Headlight Buckets

Reverb · Post by **Reverb** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:20 am

I have vintage pair of Dietz (painted) headlight buckets that are still in good shape. Would it be better to have these chromed, or just buy new ones. I`ve heard the new ones are thinner metal.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:57 am

the ones i got from moore parts feel strong and not junk cost ?17 ea i think

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:59 am

They are not really thinner metal just the chrome is not done properly and it peals off. A cheaper way to go is to ceramic coat as Gene C from NorCal did or a silver powered coat.

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:37 pm

The headlight shells on my buggy have been on the buggy for 3 years and still look great. Granted, the buggy doesn't sit out in the weather. I bought them at J.C. Whitney.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:33 pm

My new buckets I bought from JCW looked great until I spent 24 hours camping on a private beach. Even though I scrubbed the car from top to bottom when I got home, my buckets, front turn signal housing and anything else I bought already chromed is pitted and discolored. In comparison, I had my engine cage, roll bar and some other parts re-chromed during the build. These parts still look new...

bobmanx · Post by **bobmanx** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:47 am

Dennis, I had my original Dietz headlight assy's rechromed here in SoCal. They cost me about $70,00 each. High yes, compared to Taiwan knock-offs, but they are original. And they look as nice today as the day I picked them up at the plater's. 6+ years and holding, no rust, no discoloring, and they are part of an original Manx2. Sorry but I would recomend that you keep the Dietz headlight assy's. If the rechrome is too much $$'s then put the Taiwan's on until you can afford to have the Dietz rechromed, powder coated, etc, or sell them to a Manx Club Member that needs headlight assy's for his/her project. Bob

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:01 am

Nothing compares to quality chrome plating.

fubar · Post by **fubar** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:04 am

I have the Empi chrome buckets and I think they are garbage. I would rather have painted ones that were good quality. Main complaint is the way that they fail to cradle the lamp properly, chrome still looks ok but I have not had it on the beach yet.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:17 am

What's this "beach" thing you guys keep talkin' about?:D

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:52 am

[QUOTE="mkparker"]What's this "beach" thing you guys keep talkin' about?:D[/QUOTE] Salt air from the ocean does wonderful things to cheap chrome parts.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:13 am

yes the beach thing is kinda like the mid west thing.. another way at this is buy some real kc.s then use the HI/LOW light from the dual round light car. Real kc's are stainles have have a lifetime on them

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:35 pm

You can also buy "King Bee" headlights in stainless with H-4 headlights for a around $130.00 from a streetrod shop. This link lists them for $125.00 http://www.freedomstreetrods.com/peterbilt.htm

Reverb · Post by **Reverb** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:22 pm

Those "King Bee" buckets look interesting. Salt air isn`t an issue in Arizona, but I do plan on hitting the dunes at Rocky Pointe at the beach in Mexico once in a while. Thanks Jerry Wish my engine displacment matched my member number. :rock:

90volts · Post by **90volts** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 12:54 am

anyone have the little laser stars? trying to find a place that carries them for more info. aren't they billet?

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 1:14 am

Yes they are billet, but I don't think they are DOT approved.