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Technical 39 ford headlights in a 40

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by corkym, Apr 17, 2017.

  1. corkym
    Joined: Jul 31, 2009
    Posts: 80

    corkym
    Member
    from utah

    I see 1937 ford headlights in 40 fords, if you use the 37-39 deluxe headlight bucket does it fit the 40 ford fender or do you alter it ? comments appreciated.
     

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  2. Sheep Dip
    Joined: Dec 29, 2010
    Posts: 1,572

    Sheep Dip
    Member
    from Central Ca

    I actually asked the Bob Drake Rep that question at Turlock this last January.
    According to him they bolt right in with no mods required, I have not tested this myself but do have a buddy building a 40 PU right now and he has purchased 39 buckets.....we shall see.

    It's a personal choice but I think the 39 lights are way better looking than the 40's as the seem to follow the fender lines to give a better overall appearance to me.

    If his go in with no problem I just may change my 40's to 39's cause I like em!
     
    stillrunners likes this.
  3. I have done it in the past and they fit like a glove HRP
     
  4. 40Standard
    Joined: Jul 30, 2005
    Posts: 5,970

    40Standard
    Member
    from Indy

    drops right in
     
  5. Always the odd ball, if I had a '39, the first thing I'd do is try to make it look like a '40. Guess that's why I don't have any friends.
     
  6. The '39 lights have poorer optics and won't put as much light on the road.
     
    Spoggie and LOU WELLS like this.
  7. Awwwww I like ya.:)

    I got an idea that the lights from a '39 Standard would not be an easy fit in a '40 but the '39 deluxe should work just fine. Unless I am mistaken the '39 deluxe and the '40 standard have the same fenders. Actually I would have to see a '39 deluxe and a '40 standard side by side to tell the difference in the two.
     
  8. Gee, somebody likes me? Let's do lunch.
     
  9. OK then meet you in Grand Junction. We can watch the prairie dogs from the Micky Ds window. :D
     
  10. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 8,172

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Sticking older parts on a newer car seldom worked. Rare exception would be Desoto bumpers on '40 Ford. That's how it used to be, but nowdays, the ol' "change for the sake of a change" has sadly returned.
    Why anyone would change the frontal appearance of a '40 DeLuxe escapes me ...
     
    LOU WELLS, alchemy and choffman41 like this.
  11. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,197

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    I bet you'd try to make a '33 look like a '34 too, wouldn't ya?! You monster.
     
  12. the-rodster
    Joined: Jul 2, 2003
    Posts: 6,959

    the-rodster
    Member

    Even Rudy dug it with his 40 Merc....

    [​IMG]
     
  13. IMG_1855.JPG They screw/bolt right in.
     
  14. Now that you mention it...................... but fortunately my '34 was genuine.
     
  15. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 31,748

    The37Kid
    Member

    Let's take this a bit further, you have a 1940 Ford and want to put a 1939 Deluxe nose on it. You need the '39 hood and grille, are the fenders the same or different to fit the '39 hood? Bob
     
  16. The 39 guy
    Joined: Nov 5, 2010
    Posts: 3,665

    The 39 guy
    Member

    You are seeing 39 Deluxe headlights on 40 Fords. 37,38 and 39 standard are a different shape to fit the earlier fenders.
    Although 39 Deluxe fenders do differ from 40 deluxe the actual area the headlight bucket fits in is the same.
    40 Fender and 39 fender modified.jpg
    The headlight buckets between 39 deluxe and 40 differ in several ways. The stainless headlight ring attachments are different and the light bulb assembly differs The 39 deluxe halogen headlight kit (spendy) works well. but as stated here still does not produce as much light as a 40 sealed beam headlight. I had trouble getting the glass to fit also. They say they are all the same but I had to try a few before I got the lens to fit.

    [​IMG][​IMG]
    39 Deluxe 40 Ford

    [​IMG]
    This halogen kit listed at $360 I have had it in use for 10 years without a problem. I do run them on high at all times without anyone flashing me to turn them down. You want to use a headlight relay with them too.
     
    seabeecmc and MIKE STEWART like this.
  17. The 39 guy
    Joined: Nov 5, 2010
    Posts: 3,665

    The 39 guy
    Member

    That would be the best way to do it Bob. A 40 standard hood would fit though. I was involved in a discussion awhile back about the difference in the crown or beak of the of the 39 deluxe and 40 Standard. I think the 39 Deluxe lays back a little more. See post 79 for the difference in the fenders.
     
    seabeecmc likes this.
  18. SuperD-47
    Joined: Dec 11, 2016
    Posts: 53

    SuperD-47

    Spoggie likes this.
  19. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,404

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    And I'd go the other way, make a 34 look 33. But I'm goofy like that. 34 grille to bulky, 33 delicate and sexy. 34 hood to 'commercial' looking with it's straight louvers, 33 sweeps to match the grill. 33 Victoria has the sweet lil bustle to the back, 34 looks like a flat-back 35-6-7. See? Told you I was goofy...:eek:

    Oh yeah, 1 more. The 34s have that fucky looking metal channel at the back of the door window. The function is kool but the channel, not so much.
     
  20. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 31,748

    The37Kid
    Member

    1933 Ford Vicky, one of the nicest looking cars Ford ever made. Bob
     
  21. LOU WELLS
    Joined: Jan 24, 2010
    Posts: 3,034

    LOU WELLS
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from IDAHO

    A much older friend was around when the new 1940 Ford came out and said there were complaints that the sealed beam headlights were too bright compared to the previous 1939.......
     
    The 39 guy likes this.
  22. corkym
    Joined: Jul 31, 2009
    Posts: 80

    corkym
    Member
    from utah

     
  23. corkym
    Joined: Jul 31, 2009
    Posts: 80

    corkym
    Member
    from utah

    thank u so much
     
  24. The 39 guy
    Joined: Nov 5, 2010
    Posts: 3,665

    The 39 guy
    Member

    You are welcome.
     
  25. neilswheels
    Joined: Aug 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,263

    neilswheels
    Member
    from England

    A friend of mine has just done this on his 40 dlx, went straight in
     

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