Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical Tunneled headlight trim rings

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Shywaz, Sep 8, 2024.

  1. Shywaz
    Joined: Aug 7, 2023
    Posts: 54

    Shywaz
    Member
    from LTU

    Hello there,

    As my shoebox is slowly approaching body mods stage, i'm starting to think about doing frenched-tunneled headlights. They look cool and i want them, but...
    I see few different styles/depths, different approaches of doing it, but all of them have one thing in common - headlight trim rings.
    I believe they need to be removable, in order to adjust or change headlight itself, because the screws are in front of headlight bucket. So this means they all are custom made? Or can you adopt them from other car? If so, which one?

    I saw there are some universal kits, but really dont want to spend couple hundred bucks on such a straight forward mod.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2024
  2. Gahrajmahal
    Joined: Oct 14, 2008
    Posts: 532

    Gahrajmahal
    Member

    53/54 ford headlight rings are a typical one to be welded to your fenders for the frenched look. Prior to welding them on you need to take your headlight buckets and make them removable from inside the fenders. This can be a simple change or may require welding tabs or flanges to accomplish this.
    Something I really notice on a custom is if headlights are frenched (removing chrome surrounds) the tail lights should receive a similar modification for continuity. Kind of like chrome bumper on one end and not on the other.
     
  3. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 10,504

    BJR
    Member

    And don’t forget to turn the adjusters around to face the back of the car.
     
  4. Shywaz
    Joined: Aug 7, 2023
    Posts: 54

    Shywaz
    Member
    from LTU

    Wouldn't this way make tricky to adjust headlights?
    Im think more of taking current headlight bucket, mouting it from other side with some tube spacer (to gain more depth for frenched look) then weld current outer trim ring to fender. So i'll be left with the inside gap which needs to be hidden.
    So the thing to figure out is how to make inner trim ring removable - for access original adjustment mechanism and headlight fitment.

    Inner trim ring im referring to this part in picture center (dont know what its exacly called)
     

    Attached Files:

  5. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,654

    goldmountain

    The guys here are discussing the traditional ways of frenching headlights. The Hagen setup is a bit outside of what we do - in my opinion. In any case, do what you like.
     
    Pist-n-Broke and abe lugo like this.
  6. The ford ones mentioned
    IMG_1742.jpeg
     
    LOST ANGEL and Unkl Ian like this.
  7. Shywaz
    Joined: Aug 7, 2023
    Posts: 54

    Shywaz
    Member
    from LTU

    Im not going to buy a kit - thats 100% for sure. I dont think its worth the money.

    The thing i dont like about it, that it is sticking out too much.
    I'd like to bring headlight inside the fender, not the extending the fender to hide headlights.
     
    anthony myrick likes this.
  8. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,431

    alchemy
    Member

    So turn the bucket mounting screws around so it attaches from the rear, then you can weld the stock stainless ring to your fender. Been done a million times. But it will probably require a bunch of contortionism to adjust the light. That’s just the way it is.
     
  9. lostone
    Joined: Oct 13, 2013
    Posts: 3,206

    lostone
    Member
    from kansas

    I always wondered how my dad adjusted the headlights on his 53'stude when he frenched them.

    IF and it's a big if, if I remember correctly he said he put them in from the back side, he didn't extend the fender.

    I was but a wee pup when he built it and when I was older he really never talked about it, most info I got was from mom as she helped him build it. He would just give me an overview and if i pressed for more info I'd get a "I don't know too long ago" response.


    ...
     
    dana barlow likes this.
  10. Shywaz
    Joined: Aug 7, 2023
    Posts: 54

    Shywaz
    Member
    from LTU

    Cool mom you got there!!! Thumbs up!!!
     
  11. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,654

    goldmountain

    If you look up invision prototypes on Youtube, on Nick's previous shoebox build, he shows how he made up his headlight frenching rings from scratch. No where near Hamb friendly, but he does great work.
     
    Shywaz likes this.
  12. In_The_Pink
    Joined: Jan 9, 2010
    Posts: 788

    In_The_Pink
    Member

    Then '56-7 Continental style is the only way to go. No visible fasteners in the stainless trim ring:

    PXL_20240830_183520788~2.jpg

    PXL_20240830_183536310~2.jpg

    PXL_20240830_183552960~2.jpg
     
  13. These are thinned or trimmed about 5/8th of an inch
    They can be trimmed more
     
    Okie Pete likes this.
  14. Shywaz
    Joined: Aug 7, 2023
    Posts: 54

    Shywaz
    Member
    from LTU

    After watching Nicks video, i understood that i really want tunneled headlights not frenched ones. Something more like 1950 Lincoln, just less recessed. Sorry for my lack of terminology knowledge, im still learning :)

    So anyway, just need to get those Lincoln trim rings and modify them to fit. Is there any other cars with similar stuff? I believe those Lincoln trim rings might be pricey...
     
  15. 1952-1954 Mercury, not Ford. Ford headlight rims have a peak at the top.
     
  16. fastcar1953
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 3,855

    fastcar1953
    Member

    Mines a 54 chevy but I used 53 chevy rings. Welded to fender. Install light from back. I flipped the trim ring clips around backwards so screws will go in from backside.
     
  17. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,654

    goldmountain

    You could look for headlight doors from something like a '75 Cordoba. Not really frenched but easier to find something only 50 years old versus something 70 years old.
     
    Shywaz likes this.
  18. DKcoupe
    Joined: Dec 17, 2005
    Posts: 327

    DKcoupe
    Member

    78EB31CC-36C1-4E2E-B4E9-6CCFCF7C2511_1_105_c.jpeg 50132906-89D8-4B3F-A245-781758C84D0A.jpeg

    I built a one inch spacer ring around my stock headlight pots and added 3 tabs. Thus I was able to move them back one inch. I had found by luck that the 52 to 54 Ford stainless rings fit inside my stock Chevy headlight rings using the little wire clips that come with either the Ford or Chevy parts.. Added tabs to attach the setup to the pots like it originally was. . So can take the trim ring off with one screw as original and adjust the lights using the stock screw/spring setup.
     
  19. Devin
    Joined: Dec 28, 2004
    Posts: 2,391

    Devin
    Member
    from Napa, CA

    Not trying to shill here on your thread, but I have a set of I believe ‘52 Ford headlight rings and internal trim rings that I am no longer planning on using. If interested, PM me.
     
  20. Shywaz
    Joined: Aug 7, 2023
    Posts: 54

    Shywaz
    Member
    from LTU

    Being in Europe -everything is hard to find :)
    But thanks for the tip, those cordoba rings might be the ones!
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2024
    Okie Pete and abe lugo like this.
  21. Shywaz
    Joined: Aug 7, 2023
    Posts: 54

    Shywaz
    Member
    from LTU

    For those who have welded stainless trim rings to fenders, do you experience galvanic corrosion? been digging through internet and found info that is better to avoid metal mixing when welding them together
     
  22. jnaki
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 10,165

    jnaki

    upload_2024-9-9_3-23-6.png
    upload_2024-9-9_3-23-44.png

    Hello,


    Unless you ae going to have the custom creation just for shows, then the adjustable units from the factory should suffice. When I saw this cool maroon Ford sedan delivery on the side of the road, I had to stop and look at it. from the street inside of our car, the headlights looked “Frenched.” I thought I saw my first full custom car on the actual streets in a long time. The paint and detailing was tremendous.
    upload_2024-9-9_3-24-1.png
    But, as I got closer for better detailing shots, I noticed the headlight rings were still there. The stock lines are not noticeable and looked like a custom “Frenched” look was done. But, we all know about adjusting headlights for adapting to lowered cars and those on a rake, to keep the level within acceptable sight lines.

    Jnaki

    To me, it does not seem logical to French in headlight rings to get the smooth look. Very impractical as one has to open the hood and re-wire both light connections and adjustment screws. For most, it is a “frenched” headlight look, but with adjustability at your finger tips. YRMV

    upload_2024-9-9_3-24-40.png

    The rear is another story, but as one wants those following cars to notice the lights, perhaps chrome is highlighted better than the same color trim ring.
     
    LOST ANGEL likes this.
  23. Fat47
    Joined: Nov 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,517

    Fat47
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    On my 47 Chevy aero sedan the original trim rings were blasted then welded. That way there was no extended look to the fenders. The headlights were converted to a rear removal. I had one headlight go bad in 10 years and it was easy to replace from the rear.
     
  24. 34Phil
    Joined: Sep 12, 2016
    Posts: 627

    34Phil
    Member

    Off topic. What is complaint with Hagan? Is it they are a kit, or they are chrome, or they have an odd shape.? I have one with wrinkled chrome before it got out of the garage so I can paint. I could even add a rod to peak them.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2024
  25. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,654

    goldmountain

    They don't have the "look".
     
    anthony myrick and 51 mercules like this.
  26. With the Hagar they are a very nice kit, but more of the street Rod look. Chrome trim a little big and not as smooth looking when tunneled in.
     
    51 mercules likes this.
  27. 34Phil
    Joined: Sep 12, 2016
    Posts: 627

    34Phil
    Member

    Thanks. I had figured on paint.
     
  28. They ugly
     
  29. Yes Nick does some incredible work!
    In my opinion, his videos need more editing. I don't need to watch 5 minutes of him hammering or running a grinder. I'm watching ti see the creativity, not watch filler that I already know.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.