Auto light 6 volt headlight

Hi,
I was checking out our 47 jeep today, and noticed that one of the headlights is made by auto-lite and has the same symbol as the early auto-lite ALA taillights and it has a unique looking lens.  Its an interesting part, does anyone know if it is original for the later 2As?  I know that Corcoran-Browns were used early on, but what about on the later models?

Daniel

Danial,

 

Does the light have a metal back, separate bulb inside the outer lens, and the outer lens has a Ø1.50 smooth spot in the center?  Is the number at the top of lens 804? The earliest I've seen that light is on 1950 CJ3A.

 

Here's what I find when I consult the parts manuals.

Group 15-08 Sealed Beams and Lamps (this is the lamp by itself)

Group 15-09 Headlights (this one is the entire housing assembly)

 

1) CJ2A 1st Edition (1945)

-- p/n 640837 Sealed Beam, 6-8V., 32 cp, head light. (shows up same in both groups)

 

2) CJ2A 2nd Edition (1947)

 -- p/n 640837 Sealed Beam, 6-8V., 32 cp, head (same in both groups)

 -- p/n 644449 Sealed Beam, head light (unit) (for head lights 644519-20) (Export only) (group 15-08)

 

3) CJ2A & CJ3A 3rd Edition (1949)

-- p/n 640837 UNIT, sealed beam, 6-8V., 32 cp, headlight, assembly (use 117730) (group 15-08)

-- p/n 640837 UNIT, sealed beam, 6-8V., 32 cp, headlight, assembly (group 15-09)

-- p/n 117730 UNIT, sealed beam, headlight, assembly (group 15-08)

-- p/n 644449 UNIT, sealed beam, head light, assembly (Export) (group 15-08)

 

4) Willys Master Parts List (1950)

-- p/n 117730  Unit, sealed beam, headlight, assembly (group 15-08)

-- p/n 117730  Sealed Beam Unit, headlight, assembly (group 15-09)

-- p/n 644449 Unit, sealed beam, headlight, assembly (Export) (group 15-08)

-- p/n 644449 Sealed Beam Unit, headlight, assembly (Export) (group 15-09)

-- p/n 649754 Sealed Beam Unit, headlight, assembly (For Auto-lite Headlight Only) (group 15-09)

 

 

This is hard to summarize as there seams to be a lot going on here, but here's my best stab at it. Note: assembly means the head light only, not the housing, screws, wires, ect, ect.

 

It seams that p/n 640837 is the Corcoran-Brown Head light (lamp only). It was used and available form Willys as a single lamp up until at least 1949. Some time between 1945 and 1947 an export version appears. I'm not sure what the difference would be. Maybe there’s a different Candle Power restriction. Any of our overseas friends have insight on this? Sometime between 1947 and 1949 the lamp (640837) is pointed to a different part number (117730) with the old one still being available in group 15-09.  Notice that the part description for 640837 changes ever so slightly as well. In 1950, 640837 is no longer listed and there are still the same part numbers showing up in different groups with slightly different descriptions.

 

Now for the answer to Danial’s question. The Auto-lite lamp is specifically called out as part number 649754 in the 1950 Master Parts Manual as a unique lamp for the 4WD Station Wagon (4x4-63).  I don’t know much about the station wagons, but maybe it was originally an option for a brighter headlight.

To add to Joes descriptiions, the '53 Mechanics manual says:

• CJ2A (+ some other models) - "Corcoran Brown"
• CJ3A (+ some other models) - just "sealed beam", no brand name

Considering that Corcoran Brown was a wholly owned subsidiary of Autolite, and the "Corcoran Brown" branding was discontinued sometime late '40s or 'early '50s, it could be that CJ3A onward had "autolite" headlamps, and any replacements would have been Autolite or 3rd party.

Sean

Daniel:

You have a winner!  That's an Autolite "Bullseye" lamp, that Joe described earlier.

If you can find another, you've got a perfectly acceptable pair of service replacement lamps.

Problem is finding one cheap enough.  They've been selling on ebay for over $100 per pair used.  One NOS pair fetched $260!

Sean