Thread: 34 commercial headlights on 32 highboy

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What I thought would be an easy change didnt turn out that way. I purchased some Drake 34 headlights for my 32 highboy to replace the smaller king bees? not sure of the brand. anyway the first light does a great job of lighting up the ceiling. I did trim the mounting stud area to get more movement out of the light bucket but still not enough.
The mount I was working with is attached to the shock mount in the form of a cup to accept the light base. After several adjustments the light got closer but still not acceptable. About this time the light in my head went on and I checked the cup mount and found that it was not level. should have done that first.
Now I am looking at some options, find some sort of cup type adapter for the mount, thought I saw something in in a catalog , forget the cup mount and go to like a SoCal full bar or the short frame mounts they have or I saw some mounts that attached to the shock bolt ......does anyone have a photos of that I have no idea what it would look like. I hate to leave the cup mounts on the shock tower but I may want to change back in the future so I hope any solutions either hide the mount with the headlight or use the mount to attached the headlight. Welcome any ideas and thanks

XLT, some pictures of your mount and the headlight would help with understanding what you've got, and options to get you back into the light. I'm having a hard time visualizing your problem, unless the "cup" part is way, way out of whack.

Sounds like he is talking about these:
'32 Update: headlight/shock mounts (article 21, archived) » Welder Series Inc.

another type:
Stainless Steel Headlight Mount - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

Originally Posted by pepi

Sounds like he is talking about these:
'32 Update: headlight/shock mounts (article 21, archived) » Welder Series Inc.

another type:
Stainless Steel Headlight Mount - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

Pepi, I used the ones you show from Speedway, but I reversed them side to side to shift my lights forward, centered above the shock vs sitting behind) which made them interfere with the top shock loop and sit canted out to the side. A relief cut into the body and some careful grinding got them level side to side. Didn't have any problem front to back for adjustment of the light elevation, but then I'm running King Bees.

XLT, I still say a picture or two of the lights you're using, and where you have interference will help us understand your problem and maybe offer suggestions.

Oh yeah a picture always best for sure.

I will try to post some photos, not my strong suit.....the actual cup is not level that supports the mounting plate for the headlight........it is down in the back side making the light aim up I found some headlight cups at Speedway I think I might try to adapt them to the existing mount let you know thanks for the comments

Originally Posted by xlt

I will try to post some photos, not my strong suit.....the actual cup is not level that supports the mounting plate for the headlight........it is down in the back side making the light aim up I found some headlight cups at Speedway I think I might try to adapt them to the existing mount let you know thanks for the comments

Without pictures or at least reference to who made the parts you're using so that one can see catalog cuts all you can expect is descriptions of pieces & parts others are using, which likely won't be applicable to yours.If your cupped mount is tilted back, causing the light to "bottom out" on the front edge then it might be as simple as dishing some big flat washers to match the cup profile to space the light up in the mount - does that make sense?

Not "EXACTLY" the same topic but, on my 34 I had unknowingly reversed the 2 light stands, and I couldn't get the lights to align. They would stare at the ceiling. Out of curiousity, I swapped'em and all was well.

Not sure if you can do it on yours, but maybe?!?!?

Sorry tried to get photos up but the system says I am not allowed......The shock mount has the light cup attached to the outside edge of it. The cup is way off level and points up on the front edge. I am thinking about using some washers and JB Weld inside the cup to bring the bottom of the cup to level. I ordered some cups from speedway today that should sit up (taller) in the existing cup to support the headlight in a level plain. If I can get this cup level I should be able to adjust the lights correctly ..........The frame is painted if not I would just cut them off and reweld them. If this doesnt work I think I will just cut off the cup and go with a So Cal bar, with the old headlights the ball at the bottom of the light allowed for a lot more adjustment than these commercial lights do. Should have checked the levels before I started ........never assume makes an a-- out of you and me

You might try this way - http://www.clubhotrod.com/hot-rod-lo...tml?highlight=

Just a follow up.....noway could I use the lights on the shock mounts, the 34 light studs go back at about a 30 degree angle ...could not modify them to go straight down no mater what.....bought the so cal stands without the bar .....drakes lights will not fit the cups tight.....purchased some SS headlight cups speedway (91061051) , drilled them out to 5/8 and used the cup section only to got between the so cal cups and the drake lights.....took off a little metal in the adjustment slot and they line up straight the cup looks good and really covers up the painted portion of the drake light. The light is much brighter than the 7 inch H4 they replaced so that is good......not sure if this adjustment thing is only Drakes or all 34 headlight reproductions. thanks for the info wish I could have added photos.....when my kind comes over next will ask for his help so that all this makes a little more sense