french head lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tobins 52 gmc · 11-06-2010, 07:18 PM

thinking about doing french lights on my truck ,need help on finding a sourse for a kit and if anyone has pic and any info on installing them please let me know .

Kim57 · 11-06-2010, 08:03 PM

There is this style of kit which I believe can be addapted to many years.
http://www.thehoffmangroup.com/autol...renchheadlight
And then there is the do it your self way by using 52-54 Mercury headlight rings. They are steel so they can be welded solid.
http://rodcustom.automotive.com/1330...hts/index.html
It all depends on the look you want to achieve.
Kim

sevt_chevelle · 11-06-2010, 09:00 PM

Am doing a 49 truck and always loved the look of frenched headlights. The first style is made by Hagen, IMO once you see them in person you realize they look cheap. Just the style I guess, just doesn't look good.

**youngrodder** · 11-07-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobins 52 gmc

thinking about doing french lights on my truck ,need help on finding a sourse for a kit and if anyone has pic and any info on installing them please let me know .

I went with a Hagen kit. I think that frenched headlights really help the look of these trucks. The instructions were good and fairly straight forward to install.

Here are a few pics..

I impressed myself, as I had more pictures than I thought...

Good luck
Marc

solidaxel · 11-07-2010, 10:55 AM

[QUOTE=youngrodder;4281924]I went with a Hagen kit. I think that frenched headlights really help the look of these trucks. The instructions were good and fairly straight forward to install.

Where are the adjusters on the Hagen kit?

I was not impressed with the Hoffman kit!

**youngrodder** · 11-07-2010, 11:12 PM

[quote=solidaxel;4282023]

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngrodder

I went with a Hagen kit. I think that frenched headlights really help the look of these trucks. The instructions were good and fairly straight forward to install.

Where are the adjusters on the Hagen kit?

I was not impressed with the Hoffman kit!

I'm not impressed with many of the Hoffman items. The adjusters are not pictured. Basically, it is another black plastic ring that screws to the black plastic ring pictured. The screws have springs on them and the head light is sandwiched between the two rings. The chrome ring needs to be removed when adjusting the lights.

Marc

4DSEVEN · 03-04-2012, 07:18 AM

Marc, by the look in your pictures you have welded your pots on the outside of the fender, correct?

I am looking at mine and wondering if the lip should be welded from the inside of the fender or the outside?

Also, did you wait till the fenders were bolted on to the body etc. like the say to do in the instructions? Or is it that critical for alignment?

Also, how did you find the welding? I am concerened about the heat and warping. Will do spots all around and keep building from there.

Thanks.

Mark

Amorget · 03-04-2012, 01:40 PM

"Trucks" on Powerblock actually frenched a set of headlights on the "Classix" project. The video is free on-line at powerblocktv.com. Go to the full episodes section for Trucks, I think it was done in 2010.

**youngrodder** · 03-04-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4DSEVEN

Marc, by the look in your pictures you have welded your pots on the outside of the fender, correct?

I am looking at mine and wondering if the lip should be welded from the inside of the fender or the outside?

Also, did you wait till the fenders were bolted on to the body etc. like the say to do in the instructions? Or is it that critical for alignment?

Also, how did you find the welding? I am concerened about the heat and warping. Will do spots all around and keep building from there.

Thanks.

Mark

4Dseven-

I welded mine on the outside (I didn't weld mine at all from the back side). I didn't have any issue with warping. Just took my time and spaced each tack weld. I did not install mine with the fenders on the truck but I did wait to drill the mounting tabs until after the fenders were on. If you were carful you could do it with the fenders off the truck.

Good luck
Marc

thunderjet · 03-04-2012, 06:49 PM

I used my stock headlight rims, welded to the fender. I mounted the buckets on the back ,old school style.
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**mr48chev** · 03-04-2012, 07:06 PM

[quote=youngrodder;4283242]

Quote:

Originally Posted by solidaxel

I'm not impressed with many of the Hoffman items. The adjusters are not pictured. Basically, it is another black plastic ring that screws to the black plastic ring pictured. The screws have springs on them and the head light is sandwiched between the two rings. The chrome ring needs to be removed when adjusting the lights.

Marc

I never cared for those as I don't like that big gaudy chrome ring around the headlight.

Night Prowlers is selling reproduction 52/54 Merc headlight rings http://www.shop.thenightprowlers.com...r-5254merc.htm They do take a bit more work to get right on an AD truck but the final appearance is well worth it.

**youngrodder** · 03-04-2012, 10:30 PM

mr48Chev

I checked out the link. Those aren't bad. What I like better about the Hagen is the angle/size of the chrome flange. They make the whole light look bigger which I think helps with the proportions of the fender.

A person can always get them in a paintable option if the chrome flange is too much. To each their own....it's all good.

Marc

pgf545 · 03-04-2012, 11:32 PM

I am in the process of doing a Hagans kit right now. I have a couple of pictures on my build thread.

Bernie

skip99 · 03-05-2012, 11:50 AM

kim57 posted this link....so...what keeps tension on the screws just the spring? it looks like it can just slide back out of the pot..or at least vibrate..
http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/.../photo_17.html

I was thinking close to the same thing...but just drill a hole in the bucket...slot the original screw. and just use a small screwdriver to reach in the hole and adjust the original adjusting screwfrom behind?

11-06-2010, 07:18 PM	#1
tobins 52 gmc tobins 52 gmc Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Holland landing ,ont, Can Posts: 193	french head lights thinking about doing french lights on my truck ,need help on finding a sourse for a kit and if anyone has pic and any info on installing them please let me know .

11-06-2010, 08:03 PM	#2
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: french head lights There is this style of kit which I believe can be addapted to many years. http://www.thehoffmangroup.com/autol...renchheadlight And then there is the do it your self way by using 52-54 Mercury headlight rings. They are steel so they can be welded solid. http://rodcustom.automotive.com/1330...hts/index.html It all depends on the look you want to achieve. Kim Last edited by Kim57; 11-06-2010 at 08:03 PM.

11-06-2010, 09:00 PM	#3
sevt_chevelle Lost amongst the CORN Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern Iowa Posts: 1,071	Re: french head lights Am doing a 49 truck and always loved the look of frenched headlights. The first style is made by Hagen, IMO once you see them in person you realize they look cheap. Just the style I guess, just doesn't look good. __________________ Currently working on How To Videos and custom metal 70 Chevelle gettin Sliced and Diced Anything But STOCK 70 Chevelle SS455 not a typo its a BUICK BABY 49 and 72 Chevy Trucks restored to original...close to it Drommer Stor....Norwegian for Dream Big http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/a...lle/?start=all https://www.flickr.com/photos/47922830@N03/ Pictures of my work and projects

11-07-2010, 10:55 AM	#5
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: french head lights [QUOTE=youngrodder;4281924]I went with a Hagen kit. I think that frenched headlights really help the look of these trucks. The instructions were good and fairly straight forward to install. Where are the adjusters on the Hagen kit? I was not impressed with the Hoffman kit! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

03-04-2012, 07:18 AM	#7
4DSEVEN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 239	Re: french head lights Marc, by the look in your pictures you have welded your pots on the outside of the fender, correct? I am looking at mine and wondering if the lip should be welded from the inside of the fender or the outside? Also, did you wait till the fenders were bolted on to the body etc. like the say to do in the instructions? Or is it that critical for alignment? Also, how did you find the welding? I am concerened about the heat and warping. Will do spots all around and keep building from there. Thanks. Mark

03-04-2012, 01:40 PM	#8
Amorget Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 166	Re: french head lights "Trucks" on Powerblock actually frenched a set of headlights on the "Classix" project. The video is free on-line at powerblocktv.com. Go to the full episodes section for Trucks, I think it was done in 2010.

03-04-2012, 06:49 PM	#10
thunderjet Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: helena montana Posts: 37	Re: french head lights I used my stock headlight rims, welded to the fender. I mounted the buckets on the back ,old school style.

03-04-2012, 10:30 PM	#12
youngrodder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotts, Michigan Posts: 3,774	Re: french head lights mr48Chev I checked out the link. Those aren't bad. What I like better about the Hagen is the angle/size of the chrome flange. They make the whole light look bigger which I think helps with the proportions of the fender. A person can always get them in a paintable option if the chrome flange is too much. To each their own....it's all good. Marc __________________ …………...........__________ .................. ((__\|__\|\|___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;..;((_(O))____ (_(O)) 1948 Chevy Truck - Finished SOLD!! 1953 Chevy Suburban "Family Truckster" Completed: Spring of 2021 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484 1994 4x4 Blazer - "Field Find" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ferrerid=30857

03-04-2012, 11:32 PM	#13
pgf545 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Santa Fe,Texas Posts: 933	Re: french head lights I am in the process of doing a Hagans kit right now. I have a couple of pictures on my build thread. Bernie __________________ 52 Chevy Truck (Dad's) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206021

03-05-2012, 11:50 AM	#14
skip99 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: mt vernon, oh Posts: 868	Re: french head lights kim57 posted this link....so...what keeps tension on the screws just the spring? it looks like it can just slide back out of the pot..or at least vibrate.. http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/.../photo_17.html I was thinking close to the same thing...but just drill a hole in the bucket...slot the original screw. and just use a small screwdriver to reach in the hole and adjust the original adjusting screwfrom behind? __________________ Tami's 51 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428878 Last edited by skip99; 03-05-2012 at 11:59 AM.



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