Thread: Head light bar location

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Ok its time to set my head light bar for mock up.
Can some of you show me how far from the rad shell you mounted your bar or head light stands? (how far forward)
thanks Dave

On my A-bone, it was about 4" forward.

Hi Dave. The headlight bars I have looked at were approximately 1 3/4" forward of the vertical edge of the shell to the back of the bar. Mine is set 3/8" further forward. I didn't have the insert to use for mock up at the time, so I gave mine a little more gap. It will be best to have the insert in the shell when you set your light bar.The shell will need to be in it's correct location and the fenders will need to be mounted with running boards and fender braces bolted in place. My fender braces had to be modified to work. This was a very time consuming job to say the least. I'm sure some of the guys that have built several cars can jump in and help you with this. Take you time here. Hope this helps

The 32 roadster in Sunny California.


The 31 on 32 rails roadster during construction . . . which is still going on....

i bought a So Cal head light bar and i am building a high boy so no fenders.
Anyone got a pic of something like that?
Dave

To me ... the size of the headlight plays a big part in the location ... if you are using the original style headlights ( which I prefer ) ... I like them like this ...



With small sealed beams ... I like this style ...

Just for your information ... when Henry install ed the headlights on his 32 ... the headlight bar almost rubbed the grill and a LOT of older original 32's have a small wear spot on the grill where the bar rubbed.

I have a set of guide light they are not to small i hope

I don't have a good side pic of mine, but these are on So-Cal stands.

Got exactly what you're looking for... So Cal bar, stock deuce lights... I mounted my bar as close to the grill as I could get it and still have enough "breathing room" that it doesn't touch the fins. Hardest part was drilling a hole on a 45 degree angle to mount the V8 emblem.

BTW, Gastrick, that's a badass coupe you got there.... definitely has "the look" nailed.

Headlight placement is subjective,with 100 different ideas of what's best. I personally don't like how the lights are positioned on either one of those cars Deuce posted, but that's just my opinion... I do share his liking for "big" original style lights over little sealed beams, but I think they should always be at least partially ahead of the grill shell...I guess I just think when they are mounted outside/behind the shell it makes them look too far apart and "odd" . My car had sealed beam style lights placed in a similar manner when I got it and it was the very first thing I changed...

my are mounted like this ..sorry for the bad lighting

Fact is, if we all liked exactly the same stuff this wouldn't be much of a hobby.

Originally Posted by DennyW

I don't know Joe. It's a matter of taste I guess. I studied these pictures for awhile, .

Everyone has different taste. Different body styles ...

Hiboy or fendered ...
Flattie or OHV
Manual or automatic ...
Then you add colors ...

Thats what help make Hotrodding so much fun ... IMHO

Believe me, I know it Deuce... I'm relatively new to rodding, but came over from the restoration world of musclecars...where there's either "correct", or "wrong", with virtually no room for personal expression or style. Its so refreshing to have the freedom to do whatever you want, and to SEE so many variations,styles, and ideas of the same concept...Of the zillion 32 fords out there, every single one is different, which is cool in my book.