earthman
Fascinated by rolling objects!
Excellent! Some lights now.
No other like it.
- Thread starter 8literbeater
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rods Rule:
bob w
Still crazy after all these years!
The details are coming together nicely. If I only had 2 or 3 miles to go to see it I'd be there in 2 or 3 minutes.
Might be spending part of winter out your way next year.
Might be spending part of winter out your way next year.
8literbeater
Well-known member
I think it'll be fine once I put some shocks on the back, and fix the dragging brakes. It was almost rolling straight down the road, but with both front brakes dragging, and with that right front brake dragging real bad, it pulls a bit to the right. The driver side upper ball joint is real bad too.
The rear is a little bouncy, as I figured it would be. The shocks will come in the mail next week, and hopefully I'll have them mounted next weekend for another test drive.
The steering is light, and taking corners with one hand is easy with the knob.
It would be good to see you! I've been considering a road trip to see some of the rods from RRR. Of course it can't happen until I get finished. It sounds like a good vacation to me.
AZRodDave
Well-known member
DJ3100
Well-known member
Lights Earthman? What he's looking for is something like this.
That coolant looks... ahhh cool?
That coolant looks... ahhh cool?
earthman
Fascinated by rolling objects!
I like big lights! I'll take two for me.
8literbeater
Well-known member
Lights! Well, soon…
I finally got after the light buckets. I couldn't find anything the right size, so I decided to go with an air tank that I got for $20. I cut the handle and feet off:
I went after it with an 80 grit flapper wheel, and turned my bench, and everything else blue. This took about 90 minutes.
I measured, made some marks, made some cuts, and bam, 10 inch headlight buckets.
I'm thinking they'll go near this position, but a little higher:
Now if I can find a smaller tank for the tail lights, I'll be set.
Oh yeah, it was powder coating. Paint stripper didn't work.
I finally got after the light buckets. I couldn't find anything the right size, so I decided to go with an air tank that I got for $20. I cut the handle and feet off:
I went after it with an 80 grit flapper wheel, and turned my bench, and everything else blue. This took about 90 minutes.
I measured, made some marks, made some cuts, and bam, 10 inch headlight buckets.
I'm thinking they'll go near this position, but a little higher:
Now if I can find a smaller tank for the tail lights, I'll be set.
Oh yeah, it was powder coating. Paint stripper didn't work.
AZRodDave
Well-known member
Laughing and at the same time, that looks PERFECT !!! 
smallfoot
He's rockin' the "Nuttin Special"!
There are two or three different sized diameter propane torch bottles that may work for tail lights...headlight buckets look good!
DJ3100
Well-known member
See Earthman, I told you he wanted searchlights.
Actually, 8 liter I think you're on the solution. They look proportional. Do you have a plan for the lens and reflectors?
My first thought is that you might be able to find the correct sized magnifying makeup mirrors at Walsomething for the reflectors. Mount the bulbs in front of them.
Actually, 8 liter I think you're on the solution. They look proportional. Do you have a plan for the lens and reflectors?
My first thought is that you might be able to find the correct sized magnifying makeup mirrors at Walsomething for the reflectors. Mount the bulbs in front of them.
Old Iron
Well-known member
[cl [cl [cl
Man nothing like first timers
[P
Man nothing like first timers
[P
8literbeater
Well-known member
Thanks! I have some cool lenses for the taillights, but need buckets to fit. They're 7.5 inches across.
On the front, I now have buckets, but need lenses to fit. I was planning on using sealed beam assemblies inside, and flat glass on the front. I have a sheet of security glass with the crosshatch wires in it.
But, since you asked, I was going to show you why I didn't just buy lenses. They just cost so darn much: http://www.ebay.com/itm/291239135417?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
(and one of those is chipped)
So as I was looking around on eBay for lenses, like I've done so many times in the last 6 months, I found these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/General-Mot...%2BpNExnJj30Fphd%2FYQ%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Oh look, they're already sold. Probably some clown is going to retrofit them onto a rat rod made of poo pipe!
So, I'm still planning on using the sealed beam style of adjusters inside, with the H4 bulbs. LED replacements just cost too much, and I need a way to adjust the beam.
I just hope the beam doesn't get too messed up with going through 2 lenses. I think those H4 light reflectors can be separated from the lens. That might be the thing to do. I like the mirror idea for the rears. I was wondering how I was going to make them bright.
The best I've found so far is this: http://www.socalautoparts.com/produ...ht-kit-bug-amp-super-beetle-55w-bulbs-p-14371
Anybody know of a better source?
Skip
Well-known member
All you need for headlights should be an easy junk yard find. Just fab some mounting brackets to center them inside the buckets. If you want to get really crazy, you could make rings that fill the extra space (think gen one Chrysler Cordoba), or put full plexiglass covers over the front. Or both...
8literbeater
Well-known member
I was originally thinking just that. The only you-pull-it junkyard that was close enough to be accessible, closed down a while back. That, and I priced tail lights for a friend a while back, and they wanted $20 for each one I think. Add the entry fee, and light bulbs, reflectors, pigtails, and it's getting to be near the price of new. I'm not sure though. I might just try to get to a yard and do some looking around. Maybe I can get the housings and bulbs/pigtails for nearly nothing, and come out way ahead.
It just seems like somebody would have a kit with adjusters and bulbs, ready to go. Maybe I should market that.
Skip
Well-known member
A couple years ago I bought some seal beam holders that were designed to fit into early headlight buckets. It still left me with the old fashion way of adjusting the headlights. That is pointing the entire unit in the right direction.
The ones in the pic you posted look very much like 67 and up VW (bug, bus, type III) parts to me. Might find them on CL pretty cheap. They have the built i adjusters and all.
\Maybe it wasn't you that posted the pic. I can't find it now...
The ones in the pic you posted look very much like 67 and up VW (bug, bus, type III) parts to me. Might find them on CL pretty cheap. They have the built i adjusters and all.
\Maybe it wasn't you that posted the pic. I can't find it now...
8literbeater
Well-known member
x prohibited[?] Posted: 6 days ago
◀ prev ▲ next ▶ 1972-1986 Jeep CJ Headlight Assembly Pair w/bulbs-New - $185 (NNE Phoenix)
condition: new
I have a new pair of factory headlight assemblies with bulbs that fit 1972-1986 Jeep CJ models for $185.00 ($199.37 w/tax).
I also have the parking lights ($26ea) and side marker lights ($5.00ea) also available. Thank you.
Grand Canyon 4x4
480-788-2835
Para assistencia en Espanol mande mensage por E-mail.
Shipping avaliable for additional charge
- do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers
posted: 6 days ago
email to friend
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Avoid scams, deal locally Beware wiring (e.g. Western Union), cashier checks, money orders, shipping.
8literbeater
Well-known member
I'm just speechless about that one.
Skip
Well-known member
Yup. That's nuts.
I just picked up (stole) a nice set of 1926 Dodge headlights for $25.00. Of course, they would need to be converted to seal beams for anyone that wanted to use them on anything other than an original restoration. They are big as dinner plates! The buckets look like cooking pots. Not all that rat rod looking. IMHO...
