The only thing I don't like about '40 Ford Standards are the headlights. they're less bulky than the '40 Deluxe versions, but I'd rather have the look of a '39. The buckets are obviously different so it doesn't look like a straight swap, and I don't want to graft on a pair of '39s (read, I don;t want to cut and weld on this car). Does anyone make a kit or is there an old solution to get rid of the sealed beam look? Thanks!
I've seen quite a few '39s with '40 headlights. My guess is that they would bolt on. I bet Bob Drake's guys could tell you.
I put a 40 fender on my 39 and had to make a small cut (1-2") to fit the 39 bucket in the 40 fender. I think you could just as easily modify the '39 bucket. I you look at both headlight openings you will notice a little difference.
'39 Deluxe with '40 headlights....... don't ask me why. I like '39 headlights over '40's too. If '40's fit in a '39 seems like '39's would fit in a '40... More of it here: http://www.chevysportsltd.com/inventory/p1467.html
I too also prefer the correct 40 Standard headlight rims over a DeLuxe I think you will find installing 39 headlights on a 40 is very easy to do ... BUT a step backwards. The 40 Ford sealed beams are a VAST improvement over the original 39 stuff. MAYBE the Bob Drake repro " improved 39 headlights " can equal the sealed beams ... I do not know
In order to run 39 lights in a 40 fender the light opening needs to be trimed slightly, not a big deal.
After looking at images of the two buckets I can see that the '40 buckets are smaller because they only had to recess the sealed beam bulb. Are the fender shapes similar enough to have the buckets and trim pieces fit flush to the surface?
The fenders are the same except for the light opening and minor detail on the front edge of the grill opening,you would have to put a 39 del and a 40 fender side to side to spot the differance. I have 40s on my coupe they fit fine.
What's this, Kirk? I must've missed your new purchase. My headlights are those awful sealed beam conversions, as you can see in my avatar, but I plan on sticking the '39 lenses back in there. I can't imagine there would be much hackery to do, to fit '39 buckets in your '40 fenders. Just some minor t*******, by the looks of the openings (I've had a '40 DeLuxe in the past). Now come off those pictures!!
The headlite opening in a 39 deluxe fender and a 1940 fender is virtually the same, the difference is in the bucket design and depth, the 39 Dlx accepts an adjustable reflector/light bulb unit, the 40 uses a seal beam bulb. They both bolt on the same way. If you want to get the 39 smooth look, the disadvantage is that you have to resort to using the bulb/reflector type lites to get everything to fit easily. Unfortunately even the new repro units are difficult to focus, so although they have a lot of light they are not like driving with focus beams on your latemodel new car. Juliano's offers a clear lense 12V seal beam conversion but this is a more modern version upgrade and may not fit with the old time look. So to answer your inquiry all you need is a pair of 39 deluxe buckets with the internal adjusters for the reflectors, a pair of 39 deluxe rims, a pair of 39 deluxe headlite lenses and a pair of 12v conversion reflectors. every thing bolts in, done and done in about 45 min.
1939 & 40 fender are notched for the proper headlite buckets .They will require a little cutting to 39 buckets in a 40 fender. been there done that.
What's the difference between '39 Standard and Deluxe buckets. I know the lenses are different, are the buckets different too?
Does anyone make a bucket kit to fit a 40 Fender that includes an adjustable ring, a S/S trim ring, a 12V seal beam, a signal lite and a chrome trim ring.
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