Headlights 1979 -- Round or retangular?
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Headlights 1979 -- Round or retangular?
All,
I am at the point in my 1979 crew cab build where I need to order a new grill, shell and head light buckets. Looking at Dennis Carpenters' catalog I can order either round headlight or rectangular head light parts.
Esthetically I prefer the round headlights but friends have told me that the rectangular type are more modern and produce a better light pattern with higher wattage. They even said that it may be hard to find bulbs for the round lights.
Is this true?
Is it better to go with the rectangular lights for better night visibility?
I do alot of night driving and want the best lights I can get and only want to buy parts once....
Thanks!
I am at the point in my 1979 crew cab build where I need to order a new grill, shell and head light buckets. Looking at Dennis Carpenters' catalog I can order either round headlight or rectangular head light parts.
Esthetically I prefer the round headlights but friends have told me that the rectangular type are more modern and produce a better light pattern with higher wattage. They even said that it may be hard to find bulbs for the round lights.
Is this true?
Is it better to go with the rectangular lights for better night visibility?
I do alot of night driving and want the best lights I can get and only want to buy parts once....
Thanks!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Round 12V headlamp bulb was used on every US vehicle with single headlamps from 1952 thru at least 1980.
FoMoCo vehicles 12V bulb w/single round headlamps: 1956 thru at least 1998.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
I am at the point in my 1979 crew cab build where I need to order a new grill, shell and head light buckets. Looking at Dennis Carpenters' catalog I can order either round headlight or rectangular head light parts.
Esthetically I prefer the round headlights but friends have told me that the rectangular type are more modern and produce a better light pattern with higher wattage. They even said that it may be hard to find bulbs for the round lights. Is this true?
Is it better to go with the rectangular lights for better night visibility? I do alot of night driving and want the best lights I can get and only want to buy parts once....
Esthetically I prefer the round headlights but friends have told me that the rectangular type are more modern and produce a better light pattern with higher wattage. They even said that it may be hard to find bulbs for the round lights. Is this true?
Is it better to go with the rectangular lights for better night visibility? I do alot of night driving and want the best lights I can get and only want to buy parts once....
Rounds are more "classic", IMO.
I suggest lenses by Hella or Bosch like these:
Bosch, $45 each at BusDepot.com - VW Bus / Camper / Vanagon / EuroVan Specialists
Hella, $40 each at Hella H4 Headlamp Replacement - 7" Round:
The Internet.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 13,145
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From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.
Round headlights came in 1978 trucks, square headlights came in 1979 trucks. What year is your truck?
I got sealed beam silver star headlights right off the shelf at my local parts store for my '77 grill. My lights are brighter than my wife's '01 Olds Aurora.
To say square lights illuminate the road better than round lights is absolutely asinine! Just put in whatever one you feel like looking at when you walk past the front of the truck.
I got sealed beam silver star headlights right off the shelf at my local parts store for my '77 grill. My lights are brighter than my wife's '01 Olds Aurora.
To say square lights illuminate the road better than round lights is absolutely asinine! Just put in whatever one you feel like looking at when you walk past the front of the truck.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 348
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From: Hemet, California
Agreed^. The technology has come such a long way. If you like round go round (I prefer the round also). The only thing you'd have to worry about affecting vision at night is making sure they are adjusted right
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
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From: Great American SouthWest
It's my observation that 78's had round in the lower trim grades but rectangle in the higher grades. 79 had rectangle across all trim packages.
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PapaBearYuma
79 F350 460 C6 4x2
78 F150 351M C6 4x4
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PapaBearYuma
79 F350 460 C6 4x2
78 F150 351M C6 4x4
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Junior User
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As far ad availability or brightness there will be no difference but the grille shell isn't the only difference is it?
I was thinking the front core support has either square or roundholes where the lights attach?
I was thinking the front core support has either square or roundholes where the lights attach?
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by earthquake68
Round headlamps came in 1978 
trucks, square (rectangular) headlamps came in 1979 trucks.
trucks, square (rectangular) headlamps came in 1979 trucks.1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco with rectangular headlamps: The core support is dished inwards behind the headlamp buckets.
The rectangular headlamp buckets are longer than the round buckets, so it was necessary to change the core support in 1978, so the lamps would fit correctly.
Round headlamps used the same core support from 1973 thru 1979. But, most 1979's have rectangular headlamps.
Round headlamps were usually only used on 1979's that were sold as "fleet" vehicles. Most of these were "stripper" F100/150 Custom Flareside pickups sold to the gov't, construction and utility companies and etc.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
If you already have a 79 core support it set up (drilled) for 79 square headlights and buckets.
I think if you change to 78 round style you simple have to re drill a couple of holes to mount the different buckets.
Its about what ever style YOU like round or square, I vote for square. Unless you are going to put 2 PIAA's on a factory push bar, then round across the whole front end is great looking IMO.
I think if you change to 78 round style you simple have to re drill a couple of holes to mount the different buckets.
Its about what ever style YOU like round or square, I vote for square. Unless you are going to put 2 PIAA's on a factory push bar, then round across the whole front end is great looking IMO.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Great American SouthWest
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PapaBearYuma
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Thanks Everyone!
Yeah my friends statement about not being able to find the round lights didn't ring true to me. Thats whay I asked here.
My truck is very much a mix and match build. The frame and cab is a 79, the engine and tranny are from 76. The core support is supposed to be from a 79 but it doesn't match the other 79 ive seen.. Its bassically solid except for the radiator cut out and two round holes for wiring looms behind where each light goes.
Looking at other trucks locally it seems like either the square lights or round lights should fit into a 79 grill shell assuming you use the correct buckets.
The grill outer shell im planning to use is DC part number "d8tz-8200-a" with grill "d8tz 8150 c" and head light bucket "d8tz 13008 a" and headlight door "d8tz 13064".
Eventually i'd like to build a front bumper and mount additional driving lights.But thats a long way down the path. Im just doing body work and fitting panels for the first time right now. I figure it will be all winter before I can get the major components in for the final time.
I really like the look of the older round lights and from this thread it doesn't seem like there is any compromise on illumination. I think I'll go that route.
Thanks!
Yeah my friends statement about not being able to find the round lights didn't ring true to me. Thats whay I asked here.
My truck is very much a mix and match build. The frame and cab is a 79, the engine and tranny are from 76. The core support is supposed to be from a 79 but it doesn't match the other 79 ive seen.. Its bassically solid except for the radiator cut out and two round holes for wiring looms behind where each light goes.
Looking at other trucks locally it seems like either the square lights or round lights should fit into a 79 grill shell assuming you use the correct buckets.
The grill outer shell im planning to use is DC part number "d8tz-8200-a" with grill "d8tz 8150 c" and head light bucket "d8tz 13008 a" and headlight door "d8tz 13064".
Eventually i'd like to build a front bumper and mount additional driving lights.But thats a long way down the path. Im just doing body work and fitting panels for the first time right now. I figure it will be all winter before I can get the major components in for the final time.
I really like the look of the older round lights and from this thread it doesn't seem like there is any compromise on illumination. I think I'll go that route.
Thanks!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Looking at other trucks locally it seems like either the square lights or round lights should fit into a 79 grill shell assuming you use the correct buckets/headlamp doors and mounting parts.
The grill outer shell I'm planning to use is (DC is using the original FORD part numbers) D8TZ-8200-A
With grill insert D8TZ-8150-C (Plastic) Chrome and painted Light Argent.
Head light bucket D8TZ-13008-A RIGHT side only ROUND Headlamp ASSEMBLY, not the bucket only.
Headlight door D8TZ-13064-A RIGHT side only ROUND headlamp door.
The grill outer shell I'm planning to use is (DC is using the original FORD part numbers) D8TZ-8200-A
With grill insert D8TZ-8150-C (Plastic) Chrome and painted Light Argent.
Head light bucket D8TZ-13008-A
RIGHT side only ROUND Headlamp ASSEMBLY, not the bucket only. Headlight door D8TZ-13064-A
RIGHT side only ROUND headlamp door.
(sigh) What in the world are you planning to order?You better verify FIRST what you are buying, or you'll buy the WRONG fracatta parts!
D8TZ-13008-C is the RIGHT complete Rectanglar Headlamp Assy: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.
D8TZ-13008-D is the LEFT complete Rectangular Headlamp Assy: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco
2) D8BZ-13118-A .. R/L Rectangular Headlamp Bucket only.
Applications: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco / 1978/80 Granada/Monarch / 1978/83 Fairmont/Zephyr with single headlamps / 1978/91 Econoline / 1979/80 Pinto/Bobcat.
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D8TZ-13064-E .. RIGHT Rectangular Headlamp Door-Chrome Plastic: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.
D8TZ-13064-F .. LEFT Rectangular Headlamp Door-Chrome Plastic: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
What in the world?
You better verify FIRST what you are buying, or you'll buy the WRONG fracatta parts!
D8TZ-13008-C is the RIGHT complete Rectanglar Headlamp Assy: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.
D8TZ-13008-D is the LEFT complete Rectangular Headlamp Assy: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco
2) D8BZ-13118-A .. R/L Rectangular Headlamp Bucket only.
Applications: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco / 1978/80 Granada/Monarch / 1978/83 Fairmont/Zephyr with single headlamps / 1978/91 Econoline / 1979/80 Pinto/Bobcat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D8TZ-13064-E .. RIGHT Rectangular Headlamp Door-Chrome Plastic: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.
D8TZ-13064-F .. LEFT Rectangular Headlamp Door-Chrome Plastic: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.
You better verify FIRST what you are buying, or you'll buy the WRONG fracatta parts!
D8TZ-13008-C is the RIGHT complete Rectanglar
Headlamp Assy: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.D8TZ-13008-D is the LEFT complete Rectangular
Headlamp Assy: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco2) D8BZ-13118-A .. R/L Rectangular
Headlamp Bucket only. Applications: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco / 1978/80 Granada/Monarch / 1978/83 Fairmont/Zephyr with single headlamps / 1978/91 Econoline / 1979/80 Pinto/Bobcat.
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D8TZ-13064-E .. RIGHT Rectangular
Headlamp Door-Chrome Plastic: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.D8TZ-13064-F .. LEFT Rectangular
Headlamp Door-Chrome Plastic: 1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco.
I really like the look of the older round lights and from this thread it doesn't seem like there is any compromise on illumination. I think I'll go that route.