Strictly Old School: The Parabolic Arc Reflector Spotlight.

[Lefty]

I still remember vividly the advent of the old Ford Ranger Splash. It was meant to be a sports truck from the very beginning, a nod to those good old days when people owned and restored vintage step side pickups, then used them to haul playful stuff, maybe a couple of surf boards or a dirt bike.

The concept was not at all uncommon. Ford redesigned the Mustang since, an obvious nostalgic nod to its muscle car roots in the sixties and seventies.

The Splash ran its course in time, but the original flare side became reincarnated into the XLT and the Edge, no doubt different kinds of sports trucks which flouted rugged off road looks.

I have always liked the idea but thought Ford didn't go far enough. The vintage trucks were made with Parabolic Arc Reflector spotlights, headlights, which were always round. Tail lights too, often came that way. Those PARs focussed light into a beam and threw it as far outward as possible. Like it or not, it was part of the overall design. It gave the front end clear "bright eyes," putting something of a face on the truck.

So, I went strictly old school with my own Edge. I put new clear lenses on the front to bring out the old PAR look. I changed the grill too. Just recently I did the same in back. The kit I chose came with clear lenses and PARs. Most importantly, they came with a third bulb, making the lights brighter and increasing their throw. In keeping with the old school tradition, I also lowered the Edge an inch, gave it dual exhausts, and put in a wooden pickup bed.

I hope you enjoy what I've done to our truck.

 

[superj]

the front doesn't look too much different, but the taillights really made it look different.


i am going to put duals out the back too, old school cool

 

[Lefty]

the front doesn't look too much different, but the taillights really made it look different.


i am going to put duals out the back too, old school cool

Duals helped to give more mileage and horsepower. I don't have any supporting data. I just notice the a more responsive gas pedal.

I put in an efan, a performance K7N air filter, a performance chip, and a new ignition all at the same time. They have all helped but my guess is that the filter and the duals made for most of the difference.

 

[Lefty]

My own inspiration came from bygone days. I remember when gas stations were independently owned and operated, when there wasn't a store or a snack bar inside, just a one or two stall garage. At least one mechanic was on duty all the time, and service was first class.

Most had a pickup parked in front too, a regular cab of course, maybe even a step side too. It was probably 20 years old, but well taken care of, loved. The name of the station was probably hand painted on the doors. They were modified simply, and always in more practical ways. Many had dual exhausts and a big box of tools in back. A few had tow points, some perhaps, came with a winch.

These photos express my muse, my inner Ford Ranger. How about you?

 

[JoshT]

I gotta admit that I don't really see what you did. Installed aftermarket headlights with clear instead of diffuser lenses and black backgound? That mod has been around for years.

The rear is easy to see, but I can't say I care for them. To each his own I guess.

Yes the old school headlightrsr had a parabolic reflector, but they also needed the diffuser in the lens (glass) to spread out the light and not blind oncoming traffic. Factory versions of the lights you post as well as other factory headlamps are designed to do the same thing. Some using the reflectors to diffuse (euro style clear lens) and others with a lens diffuser.

I just don't understand the point of the thread other than posting the pictures of your truck which would have been better done in one of the subforums below this one.

 

[Lefty]

My changes are subtle. Personally I like round lights. Granted, they are not the old glass lights, but they still give the front a face. The front grill took a long time to fabricate. The Edge came with an entirely monochromatic look which was boring and all black.

Speaking of which, I went a little further, and put a wooden bed in the box. You may not like it. That's okay. To each his own. Rangers are easy to restore and easy to modify. This is my version. I don't expect to start a new trend.

I hope not too, in fact. Sorry if the photos seem gratuitous. I also thought folks here might appreciate looking at old trucks which are still working hard today.

I'm always curious about what others have done. I don't care if they have been raised outrageously high to crawl through the swamps, or gone "Truxarosa." I enjoy looking at what others have done. So I'm posting this foto again, showing the new old school wooden bed.

Show us yours, please!

 

[1990RangerinSK]

My changes are subtle. Personally I like round lights. Granted, they are not the old glass lights, but they still give the front a face. The front grill took a long time to fabricate. The Edge came with an entirely monochromatic look which was boring and all black.

Speaking of which, I went a little further, and put a wooden bed in the box. You may not like it. That's okay. To each his own. Rangers are easy to restore and easy to modify. This is my version. I don't expect to start a new trend.

I hope not too, in fact. Sorry if the photos seem gratuitous. I also thought folks here might appreciate looking at old trucks which are still working hard today.

I'm always curious about what others have done. I don't care if they have been raised outrageously high to crawl through the swamps, or gone "Truxarosa." I enjoy looking at what others have done. So I'm posting this foto again, showing the new old school wooden bed.

Show us yours, please!

It's not necessarily something I would do, but that bed looks great.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I still remember vividly the advent of the old Ford Ranger Splash. It was meant to be a sports truck from the very beginning, a nod to those good old days when people owned and restored vintage step side pickups, then used them to haul playful stuff, maybe a couple of surf boards or a dirt bike.

The concept was not at all uncommon. Ford redesigned the Mustang since, an obvious nostalgic nod to its muscle car roots in the sixties and seventies.

The Splash ran its course in time, but the original flare side became reincarnated into the XLT and the Edge, no doubt different kinds of sports trucks which flouted rugged off road looks.

I have always liked the idea but thought Ford didn't go far enough. The vintage trucks were made with Parabolic Arc Reflector spotlights, headlights, which were always round. Tail lights too, often came that way. Those PARs focussed light into a beam and threw it as far outward as possible. Like it or not, it was part of the overall design. It gave the front end clear "bright eyes," putting something of a face on the truck.

So, I went strictly old school with my own Edge. I put new clear lenses on the front to bring out the old PAR look. I changed the grill too. Just recently I did the same in back. The kit I chose came with clear lenses and PARs. Most importantly, they came with a third bulb, making the lights brighter and increasing their throw. In keeping with the old school tradition, I also lowered the Edge an inch, gave it dual exhausts, and put in a wooden pickup bed.

I hope you enjoy what I've done to our truck.

Again, not necessarily something I would do, but it does look good. Any chance of some pictures in the dark with the lights on?