Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Driving lights that look like fog lights that light up the road?

Yes Otto, please do. I think someone may have removed my adjusters or something. A pic would help thanks.

In the first photo the slotted screw at the very top is the vertical adjuster.

My screwdriver is pointing to both the vertical adjuster and the horizontal adjuster.

The last two pics are closeups of the vertical adjuster screw.

Since sealed beam headlights are universal, I imagine the screws are pretty easily obtained - even at a junkyard.

I think the lights on the 38 were bulbs originally and if they were changed to sealed beam there would be no adjustment other than moving the base . Do a search on adjustment 1938 chev headlights.

Yes, I forgot he had a 38 that had been converted to sealed beams. Hopefully the guy that did the conversion installed sealed beam headlight buckets if not, he'll have to adjust the aim with the bolts on the inside of the hood

I checked the book again. Looks like the sealed beams came out in 1939.

These might work: https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/dept/Lights/cat/Headlights.html

"I think the lights on the 38 were bulbs originally and if they were changed to sealed beam there would be no adjustment other than moving the base"

Interesting.. I wonder why they were changed to sealed beam. Correct, I have none of those adjusters. Hmm.. I did a search on '38 truck headlights but its so long ago.. I cant find anything decent. I dont even know what was before sealed beam.. I thought it was lanterns lol. Gord I am thinking I would have to convert the lights to the link you mention to get them aimed or yes adjust the buckets somehow. I hate to replace anything from original but will look at both options. Thanks for the info on this guys.

Heres another pic of the truck btw; its getting there..

Sealed beams were installed because they shine a lot brighter and farther than the old fashioned lamp bulbs. Unfortunately the person that changed yours either didn't aim the headlights or left out key pieces.

The original headlights had removable glass lenses so that the bulb inside could be replaced whereas the modern sealed beam headlight incorporated the bulb inside the lens and reflector "sealing" it as a single , replaceable unit.

If you have a manual for the '38, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to adjust the headlights on your truck.

They are aimed by rotating the stalk on which the headlight pod is mounted. To be clear, the entire assembly is aimed, not just the lens and bulb. The entire tear drop shaped pod swivels up and down and should move at an angle to adjust left and right.

Again, I don't think you need to convert anything. You'd be trading a horse for a mule. You already have two perfectly functioning headlights located at the height that headlights are supposed to be. Why go through the trouble of installing a second set of headlights down on the bumper that will probably be too low to use anyway? People replace bulbs and lenses with sealed beam headlights on 1930s cars all the time.

Just figure out the proper method for adjusting the lights for your truck. If you had the original bulb style lights you'd still have to aim them properly using the same method.

Are the sealed beam headlights at least installed in the correct up and down orientation? In other words, can you read the maker's name in the center?

How are they held in place? Did they use headlight buckets froma more recent vehicle? There are locating studs cast into the glass lenses. Are thoise wedged into locating slots?