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Technical 32 ford head light bar issue

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by bmita, Jul 6, 2020.

  1. bmita
    Joined: Dec 9, 2007
    Posts: 135

    bmita
    Member

    my 32 full fender sedan has high boy headlight stands instead of a headlight bar, i purchased a dropped headlight bar to replace the stands, only to discover the bar is not wide enough. the bar measures 37 1/2 bottom and 42 at the top the car measures 38 1/4 bottom and 43 at the top. how do fix this? the car was built over 25 years ago been updating over the last few months.
     
  2. linechaser32
    Joined: Apr 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,486

    linechaser32
    Member
    from Iowa

    Get a stock headlight bar and drop it. Some , if not all aftermarket dropped bars don’t fit.
     
  3. Post a view of the front of your car. HRP
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.

  4. Post up a closer, better pic if you can.:)
     
  5. Does the car have the original front fender braces or have they been modified or shortened?

    I would think the fender are sagging a little, if the fender braces are in place, loosen them and bolt the headlight bar in place, make sure you use the correct headlight bar bolts.

    I haven't experienced any problems with original or aftermarket headlight bars. HRP

    upd-b20330_xl.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2020
  6. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 9,471

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska
    1. Central Nebraska H.A.M.B.

    Get a stock headlight bar and have Pete Eastwood drop it. He's dropped several for me and they were a perfect fit.
     
  7. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,811

    Fogger
    Member

    X2 on krylon32 recommendation. Pete's jig insures a perfect fit when he drops an original '32 headlight bar.
     
  8. bmita
    Joined: Dec 9, 2007
    Posts: 135

    bmita
    Member

  9. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,522

    alchemy
    Member

    So maybe the car was aligned a little differently when it was built. Maybe the fenders sag a little, so you need a slightly wider bar. How about bending the ends of a dropped bar to stretch the distance you need?

    Otherwise I predict there’s some body and paint work in your future to refit the fenders and braces.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  10. bmita
    Joined: Dec 9, 2007
    Posts: 135

    bmita
    Member

    closer view
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,412

    Fordors
    Member

    2899A8DC-19D6-4639-A11B-93ED185C7FD9.jpeg

    I measured three, a ‘32 bar, a Vintique and a Drake, they all measure the same, 42 1/2 at the top and 37 5/8 bottom.
    The Drake bar is at the top of the photo, it’s contour is less angular than the Vintique and looks a lot like a dropped stock bar.
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2020
  12. As suggested the fenders and braces will sag away from each other without the headlight bar to hold them in place. Follow above suggestion to loosen braces, install bar and snug everything up.

    Phil
     
    flatford39 likes this.
  13. @bmita, did you get headlight bar mounted?

    Phil
     

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