Is this a direct headlamp swap?

[Klutch9]

Look at the front of this MK3 Ford Mondeo for the European market:
Mondeo MK3 headlights

Tell me those headlights don't look like an EXACT fit into my Focus!

2007 Focus headlights

These look just like a direct swap. The Mondeo lights have a separate bulb for high/low beams, plus a DRL bulb. Does anyone know if this would work? Google reveals nothing on this topic. The molding and size of the lamp looks to be identical from what I can tell, although I cannot see where the mounting points are, which could be an issue.

 

[RiceCake]

They won't be DOT legal, likely won't aim properly (both because of how the light is focused and based on the side of the road its intended market was for), and both of those are very important failures because you can blind people with them.

But are they the same fit? Probably.

 

[E365]

It's probably a long-shot on these, but I know some cars sold in the euro market have a little lever that "flips" the beam pattern for left or right side driving. It's usually on the headlight assembly, and I'd guess usually only found on projector type headlights.

 

[eljefino]

If it's from UK remember they are right hand drive. (That image URL is UK.)

Also the US focus seems to have a filler panel between bumper and headlamp that the UK one doesn't. The mounting points for the lights are probably the same but you may find them jammed against the body or with giant gaps in places you don't expect.

US has safety laws for bumper strength and pedestrian safety that don't mesh with European standards. This can cause some subtle differences.

Best would be to find a focus forum and see if they did it. It's possible in places, and "cool" to do with older mercedes w123s etc.

 

[01rangerxl]

It looks to me like the bottom edge of the Mondeo lights are parallel with the ground, whereas the bottom edge of the Focus lights angle upwards slightly.

Since the cars are on separate platforms, I'm betting the lights don't interchange at all. If it was a doable swap, some Focus owners probably already would have done it and you would have found something online (ie "Brazilian lights" for Rangers).

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: RiceCake
They won't be DOT legal, likely won't aim properly (both because of how the light is focused and based on the side of the road its intended market was for), and both of those are very important failures because you can blind people with them.

But are they the same fit? Probably.
All of Europe except for the UK drive on the same side we do.

 

[UG_Passat]

Mondeo is equivalent to the Fusion in the US.

If you want more and better lighting, then consider a bixenon HID projector retrofit

 

[bmwjohn]

is "Brazilian lights" for rangers just an example or a real thing? Also, I would wonder if the many Chinese vendors have a catalog listing European versions and a cross reference.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: bmwjohn
is "Brazilian lights" for rangers just an example or a real thing?


They are real. In the US Rangers had separate headlights and side markers. In Central and South America from about 2006 on they came with one piece assemblies that looked a lot cleaner. Some Ranger owners in the US have spent hundreds getting the "Brazilian lights."

 

[bmwjohn]

Thanks! Interesting. A friend has a Ranger, not sure what year. Are they any better visibility wise? Easy to install? And, most everything has a Chinese clone. I'll check on e-bay or ranger? forum. Thanks,