The Ford Barn

FireEngineMike · 10-15-2023, 01:24 PM

I have a 1940 1-1/2 ton panel. I am trying to remove the headlight trim rings to install LED headlights. I was able to remove the passenger side trim ring. I undid the t-bar lock device on the driver side trim ring, but the trim ring will not budge. I have sprayed PB Blaster between the trim ring and the bucket with no success. I gently tapped on the trim ring with a rubber mallet with no success. Any suggestions? TIA

alanwoodieman · 10-15-2023, 01:48 PM

tap it lightly all the way around and gently pry from bottom up

Karl Wescott · 10-15-2023, 01:51 PM

First check all the way around the rim to make sure someone did not get creative and put a screw into it. It should be held on by a clip at the top and the t-bar at the bottom.
Second idea is to make a punch from hardwood and use that to direct the force at the bottom with gentle tapping.
Third thought is gentle heat (heat gun) on the rim to expand it and submersing the bucket in ice water to shrink it a little and hope things break loose.

I cant see much from the avatar but is this a pumper? Straight pumper or was there a hose load or water tank in the back?

FireEngineMike · 10-15-2023, 02:52 PM

Karl,
My panel was built by Buffalo Fire Appliance Corp in Buffalo, NY for the Clifton Springs FD between Rochester and Syracuse. It originally had a water tank that eventually rusted out. The PO had a tank fabricated, but never connected it. I have drafted water from the Erie Canal and Genesee River in the years I have owned it. The picture is from the Rochester, NY 2022 Harborfest.

big job · 10-15-2023, 03:47 PM

Sweet...................

FireEngineMike · 10-18-2023, 02:21 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks for the compliment. I am glad I bought this piece of working history.
I managed to remove the driver side trim ring with the aid of a plastic tool made to remove automobile trim and a mallet. I installed the Vintage Car LEDs (https://vintagecarleds.com) kit and they are way brighter off the battery without the engine running than the sealed beam originals at 1,500 RPM. This VCm3 7" kit features LED bulbs that work from 3.5 to 24 volts. My truck is factory 6-volt positive ground.

I think I know how to loosen the bucket to aim the headlights and have the manufacturer's aiming diagram.

rockfla · 10-18-2023, 02:35 PM

That is one cool truck!!!

FireEngineMike · 10-18-2023, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the compliment.
The truck is a 1940 Ford 1-1/2 ton panel that was converted into a fire engine by the Buffalo Fire Appliance Corp of Buffalo, NY. I believe that it is the only commercial panel truck fire engine that they built. Buffalo built at least one larger sedan pumper. My engine was built for Clifton Springs FD in upstate NY five years after the "full-size" one was built for the Canandaigua FD. Interestingly the towns are ten miles apart.

10-15-2023, 01:24 PM	#1
FireEngineMike Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Webster, NY Posts: 215	1940 1-1/2 Ton Truck Headlight Trim Rings I have a 1940 1-1/2 ton panel. I am trying to remove the headlight trim rings to install LED headlights. I was able to remove the passenger side trim ring. I undid the t-bar lock device on the driver side trim ring, but the trim ring will not budge. I have sprayed PB Blaster between the trim ring and the bucket with no success. I gently tapped on the trim ring with a rubber mallet with no success. Any suggestions? TIA

10-15-2023, 01:48 PM	#2
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,967	Re: 1940 1-1/2 Ton Truck Headlight Trim Rings tap it lightly all the way around and gently pry from bottom up

10-15-2023, 01:51 PM	#3
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,289	Re: 1940 1-1/2 Ton Truck Headlight Trim Rings First check all the way around the rim to make sure someone did not get creative and put a screw into it. It should be held on by a clip at the top and the t-bar at the bottom. Second idea is to make a punch from hardwood and use that to direct the force at the bottom with gentle tapping. Third thought is gentle heat (heat gun) on the rim to expand it and submersing the bucket in ice water to shrink it a little and hope things break loose. I cant see much from the avatar but is this a pumper? Straight pumper or was there a hose load or water tank in the back?

10-15-2023, 02:52 PM	#4
FireEngineMike Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Webster, NY Posts: 215	Re: 1940 1-1/2 Ton Truck Headlight Trim Rings Karl, My panel was built by Buffalo Fire Appliance Corp in Buffalo, NY for the Clifton Springs FD between Rochester and Syracuse. It originally had a water tank that eventually rusted out. The PO had a tank fabricated, but never connected it. I have drafted water from the Erie Canal and Genesee River in the years I have owned it. The picture is from the Rochester, NY 2022 Harborfest. Last edited by FireEngineMike; 10-15-2023 at 02:57 PM. Reason: Explanation of lack of a picture

10-15-2023, 03:47 PM	#5
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: 1940 1-1/2 Ton Truck Headlight Trim Rings Sweet...................

10-18-2023, 02:21 PM	#6
FireEngineMike Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Webster, NY Posts: 215	Re: 1940 1-1/2 Ton Truck Headlight Trim Rings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the compliment. I am glad I bought this piece of working history. I managed to remove the driver side trim ring with the aid of a plastic tool made to remove automobile trim and a mallet. I installed the Vintage Car LEDs (https://vintagecarleds.com) kit and they are way brighter off the battery without the engine running than the sealed beam originals at 1,500 RPM. This VCm3 7" kit features LED bulbs that work from 3.5 to 24 volts. My truck is factory 6-volt positive ground. I think I know how to loosen the bucket to aim the headlights and have the manufacturer's aiming diagram. Last edited by FireEngineMike; 10-18-2023 at 02:32 PM.

10-18-2023, 02:35 PM	#7
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3,964	Re: 1940 1-1/2 Ton Truck Headlight Trim Rings That is one cool truck!!!

10-18-2023, 02:50 PM	#8
FireEngineMike Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Webster, NY Posts: 215	Re: 1940 1-1/2 Ton Truck Headlight Trim Rings Thanks for the compliment. The truck is a 1940 Ford 1-1/2 ton panel that was converted into a fire engine by the Buffalo Fire Appliance Corp of Buffalo, NY. I believe that it is the only commercial panel truck fire engine that they built. Buffalo built at least one larger sedan pumper. My engine was built for Clifton Springs FD in upstate NY five years after the "full-size" one was built for the Canandaigua FD. Interestingly the towns are ten miles apart.