Newbie Questions: Headlights. Size. Mounting. Advantage? - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

wayne7in · May 24th, 2012, 08:23 AM

OK I did the search and didn't see anything. Feel free to flame me if I missed it. LOL. I know that a build is a personal thing. I am getting ready to extend and lower mine. What I want to know is what size headlights did you use, 6', 7', 8', etc? Where did you mount them, body or beam. And why. Is there an advantage over one or the other?

Feel free to talk about tail lights too.

Thanks, Wayne

**purplemyth** · May 24th, 2012, 09:43 AM

It's a personal choice~
You want to be BIG or moderate, or multiple small ones. Your choice for what you want your overall look to be.
Google rat rods and you will see everything works, some are extreme. Up to you`
And yes if you search 'titles' headlights, you will find other threads~

Ray-Dean · May 24th, 2012, 01:40 PM

Personally, I use 7" headlights. Why? You can buy a replacement at any parts store on any corner of any town in any state.

As for where to mount them... That is totally a personal choice. I don't care for lights mounted to the beam. Not because of looks. I don't like trying to drive at night while my headlights bounce all over the place with every dip in the road. With them mounted to the body, the road shock is dampened by the shocks keeping the lights pointed where they were intended to be. And with less harsh bouncing, the filaments last a lot longer.

PistonPete123 · May 24th, 2012, 02:06 PM

Don't forget to check your local laws, I think every state has a height requirement. Some people live in states that don't have annual inspections and they get away with putting headlights anywhere. I agree with Ray-Dean on the 7" light, easy to find and cheap also now you can buy h-4 upgrades for just about the same price as 2 bulbs, they say they are brighter but i've never tried them.

Doc · May 24th, 2012, 04:22 PM

I got 5.5" offroad lights, flat plate with a hole half way up the shock tower.

No inspections here in WA unless we sell or buy from another state, or build a full up custom car that has no vin.

**rostigbug** · May 25th, 2012, 12:27 AM

with modern lights size is no longer an issue.
a small even tiny light will work as good as a large one.
obviously a smaller light fits in closer and tighter than a large one.
it depends on your budget and the look you are trying to achieve.
If you wanna see a VR with 8 inch lights look for "bloodguzzler a volksrod that runs on blood" on youtube
BTW I run 7s like Raydean for the same reasons
this is "Lumpy" the headlights are the cheapest ones in the speedway catalog. I think 39$ for a pairAttachment 33005

wayne7in · May 25th, 2012, 06:07 AM

Thank you for you inputs. I was looking for your personal reasons for doing it the way you did.

Doc · May 25th, 2012, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne7in

Thank you for you inputs. I was looking for your personal reasons for doing it the way you did.

I did 5.5" cause they are hella cheep. Also dosent really hamper the look im going for. On the secondary build I'm doing, going with the 7's because that about the only size you can get cat eye, eye lids, or my fav

tribar's.

I've seen a few vrods with 2 small headlights on each side, and alot more that add in the yellow glass fog lights.... adding more lights, bumpers, blinkers, lowerd stance, or higher stance will change the end result and determine repositioning several times with at least a 6 pack of beer befor decideing it looked better the first place you had it.

You will need the beer and some time....

yellowRocc · May 25th, 2012, 05:55 PM

I went 7's because I had some 7 inch lenses that have the turn signal in the bottom of the lense. They won't fit, LOL. stock headlights will fit my 7 inch buckets, but the lenses I want to use are too deep, they don't taper down as quickly as the buckets.

Doc · May 25th, 2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowRocc

I went 7's because I had some 7 inch lenses that have the turn signal in the bottom of the lense. They won't fit, LOL. stock headlights will fit my 7 inch buckets, but the lenses I want to use are too deep, they don't taper down as quickly as the buckets.

You could always cut around where the headlight mounts and extend it back an inch or so with some scrap/sheet metal. I've had to do that a few times... even used a hose clamp once.... just welded it in and it looked pretty cool with the lights on, made it look like headlight vents.

**Double D** · May 25th, 2012, 09:12 PM

I'm using 9 1/2 Chevy headlights, 1931 vintage. I wanted to be different. I have them mounted higher than most due to their diameter, needing to clear the hood and tires when turning. My brother sez they look like satellite dishes!

I'm using Dougs mounts cut down to my liking.

**V8Transporter** · May 26th, 2012, 08:09 AM

I like the big lights, although somewhat aero-di-bricklight, they give your VR a distinctive 'Bug Eyed' look.

(And how many channles do you get with 'em?)

**Double D** · May 26th, 2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

I like the big lights, although somewhat aero-di-bricklight, they give your VR a distinctive 'Bug Eyed' look.

(And how many channles do you get with 'em?)

I'll let ya know when I get a receiver and coax hooked up!

metalmaster1766 · May 31st, 2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

I like the big lights, although somewhat aero-di-bricklight, they give your VR a distinctive 'Bug Eyed' look.

(And how many channles do you get with 'em?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

I'll let ya know when I get a receiver and coax hooked up!

I just use a bucket that takes a 7-1/2" lights because they are easy to get & fit most headlight bucket available

As far as mounting them read up about your state laws first, then put them where ever you want them
To hell with mounting them where others have theirs or what they think, YOU will be driving it

Ron

Ron