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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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. ...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Being in Europe -everything is hard to find But thanks for the tip, those cordoba rings might be the ones!
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
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. 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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