37-39 ford head lights on a mopar

[RobertHickey]

Any one have photos or info on adapting 37-39 ford head lights on to a 40 dodge?

[Dave72dt]

I'm sure there will be some sheet metal fabrication involved. There always is when it comes to mix and match parts. The only set rule is placement needs to be symetrical. How it's achieved and how well depends on the builder's skills. Same thing applies when swapping sheet metal from one year or body style to another. Differences in attachment points, frame lengths, etc. I'd find someone with Photoshop skills to show you how it would look before cutting anything.

'40 Dodge what? Pickup? Car? Big truck? Model?

[desoto1939]

Any one have photos or info on adapting 37-39 ford head lights on to a 40 dodge?

The 37-39 Ford had the teardrop headlight bucket and refelector and glass lens. The 40 dodge used round sealed beam headlights and inner bucket. This is going to take some major modifications on your car or truck. As you goign for a custom look to just want to see if this can be done.

Seems to be alot of work and money to get this look. At least with the 40 Dodge and selaed beam you could convert to halogen or evey 12v system and still be alot chaper inthe long run.

Figues on needed inner bucket, refelectors, glass and headlight trim just for starters. Then the fabrication into what ever you are looking for. Also since the from on the fender is more flat then would not have the correct contour onthe fender.

I would stay with the original look. Just my two cents.

Rich HArtung

desoto1939@aol.com

[RobertHickey]

thanks guys for your response. The car is a stock 40 dodge coupe. I found 2 photos on line of a 40 desoto with 39 ford tear drops yesterday . they look good but maybe not worth the effort. Strangely wile looking around for photos I came across a 39 d-11 with what I thought were 40 ford Bezels,I called the owner and he said that the d-11 came with them and other 39 mopars had diferent shaped lights. I realize the 39 and 40 dodges are close but not the same for interchange. Does any one know of an interchange body book for these year mopars?

[Young Ed]

You need an early hollander interchange manual and/or factory parts books. All the 39 mopars had interesting shaped headlights. In 1940 sealed beams became mandated so the 40s all have round.

[RobertHickey]

Thanks for all advice. Does any one know of where i can get an early holander or factory interchange book. Also are the 40 and 39 front fenders the same ?Some photos look like they are. I have seen some australian 40,s that look like they have a combonation of every make mopar mixed together.

[52b3b Joe]

Here's some ford lights on a 40 dodge....I don't know how I came across this but I did. I'm not sure what to think of the car though.....

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/3418404494.html

[Young Ed]

Thanks for all advice. Does any one know of where i can get an early holander or factory interchange book. Also are the 40 and 39 front fenders the same ?Some photos look like they are. I have seen some australian 40,s that look like they have a combonation of every make mopar mixed together.

The holander interchange book is still available new directly from them. The factory books you'd need a literature dealer ebay etc. The 39-40 mopars look similar but were a redesign so I don't think they are a bolt on swap.

[desoto1939]

Thanks for all advice. Does any one know of where i can get an early holander or factory interchange book. Also are the 40 and 39 front fenders the same ?Some photos look like they are. I have seen some australian 40,s that look like they have a combonation of every make mopar mixed together.

The 39 fenders had the headlights in the fender and they had the old bulb style and were mostly rectangular in shape. The 40 and up then converted to the totally round sealed beam bulb so the configuation is totally different.

I have a 39 Desoto and know a lot about the 39 cars. The picture you show with the ford lights is a street rod that had a lot of customizations done to it and I would suspect that they have fiberglass fenders on it and not metal fenders.

Contact me regarding what interchnages. I have an early Hollander book.

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com