2014 fusion headlamps

[RampantAndroid]

I can't find any info on the headlamps - are the halogen, HID or LED? How hard is a proper conversion to HID or LED from Halogen?

 

[vshah]

from images it looks like the fusion has projector headlamps, not sure what type of bulb they are.

a proper conversion from halogen to HID, known as an HID retrofit, is labor intensive

remove headlights from vehicle
bake headlights to soften adhesive, remove front lenses
cut a hole in your headlights reflector, or remove your halogen projectors
install new HID projectors/shrouds to make it look nice
install ballasts somewhere in your engine bay
wire up relays and bulbs.

total parts cost is around 300-600 depending on what components you choose. you can get it done by someone for around $600-1000.
haven't seen an LED conversion myself yet, i'm sure someone out there has done it.

 

[Aharami]

they are halogen projectors. same as 2013

 

[RampantAndroid]

Looks like no baking required? http://fusionhybridmpg.blogspot.com/2013/01/hid-install-special-post.html

I'm just used to the HIDs of my TSX and don't want to go back to halogens. Why doesn't ford offer an upgrade option?!

Looks like the Hybrid might have HIDs thought. Is there an entire assembly I could buy and just do a swap? The mondeo one looks like it can't be just a swap since it follows the direction you're turning.

 

[vshah]

Looks like no baking required? http://fusionhybridmpg.blogspot.com/2013/01/hid-install-special-post.html

I'm just used to the HIDs of my TSX and don't want to go back to halogens. Why doesn't ford offer an upgrade option?!

Looks like the Hybrid might have HIDs thought. Is there an entire assembly I could buy and just do a swap? The mondeo one looks like it can't be just a swap since it follows the direction you're turning.

that's an HID plug and play kit using the existing Halogen projectors. HID projectors and halogen projectors are designed for different bulbs. The end result of that link is a lot of light above the cutoff line that can and will cause a lot of glare and discomfort for oncoming drivers. putting HID bulbs in a halogen projector is not as bad as putting hid bulbs in a halogen reflector, but still nowhere near as good as a true HID projector.

 

[NutBucket]

Its not ideal but a hell of a lot better than reflectors. Some cars have factory HIDs in reflector housings. I'd rather have HIDs in halogen projectors. The cutoff is still super sharp assuming you start with a decent projector and while there will be some stray light it won't be terribly blinding.

Confusing enough?

EDIT: Yes I've done it before and if I wasn't so lazy I would have already installed the kit I bought for our newest car.

 

[Aikouka]

I'm just used to the HIDs of my TSX and don't want to go back to halogens. Why doesn't ford offer an upgrade option?!

I actually didn't even realize that they were halogens until after I bought my Fusion. I was so used to higher-end trims on mid-range sedans offering it as default or at least having an option, that I thought it was baked in! I came from an Altima 3.5SL, which has stock HIDs, and my first thought was, "Wow... is something wrong with my HID lamps!? Oh, wait... these are halogens!"

Honestly, if I didn't really prefer MyFord Touch over the other solutions, I would have went with another Altima. After owning the Fusion for six months, I definitely would have went with another Altima. The build quality on Ford vehicles is noticeably worse with all the rattling -- a problem I never had with my Altima, which was also a first year of a new model. Also, the turbocharged I4 in the Fusion feels okay when you're accelerating from a stop, but it's awful when you're trying to accelerate faster while moving. You can push the accelerator down, but it feels like nothing changes until you push it down so far that it hits passing gear! :|

 

[NutBucket]

Should have got the MT. This is my general compliant with all automatics. My wife says I need to deal with it and press the accelerator harder! Oh well, good thing I don't have to daily drive an AT.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I actually didn't even realize that they were halogens until after I bought my Fusion. I was so used to higher-end trims on mid-range sedans offering it as default or at least having an option, that I thought it was baked in! I came from an Altima 3.5SL, which has stock HIDs, and my first thought was, "Wow... is something wrong with my HID lamps!? Oh, wait... these are halogens!"

Honestly, if I didn't really prefer MyFord Touch over the other solutions, I would have went with another Altima. After owning the Fusion for six months, I definitely would have went with another Altima. The build quality on Ford vehicles is noticeably worse with all the rattling -- a problem I never had with my Altima, which was also a first year of a new model. Also, the turbocharged I4 in the Fusion feels okay when you're accelerating from a stop, but it's awful when you're trying to accelerate faster while moving. You can push the accelerator down, but it feels like nothing changes until you push it down so far that it hits passing gear! :|

Yeah, I got used to my TSX with paddle shifters. I can override the transmission when I know I need to accelerate hard.

Silly that Ford doesn't offer an upgrade option...

 

[Aikouka]

Should have got the MT. This is my general compliant with all automatics. My wife says I need to deal with it and press the accelerator harder! Oh well, good thing I don't have to daily drive an AT.

I didn't really have that problem with the CVT + V6 in the Altima though. :\

Yeah, I got used to my TSX with paddle shifters. I can override the transmission when I know I need to accelerate hard.

I tried the manumatic mode on my Altima a few times, but in my experience, it wasn't any faster than simply accelerating. The only problem with using it on the Fusion is that I never really figured out how to get it out of manumatic mode.

Silly that Ford doesn't offer an upgrade option...

Yeah.

I also talked about this issue in the Fusion thread, but the car also lacks tinting on the upper portion of the windshield. Before the Fusion, I've never had to wear sunglasses while driving, and that's nice because I already wear glasses. That was just another thing that I never even thought to look for in a car.

EDIT:

Goodness, do I sound like a bitter owner or what?

 

[NutBucket]

The tinting thing is pretty nit-picky. Any tint shop can add that for under $100.

 

[Aikouka]

The tinting thing is pretty nit-picky. Any tint shop can add that for under $100.

Ford said that the whole windshield would have to be replaced because of the rough surface that's at the top and extends down around where the rearview mirror attaches. Supposedly, that surface stops them from being able to attach a tint.

Also, I don't think it's nit-picky to argue that at $32,000 car should have tint at the top of the windshield. It just compiles on with all the other cheap aspects of the car. Hell, the "leather seats" aren't even full leather. They're leather on all the easily-visible parts, but cheap fabric on anything you can't easily see (e.g. between the seat and the center console). To be fair, the Altima isn't exactly the paragon of luxury either, but it didn't feel that cheap.