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How to modify & fit US Rear clusters (Red/Clear) onto a UK Ford Focus.. (Red/Orange)

 

In my opinion the US style rear clusters with red & clear lenses look much cleaner than those fitted to the UK model.

The US lights obviously have a slightly different light arrangement, therefore the clear lenses that would normally be the reverse light becomes the indicators, the red lenses normally brake/tail & indicator becomes just the brake/tail light.

 

I'll start by showing some pics of the UK & US clusters, the UK & US bulbs and holders.

Click for larger images..
 
Rear of the clusters, Top = UK, Lower = US

UK Cluster

 US Cluster
This pic illustrates the difference between the rear of the clusters and size of the holes that accommodate the bulb holders. Both are from 2001 models (Top - UK, Lower - US). UK US
   
UK Cluster: US Cluster:

UK stop/rear light

US stop/indicator/rear light

Top Bulb - UK Stop/rear light

3 pins, Ground, Major & Minor

Top Bulb - Stop/indicator/rear lights

3 pins Ground, Major & Minor
UK indicator light US reverse (convert to UK indicator)

Lower Bulb - Indicator

2 pins Ground & Major

Lower Bulb - Reverse

2 pins Ground & Major
   
How to:
  

Holder including 3 rubber seals

 As you can see the Top Bulb & holder is the same diameter, therefore the original UK item can be used, the only thing you need to add are 2 additional rubber seals to make a nice tight fit. Pic shows additional seals.

Holder including 3 rubber seals

   

Wires soldered onto US holder for UK indicator

 However not quite as easy for the lower bulb, you can see the US bulb holder is much smaller, almost half the diameter of that for the UK. An orange side repeater bulb, as shown can fit into the holder, but the repeaters flash twice the normal speed. This is due to the difference in resistance, normally used to detect a blown bulb and warns you one needs changing. Side repeater bulb = 14ohms (approx), the correct bulb = 8ohms (approx).

Wires soldered onto bulb holder

   

Transparent glass paint, available from all good craft shops :)

 Now, I didn't spend time playing about with the resistance to correct this, you can if you like (bank holiday, the pub & Saints game were calling). I took the easy option and painted the original bulb with orange transparent glass paint. 
To connect into the loom I soldered two wires onto the pins in the holder, and rubber sleeved them. These just need to be spliced into the original indicator wires. Done this way the job is easily reversible.

Transparent glass paint - £1.20

   
     
Costs: 
  
Well, I picked my lights up second-hand, condition practically new from the ffoc forum. Expect to pay approx $40 to $50 (£25 to £30). 
Note, postage will most likely be extra, look to pay around $30 from US for ground, this will take 4 to 6 weeks. Air will be quicker but can be double the cost. You won't need to pay import duty if they are second-hand goods.
Might be worth posting wanted ads on the US forums as they change their rears for euro spec... Here's one forum based in the US - Focus Fanatics
  
The finished look:
  

The Finished Look

 

 

  

   

  

  

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