Headlights, and other questions...

[Mr Shank]

Hello all,

I picked up 2007 Expedition EL Limited to replace a 2009 Expedition Limited that was totaled by a driver that ran a red light, and I have questions regarding headlights.

- For those that have done HID projector conversions, what route did you choose?

- Is it possible to convert using OEM? (2015+ HID headlamps)

- If an LCM change is needed or recommended, is it better to use the LCM from a 2015 or from a ~2007 Navigator?

My preference is to stay as OEM as possible, and avoid the "tuner" look. My BMW's will be the only headlights with rings.

Additional questions:

- I've seen that it's about $500 to add the required lines and coolers for the heavy duty tow package? The EL has a the 3.73? rear end standard, so that shouldn't need to be changed.

- Has anyone used any of the idatalink products for remote start? I'm looking at this for its integration into aftermarket head units, specifically an Alpine X208U.

Of course, this all comes after the standard work of:
- Plugs
- Fluid changes
- Trans flush (82K miles)
- Tires
- Brakes

Thanks,
~Mr Shank

 

[coolzzy]

You might double check your vin against the ford decoder in Etis, in 07 the EL was available with the 3.31 or the 3.73 and both were rated to tow the same load. However they drove and behaved very differently (much better with 3.73). If you have the integrated trailer brake controller (not sure if that was an option in 07?) it would for sure be 3.73 gears. I believe the limited had them standard as well.

 

[limitedex]

Here's what I bought a year or so ago. I like them.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-2014-...708933&hash=item283bf29a42:g:xhgAAOSw4PxaMvcC

 

[gixer2000]

I have done a retro on my 07 and working on my second now with a higher end projector. The easiest way to get a retro done is with a Morimoto mini H1 from theretrofitsource.com. robbing parts from a Gator sounds good but considering the modifications needed to the housing itself out weighs the benefits. Your best bet is the Mh1 because it has a threaded shaft that will slide through the original bulb hole and have a large but to fasten it into place. The mini h1 will also blow a gator projector out of the water.

 

[gixer2000]

Here's what I bought a year or so ago. I like them.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-2014-Ford-Expedition-SUV-Arctic-Optic-Black-Projector-LED-Neon-Headlights/172804446786?fits=Make:Ford|Model:Expedition&epid=1340708933&hash=item283bf29a42:g:xhgAAOSw4PxaMvcC

Not to bash what other people like but these really dont perform well and imo look cheap.

Switchback strips and leds can also be added to your original housing in almost any configuration you like but it just adds to the install time. I added a switchback strip to the blank area of my oems






This is more white than blue. Not sure why it came out blue

 

[gixer2000]

Extremely bright at night. White for the parking light and switches to amber for the directional

 

[limitedex]

Hmm, I find the quality exceptional. The performance with the output in my low beams is certainly debatable though.

 

[limitedex]

@gixer2000 I do like what you did though! What would you charge to retro my OEM headlights? Parts and labor. A PM may be appropriate if you like.

 

[gixer2000]

@gixer2000 I do like what you did though! What would you charge to retro my OEM headlights? Parts and labor. A PM may be appropriate if you like.

At this point I can not do any builds for other people. I have my second retro under way for the last 2-3 months and can't even find time to finish those. They are on the more difficult side because they are custom mounting so they take time but my kids baseball schedule is never ending so free time is impossible.

In the future I will consider simple retros (threaded shaft mount) for people here for a reasonable cost.

Couple pics below. They look close to done but not really... Still have some chrome thats gotta be stripped and painted, led strips gotta go in, shrouds need to be mounted (which is why ibhave glare above the cutoff). Soon enough though

 

[gixer2000]

Unfortunately with the Idatalink you really wont gain much integration with an 07.

Hmm, I find the quality exceptional. The performance with the output in my low beams is certainly debatable though.

I can't comment on the build quality but the output is definitely lacking which is why I chose a retro.

 

[Adieu]

Gator projectors suck

I run LED fogs at night on mine to see much of anything at all

 

[Mr Shank]

You might double check your vin against the ford decoder in Etis, in 07 the EL was available with the 3.31 or the 3.73 and both were rated to tow the same load. However they drove and behaved very differently (much better with 3.73). If you have the integrated trailer brake controller (not sure if that was an option in 07?) it would for sure be 3.73 gears. I believe the limited had them standard as well.

Yeah, I pulled the VIN, it has the 3.73. The integrated trailer brake appears to become an option about 2015. I looked at retro-fitting, but the dash assembly is different, unless Ford just doesn't want to list the silver trim pieces around the center stack as a separate item.

Here's what I bought a year or so ago. I like them

I'm not a huge fan, but they're alright. As the rig is my wife's, her response was "If you're going to install those you might as well drop it and install spinners". Ouch...

I have done a retro on my 07 and working on my second now with a higher end projector. The easiest way to get a retro done is with a Morimoto mini H1 from theretrofitsource.com. robbing parts from a Gator sounds good but considering the modifications needed to the housing itself out weighs the benefits. Your best bet is the Mh1 because it has a threaded shaft that will slide through the original bulb hole and have a large but to fasten it into place. The mini h1 will also blow a gator projector out of the water.

That's good to know. I know you're slammed, but if you have a schematic for a jig at least, I'd be interested. My original thought was to simply swap the headlight assembly from a 2015 into the 2007. That's still my preferred swap, but I don't know if I need to do an LCM swap as well.


I'd then swap the halogen bulbs in the 2015 projector to either LED or HID.

With BMW it's just swap, code to car. With Ford, well, I don't know yet.

Unfortunately with the Idatalink you really wont gain much integration with an 07.

The head unit is going to be swapped as well, for an Alpine X208U. The goal is to get some additional readings (trans temp, cat temp, etc) displayed on the head unit. The idatalink device will also add remote start. The '07 that I bought has the rear DVD player, but because the drop down screen interferes with visibility, that will not be used, and may get removed at some point. I would be adding rear head rest mounted displays instead. The unit doesn't have SYNC, but I would need to keep the steering wheel controls.


Lastly, sorry for the delayed response. With the weather getting nice, work, yard work, car work (2011 Lincoln MKS) and other things have been pulling at my time.

 

[sjwelds]

FYI I believe the headlights on the newer rigs are different in shape, so they won't fit your vehicle.

 

[gixer2000]

FYI I believe the headlights on the newer rigs are different in shape, so they won't fit your vehicle.

The entire housing from a 15-16 will not fit a 07-14. The projector it self could be used but it requires custom mounting. If your going to get into custom mounting your better off with an aftermarket projector from theretrofitsource.com.

 

[Mr Shank]

FYI I believe the headlights on the newer rigs are different in shape, so they won't fit your vehicle.

The entire housing from a 15-16 will not fit a 07-14. The projector it self could be used but it requires custom mounting. If your going to get into custom mounting your better off with an aftermarket projector from theretrofitsource.com.

Thanks for ******* in my pool, guys...

So it looks like I'm going to be following gixer2000's work very closely then.

Are there any LCM changes that need to be made, or is the retrofit replacement (once completed) plug and play?

 

[gixer2000]

Thanks for ******* in my pool, guys...

So it looks like I'm going to be following gixer2000's work very closely then.

Are there any LCM changes that need to be made, or is the retrofit replacement (once completed) plug and play?

The retrofit is 100% Plug and Play

I actually found out the hard way the newer lenses don't fit because I ordered a pair just for measurements. Once I was able to confirm they do not fit I return them

 

[Muddy Bean]

Gixer, which switchback LED strips were those? I’m considering popping some inside my housings now that I’ve cleared them:




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[gixer2000]

Gixer, which switchback LED strips were those? I’m considering popping some inside my housings now that I’ve cleared them:




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

These are 12" profile pivot strips.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/r...eadlight-strips-profile-pivot-switchback.html

Lightwerkz actually has 25% off site wide

https://www.lightwerkz.net/index.php/led-lighting/led-halos-and-strips/profile-prism-strips.html

 

[Mubarakma]

Not to bash what other people like but these really dont perform well and imo look cheap.

Switchback strips and leds can also be added to your original housing in almost any configuration you like but it just adds to the install time. I added a switchback strip to the blank area of my oems

View attachment 25227

View attachment 25228

View attachment 25229
This is more white than blue. Not sure why it came out blue
View attachment 25230

View attachment 25231

Amazing job done
better than aftermarket headlight
Any future upgrades ?

 

[gixer2000]

Amazing job done
better than aftermarket headlight
Any future upgrades ?

My last pictures are the upgraded. The first set I posted with the led strip is my current. The upgraded set are the ones mounted with nuts and bolts. The projector in the new set is said to be the best performer to ever hit the market so I'm pretty excited to get them done