Modifying 2 Bulb HL socket for 1 Bulb Use

[bogiediver]

I ordered some new 1 bulb headlight sockets from one of the vendors.

When I received them, the packages were marked 1 bulb headlight socket; but, the packages contained the 2 bulb headlight socket.

The vendor said just cut and remove the parking bulb socket & wire and it's essentially the same as the correct 1 bulb socket.

A thought occurred to me - most headlight threads talk about making sure the headlight bulb is grounded really well. What if I cut the tip off the parking light wire at the socket end, remove the parking light socket; then solder the parking light wire to the back of the headlight bulb socket (making sure it does not interfere with the focus screw).

Then I could add my own 3rd wire to the plastic wire plug at the conduit end of the pigtail, running the wire thru the conduit to a good grounding point.

Anyone see any issue with doing it this way? Since the tail end of the socket, where the wire plug goes, is designed for three wires – it seems like a clean way to accomplish the grounding…

Thoughts…

[Tom Wesenberg]

Sounds like a plan to me.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Bogie,

Agree with Mr. Tom W.

In not seeing how you will do it, maybe in addition, just to make sure, prior to soldering anything, try assembling the headlight socket holder, reflector, & bulb in you SS headlight bucket to insure that the planned exact placement of your solder does not interfere with your final assembly of all headlight parts & adjustments of same.

I did so before providing solder for my ground wires ............. I was glad I did.

[bogiediver]

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This what I was thinking (picture).

Doesn't modify in any way the conduit end of the pigtail.

The specific soldering plan is to bring the wire (depicted in red) to the very rear of the actual headlight socket, just in front of the spring platform, and solder it so the wire comes off the rear of the socket at about a 45* angle so it doesn't interfere with the focusing spring/screw.

But, I like your suggestion to 'dry fit' it first.

Seems like an 'elegant' way to provide a solid ground for the headlight bulb. In theory the socket will be grounded thru the bucket/headlight bar and my extra wire...

Plus I'm very encouraged with the good reviews I've heard about the Bratton's 'Ford Print' aluminized reflectors... maybe I'll actually be able to see at night...

Thanks.