Retrofitting Cougar lights into a 98+

Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives

Once again, I was poking around the Modeo board and I came across this how-to.

Cougar Lights Modification - Mk2 Mondeo Only

I searched, but couldn't find where anyone has attempted this on our side of the "pond." I was tempted to give it a shot, but the damn salvage yard wants $150 for a pair (I'm assuming he meant pair and not each) of Cougar lights. Right now that's a tad steep for me.

Do we know of anyone that has tried this, and if they did what their results were?

At least their is a how-to for it. If you really want to try something different, go for it. I don't think anyone here has done it, but I could be wrong.

Ya, i dont think anyone has done it.

When i did my projector retrofit, i though about it, but all the scrap yards near me wanted too much money for them, even for the ones in poor condition.

One thing i would do if you're really considering it is see if you can find a local cougar and take a look at the beam pattern at night and see if it's worth it.

I ended up going with the Hella 90mm based on recommendations of other...and i was happy with the choice. H9 bulb has one of the highest outputs of any halogen bulb...and at www.rallylights.com it's like $55 for sealed projector + bulb + mounting hardware.

If you're gonna dish out the cash you may want to slowly piece together an OEM HID system...just another option.

I've got extra sets of Cougar 99 and 2002 headlights just sitting in my garage... I might just have to check out that how-to and go for it on my CSVT's..

Originally posted by NVMYSVT:
I've got extra sets of Cougar 99 and 2002 headlights just sitting in my garage... I might just have to check out that how-to and go for it on my CSVT's..

Awwww crap. I should have asked if anyone had a set they'd be willing to sell before I posted that link.

Amarv - I'm assuming that price is per assembly, and not for a pair. I thought this might be a more inexpensive way to get some projectors for the Contour, but it's not looking too good unless I can find a cheap deal on a set of the Cougars. I just can't justify the kind of money that Goonz spent on his, as sweet as they look. Plus, I dig the way it looks on that Mondy w/ all the lights as projectors.

I will have to see if anyone in this one-horse town has a Coug, and if I can find one see if I can talk them into letting me poke around their lights a bit.

***EDIT*** amarv, are these the ones you were talking about?

Originally posted by The Spelling Nazi:

***EDIT*** amarv, are these the ones you were talking about?

Ya, 90mm lowbeam H9 projector. There's a huge thread in aesthetics where Dion and some other guys posted pics of their installs, and a bunch of notes.

Originally posted by NVMYSVT:
I've got extra sets of Cougar 99 and 2002 headlights just sitting in my garage... I might just have to check out that how-to and go for it on my CSVT's..

I always wondered...how is the cougar beam compared to the contour/mystique?...i believe they use 9006 lamps, right?

Does it have a sharp cutoff and good pattern?

the cougar projectors according the projector forums have a weak output, you'd be better off saving money and getting eithe Bosch, Stanley or Valeo projectors..the 90mm are i guess ok..

it seems like after looking through the how-to that the work is the same as any other projector retrofitting, you'd be better off doing what I said above..

Would the 120mm fit, or am I better off sticking with the 90mm?

***EDIT*** What projector forum(s) are you on?

why do people want the 90mm so much!? there are soo many other great projectors out there

Lighting Forum

search for "projector beam patterns" and the first result should tell u all..

Originally posted by �?�?�?��?¯�?¬�?¬�?º:
Lighting Forum

THAT'S what I was hoping you'd post. Thanks!

Originally posted by �?�?�?��?¯�?¬�?¬�?º:
why do people want the 90mm so much!? there are soo many other great projectors out there

Because they're a great value for the price.

Not everybody is dishing out $1200 for headlights!

Originally posted by amarv12:

Not everybody is dishing out $1200 for headlights!

wrong again! people dont seem to read what i post. the healights were only $630, not $1200

after adding HID kit and other stuff thats how the price went up..

you can buy a set of E46 projectors, Stanley or Valeo on ebay for like $150 - 200..put in $50 more from the 90mm and get somthing better..thats all im saying..

Ya, but once you add in bulbs and ballasts the price quickly goes up. Projectors alone wont magically produce the light.

Originally posted by amarv12:
Ya, but once you add in bulbs and ballasts the price quickly goes up. Projectors alone wont magically produce the light.

all's im saying is if one is going through the effort of cutting open the lights, be unique and try somthing different..thats all..