Meet Red, my 81 Restomod Build
- Thread starter Randyzzz
- Start date
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Ok- yes, with a little elbow grease and some ingenuity the $16.99 Amazon Harley headlamp mounts work. First off, the powder coatings is really good on these. Also, they have 3 point adjustment instead of 2- but you have to remove the bezel to get to the 3rd point.
To get the Bezel to fit, I first cut a slot behind the factory slot. A Dremel made this easy. This will accommodate the Jeep bezel upper mount
Next, I simply bent the lower tab to face outward instead of inward. Sorry, no before pic but the ad illustration above shows it. Then, re-tap the threads to 8/32. Grind the end a bit and also grind the backside of the bezel where the screw goes through so they mate on a flat plane.
Hit it with some black epoxy rattle can. Now, grind the head down on a couple of stainless 8/32 screws. Chuck the threaded portion of the screw in your cordless drill, and run it against your belt sander. They come out nice that way.
Now bolt it all up, sit back, and admire your work. I won’t say the Harley headlamp mounts are as rugged as the factory ones, but they clear the bulbs and have tons of clearance out back. The lamps themselves are held in place by 3 small coil springs with the adjustment bolts going through them- so it’s sort of a shock mount. It worked, so I’m happy. I turned the three adjustment screws back some so the lamp retainers don’t stick out too far.
To get the Bezel to fit, I first cut a slot behind the factory slot. A Dremel made this easy. This will accommodate the Jeep bezel upper mount
Next, I simply bent the lower tab to face outward instead of inward. Sorry, no before pic but the ad illustration above shows it. Then, re-tap the threads to 8/32. Grind the end a bit and also grind the backside of the bezel where the screw goes through so they mate on a flat plane.
Hit it with some black epoxy rattle can. Now, grind the head down on a couple of stainless 8/32 screws. Chuck the threaded portion of the screw in your cordless drill, and run it against your belt sander. They come out nice that way.
Now bolt it all up, sit back, and admire your work. I won’t say the Harley headlamp mounts are as rugged as the factory ones, but they clear the bulbs and have tons of clearance out back. The lamps themselves are held in place by 3 small coil springs with the adjustment bolts going through them- so it’s sort of a shock mount. It worked, so I’m happy. I turned the three adjustment screws back some so the lamp retainers don’t stick out too far.
Dave The Sparky
Rebuilding my CJ8 very,very slowly...
- City
- Halifax
- State
- UK
Red has gained a lot of character of his/her own with those headlamps, in my opinion its kind of made it come alive for some reason. 
Making me think about painting my chrome bezels black now just to see what they would look like, no doubt its been done before but i think you may have started a trend here
Making me think about painting my chrome bezels black now just to see what they would look like, no doubt its been done before but i think you may have started a trend here
- City
- Bedford
- State
- NH
It really does add the "eyes" and soul to it... I did black on my silver CJ7 a long time ago and it really changed the overall look/demeanor of it.Red has gained a lot of character of his/her own with those headlamps, in my opinion its kind of made it come alive for some reason.
Making me think about painting my chrome bezels black now just to see what they would look like, no doubt its been done before but i think you may have started a trend here
This looks great ^^^
cb
Belizeit
CJ-8 Member
- City
- River Ridge
- State
- La
X3. Was almost waiting for a video of Red speaking.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Thanks everyone! I was able to turn in all the adjustment screws to the point that the retaining ring was flush with the front of the bezel. There’s about 3/16 more room, but I want to get the lights aimed first, and then take them as far back as possible.
I agree, Red now has eyes and is developing a personality. The look reminds me of something, I just can’t place it.
- City
- Redmond
- State
- OR
Do you love her as much as that first love ?
Hmmm. In the interest of self preservation- my wife of 42 years was my first love, so no.
RockTractor
Basic User
- City
- Albuquerque
- State
- NM
Randy,
Great work! I'm loving the black trim.
I will have to revisit this when it comes time to put lights in mine.
Great work! I'm loving the black trim.
I will have to revisit this when it comes time to put lights in mine.
- City
- Redding
- State
- Ca
Looks great Randy! The red really pops - especially with the sun hitting it.
- City
- Dexter
- State
- MI
You should see it in person!!!
- City
- Ducor
- State
- Ca
Very nice 
Shark Bait
CJ-8 Member
- City
- Charleston
- State
- WV
Looks great!
nashmotors
New member
- City
- Prineville
- State
- OR
Hey Randy this is John Nash can you give me a call 541 815 7481