Hidden Safety Features
 

I am so happy to be part of this forum...so many people have come up with great ideas to help me keep my Model A running like a champ!!!

I am trying to keep my 1930 Tudor looking like it did from the factory, but I am also trying to make it safer and drive better. I am quite happy with the LED lights, tubed radial tires and other improvements and I would like to do more.

The LED headlights and taillights make driving at night more like driving a modern car, but when I have to back down a driveway it can become quite challenging. I am thinking about adding some hidden LED backup lights and replacing the standard small round mirrors with some slightly bigger round mirrors so I can see behind the car better. Has anyone tried this?

I am also looking for any other ideas that people have that will keep the car looking original, but make it safer and drive better.

Thank you....

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

On my '31 pickup, in addition to LED headlights and LED tail/stop/turn lights, I have 5" round mirrors on both sides, and backup lights that come on automatically when I put it in reverse. Serves me well.

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

Carl, how did you do the switching when you put the car in reverse? I have not figured out how to do that.

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

I’ll be following this one closely. Adding reverse lights is much higher on the list now that I drive more at night. Riding the brakes while backing up doesn’t quite cut it.

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

With moderns I will turn the headlights off when backing, also riding the brakes to keep the brake lights lit. Turn your headlights off, let your eyes adjust and give it a try !

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

Signal lights come to mind.

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

Install a fuse if you do not have one. Most convert to a starter mounted fuse, which fuses everything except the starter. Vendors carry the kit.



Add the grounding mod. Add a Ground cable from where the braided woven ground cable attaches to the frame to a transmission/bell housing bolt. Improves grounding throughout the A.



Install a new 1 piece aluminum 2 blade fan. Other types crack and throw the blades., very dangerous.


Fuel Shutoff pencil filter - screen/filters gas from getting into the shutoff valve and rest of fuel system. Grit/rust can score the internals of the valve, wrecking it.



Optional -Not safety related - install a leakless water pump, keeps things tidy in the engine bay, and if no coolant leaks you have the option of using antifreeze if desired.



Optional - Upper coolant hose/neck temp gauge. Helps monitor coolant temp, lets you know issues before the motor overheats. Not original looking.



Optional - Thermostat - keeps motor running optimally, helps prevent sludge/contamination from forming when motor does not run hot enough to burn off the condensation and contamination in the oil.


Optional - Upper hose coolant filter - keeps crud/rust out of the radiator, preventing plugging up your radiator.


Optional - Pleated gas filter in sediment bowl. Additional gas filtering.


Optional - LED 3rd brake light strip. I have one on my truck tailgate and have noticed quite a difference with people noticing to slow down and keep their distance when I am stopping and turning corners. Not original looking, but definitely a safety item.


Optional - Conversion to Cast Iron Brake Drums and Woven Brake Shoes/Linings - expensive. If Brake system is adjusted and restored the A can almost stop on a dime and the brakes will lock up/skid tires even at low speeds. Safety

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

I got two pair of high power LEDs in a "bolt type " housing. They really light up whats behind the car. As I have an F150 trans it has a backup light switch built in. I used the threaded end to hold on the license plate. I then ran the wires behind the plate holder and glued them in place. I think these are only 12v, not sure.
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Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

I put a backup camera with a switch and when I backup I just flip the switch and the LED
tail lights give enough light. The viewing screen is on a bracket mounted just below the
left side of the windshield

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

I think Tom Endy had an article on backup cameras.

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

I'm watching this one. I have a reversing camera in a box that I have never installed because the instructions are written in "Chinglish". I'd like to instal it but the screen, small as it is wouldn't look right in a Model A. The connection between camera and screen is wireless so installation shouldn't be difficult if the instructions were in some readable form on English.
Visibility out of the back of these cars is very poor except for pickups.

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

I'd like to know the answer to that one too.

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

I think Carl has an F-150 4 speed?

Re: Hidden Safety Features
 

Put a spring center toggle switch on your shifter,control it that way