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EFV-8 Club Forum / 1940 Ford Discussion / 1940 Ford fog lights

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Posted By Discussion Topic: 1940 Ford fog lights -- page: 1 2     kubes40 03-04-2013 @ 9:29 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3370 Joined: Oct 2009 Hey Ken, Well, the easy part of your question (diameter of lens) I'll answer first. The EXPOSED diameter (lamps are assembled) is 5 1/4". The lens itself is 5 3/4" in diameter. Drakes repops from the 1970's, although nice looking units have lens that are smaller than the authentic but perhaps 3/16". Okay, the tougher question(requires a longer answer) to answer: Common lore has it that all switch knobs were tan. The problem with that "theory" is it is based on service parts manuals. Those manuals and the parts listed therein, as you know, were not linked with what was authentically installed in a '40 Ford. Rather, those parts are strictly service replacement parts. I have on two separate occasions come upon maroon switches in NOS lamp kits. To me, that trumps any and all parts manuals that only list "tan" knob switches. kenburke 03-02-2013 @ 5:32 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 141 Joined: Oct 2009 Hi Mike, Two questions. The diameter of a fog light? The color of the switch knob? Thanks. kubes40 02-28-2013 @ 6:15 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3370 Joined: Oct 2009 I can't say with 100% certainty these were for export. However, as most of this type are found in Canada and the fact that other countries (outside the USA) had variations of this lens I would hazard a guess and say yes, these were intended for export. I have a set of these and think they are interesting. 30coupe 02-27-2013 @ 6:41 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 3 Joined: Feb 2013 one more 30coupe 02-27-2013 @ 6:41 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 3 Joined: Feb 2013 another 30coupe 02-27-2013 @ 6:40 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 3 Joined: Feb 2013 Hey there, sorry to bring up an old post but I came across the website from a google search. I have been trying to find info on these fog lights that I have had for a long time. It sounds like I have the Unity's that were for export. kubes40 03-10-2012 @ 6:33 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3370 Joined: Oct 2009 There has been much deliberation over whether or not Appleton was an authorized supplier of road lamps for the 1940 Ford. The "not so simple" answer remains "no". The Appleton lamps did not come in to being until approximately March, 1941, too late to be installed upon a NEW 1940 Ford. Well, unless the new '40 sat in the showroom a LONG time. Please guys, keep in mind I am writing the '40 book with (when possible to determine) dates in mind. In other words, how the car was intended to be assembled and what accessories were available (and authorized) at the time the car would have been delivered to the original purchaser. While this approach may not set well with long held (mis) beliefs, it is based on research, not conjecture nor convenience. There are numerous things we as a group have held to be true that unfortunately, we were mistaken. I would rather not go in to more detail here. If anyone would like to pursue this "discussion" I feel a separate post is prudent. 40 Coupe 03-10-2012 @ 4:51 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1647 Joined: Oct 2009 Although Unity is one of the suppliers to Ford for the road light, it is my understanding Appleton was an alternate, for both the road and the spot light. For Unity road lights beside what is mentioned by Kube above: The 37-38 brackets are larger two piece, the 39 bracket is three piece. They are either Cadmium or bright Zinc plated NOT painted, for all the road lights in question. NONE of the early Ford road lights have the badge on top. The wire out of the road light is #14 AWG size. The aftermarket and Ford road light till Jan. 1938 the sh*ll is marked "Unity Mfg. Co. Chicago Ill. USA" Around 1-27-38 the Ford Script road light was used. Beside the marking on the 40 road light, as mentioned by Kube above, there is an alternate "Unity S-3 Made For Ford Motor Co. Unity Mfg., Chicago USA" There are internal differences between the 37-8, 39 and 40 road lights. The 37-8 used a #1133 bulb A-18570 a single filament bulb with reflector 78-15218. The 39 used a #2330 double filament bulb with a prefocused base, the bulb socket is wired so only one filament is used and the reflector is 78-15218-B. The 40 use 1321 single filament prefocused base bulb. This message was edited by 40 Coupe on 3-10-12 @ 5:02 AM 39 Ken 03-09-2012 @ 10:22 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 380 Joined: Oct 2009 Alan, Thanks. I'll send you an e-mail Shortly. Kube, Thanks for the info. Other than the obvious difference in the way the lamp bodies are marked, The mounting brackets really have some differences. My '39 set has two extra sections between the bumper clamp and the piece that connects to the lamp body which adds about 2 1/8th inches to the height of the stand (to clear the bumper I guess). The bolt also is longer to accomodate the extra sections. I don't recall ever seeing these extra sections on other '39's equipped with road lamps. The wiring on this set is black, woven and covered with clear lacquer(?) but the size looks to better suit 12 volt as it's pretty thin. I'll change this to a larger guage. Any suggestion as to the correct guage of wire? The switch has an additional lug specifically for the tail lights. I guess that if you need fog lights on, you should have the tail lights on as well. I like the word "Gumption". I wouldn't have any either to go and drill those holes. (;>)) I'm sorry to hijack this thread but it may help with the differences between '39 and '40 Road Lamps. Ken kubes40 03-09-2012 @ 6:24 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3370 Joined: Oct 2009 39Ken, The Drake repops from the 1970s were actually one of the better things Drake has made in my opinion. The yellow wires he utilized should be changed out to either green or black (cloth covered)to provide an authentic appearance. Also, the switch he provided is not close to the real McCoy. As you are probably aware, the '39 lamps differ a bit from the '40 lamps. I have installed lamps before and have never had the gumption to drill a hole through the fender. Rather, I run it neatly along the bumper arm (bottom) and through the fender grommet. I have a difficult time believing a serviceman would have drilled a hole in the fender back in the day regardless of instructions. This message was edited by kubes40 on 3-4-13 @ 9:22 AM

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