And I really like your idea on the photoshopped pic with the dual projectors!!! And also agree that finding a way to get the other lights to match is the next step to perfecting the actual factory headlights. I am still going to try finding a BMW or Lincoln headlight assembly (for example) and modify them on the car which will lead to cosmetically changing the header panel. << which I AM capapble of doing LOL end result I am looking for is an updated look, obviously visibility, and a one unit piece. Wish me luck, it will take me a while!
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T-BirdX3 Offline
Senior Member
#9
^ Thanks! I have doubts on making headlights being much of an opportunity. The quality parts that I used and the time that it takes to make it all nice makes them somewhat "expensive". I think most people will look at them as being too expensive and not realize how huge of an improvement they are.

Just the kit for all of the pieces ranges from $250 to $315 (still less than 2 NOS headlights, if you can find them) depending on exactly what you want.

The dual Photoshopped projector is definitely nice looking. I would love to make an all one piece front piece and include the dual projectors into it. It still might come to be at some point in the near future! Big Grin

I am glad you enjoyed reading the threads, it makes it feel like taking the time to post the thread was worth while. I hope you find a light that works, but I never found anything that was close enough for me to use.
'88 T-Coupe 5 speed/'88 T-Coupe Auto
'87 T-Coupe 5 speed/'87 T-coupe 5 speed(76k orig mile)
..... and there was light!
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee36...tled-2.jpg
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Ryan50 Offline
Member
#10
^ you are welcome! I am very impressed by your work and the time and money you spent on them. You did mention that you might be willing to sell a finished set right? I might be interested within the next year or so. I have a lot to do on the car so after this summer I will have it parked until I get a lot of the work done it requires. With my current income its tough to get all of the parts together, but when I do, it will go together rather quickly. I love driving my car rather than the truck for many reasons. But the headlights definitely make me nervous to drive it at night!
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