Installing HID Headlights on Older Chrysler Vehicles

So you want HID headlights on your vintage Chrysler? The guide below gives you step-by-step directions on how to approach installing HID lights in many older Chrysler models.    SAVE 35% on XENON Headlight HID Kits when you mention this article!'

Please NOTE: cutting and drilling will be required on some models more so than on others:

1 - Start by removing the stock headlight bulbs.  You’ll need to remove the casings and unbolt the halogens.  If you’re vehicle is several decades old, it’s likely had its headlights replaced before, which may mean you have an easy snap-in setup to remove.  If not, you may have to pop the hood and remove several pieces under the hood that are parallel to the headlight assembly outside the car.

2 - Pull out the headlight bucket on the driver’s side.  It’s likely that the opening at the back of the bucket is much smaller than needed, particularly on much older Chryslers.  Trim the metal lining until the hole is large enough to fit all the necessary components through.  Cover the cut metal lining with vinyl tape, so that jagged edges can’t tear at the wire insulation later.

3 - Pull the wiring harness through the headlight bucket and adjust accordingly.  Equip a wiring harness adaptor to connect to the HIDs through the headlight bucket, so that the HIDs work with the vehicle’s wiring setup.  When handling the HID bulbs themselves, be sure to keep them in their original housing, or handle them with gloved hands only to avoid skin contact.

4 - Installing the ballasts: you’ll first need to remove the vehicle’s battery, as it’s often installed up close to the headlight assembly, and will otherwise get in your way.

5 - After the battery’s been taken out, it’s time to remove several other critical components, which will allow you to string the HID wiring properly under the hood on the driver’s side.  Start first by removing the coolant reservoir.

6 - After the coolant reservoir bottle’s been removed, the Mass Air Flow sensor (MAF) will have to be taken out, if your vehicle is equipped with one.  Usually protected by oversized housing, the case and the sensor inside it will both have to be taken out.  Be careful and keep a watchful eye out for any hidden bolts or other stock attachments keeping this component in place.  Many old Chrysler models have strong metal bolts locking pieces down, and you don’t want to break a piece of equipment by trying to tug it out before knowing if it has been bolted down or not.

7 - Some older model Chryslers have headlight bezels that result in extraordinarily tight fits.  To avoid damaging the polycarbonate lenses, you may want to try trimming the corners so everything fits more comfortably, while also providing you with just a bit more room for error.

8 - Connect all of the wire harnesses to the ballast setup to ensure proper voltage output.  This needs to be done on both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle.  To keep the harness in place, depending on what model you own, you can run the wiring harness up against the radiator, and secure it.

9 - Replace the battery, the coolant reservoir bottle, and the Mass Air Flow sensor.  If everything’s been installed properly, you should still have an inch or two of free space between the coolant reservoir bottle and the wall that the ballast is mounted to, so you won’t have to worry about them scraping up against each other.

10 - Each of the wiring harness should have fuses mounted into a block, as well as a red and black wire.  The red wire is the power wire, and the black one is the ground wire.  The blocked should hook up easily and create a chain, and after you reinstall the car battery, you can attach straight onto the battery terminals.  After this, simply tie up any remaining wires and loose parts, and ensure the ballasts have been secured in a cool, dry place near the metal panels behind the headlights.  Test the lights, and you’re all set!

NOTE:  If you notice the HIDs jut out further from the headlight buckets than the stock lights, this is normal, as you’re adapting components that shouldn’t normally fit in them.    

I bought this beauty in November of 1975 from the 2nd owner.  I paid $350.00.  I offered $325.00, but he was firm and a deal was struck.  We'd always been a Chrysler family; 1952 Chrysler Windsor and 1963 Newport for my parent's family car.  Myself, I first had a '62 Newport, then '64 New Yorker and then the '61.  It was our honeymoon car in 1976...San Francisco to Tahoe to Death Valley to Vegas to Disneyland and home.  Once the first child came in 1980 I installed seat belts.  Just completed major engine, trans, steering and brake work.  You're looking at the original paint (Parisian Blue.)  The car has been a good friend for many years.
 

1950 Chrysler Windsor Newport Highlander.
 Don Feller,  Portland Oregon  

“Winnie the New” has been in our family since 1978 and came with only 60K miles and still is in mostly original condition.  Today at 81K miles she is ready for more touring.  She has been treated to a paint job & new front seat in 1978, and wire wheels recently.  She has faithfully taken us to Victoria, BC three times already as well as many tours in the north west. “Winnie” began life in L.A on Aug 15, 1950 and resided in Portland ever since.  I took my driver’s exam at 16 in a ’50 Windsor and always appreciated the ‘fluid drive’, despite never being able to ‘burn some rubber’.

Paul Jenkins   Charlottetown,  Prince Edward Island

I purchased this Automobile as the second owner from W.G.Barbour Ltd,the local
Chrysler/Dodge dealer here on Prince Edward Island in 1968 .
I added an exterior sun visor and other Mopar accessories, presently the car
has about 43000 original miles and is an exceptional solid and dependable driver.
The car is driven every year during our short summer season and spends seven months
each year in storage up on jacks .
This Canadian model Dodge is about exactly the same as the American built
Plymouth ,basically only the grill is different ..   

John & Arlys Chesnutt,  Portland Oregon.         "  Today " 

John and Arlys were married in July 1959,  and celebrated their 50th anniversary July 2009.   John dated Arlys in this car in 1958.  They brought their babies home from the hospital in this car. 

" Before the girl, there was the car. And now, after more than 50 years of twists and turns, the girl and the car remain at the heart of a love story".   See the full  story and video here

John & Arlys Chesnutt,  Portland Oregon.       " The Early Days "