Questions Re. Front Curtain and Headlights

[Dick Simonis]

I'm beginning to put together a maintenance list for when we return to AZ and I can do some puttering.  One item is to remove the front curtain and have it cleaned but I have no idea how to get it off.  The whole mechanism is tucked away behind a partition.  While I'm in there is there any service or ? that should be looked at for the motor and/or whatever makes it open and close.

The other item is to clean/replace my headlight assys that are getting a bit clouded.  I seem to recall a thread mentioning that this year coach uses Lincoln Navigator headlight and taillight assys?  What have others done to clean these up?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[Keith Oliver]

on the headlights, a word of caution.  Last winter, I took a stone in the headlight of my Volvo (toad, so I was in CA at the time). I ordered the headlight lens, and swapped it out myself.  While I had the lens off, the reflector was dirty, due to driving with the hole in the lens, so I wiped it.  Big mistake! wherever I touched it, the reflective material came away, leaving a dull grey plastic.  Luckily I saw what was happening before too much damage was done, so closed it up and walked away.  Now I can see teh damage, because I know where to look, but it isn't obvious to others.

[Joel Weiss]

The curtain unsnaps from the carriers on the curtain rod so removal of all but those at the very back end is easy.  As for the back end, we did end up pulling the curtain loose from how it had been attached near the motor.  This has no affect on how it opens and closes.

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

We also own a Navigator though not as a Toad.  The headlight assy. is available at Ford for about $300. ea.  Alternativly we use Plastics by McGuire's for lens cleanup and protection.  Any product that removes the yellow of age will remove the factory coating.  Once gone the unit needs resealing about once each year.

I think I read Gerald as saying that the '98 used mid 80's Bronco headlights.  Those are tough to clean or replace.  Ours is yellowed outside and inside the unit as well.  Sure wish I could replace them with the Navigator style.
You might also consider Roy Meuller's (and Bill Sprague) video about brighter headlights.  He suggests a test with a simple jumper wire and it made alot of difference on ours.

Best
Keith