The Ford Barn

fordson · 02-28-2022, 04:24 PM

Iam busy assembling my 34 Ford Coupe for a mock up, before spraying the final colour. I would like to lower the headlights according to early hot rodding with 1935-1937 Ford Pick Up headlightstands.
I was under the impression that this was done in the early years since shorter reproduction headlight stands were not yet available. For authenticity i would like to find a pair of original 1935-37 Pick Up headlight stands and use them on my 34 coupe.

Q1: Now, am I correct in assuming this was done in the early years, kind of traditional style?
Q2: Would i have any fitting issues with original Pick Up shorties ? Are there still some alterations needed to fit them to my 34 fenders ?
Q3: Are original Pick Up ones the same height and angle in comparison to the reproduction ones offered ?

If anyone has used original Pick Up shorties i would be greatfull to get some feedback, also if you guys recommend using reproduction ones instead.
Thank you for your help and advice!

Karl Wescott · 02-28-2022, 05:07 PM

1935-37 Pickup headlight stands do not fit 1933-34 passenger fenders, or visa versa. They are approximately the same height so little would be gained if they did fit.

Lawson Cox · 02-28-2022, 05:33 PM

I'll drink to what Karl says.

fordson · 03-01-2022, 09:36 AM

Karl, so the whole story is a myth? Hot rodders must have cut and modified the standard 33 /34 passenger headlightstands then. Iam just surprised that the reproduction stands are labelled as 35-37 shorty PU stands. It gives the impression they are interchangeable with 33/34 passenger cars.
I will get reproductions and have a drink on you as well��

fordyford · 03-01-2022, 09:44 AM

In my parting out old Fords background I have only found shorty stands on big trucks. Pick-ups used tall stands.

Karl Wescott · 03-01-2022, 10:57 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Because the headlight stand pads do interchange, and the stands look very similar, and the available reprint parts books are not clear on headlight stand interchange the assumption (remember the analysis of ass-u-me) they were the same.

As to fit on a hot rod a big truck short stand (the first I personally have heard of them), early hot rodders tended not to care about such minor details... Those that did would likely apply a ford adjusting tool (Big Friendly Hammer) and make them fit.

My impression of the repro hot rod short stands is they fit the 33-34 car and 35-37 pickup equally "well" (and may benefit from the BFH).

fordson · 03-02-2022, 02:38 PM

Ah, get it, shortys were used on Ford trucks only, makes sense since Ford would not offer 2 short ones as an option. Fenders of trucks have another shape for sure and although i would be tempted to use that BFH i rather use the repops hoping they fit properly.
Thank you all for schooling me on this subject��

02-28-2022, 04:24 PM	#1
fordson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Switzerland/South Africa Posts: 183	Q: 34 Ford: Do original 1935-37 PU SHORTY headlightstands fit? Iam busy assembling my 34 Ford Coupe for a mock up, before spraying the final colour. I would like to lower the headlights according to early hot rodding with 1935-1937 Ford Pick Up headlightstands. I was under the impression that this was done in the early years since shorter reproduction headlight stands were not yet available. For authenticity i would like to find a pair of original 1935-37 Pick Up headlight stands and use them on my 34 coupe. Q1: Now, am I correct in assuming this was done in the early years, kind of traditional style? Q2: Would i have any fitting issues with original Pick Up shorties ? Are there still some alterations needed to fit them to my 34 fenders ? Q3: Are original Pick Up ones the same height and angle in comparison to the reproduction ones offered ? If anyone has used original Pick Up shorties i would be greatfull to get some feedback, also if you guys recommend using reproduction ones instead. Thank you for your help and advice!

02-28-2022, 05:07 PM	#2
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,300	Re: Q: 34 Ford: Do original 1935-37 PU SHORTY headlightstands fit? 1935-37 Pickup headlight stands do not fit 1933-34 passenger fenders, or visa versa. They are approximately the same height so little would be gained if they did fit.

02-28-2022, 05:33 PM	#3
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Q: 34 Ford: Do original 1935-37 PU SHORTY headlightstands fit? I'll drink to what Karl says. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

03-01-2022, 09:36 AM	#4
fordson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Switzerland/South Africa Posts: 183	Re: Q: 34 Ford: Do original 1935-37 PU SHORTY headlightstands fit? Karl, so the whole story is a myth? Hot rodders must have cut and modified the standard 33 /34 passenger headlightstands then. Iam just surprised that the reproduction stands are labelled as 35-37 shorty PU stands. It gives the impression they are interchangeable with 33/34 passenger cars. I will get reproductions and have a drink on you as well��

03-01-2022, 09:44 AM	#5
fordyford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 194	Re: Q: 34 Ford: Do original 1935-37 PU SHORTY headlightstands fit? In my parting out old Fords background I have only found shorty stands on big trucks. Pick-ups used tall stands.

03-01-2022, 10:57 AM	#6
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,300	Re: Q: 34 Ford: Do original 1935-37 PU SHORTY headlightstands fit? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Because the headlight stand pads do interchange, and the stands look very similar, and the available reprint parts books are not clear on headlight stand interchange the assumption (remember the analysis of ass-u-me) they were the same. As to fit on a hot rod a big truck short stand (the first I personally have heard of them), early hot rodders tended not to care about such minor details... Those that did would likely apply a ford adjusting tool (Big Friendly Hammer) and make them fit. My impression of the repro hot rod short stands is they fit the 33-34 car and 35-37 pickup equally "well" (and may benefit from the BFH).

03-02-2022, 02:38 PM	#7
fordson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Switzerland/South Africa Posts: 183	Re: Q: 34 Ford: Do original 1935-37 PU SHORTY headlightstands fit? Ah, get it, shortys were used on Ford trucks only, makes sense since Ford would not offer 2 short ones as an option. Fenders of trucks have another shape for sure and although i would be tempted to use that BFH i rather use the repops hoping they fit properly. Thank you all for schooling me on this subject��