Farmall Cub

TM Tractor used to sell a light unit that looked just like a pancake light on the outside, but had guts similar to the old bullet style on the inside.

I've got a pair of those... and broke a lens.

At one time you could buy a conversion kit for your pancake housings, but those are long gone...

Any ideas how to replace that lens and get the "right" look without having to buy a $50 sealed beam bulb?

If I didn't care about the look I would use my patented bulb conversion technique... I do have a stash of old burned out pancake bulbs... Do any of you know/think it would be possible to separate the lens from the body on one of those?

Matt:
I have been told that PILOT KNOB RESTORATIONS has that kit . I would like to eventually buy those for my 1957 CUB, but in the mean time I went to NAPA and bought the newer sealed beam style. Thanks to information on this forum I was able to fit them into that PANCAKE housing and everything works great.

Baldwindiesel

Baldwindiesel, what was the NAPA number? Thanks.

Matt Kirsch wrote:Do any of you know/think it would be possible to separate the lens from the body on one of those?

I've done it. It has been a long time so I don't remember exactly. But as I recall, the lens and reflector have some sort of RTV like material between them and there is a band around the joint (or maybe the reflector edge is crimped). Just start tearing off whatever is on the edge and they eventually come apart.

Sorry, I no longer have the NAPA number as I thru the boxes away. They can look it up for you, be sure to get the right voltage bulb in case you now have a 12 volt system.

baldwindiesel

I don't recall the #, but it is a common, inexpensive 4" bulb. It will have indexing bosses cast on the rear of the bulb. You will have to CAREFULLY grind them down and fabricate a short ground wire for one terminal. Its not difficult by any means, and beats the heck out of paying the big bucks for a reproduction bulb.

4511

Yup 4411 for the 12V and 4511 for the 6V IIRC.

SUCCESS! I harvested a lens from one of my dud bulbs.

... and boy do I feel gypped!

Those sealed beams aren't really sealed beams! There is a steel reflector crimped around a glass lens. Inside, is basically just a PLAIN OLD BULB, soldered into the center of the reflector! For want of a $2 bulb, you have to buy the whole $42+ "sealed beam" unit.

Who says making things unrepairable so expensive proprietary parts is a new thing?

Thanks guys, We are going to town on Friday and will pick up some of the 6-volt bulbs (4511).

Matt:
Since you took an original lense apart was it possible to replace the inner bulb and put the sealed beam back together ????
I saved my old original ones just in case.


Baldwindiesel