1937 Halogen headlight conversion

[Seth Swoboda]

I want to do a halogen headlight conversion on my '37 Tudor. Dake sells a kit with reflectors, sockets/pigtails, and bulbs. However, they are out of stock at least through the end of 2024. Does anyone know of any other sources for these?

[terry]

Try Ron Francis Wiring. I have an old catelog but can't find it. terry

[Zeke3]

Check with Michael at Third Gen or some of the other Drake dealers to see if they still have any of the conversion kit.

[Newc]

Remember this kit will pull a lot of amps -current. Some components can't handle the amperage draw. Newc

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Newc

Remember this kit will pull a lot of amps -current. Some components can't handle the amperage draw. Newc

I'd probably have to go with a powergen generator.

[Fritz]

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If it doesn’t come with relays, you should add them to help out your switches with the amps. They’ll make sure your lights are bright too.

[aussie merc]

just curios why not leds lot less current draw

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by aussie merc

just curios why not leds lot less current draw

I have ordered two sets of LEDs. None of the two contacts on the back of the bulb line up with the original Ford socket. In other words, they don't make contact. If you are familiar with these bulbs they only go in one way.

Is there something I'm missing with the LEDs because they are the cheapest and easiest way to go about this.

This is a daily driver car. I do drive at night. Well not the '37 because the original bulbs are not bright enough for safe driving.

[my4dv8]

Good old back order Bob again . There are conversions on eBay ,but as to quality?

[ndnchf]

I don't know what kind of bulb a '37 takes. But after trying ill fitting LED bulbs off ebay for my '35 Fordor, I ordered a pair of flanged LED bulbs from ledlight.com. They fit perfectly and light up the road very well. I can now run my stock 6v generator at a very low setting and still show a positive charge with the lights on. A great cimbination.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I don't know what kind of bulb a '37 takes. But after trying ill fitting LED bulbs off ebay for my '35 Fordor, I ordered a pair of flanged LED bulbs from ledlight.com. They fit perfectly and light up the road very well. I can now run my stock 6v generator at a very low setting and still show a positive charge with the lights on. A great cimbination.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I don't know what kind of bulb a '37 takes. But after trying ill fitting LED bulbs off ebay for my '35 Fordor, I ordered a pair of flanged LED bulbs from ledlight.com. They fit perfectly and light up the road very well. I can now run my stock 6v generator at a very low setting and still show a positive charge with the lights on. A great cimbination.

I have ordered from ledlight.com before and they did not fit the '37 bulb socket.

[ndnchf]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

I have ordered from ledlight.com before and they did not fit the '37 bulb socket.

Sorry to hear that. Not sure what the difference is. BTW, there are two very similar websites/companies that often confuse people.

Ledlight.com
Ledlights.com

Steve

[mark180]

I had halogen bulbs in my ‘37 when I inherited it. I switched back because the light scattered all over. I found out later that there are lenses just for the halogen lights that do not have the prisms in them. They might work better than the standard lenses.

[Ken/Alabama]

I had an original pair of reflectors nickel plated then sent them to a company in Oregon called Uvira. They do reflective coatings and they turned out very nice and way more durable and cheaper than silver. These were for my 39 Zephyr still 6 volt system. Had bright white headlights with original bulbs.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

I had an original pair of reflectors nickel plated then sent them to a company in Oregon called Uvira. They do reflective coatings and they turned out very nice and way more durable and cheaper than silver. These were for my 39 Zephyr still 6 volt system. Had bright white headlights.

[meric42]

Originally Posted by Fritz

If it doesn’t come with relays, you should add them to help out your switches with the amps. They’ll make sure your lights are bright too.

Agreed, I have fitted period relays to my cars. I know that it protects the switch & wiring from burning out and, as stated above assures the brightest of lighting from the bulbs. My '42 Sedan had lights equal to or better than most modern cars with its 6Volt halogen bulbs in semi-sealed beam units. and no need to convert to 12 volts either.

[Fritz]

My experience exactly, meric42.

I don’t trust LED bulbs to last or have consistent quality. Too many have failed me of home and antique auto use. I also prefer the color of halogens/light bulbs and beam pattern than the bluer LEDs.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I don't know what kind of bulb a '37 takes. But after trying ill fitting LED bulbs off ebay for my '35 Fordor, I ordered a pair of flanged LED bulbs from ledlight.com. They fit perfectly and light up the road very well. I can now run my stock 6v generator at a very low setting and still show a positive charge with the lights on. A great cimbination.

The parts book show 1935-39 use the same headlight bulb.

[40cpe]

My '38 came to me with the Drake halogen conversion (12V). Although not as bright as LED, they match the prism in the lenses and work fine for my limited night driving.

[Kurt in NJ]

If you want to see in the distance the beam has to be focused.
To use existing reflectors the light source has to originate in the same location as the original bulb .
Even the shape of the filament makes a difference (straight vs V )
The first picture is without the lens, it is original old production bulb, you can see the focused beam with very little scatter.
Second picture is with lens on, defined cutoff with lower band of light wider to light road without blinding oncoming drivers.
Third picture is a direct fit halogen bulb, pretty good pattern, much brighter, it is a 35 watt bulb that gives no problems with stock generator, sockets, the only problem is that it isn’t made anymore, the difference in pattern is the filament is straight instead of the original formed as a V , the filaments are side by side as original bulb .
The 4th picture is the halogen bulb without lens, the background is bright because of camera somehow changing exposure but the focus of the beam isn’t as good ( car wasn’t moved, the beam isn’t as parallel, it continues to get larger further away)
A good reasonably focused beam lights the road , I feel comfortable driving over 50 at night, ther is a dark no streetlights road I drive at night, there’s a rise that when you crest it there’s a curve .7 mile away that has signs , they all light up

If without the lens the bulbs whatever kind they are make that defined beam the headlights will light the road without blinding the birds , pedestrians and other drivers..

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

If you want to see in the distance the beam has to be focused.
To use existing reflectors the light source has to originate in the same location as the original bulb .
Even the shape of the filament makes a difference (straight vs V )
The first picture is without the lens, it is original old production bulb, you can see the focused beam with very little scatter.
Second picture is with lens on, defined cutoff with lower band of light wider to light road without blinding oncoming drivers.
Third picture is a direct fit halogen bulb, pretty good pattern, much brighter, it is a 35 watt bulb that gives no problems with stock generator, sockets, the only problem is that it isn’t made anymore, the difference in pattern is the filament is straight instead of the original formed as a V , the filaments are side by side as original bulb .
The 4th picture is the halogen bulb without lens, the background is bright because of camera somehow changing exposure but the focus of the beam isn’t as good ( car wasn’t moved, the beam isn’t as parallel, it continues to get larger further away)
A good reasonably focused beam lights the road , I feel comfortable driving over 50 at night, ther is a dark no streetlights road I drive at night, there’s a rise that when you crest it there’s a curve .7 mile away that has signs , they all light up

If without the lens the bulbs whatever kind they are make that defined beam the headlights will light the road without blinding the birds , pedestrians and other drivers..

[38 coupe]

I recommend halogen bulbs that fit the original reflector with no modification. Little British Car Co has bulbs with the filaments in the correct location. They offer the following bulbs for 37-39 Ford cars:
170-756H - 6V, 35/35W, use with generator
170-957H - 6V, 50/35W, use with generator
170-857HA - 6V, 60/55W, use with alternator
170-760H - 12V, 35/35W
170-857HA - 12V, 60/55W
170-759H - 12V, 65/55W

I used the 170-957H bulbs in a stock 37 sedan with new reproduction reflectors and lenses with excellent results. I have now purchased duplicate stock to do the same upgrade on my 38 cars.

Also, if for some reason your car takes the Chrysler version of the American Prefocused bulbs this company sells halogen versions of those too.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

I recommend halogen bulbs that fit the original reflector with no modification. Little British Car Co has bulbs with the filaments in the correct location. They offer the following bulbs for 37-39 Ford cars:
170-756H - 6V, 35/35W, use with generator
170-957H - 6V, 50/35W, use with generator
170-857HA - 6V, 60/55W, use with alternator
170-760H - 12V, 35/35W
170-857HA - 12V, 60/55W
170-759H - 12V, 65/55W

I used the 170-957H bulbs in a stock 37 sedan with new reproduction reflectors and lenses with excellent results. I have now purchased duplicate stock to do the same upgrade on my 38 cars.

Also, if for some reason your car takes the Chrysler version of the American Prefocused bulbs this company sells halogen versions of those too.

Good information. Thank you.

[flathead_jr]

Would you be interested in selling your original reflectors and headlight sockets?

[big job]

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maybe Its my eyes but I don't like halogen although bright but there's no side vision, more like a spot light I fear anyone walking

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by flathead_jr

Would you be interested in selling your original reflectors and headlight sockets?

I'm still using them. I have had nothing but bad experince with the Little British Car Co. LED light ordering process.