INTEREST CHECK - Euro leveling kit

[Drewmanfu0]

Who would actually buy the switch, panel and wiring needed to add the leveling function to Euro/ Aussie headlights.

The panels are obsolete and Bill was able to locate 10 of the Black 01-02 panels. There would be a better discount if all 10 were ordered.

http://www.newcougar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26871&d=1161480947http://www.cougardb.com/image.php?id=9859&raw=1
Nathan, I needed to order some terminals for you, I had none left on my harness to send you.

The price would be ~$50
Black
1. Drewmanfu0
2. Drewmanfu0's Wife
3. Bensenvill
4. mosoblkcougar
5. Darkcat00
6. COOGAH
7. Bigoudi
8. S.BOOGIE2468
9. yfz_racer_22
10.

Silver
1. StealthyWeasel
2. FyreCat
3. Rikenbomb
4. LostRacer
5. Monkeygrits
6. TheLastStand1984
7.
8.
9.
10.

[bensenvill]

a resounding YES

andrew, you need to do the auto climate control next [that will also be a yes]

[Drewmanfu0]

I have the auto climate control in the process, I have the list of all the parts. If parts are sourced from the junkyard i could do the climate controls for like $300.

[StealthyWeasel]

I am 100% in. This panel goes all the way across to the HVAC (the one thats black) right?

[bensenvill]

seriously, yes I want the climate control

[Drewmanfu0]

It will have to be the 01 silver style though. The 99-00 are way to expensive.

[Drewmanfu0]

I am 100% in. This panel goes all the way across to the HVAC (the one thats black) right?
Just the headlight panel. the HVAC panel is a seperate piece but is only like $45.

[scrupul0us]

get the heated seats... id buy those prolly :)

[Drewmanfu0]

get the heated seats... id buy those prolly :)
Ummmm...just go to an upholstery shop, $125 per seat.

[mosoblkcougar]

Awesome! I'm definitely in!
Nathan

EDIT: I can order the 01-02 Black HVAC piece from Bill J too, right?

[COOGAH]

me too

[Drewmanfu0]

I'll be contacting Bill on Monday to have him order the parts then.

[DarkCat00]

I'll take one.

Tim

[Drewmanfu0]

Please note, YOU MUST HAVE REAL EURO'S OR AUSSIE headlights or this kit is absolutley pointless.

[Rikenbomb]

Interested, very interested, would like to see pics however.

[Drewmanfu0]

Like this, but in black.
http://www.newcougar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26871&d=1161480947

Or this, in black.
http://www.cougardb.com/image.php?id=9859&raw=1

[FyreCat]

Put me in if you still have an opening.

[CoRDiTe]

I am going to purchase the aussie lights from Bill's webpage. I think its Teamfordparts.com or something. What does this thing actually do? It levels it so you can see at night?

[Drewmanfu0]

You can adjust the height of your lowbeams "on the fly" instead of blinding other drivers with your highbeams. Plus for the "cool" factor of having it. I had the adjustment and I will say I was always adjusting the beam height to different positions depending on the driving conditions just because I could.

[CoRDiTe]

would there be a possibility of making them brighter and/or blowing out the low beams ?

[mosoblkcougar]

would there be a possibility of making them brighter and/or blowing out the low beams ?
No.
Nathan

[Drewmanfu0]

When you turn the adjuster screw the headlights move up and down, this just "turns the adjuster screw" in a sense but in very precise increments and both beams adjust exactly together at the same time. You have to have Euros/aussies installed for this to be of any use.

Good call, Nathan.

On a side note, I think I have located the part number for the silver 99-00 panels, I will call Bill in the morning to see if he can get them.

[FyreCat]

Can I still be in on this?? The 99-00 would be even better for me...but either way...I'm in.

[Drewmanfu0]

The first 10 people have "first dibs." If I can only get 10, I can only get 10.

[COOGAH]

w000t!!! i'm number 6!!! go sami, its your birthday! ugh, ya, shake it!!! yeh! go! number 6, ugh, yeh!


painkillers ftw!!!!!!

[Drewmanfu0]

Ok, we can get 10 silver and 10 black. PM's Sent

[bensenvill]

PM responded.

[StealthyWeasel]

silver it is for me.

[Tommyboy]

I would like it if you could still ship me those wires!

[Bigoudi]

PM replied as well :biggrin:

[LostRacer]

Sign me up for silver :)

[Drewmanfu0]

Update - I am working on a final cost still. The dimmer switches are different on the Euro models but are plug and play with a US cougar. I was able to source 16 of the leveler switches for about $4 a piece, so that should keep the cost around the $45-50 mark I was hoping for. I will be contacting Shagmonkey about his custom dimmer bezel to get the cost even lower, but timing will be a little later if this is the route taken. Your current dimmer switch can still be used but there will be a gap around the outside of the switch. If you look in the pictures posted you will see what I mean.

-Andrew

[bensenvill]

just my 2 cents but I am vastly more interested in getting a very pure stock conversion. No offense to shaggy but I want to be able to show the car exactly as if I actually bought it new that way.

[mosoblkcougar]

Awesome Drew, keep us updated. I'm ready to pay whenever!
Nathan

[Drewmanfu0]

just my 2 cents but I am vastly more interested in getting a very pure stock conversion. No offense to shaggy but I want to be able to show the car exactly as if I actually bought it new that way.
The shag was just a route I was exploring. Thanks for your input, Terry. I really am trying for a pure stock conversion.

Remember, You can sell your old panel and dimmer switch. That will reduce your out of pocket expense.

[StealthyWeasel]

just my 2 cents but I am vastly more interested in getting a very pure stock conversion. No offense to shaggy but I want to be able to show the car exactly as if I actually bought it new that way.


Thats exactly what I want also.

[Monkeygrits]

I have the euro lights...do they have a motor in them or something...im confused....I cut the wire to the small light in them and ran it to the parking lights...will that hurt?

[Drewmanfu0]

Added, thanks.

[FyreCat]

Would you like us to start sending in our order's or what's the plan?

[Drewmanfu0]

I am still getting pricing together, I have to get the right dimmer switch and its a bastard to locate in quantity. Once I get all the parts together on my end I will contact bill jenkins and have him get me a good price on the panels.

Remember this was an interest check turned into a GB, now there was enough interest I am working out the GB.

Thanks,
Andrew

[Bigoudi]

Andrew, did any of those bezels arrive yet? Going to need one very soon here since I don't have a spot to mount my switch.

Thanks,
Greg

[Drewmanfu0]

Update: I have a new dimmer switch coming in tommorow. Hopefully its the one required. If not I'll have to order one from a UK cougar or get somebody to get a part number for it. That is the only thing keeping this thing off, I have all the panels wiring and leveler switches in place ready to go, the dimmer is the problem. Compare the two earlier pictures to see what I mean. The first one is my old panel modified and the second one is an actual euro cougar. Notice the black dimmer switch?

[bensenvill]

photos arent loading.

[Drewmanfu0]

Pics fixed, see first post.

[Monkeygrits]

So if you cant get that we can use our old silver dimmer switch?
BTW I see that HVAC in the euro pic....you gotta get those....

[Drewmanfu0]

My parts for the HVAC are at DHL right now. I have to order a silver and a black panel to confirm weather or not the dimmer switch is two piece or one like the old ones. All the RHD cougars look to be the same as ours but I can only find the one picture of a european cougar panel and it looks like a 2 piece.
Here is one from a mondeo
http://www.newcougar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28380&stc=1&d=1172946917

[yfz_racer_22]

Andrew sign me up for black let me know how to pay and when!

[Drewmanfu0]

Andrew sign me up for black let me know how to pay and when!
Done

UPDATE: I ordered one of each of the black and silver a few minutes ago. We'll see how the dimmer ordeal goes. I have a bad feeling they are a 2 piece dimmer and I cant find the correct part. The dimmer bezel I thought I ordered was infact the steering kickpanel plug. The part number for the grey plugs is F8RZ13K732AAA if anybody needs one. I needed one so it wasn't a pointless purchase.

[Shagmonkey]

Anything I can help you guys with?

I have a Euro HVAC face plate and odds and sods in my "Box of junk" as my girly calls it. :rofl:

Paul

[mosoblkcougar]

Any update on this Drew?
Nathan

[Drewmanfu0]

Havent seen anything in the mailbox from Bill J, I am 100% sure the dimmer has an oval cutout so a new bezel of some kind will have to be procured. I am waiting on Shagmonkey to get me a part number or something that way I can get these things shipped out!!! Both catalogs, the Euro and the US show no dimmer bezel so I am crossing my fingers the one on the switch has a part number for the bezel, otherwise I'll have to order a $70 switch from fords to see if it has the bezel attached, and then the price goes up. :thumbsdown:

[Bigoudi]

A lot of the Ford Euro (not just the Cougar) switches seem to be like that with the switches integrated into the bezels already. But seeing as this setup has the headlight, and leveler separate, I highly doubt the dimmer would be a part of the bezel. Its all confusing!

Greg

[Monkeygrits]

Now im kinda confused here....your waiting on the dimmer switch just so it matches? Maybe i just missed something...It does look better matching but if you can find one im still game for one like your origional

[Drewmanfu0]

Here is the deal, Our panel has a square cutout with a round hole moulded in to it for the dimmer switch. the euro panel is an oval cutout. since the hole is oval the hole needs to be filled in. See the above picture, the little bezel is from a mondeo and does not have a part number on it. I am hoping that the switch I have requested from Shag has a part number for the bezel piece.

If not I will have to order either the dimmer switch through fords or go the shag route and get his custom piece in black to get close to stock.

[Bigoudi]

Did you get just the bezel in yet?

Greg

[COOGAH]

sp what if someone didn't care about the bezel; they are gonna do some custom crap. how long to get this switch?

[Drewmanfu0]

I can send one to ya Sami, Greg has some as well.

[Bigoudi]

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m97/BigoudiSVT/dimmerswitches.jpg

I just had this come in, and it looks like the right part. Left dimmer is the U.K. one, and the center part is the cover for it. The U.S. and U.K. dimmers are identical, minus the light bulb and attached cover.

Greg

[Drewmanfu0]

I just had this come in, and it looks like the right part. Left dimmer is the U.K. one, and the center part is the cover for it. The U.S. and U.K. dimmers are identical, minus the light bulb and attached cover.

Greg
Ah HA, You got a Mondeo Dimmer. It will work with the bezel, However the Cougar dimmer bezel will work with the lighted switch we already have.

Here is a picture of the bezel I am searching High and Low for a part number for:

http://fp.singlesolution.f9.co.uk/images/Illuminated%20Dimmer%20Switch%20(11-09-04)%201.JPG

See how it looks exactly like the cutout that in on the panels now? This is the only part that I require that is holding me back from placing orders.

[Bigoudi]

Yes its the Mondeo one. It was dirt cheap so I scooped it up! I knew it was slightly different from the Cougar one, but it looks like it should work fine. Is the entire oval part completely cut out on the Euro bezel for sure?

Greg

[Drewmanfu0]

Yes its the Mondeo one. It was dirt cheap so I scooped it up! I knew it was slightly different from the Cougar one, but it looks like it should work fine. Is the entire oval part completely cut out on the Euro bezel for sure?

Greg
Yes, for sure. It looks exactly like the picture I posted. The Mondeo Bezel will work as many Mondeo owners do the Lighted dimmer switch with one from a cougar. LOL

[Bigoudi]

Oh nice lol! I would be great if that little dimmer cover was sold by itself.

Greg

[Drewmanfu0]

Oh nice lol! I would be great if that little dimmer cover was sold by itself.

Greg
That is the exact issue I have been trying to work out for the whole time since I announced this thing.

[Monkeygrits]

any updates drew? I cant wait....hehe

[Drewmanfu0]

8-10 weeks on surface mail from the UK, sucks reallly bad. When I get this long awaited part in I will let you all know.

[mosoblkcougar]

Have you received that part yet Drew? :drama:
Nathan

[Drewmanfu0]

Have you received that part yet Drew? :drama:
Nathan

No I have not, its on the slow boat from china. I was able to cut a hole in my current switch panel for the time being so I am patiently awaiting the RHD stuff from Shagmonkey. I have pestered the people at the post office for the past few weeks. They say there is nothing they can do in this situation until it clears/enters customs.

[mosoblkcougar]

Ok, gotcha, just checking in. :)
Nathan

[Wayne7497]

Guys I hate to bust Ya Bubble owning an Aussie Cougar as i do the Headlight Leveller come standard... I only figured out what it did after reading the Manual 9 months after buying the car.. And to tell you the truth tis pretty useless..

It doesnt do anything except throw the beam of the headlight out further, ie you can bring the beam in closer to the car or push it out farther thas all.. if you were to sit on the road in the dark wind it up you would maybe see your beam on the road move like 3 to 4 feet forward.. Really tis a Big hassle for something you would hardly use.. Doesn't dip the beam make it less brighter more brighter nuffin just in and out..

Now onto the Aussie/Euro Climate control... IT AIN'T EASY nor CHEAP how do I know about 14 months ago I sourced the parts needed for James at Custom Cougars, you pretty much would have to PULL your Whole Dash apart, ad complete new wiring harness and wires, and swap out your computer (yup its wired into it) Cost well if you got a couple 1000 to spend and about 2 weeks up ya sleeve, then you MAY just MAY be able to do it, James had 75% of the parts to do it AND HE decided it was either NOT possible or Cost was way too much...

Hope that helps even though its probably NOT what you wanted to hear... PS the mechanism for the headlight levelling is IN the Headlight, and not removable.. Headlight Levelling is standard on ALL Aussie Cougars from 1999 onwards, with the Flashy Aussie Headlights everyone wants, to the 1999-2000 Aussie Headlights that look the same as yours..

Wayne

IF anyone wants the User Manual Info on it I can scan and Post, Also have access to Aussie Ford Complete Service Manual all 5 volumes...Including Part Numbers (NB these are different than UK USA Part #s)

[Drewmanfu0]

Guys I hate to bust Ya Bubble owning an Aussie Cougar as i do the Headlight Leveller come standard... I only figured out what it did after reading the Manual 9 months after buying the car.. And to tell you the truth tis pretty useless..

It doesnt do anything except throw the beam of the headlight out further, ie you can bring the beam in closer to the car or push it out farther thas all.. if you were to sit on the road in the dark wind it up you would maybe see your beam on the road move like 3 to 4 feet forward.. Really tis a Big hassle for something you would hardly use.. Doesn't dip the beam make it less brighter more brighter nuffin just in and out..

Now onto the Aussie/Euro Climate control... IT AIN'T EASY nor CHEAP how do I know about 14 months ago I sourced the parts needed for James at Custom Cougars, you pretty much would have to PULL your Whole Dash apart, ad complete new wiring harness and wires, and swap out your computer (yup its wired into it) Cost well if you got a couple 1000 to spend and about 2 weeks up ya sleeve, then you MAY just MAY be able to do it, James had 75% of the parts to do it AND HE decided it was either NOT possible or Cost was way too much...

Hope that helps even though its probably NOT what you wanted to hear... PS the mechanism for the headlight levelling is IN the Headlight, and not removable.. Headlight Levelling is standard on ALL Aussie Cougars from 1999 onwards, with the Flashy Aussie Headlights everyone wants, to the 1999-2000 Aussie Headlights that look the same as yours..

Wayne

IF anyone wants the User Manual Info on it I can scan and Post, Also have access to Aussie Ford Complete Service Manual all 5 volumes...Including Part Numbers (NB these are different than UK USA Part #s)
I have had these in my car for a long time, to tell you the truth I use them very frequently, its a feature that you may think useless but on windy dark roads I would like to have the beams out farther, rather than use the brights. Also when the lights come from ford they are aimed way down and the only way to adjust the lamps properly is to either rip the leveler motor out and adjust it down manually, more than likely breaking it in the process or wire up a circuit to move the motors electrically. The leveler function is a really neat feature to show off too. It may seem really useless to you but it really does help improve visibility on open roads and not blind people on city streets.

As for the part numbers they are probably the engineering part numbers which are actually very useful, but I already have a copy of the Ford Cd's for UK/Aussie/European cars.

To all, I have given up on the parcel that Shagmonkey has sent over and ended up ordering a full RHD HVAC panel with all the bells and whistles attached to get this certain part and see if I can mold the thing myself, I just acquired a neat vacuum molding machine for small parts, all I need is some ABS pellets and make a mold.

[Drewmanfu0]

Oh and the Euro HVAC is pretty simple, LOL the parts are just expensive as hell. I made a standalone harness that only shared 6 wires from the original HVAC. It took me all of an hour to install it in my car.

Edit* and IT IS NOT WIRED INTO THE COMPUTER!!!

It shares nothing with the computer at all as it has its own sensors.

[mosoblkcougar]

Hooray for Leveler progress! :wiggle:
Nathan

[Wayne7497]

Oh and the Euro HVAC is pretty simple, LOL the parts are just expensive as hell. I made a standalone harness that only shared 6 wires from the original HVAC. It took me all of an hour to install it in my car.

Edit* and IT IS NOT WIRED INTO THE COMPUTER!!!

It shares nothing with the computer at all as it has its own sensors.

Ill say no more, you'll find out the hard way ;);)

Either that or aur Aussie Cougars are wired totally different, even my Ford Australia Workshop manual shows it IS connected to the comp... And James at CC found the same thing hence he gave up...

But hey if you can get around it by all means wish you luck...

[J-Man]

Ill say no more, you'll find out the hard way ;);)

Either that or aur Aussie Cougars are wired totally different, even my Ford Australia Workshop manual shows it IS connected to the comp... And James at CC found the same thing hence he gave up...

But hey if you can get around it by all means wish you luck...

He already got around it, it has been in his car and working for several months now.

[Wayne7497]

I have had these in my car for a long time, to tell you the truth I use them very frequently, its a feature that you may think useless but on windy dark roads I would like to have the beams out farther, rather than use the brights. Also when the lights come from ford they are aimed way down and the only way to adjust the lamps properly is to either rip the leveler motor out and adjust it down manually, more than likely breaking it in the process or wire up a circuit to move the motors electrically. The leveler function is a really neat feature to show off too. It may seem really useless to you but it really does help improve visibility on open roads and not blind people on city streets.

As for the part numbers they are probably the engineering part numbers which are actually very useful, but I already have a copy of the Ford Cd's for UK/Aussie/European cars.

To all, I have given up on the parcel that Shagmonkey has sent over and ended up ordering a full RHD HVAC panel with all the bells and whistles attached to get this certain part and see if I can mold the thing myself, I just acquired a neat vacuum molding machine for small parts, all I need is some ABS pellets and make a mold.

Each to his own, we have a tad few dark and windy roads down under and I drive along way on the open roads... Never used it..The distance it throws aint that far... you would be talking a metre and half at the most (3 feets)But again may be Different in the USA, as my cougar doesn't use the same bulbs as you USA (h7 and h5 here) ones do and well My High Beams dip are set to the opposite of yours as I drive on the other side of the road :tongue:

[Wayne7497]

He already got around it, it has been in his car and working for several months now.

Good for him, just proves our cougars are wired differently.. Hope it all goes well...