32 commercial headlights

I have a set of stock 32 headlights that I wish to improve, I would like to keep the stock gl***es. Any suggestions? Halogen?

 

I bought a set of "Brite" bulbs from Ron Francis (800) 292-1940, wire-works.com, for my '32 roadster with original headlights. They are available in 12 volts only. Other suppliers probably stock his parts. They plug right into the original sockets. They are not bluish like some of the halogens and run cooler. I wired them the normal way. They said you could also wire them with both filiments burning on high beam for extra brightness. I have resilvered reflectors. They are almost too bright.

Charlie Stephens

 

Thanks for that Charlie

 

Also, use the original socket stuff...I think '30-31 will fit too...and solder modern wire into the original terminals. The repros have of these parts have a really bad reputation.
Many of the halogen conversions put the bulb in the wrong place to focus right from the reflector. I think Drake has come out with new ones that are geometrically right...have not seen them.

 

We sell a halogen conversion kit that includes the plugs, 12 v halogen bulbs and mounts to convert you factory refractors they work on all 20s-40s cars without sealed beam headlights for 21.00 plus shipping Kelly

 

Another thought from the Model A guys that might(?) apply to '32. You are better off having your reflectors resilvered (or plated aluminum by UVIRA, (541) 474-5050, see the archives for comments). Some of the reproduction Model A reflectors have the wrong shape.

Charlie Stephens

 

Bob Drake offers a new style conversion kit with a chrome plated plastic reflector that will absolutely amaze you,,no more shadows and works like late model lights. HRP

 

They were designed for Drake by a lighting engineer. The redesign has different shapes in the reflector. I have them in BOTH my 32 Fords.



Bob Drake part number B-13027-QK12

I had a different halogen conversion in my 32 roadster and it was good ...
but the Bob Drake ones are vastly better. After using the Bob Drake ones for a while, one of the headlight bulbs burned out. I went and got a pair of Sylvania H4 bulbs



Now my 32 has headlights as good as my new Silverado pickup.
Go here for the Sylvania info.

http://www.autobarn.net/syl9003su.html

 

Thanks guys, I am overwhelmed by the information here. Will be posting the build of the 32 soon. Cheers

 

i put a new reflector/ halogen kit in original 32 headlights. i cleaned the original lenses with everything i could get my hands on drove many night miles for a couple years. and then i finally hit a bird and blew a lense apart. went to storage and grabbed a pair what i thought were original lenses. they were not. they were some aftermarket gl*** and man i found out real quick with the originals i couldnt see squat! i was missin out!! --- "NEW LENSES from now on!!

 

I have heard the same from other Deuce owners ...

I have a few sets of NOS ( new old stock ) 32 Ford headlight lenses that I bought at Hershey about 15 years ago. I used two sets in my two Deuces. They are clear and bright and I have no trouble seeing.

Now with old, faded and somewhat stained lenses might create the issues you spoke of. And new lenses are fairly inexpensive A cheap fix to have good lights.