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 Post subject: headlights
PostPosted: April 9, 2013, 11:48 am 
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Joined: September 10, 2009, 6:25 am
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Anyone know of a good place to get 7 inch chrome headlights? What do I need to know?


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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 9, 2013, 12:42 pm 
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Location: Summerville, SC
How much you wanna spend?
search Dietz style headlights on ebay. you'll get several options. I bought my primered bucket lights from Kenny's Rod and Custom. A few bucks cheaper than Summit for the same lights.

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 9, 2013, 1:14 pm 
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I just got a pair similar to these. I have not tried them out on the road but they have to be better than the ones I had before. http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHROME-BATES-ST ... 4d&vxp=mtr

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 9, 2013, 3:37 pm 
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Joined: June 15, 2010, 8:29 am
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Location: Duxbury, MA USA
got polished stainless steel ones from Speedway

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 9, 2013, 4:44 pm 
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^ This. My brother bought chromed steel ones which started rusting within a year. The polished stainless units cost a bit more but won't rust.

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 5:37 am 
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KB58 wrote:
^ This. My brother bought chromed steel ones which started rusting within a year. The polished stainless units cost a bit more but won't rust.


That's what I'm worried about. I like the look of chrome, and my A-arms are going to be chrome I think, so it would be nice if they matched. But with chrome, it's all about the quality. Good chrome lasts a LONG time, and bad chrome, not so much! stainless might be OK, but will it match the other chrome parts well? How is the polished stainless to maintain?

I'm not too price sensitive, meaning I'm willing to pay a bit extra as long as what I'm getting is first-rate quality...


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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 8:45 am 
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I've got the cheap chrome plated Speedway buckets. I know it is low quality chrome but so far I'm going into my 3rd year with no complaints. I just wax them often. I can replace them easy enough if they get rusty and I won't feel too bad when that does happen. I usually obsess over every decision but this was one that was a no-brainer for me.

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 9:58 am 
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Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
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kennyrayandersen wrote:
... but will it match the other chrome parts well? How is the polished stainless to maintain?

Very much so, looks exactly like it is chrome. The only catch is that I don't remember who I got them from... been 2-3 years. I do know that it was from a hot rod supplier.

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 10:03 am 
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Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
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Hah, here you go! It's the top one.

http://www.rjays.com/Rjays_electrical/headlights-01.htm

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 10:13 am 
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How about nickle plating? how is it compared to chrome?


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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 11:10 am 
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"Nickel plating" has a yellowish tint vs "Chrome plating" which has a blueish tint. Actually, what you see with what we usually call "chrome plating" is the nickel under the chrome. The chrome is so thin, it is practically clear. The chrome gives the nickel a harder surface and adds durability to the shine.

Nickel is cheaper because there is no chrome step in the plating process. All steps leading up to the chrome plating bath are the same.

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 11:45 am 
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If you're going to plate you wishbones, just add the headlight buckets to the pile of stuff...

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 12:09 pm 
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horizenjob wrote:
If you're going to plate you wishbones, just add the headlight buckets to the pile of stuff...



That's what I'm debating now. Penguin normally nickel-plates them, so then I was wondering about how the headlights would look with them. They do have some for sell on there website, I like the lights; I'm not sure about the housing...

http://www.penguinspeedshop.com/shop/pr ... ght-shell/
http://www.penguinspeedshop.com/shop/pr ... ts-7-pair/


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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 4:16 pm 
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Joined: March 26, 2012, 1:53 am
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Location: Mountain View, CA
I thought chrome plating stressed components was a bad idea because of fatigue cracking caused by hydrogen embrittlement

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 Post subject: Re: headlights
PostPosted: April 10, 2013, 6:04 pm 
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Joined: December 22, 2006, 2:05 pm
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It isn't critical on non structural parts. Critical parts are control arms, chassis, bolts, etc.

The chroming process, including how it is treated immediately after chroming, determines the extent of hydrogen embrittlement.

The stainless buckets are a no brainer unless you want to paint them.

If painting, cheapo chrome buckets are fine is given a light blasting to etch the surface for paint.

You might also consider a 5-3/4 motorcycle bucket or 36 dodge bucket for less drag


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