Every good rod or custom builder knows that perfection is in the details. Some details are pretty subtle, but they make a big difference in how people--including show judges--react to your car. You've probably watched people staring at an eye-catching vehicle, often taking a while to figure out exactly what's different from stock that makes it so appealing, and you've probably heard that pleased "Aha! That's cool," when they finally get it. That's subtlety making a big impact.
Hagan Street Rod Necessities' Frenched Headlamp Kit is just the sort of little extra touch that can make your project really stand out. Hagan's Kits are available for most popular cars and trucks. As you'll see below, you can't call the installation a bolt-in. You'll have to do a bit of cutting and welding. Body and paint work has to be done afterwards, too. However, the results are certainly worth your efforts.
We followed along as Clay Mullis of Full Tilt Street Rods in Grand Junction, Colorado, installed a Hagan Frenched Headlamp Kit. The procedure is identical for most single-headlight cars and trucks. Mullis also used the Hagan Kit in the trophy-snagging '50 Chevy shown in our lead photo above.
Here's the stock '47-54 Chevy...
Here's the stock '47-54 Chevy headlight setup--not bad in a bulbous, pseudo-aerodynamic kinda way, and at least all the parts and pieces were there. However, it doesn't exactly make you go "hmm" when you see it on a nicely built custom rod.
Hagan Street Rod Necessities'...
Hagan Street Rod Necessities' Frenched Headlamp Kits are simple and straightforward, and the parts are all very nice quality (half the kit is shown here). Kits are available in chrome or bare finish for most popular applications. Instructions are photo-illustrated and clear. Hagan offers optional trick tri-bar, blue-dot, and snake-eye lamps with or without integral turn signals.
Full Tilt Street Rod's Clay...
Full Tilt Street Rod's Clay Mullis recommends starting with straight, rust-free fenders. Otherwise, you'll have a lot of repair and prep to do before you can fit the Hagan buckets into place, and once the buckets are in, it'll be more difficult to do detail bodywork anywhere near the headlights.
Sometimes these old springs...
Sometimes these old springs bend or break during removal. However, none of the stock headlight/bucket assembly will be reused, so don't sweat the small stuff. You just want to be careful not to bend or damage the surrounding headlight opening in the fender.
GM used funny little Torx-type...
GM used funny little Torx-type bolts to secure these headlight buckets, and they're probably age-frozen to boot. Mullis simply buzzes off the heads to free the buckets. They will not be reused.
Mullis next trims back the...
Mullis next trims back the stock mounting flange. This step isn't really as scary as it looks. The new Hagan bucket has a flange that covers the trimmed edge, so the trick is to trim just enough to allow the new bucket to slide in and have a little wiggle room for adjustment.
Mullis trial-fits the new...
Mullis trial-fits the new Hagan bucket. This generation of Chevy car and truck is a great candidate for the Hagan kit because very little extra metalworking is necessary to make an excellent fit.
Some installations require...
Some installations require more sheetmetal tweaking to achieve the perfect plumb (vertical) and square-to-line-of-travel (side-to-side) bucket positioning that Hagan recommends in their photo-illustrated directions.
Mullis positions the bucket...
Mullis positions the bucket with the headlight mounting tabs at the requisite 9, 12, and 3 o'clock. The Hagan Frenched Headlamp Kit includes wiring grommets. This is the time to decide wire routing and drill the required hole.
Commitment time! After rechecking...
Commitment time! After rechecking the bucket's position in the hole, plus its plumb and square, Mullis tacks the bucket in place. Then he checks again before finish-welding.
Hagan's Frenched Headlamp...
Hagan's Frenched Headlamp Kit includes the lamp bases, retainer rings, springs, and screws needed to make the new headlights fully aimable. Tri-bar, blue-dot, and snake-eye lamps are available from Hagan as options.
You'll have to drill holes...
You'll have to drill holes in the bucket's mounting tabs to attach the new headlight, and Mullis uses a small center punch to ensure accuracy.
Hagan stresses the importance...
Hagan stresses the importance of precision when locating and drilling these mounting holes. Otherwise, the lamps won't fit correctly in the buckets.
The springs included with...
The springs included with Hagan's kit allow for headlight beam aiming. They also allow some front-to-back positioning of the lamp inside the bucket to control the aesthetics of the gap between the lamp and the trim ring.
The headlight mounts into...
The headlight mounts into the bucket with a screw-in retaining ring. Then, Mullis simply snaps the Hagan trim ring into place. Hagan Frenched Headlamp Kits are available in chrome or bare metal.
All that's needed at this...
All that's needed at this point is finish-welding, a bit of grinding, a skim coat of filler, and primer. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday--and you thought frenching headlights was a tough job!