[DeTomaso] Headlamp replacement and aiming advice.

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/18/07 12:12:04 PM, diiulio at ix.netcom.com writes:

<<1. I'd like to improve the brightness of my headlamps, suggestions, brands 
or types? ( still have stock buckets). 

They take 7" dia round headlamps. Std Halogen units will improve fast night 
driving and the bulbs simply plug in. The troubles come from the slightly 
higher amperage current they need overheating the stock headlight switch, usually 
requiring relays to be added . And as Fred said, the ground wire is too long 
and too small for even stock bulbs so that needs attention too. If you attempt 
to follow Mike's write-up on the subject, be sure to get the article AND the 
correction put out later. Not all Panteras use the same wire colors nor routing, 
which was not mentioned in article #1. And FWIW, the dash lights in the tach 
& speedo can also be upgraded from 2 watt bulbs to 5 watt bulbs, vastly 
improving gauge readability in most cars. The higher watt bulbs are cheap & simply 
plug in. They are available at all auto parts stores; take your orig. ones for 
comparison.

< 2. I need to re-aim my lamps for optimal illumination in low and hi beams, 
is there a process for this?

Sure is- and its best described in your red owners manual. Park the car- 
level- about 10' or so from a wall at night & turn on the headlights. A bright 
spot will appear on the wall and each light can be individually adjusted up/down 
& side-to-side with the std aiming screws built-in your car. The spots need no 
be perfectly symmetrical, either. Most of us adjust the drivers side light a 
little more toward the center than the pass. side, so as to not blind oncoming 
drivers so much. 

<3. I want to upgrade my gauges to modern units. I want the gauges in the 
stock location and would like a "period-correct" look if possible. Is this a 
simple swap or will I be re-wiring areas of the car? 

Depends on how you do it. The simplest way is to disassaemble the stock 
gauges AND a set of brand new ones and swap faces (or alter the stock needles & 
faces.) The more complicated way is to swap gauges along with their dedicated 
senders. Some will fit and some will need mechanical adaption- especially the gas 
tank sender. A crew of three spent all afternoon at the Nor-Cal Superbowl 
Sunday tech session,  'adjusting' an aftermarket gas gauge sender's swinging arm 
in one Pantera that got white-face gauges.
Good luck- J DeRyke<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL 
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