Headlight conversions---do they work

[Toqwik]

I have a set of 31 desoto big ass headlights in real good condition. I see Speedway offers a hallogen conversion, and was wondering if these kits work reasonably well, or are you better off using a more modern setup? Toqwik

[old beet]

I think the main thing is "are your reflectors real nice"?........OLDBEET

[Donzie]

I don't know about Desoto headlights but I converted a pair of 30/31 Model A headlights to halogen and they worked great! Low and high beams. I didn't opt for the turn signals though, you could see the amber bulb thru the lenses.

[Toqwik]

Havent torn them apart yet, but looking thru the lens they appear to be in very good shape, and lenses are relatively clear. Like the looks of the big ol lights, but want to make sure I will be able to see at night. Good to hear they do work, and I think Speedway says they will fit any car. Toqwik

[C9]

I understand you can run into a beam focus problem cuz the old headlight lenses aren't set up for the halogen bulbs and the light is spread out more than it should be.

If the halogen conversion isn't too expensive, I'd give it a shot anyway.
You got nowhere to go but up with the Desoto lamps.

Far as I'm concerned the later model non-halogen sealed beams aren't worth a damn and the bolt-in halogen sealed beams are the way to go.
I know some guys don't care for them cuz they say halogen in the middle of the glass, but I'd rather have that on there and be able to see my way down a dark two-laner at midnight then trying to see where the heck I'm going with a washed out old style sealed beam.

[FKNPOZER]

here,here C9
I'm blind as a bat and the conversions work great.any help I can get at night to see is a giant plus.

[marq]

There should be a little clamp at the back of the reflector that holds the bulb holder,this ajusts the beam to suit by pulling the bulb back or pushing it forward.The halogen bulbs work great i put them in my 10 inch English ford 7v commercial lights adjusted the beam with the clamp tightened said clamp up and hey presto twice as bright and i can actually see now.If you need the addy pm me ,it is in England but they are quite cheap and they will post..........marq

[HOTRODPRIMER]

They work great,,,,,,,,,,,,,I have them in my mor-door and night vision is greatly improved! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifHRP

[Canuck]

Has anyone tried Speedway's turn signal conversion that mounts the turn signal bulb just under and parallel to the halogen bulb, using the halogen bulb mounting hole as a mount?

Canuck

[Cword]

The halogen conversions work great, from the point of view of the guy behind the headlights. It's the guy in the on-coming lane that suffers.

The original headlights were designed to produce a straight beam of light from a horizontal filament located in a particular location. If the halogen conversion could duplicate this filament location all would be good. BUT These conversions use a bulb with filaments oriented length-wise. They throw more light but the reflector/lense arrangement does not produce a proper beam.

Be prepared for folks flashing you as if you have your highbeams on.

Yes you get more light, but the pattern is lousey.

[marq]

My old English ford 7 v lamps do produce a beam and quite a spot it is too.Before we had the lights we have today with a left or right orientation we had lamps that produce either an up or down orientation these are lamps that can be moves on the ball joint so all that needs to be done is to point them in the oposite direction of oncoming traffic.........Marq

[flyin'eye]

I have the halogen kit, and the turn signal kit in my Model A. Works good, easy to install. Yes, you can see the amber turn signal lens through the headlight, but I figured a orange dot inside my headlights looked better than mounting another seperate light....Best of all, as with all speedway stuff, the kits are CHEAP.

[Bob K]

Hey Chris: They make a led replacment bulb for the 1157. It's clear when off and amber when on. I am using them in the 52. Can't see any amber through the clear lens until the light comes on.

B http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif B

[Toqwik]

Who makes the turn signal conversion to go in there? Thats alot better idea than trying to hang them on the car somewhere. I didn't see them in Speedway.

[Canuck]

Don't know if this link will work or not, if not the part # is 91064150.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp/strBase_List./hilt./source./base_no.91064150/str_base_no.3160175%2C4461232D%2C91010308%2C910323 00%2C91037788%2C91062850%2C91064039%2C91064040%2C9 1064050%2C91064150%2C91064601%2C91121006%2C9113102 0%2C91364001%2C/header_title.Keyword+Search/page_name.search%2Fkeyword%5Fresults%2Easp/search_type.turn+signal/search_option.Exact/deptsearch./deptSearch_id./dept_id./dept_id_p./dept_name./dept_name_p./ShowImages.yes/sq.0/cont.1/intPgNo.1/redirect./qx/product.htm

Sure would like to know someones experience with these.

Canuck