Driving at night.

Has anyone used the 1932 Ford Halogen Conversion with turn signal sold by Gearhead Enterprises or the Halogen or LED w/signals sold by Rodtiques?? If so how is it??

 

I was driving in the rain last night and some of the very bright headlights make it really difficult to see. Remember, trying to cure your problem could cause problems for someone else.

 

^^^^ Yeah! tell that to all the lifted pickups around here!

 

check out this how to on my blog.
Their is no directionals or parking lights but you will have great vision in the dark. They don't look traditional but work great. Some of the guys use them at nite and switch bact to the originals during the day.It takes about 5 min. to switch. It is a sealed beam and fits 32-34 Fords

http://www.bobshotrods.com/new-products/installing-9-inch-seal-beam-in-32-ford/

 

I see Drake is discontinuing their standard reflectors. I wonder if they are going to replace them with a better reflector that works like the halogen ones they sell? Does anyone have a reflector with parking/signal that works? Not the ones Mac's sells (they do not work).

 

A quick review did not show this has been covered, but I had a hell of a time when I first got my glasses I was driving an old Dodge (mitsubishi) D 50 pickup. At night the multiple reflections of the flat rear glass, then off the rearview mirror (no night setting) and then back of the inside of my glasses made it almost impossible to drive in night traffic. I mentioned it the next time I got glasses and paid extra for an antiglare coating on the inside of the lenses. That cleared up about 90 % of the problem.

 

I was raised in Santa Clara, had a wealthy grandma. I had 20-15 vision, until I started welding a lot...Too vain to wear glasses, (they weren't 'cool' in '59) I had a problem driving at night.

So...Grammy had my windshield prescription ground.

 

All true but the original '32 Ford head lights use bulbs,,not sealed beams and in their original form are about as practical as strapping a couple of old flashlights with pratically dead battery's,,add that to the speed and old reflectors there are a lot of shadows that reduce vision.

Night vision with the new BD reflectors have proven to enhance visibility for myself,,I will again point out that before I updated the lighting the lights were poor and I really wanted to be home before dark because they were not bright enough to see any distance,,,even on high beam. HRP

 

How thick are the reflectors? Could a signal light be added. I think I will check with Drake this week to see if anything is in the works. Years ago I built a Model A and used original lights and reflectors only 12v and they were good. The new reflectors are chrome and not silver. I guess the cost of silver changed this.

 

The shape of the chrome plated plastic reflector is entirely different from any of the previous offered. HRP

 

But how thick are they? can I get a signal light in there?

 

I'm just guessing here but they are probably 3/16" thick and you could possibly install a signal inside but I would think it might defuse the light where the socket and bulb would be mounted and create a shadow in you headlight beam.

If you could come up with a small LED light that just mounted to the face if the reflector that would be best. HRP

 

OK, HRP
Received my Drake light kit this am. Installed them, then tried them inside the shop, cuz it's still light out.
What a HUGE difference. There is actually a light pattern/beam, as opposed to light everywhere with the Mac's lights.
I'll try them outside later tonight. No question they are gonna work. I'll be able to actually drive at night
In my opinion, well worth the $108.00 + shipping
Thanks for the heads-up
Jim

 

x2 about the cataracts - had on taken out and night driving is now no big deal.

 

I have a similar thread going about Willys headlights, (Lenses over sealed beam headlights), and noticed the info on the Drake reflectors for '37 Fords. Anyone mount them in a '41 Willys front end?

 

My Dad had a Cataract. I think it was a Fleetwood. Then he bought a Chrysler.

 

Did he get the Lasik option in his Chrysler, the one with the fine Corinthian leather? Gary

 

Ok, the kit is in. I'll try to post some progress photos. Kit is beautiful so we'll see how it goes together.

 

I saw some LED tail light assemblies for my 47 Ford on that auction site we all love...
Worth the money and effort to install?

 

I didn't read the whole 4 pages of the thread so I don't know if this was mentioned, but make sure you have full voltage at the lights. My car was having lighting issues, On high beams I only had 8 volts at the lights. I ran a relay straight off the battery, It made a world of difference.

 

Had you taken a little time to peruse the thread you would have been aware that the problem was basically inherent with the early non seal beam headlights. HRP

 

Well,inquiring minds want to know if you guys are happy with your lights now? HRP

 

OK, I finally got the car out last night. I used the garage door as a back drop to do some headlite aligning. Then took the car for a ride.
HUGE improvement. I can see the road real well on the low beams. I'm going to continue to adjust the lights upward, until I get to the point of other driver's hitting their brights on me. Then, I'll drop them a bit.
HRP, Thanks for the suggestion re the Drake kit. It's great.
Jim

 

I put my change over until I'm back from vacation. Had toooooo many things in the fire just so I can make the wife happy to get away. Will report progress. For now it's off to the left coast. Friday cruise @ Ruby's Redondo, Saturday A.M. at Donut Derelicts. Then anything else I can get into. So glad I've got a wife that digs rods and give me the slack to do my thing. Later.

 

Got the kit in from Bob Drake. Easy install, no problems. Will see how they look at night. Will let you know.

 

And??? HRP