Posts: 120
Joined: 3/27/2008 From: New Hampshire Status: offline
I just got my stangmods HID kits (6k headlights and 3k fogs) and I don't think I've ever been quite so disappointed. The instructions are terrible. Text only (no photos, no wiring diagram, nothing), incomplete (the kits come with brackets and screws that are never even referred to). The one for the fogs appears to omit an entire connector that come off the bulbs and would appear to go to the ballasts.
I gotta say, I don't think I want to install them now. I sent them an e-mail asking a few questions, but it says on their website that they won't accept returns on HID kits (although, on the HID webpage itself they claim they will take returns if you are unsatisfied with light output). I've heard they have good CS, I guess I'll find out...
I know there are a bunch of folks on here with them, any pictures, photos, etc of ballast locations wire routes, etc?
I guess if they won't take them back, I may end up with some never installed HID kits to sell and try get some money back out of...
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2008 GT, MT, 3.55, S-1000, GT appearance, C&L Intake, Brenspeed 87 tune, Silver stripes, 14" antenna, 6k HIDs from Stangmods, Sequentials, various goodies from SHR, Scott Drake, MGW and Midwest
Posts: 271
Joined: 6/20/2007 From: Prescott, AZ Status: online
Go ahead an install the kit, you should not be disappointed. The brackets and screws are there for you if you want to mount your ballasts in a place that would call for them. I just used double sided tape and placed the ballasts near the strut towers. One next to the fuse box and, if you have a CAI, behind the heat shield. With the stock box the ballast can be mounted right onto the box itself. Installation is actually very simple. For the headlights: Just run the wiring harness across the engine bay any way you see fit and then just make all the electrical connections. Each plug only has one plug it can connect to so it is fairly straight forward. I returned mine, but that is only because my vehicle does not want to work with the kits for some reason. My car just refused to ignite the drivers side bulb on occasion. They even sent me a replacement kit for free to try and get it working. I never tried the foglight kit so I can't help you there. Their customer service is great judging by what I experienced so you shouldn't worry if their are any issues. And from what I could see though when I drove the car at night the kit is definitely worth it.
< Message edited by rmssch89 -- 5/9/2008 5:40:39 PM >
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Black 2007 GT, JLT CAI, Bama 93 race tune, MAC axlebacks, Fitch Fuel Catalyst, Roush front fascia, CDC black billet grille, billet fuel door, black calipers, antenna delete, smoked headlights/tailights/third brake light, sequential tails, hood pins
Posts: 120
Joined: 3/27/2008 From: New Hampshire Status: offline
The foglight setup doesn't come with a harness. It comes with two metal ballasts. The Ballasts have a red/black wire set coming out, and a receptacle for a plug. The bulb has 2 wires coming out, that enter a rubber grommett (not mentioned in the instruction). Coming back out of the grommet are a red/black with blade connectors. Coming out the other side are a red/black with plastic connectors and a plug. The instructions mention the red/black wires, but nothing about the plugs.
I really wish there was at least a wiring diagram of the whole thing, I guess I'll have to make one.
Personally, I think the instructions are borderline pathetic without a diagram or photos, but I guess I'll give it a shot.
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2008 GT, MT, 3.55, S-1000, GT appearance, C&L Intake, Brenspeed 87 tune, Silver stripes, 14" antenna, 6k HIDs from Stangmods, Sequentials, various goodies from SHR, Scott Drake, MGW and Midwest
Posts: 271
Joined: 6/20/2007 From: Prescott, AZ Status: online
The relays are required for people that bought kits not made for our cars. Look at your headlight harness and follow the wires. Do they all end up meeting together in a small black box? If they do you have the relays and all StangMods headlight kits are supposed to come with them as part of the harness. I did say that I never used their fog kit, but I can tell you that the fog lights do not need relays. You pretty much just have to run the factory fog wire into the ballast and then connect the ballast to the bulb.
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Black 2007 GT, JLT CAI, Bama 93 race tune, MAC axlebacks, Fitch Fuel Catalyst, Roush front fascia, CDC black billet grille, billet fuel door, black calipers, antenna delete, smoked headlights/tailights/third brake light, sequential tails, hood pins
Posts: 120
Joined: 3/27/2008 From: New Hampshire Status: offline
OK, so the relay is part of the wiring harness. Got it, good to go then on that.
For the fogs, let me see if the picture can help. On the right you see the bulb, which runs back to the grommet. There are 2 wires going forward, which the instructions say connect to the foglight housing. There are 2 wires, and 1 braided bundle that run to the left. The wire coming off of the ballast connectos to the 2 wires coming off of the bulb, clearly. But, where does that braided wire bundle connect? And where does the car harness connect? It appears that the braided wire could also be plugged into the ballast. The instructions do not mention this wire...
The instructions also do not cover where the car harness plugs, probably the ballast?
< Message edited by plutnicki -- 5/10/2008 4:04:05 AM >
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2008 GT, MT, 3.55, S-1000, GT appearance, C&L Intake, Brenspeed 87 tune, Silver stripes, 14" antenna, 6k HIDs from Stangmods, Sequentials, various goodies from SHR, Scott Drake, MGW and Midwest
Posts: 271
Joined: 6/20/2007 From: Prescott, AZ Status: online
Ok, the two wires with the blade connectors get plugged into the factory fog light harness. You can just stick them into the slots on the connector I assume. I don't know why factory connectors where not included. The large plug with the sheathed harness is the one that plugs into the ballast. Then just connect the small ones together and you should be good to go. The grommet is just there to keep the wires bundled together. It confused me at first because it made the wires look like they lead to odd places, but now I see it's just there to keep things neat. You may think that these kits are poorly designed, but they are superior to almost all the Ebay kits you can get out there when it comes to ease of installation and reliability.
< Message edited by rmssch89 -- 5/9/2008 6:50:50 PM >
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Black 2007 GT, JLT CAI, Bama 93 race tune, MAC axlebacks, Fitch Fuel Catalyst, Roush front fascia, CDC black billet grille, billet fuel door, black calipers, antenna delete, smoked headlights/tailights/third brake light, sequential tails, hood pins
Posts: 120
Joined: 3/27/2008 From: New Hampshire Status: offline
Not so much poorly designed, as poorly described. I think if Stangmods included a diagram or picture of how these plug together, it would be helpful. All the parts seem very solid and the wiring is all neat. Just not so clear where it all goes ... :)
The instructions don't say anything about the sheathed plug connecting to the ballast, just the plastic ended ones connecting together between ballast and light.
Thanks
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2008 GT, MT, 3.55, S-1000, GT appearance, C&L Intake, Brenspeed 87 tune, Silver stripes, 14" antenna, 6k HIDs from Stangmods, Sequentials, various goodies from SHR, Scott Drake, MGW and Midwest
Posts: 271
Joined: 6/20/2007 From: Prescott, AZ Status: online
Of course pictures would be nice. Or at least directions that where much clearer. But yeah, I guarantee you that the way I mentioned above is the way the fogs get installed. Maybe you should do a Tacobill-style writeup when you install your kits so no one else has the same problems.
< Message edited by rmssch89 -- 5/9/2008 7:51:47 PM >
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Black 2007 GT, JLT CAI, Bama 93 race tune, MAC axlebacks, Fitch Fuel Catalyst, Roush front fascia, CDC black billet grille, billet fuel door, black calipers, antenna delete, smoked headlights/tailights/third brake light, sequential tails, hood pins
Posts: 120
Joined: 3/27/2008 From: New Hampshire Status: offline
I'm charging up my camera tonight. I plan to install some hood struts I got from a fellow forum member, the C&L CAI and tune, plus the HID headlights and foglights if I get the time.
Assuming my pictures comprise a decent story, I'll give it a shot...
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2008 GT, MT, 3.55, S-1000, GT appearance, C&L Intake, Brenspeed 87 tune, Silver stripes, 14" antenna, 6k HIDs from Stangmods, Sequentials, various goodies from SHR, Scott Drake, MGW and Midwest
Posts: 120
Joined: 3/27/2008 From: New Hampshire Status: offline
Did the install. Didn't get to the fog light kit. Did the headlights. Went ok, fairly straightforward except for mounting the ballasts.
When lights first come on, the relay in the wiring harness buzzes. Pretty loud at first, then quieter, then gone. Keeps buzzing if car is off, seems to go away if car is running. Is that just warm up? Still waiting for a response from stangmods.
Sorry I didn't get to the fogs, but when I do, I'll post about it.
Thx,
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2008 GT, MT, 3.55, S-1000, GT appearance, C&L Intake, Brenspeed 87 tune, Silver stripes, 14" antenna, 6k HIDs from Stangmods, Sequentials, various goodies from SHR, Scott Drake, MGW and Midwest
Posts: 271
Joined: 6/20/2007 From: Prescott, AZ Status: online
The buzzing is perfectly normal. It's just the ballasts doing their thing. They tend to do it most when the bulbs are new and on occasion when the bulbs have been off for a while and cold. You could always find a creative way to soundproof the are you put the ballasts but I would just leave it. Since the ballast location was not designed into out cars they are usually mounted in open areas where the sound is most noticeable. It may just be me but I find it kinda cool.
< Message edited by rmssch89 -- 5/10/2008 4:54:23 PM >
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Black 2007 GT, JLT CAI, Bama 93 race tune, MAC axlebacks, Fitch Fuel Catalyst, Roush front fascia, CDC black billet grille, billet fuel door, black calipers, antenna delete, smoked headlights/tailights/third brake light, sequential tails, hood pins
Posts: 120
Joined: 3/27/2008 From: New Hampshire Status: offline
Again, this sounds like the relay, and not the ballasts, but it does sound like the situation you describe so I'll live with it for now. The relay and passenger ballast is mounted well, I'm not totally satisfied with the drivers side ballast.
Took about 3 hours, for hood struts, C&L, program and HIDs, including a short test drive after the C&L and program, plus adjusting the headlights and setup/cleanup. Reading the instructions fully too.
I'll have some install photos up this weekend.
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2008 GT, MT, 3.55, S-1000, GT appearance, C&L Intake, Brenspeed 87 tune, Silver stripes, 14" antenna, 6k HIDs from Stangmods, Sequentials, various goodies from SHR, Scott Drake, MGW and Midwest
I've had mine for like a year now and love them. It was a simple install for me, pretty straight foward. They have awsome customer service. Sorry i don't have any pics for you thoe.
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2007 Mustang GT - Its got mods. *Up for sale soon*
Printable Version
Stangmods HID kit - 
