I once worked on basic auto electrical installations. Nothing too major, mostly car radios, refitting components and stuff like that. I worked for ten years repairing Mercedes Benz light vans, which included a lot of wiring (especially petrol to diesel conversions). I learned the hard way with auto electrics: *bang* – “Hmmm, that’s not the way then”. After a few years you tend to be quite confident that you can find your way around a few 12 volt wires and relays. It ain’t rocket science after all.

When I imported my first Mustang, I decided that I probably wouldn’t do the light conversion myself, I had not familiarized myself with the details of the cars, so I sought out a local chap who I had noticed always had American cars at his house and the bonnets up.

He took a look, rubbed his chin a bit, and started coming out with phrases like, “I am sure I can cobble something together” and “Yes, we will hide a taped up bulb behind the trim to slow the indicators down when we fit the new lights” and the classic, “You are selling it? It only has to work for a few weeks then doesn’t it?” I told him I would get back to him; he is still waiting. (he still waves at me when I drive by.)

So I went and started to research on Google. I found a few specialists and I called them up. I got various prices of between £1000 and £3000 to do the work. I asked all of them to give me a detailed breakdown of how that huge price panned out – none of them would. I asked one to sell me the information to do it myself. “Ooh, it’s far too specialist a job” he said. I asked one guy if he would be converting existing lights or fitting new ones, “Depends on the individual car” he said. Hmmm, are they so different? I think not! It seemed giving a price of £2000 didn’t depend on the individual car. I smelled a rat and became determined to do it myself.

So I found the Mustang forums and there is another potential problem. Both the ones I know of are either owned or financed (sponsored) by companies that import cars and/or carry out light conversions. I am not suggesting that they outright censor free discussion of some information, but I certainly know some subjects are discouraged.

On the forums I went and asked a few simple wiring related questions, one of the first replies I got was…….

Please, please, please consult [my guy] at [very expensive garage 300 miles away] before you go any further and end up blowing the SJB! He is an expert on these light conversions and SVA requirements. How are you going to wire the rear amber indicators needed, for example?

Duh! Well I kinda thought you guys might tell me? I got the measure of the panic merchants right then. Too many people kept assuring me it was extremely difficult and highly technical and way beyond my [unknown to them] knowledge.

I did get some great pointers from some guys, and some good information it must be said, yet most of it was by private message, why will nobody just tell me on open forum? I watched other guys come along and ask similar questions to me, the panic merchants descended on them pointing them to various £3000 specialists.

Much of the information contained herein I did get from guys on the forums, but too much of it was on the phone or by Private Message; almost covertly. Who are we afraid of? The FSB?

One guy did try to write up the full ABC of how to do it, you can read it here. Observe on page two the panic merchants, service providers and others with a vested interest all come out to discredit the method? Observe by page four nobody will even answer questions?

I prefer to write what I have learned about this process on media that I control. I have opened up the comment boxes for sensible suggestions, questions and corrections if anybody is so inclined.

Clearly some of the service providers mentioned on those forums are excellent, knowledgable people who are highly professional and will do a super job on your car. Their methods may well be more professional than the methods recommended on this site. One or two of the specialists have advised me along the way in small areas. As a “Thank You” I have linked to them on the links page.

I do not implore you to DIY; use a specialist if you prefer. I just think that people should have that choice. If they choose to DIY, the information should be out there for them – now it is. That is why this site is here.

Neither the author nor the hosting company accept any legal responsibility for the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of any of the information, statements, opinions or comments referred to or contained within this site nor for any damage or loss, howsoever caused directly or indirectly occasioned by any such reliance.

The opinions expressed are the authors’ own and any examples contained within this site are for illustrative purposes only. Readers are urged to do further investigation before undertaking the work as described.

If you are not confident enough to do any of the work described on this site yourself, then do consult a specialist and/or people on the various forums and find your own route.

I offer the information on this site as a FREE service to you. I do not claim to be the ultimate fountain of knowledge on the subject, but I have done a few of these conversions now and never encountered a problem yet. Draw your own conclusions from that.