Hot Rods Big Headlight Question

I'll be honest that though I like big lights on some cars, I don't know firsthand the challenges of making them usable. I would think you can chrome the reflectors and get a reasonable output. Is this not an option?

 

This would be much cheaper than re-chroming and even at that this kit will make them function as well as a sealed beam, in some instances better.

I drive my old beater at night and I remember how poorly the lights worked, I have used all the tricks and I doubt there will ever be anything that works and looks this good. HRP

 

any chance that you still have a pic of the new type ? Link doesn’t work and Bob drake website doesn’t show any.
I bought a kit and would like to know if it is the new one. Plastic reflectors that are chromed and look cheap as.
Also concerned about heat distortion from the bulbs ? Any comments welcomed. Thanks.

 

found that the part number, - matches with what I have, so still curious about the heat issues ?

 

Heat had been no problem with the new design optics Drake reflectors.

As far as photos, see post 21 above, that is the very unmodern old style reflector with a halogen bulb. It has been reported to not provide adequate light for highway driving.

Drake's revised design optic reflectors were no longer shown on the Drake website the last time I looked for them.

 

You should be able to take the buckets to a chrome shop - and get them silvered. If the people there know their stuff they'll tell you why you get headlight buckets silvered - not chromed. Amazing that someone would spend $3.00 to make mixing bowls into headlights for a vehicle they've spent thousands of $ and tons of time on... Have fun the first time you drive at night... why not just get some 12v flashlights and tape 'em on, they'd probably work better.
saving a buck usually costs you two.

 

I like this topic as I have no answer for big vs little unless we are discussing ****ies . I went with big lights because I like the look and I thought if I ever put the fenders on it I would re-use the original lights.

But I have also read @Dean Lowe comments on other threads on this subject. He lived the era, I did not and I respect that. I'm a wannabe, he is the genuine article and he says guys put small, current, up to date, modern lights on their cars and hung 'em high. Forgive me Dean if I have misquoted you but I am pretty sure I didn't.

I used Drake's reflectors and lenses, halogen bulbs and hung em low for the look and I see "fairly" good at night. It aint great but it always gets me home. I think my fog light illuminates more of the road than my headlights