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Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:06 am

Saw this 1970 Euro model in the classifieds last night, and love the Euro style lights. Are they still around? The look like my buddies rear bus lights. Are they off of a bus or something else vw that I could mabe mod them from?

Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:40 am

Search the classifieds they are around and yes they are bus.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:58 am

These ones correct?

Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:57 am

Although I'm a semi-purist, I understand why some people don't like the elephant-foot lights.

But what about the large format flat lights? I've seen them in red/yellow and solid red. They lay totally flat, but they fit in the same hole and everything. You don't like those?

Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:54 pm

Have that style on my 72 bug, they look good on there. I just don't like the Thing lights being up so high. It is a much cleaner look IMO to have them lower with OEM lights.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:21 pm

But..but...how are you going to fill in the giant holes left by the other lights? Weld in metal?

Man, I wish I was good at fabrication like that.

Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:57 pm

Precisely. I'm looking for a set of junk quarter panels from the back of a bus that I can cut the mounting section outta. Then I'll cut a square around them, cut a square the same size outta the thing, and weld them in. Then I got the smooth piece I removed to fill the stock holes. You should see the other things I got up my sleeves for it :wink:

Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:26 pm

i guess i'd better go delete my ad before i start getting emails from you too. :wink:

Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:45 pm

Hey its your car, but why cut it up? It looks really solid! What rear lights were on there?

Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:59 pm

Bashr52 wrote: These ones correct?

Yes. Euro spec Things (181s 1969-78) had bus 1962-71 tailights : red and amber. Although the ones in your pic look like US spec bus taillights : all red. The red/amber ones are easily available in Europe (but expensive + shipping) and in selected places in the U.S. too. Mine :

Pierre

Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:43 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307266&highlight=

European lights have 2 bulbs per light and are red and amber.
US lights are all red and have only one bulb.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:33 am

At the very least, I'd prefer the red/amber bus lights. Frankly, I can't believe that all-red lights are still legal on U.S. vehicles (even new!). I've personally witnessed (too many times) people almost getting rear ended because a tail-gating a$$hole couldn't tell that someone had their turn signal on or thought someone was signaling when they were in fact, braking.

With an amber signal, there's less chance of confusion.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:32 pm

Looking to get a set of red/amber lenses for the bus lights, but it appears that was a European option so finding them in the US is kinda difficut.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:36 pm

I had all Red tail lights on my Bug for a year or so and never thought too much of it. I personally would not use these taillights on my Thing, but that is just me. I like stock.

Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:40 am

Bashr52 wrote: Hey its your car, but why cut it up? It looks really solid! What rear lights were on there?

yeh, it's pretty solid but i have another even solider one. 8)

the lights are the bus ones you're talking about. genuine 181 thing lights have a rubber cover over the rear of the lights inside the engine compartment.

i think your idea of cutting the light holes out of a bus and then welding them on to your car is a bit overkill, you'd get a better and quicker and cleaner result simply marking the oval shape and cutting that out of your corners. :idea:

Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:57 pm

The huge tail lights are the only item I dislike on my 74 Thing, but I'd rather look at them than modify it. Some day stock things will be worth some major coin, and I intend on cashing in when I'm too old to use mine. 8)

Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:33 pm

DMC-12 wrote: But what about the large format flat lights? I've seen them in red/yellow and solid red. They lay totally flat, but they fit in the same hole and everything.
Okay, I'll bite. :lol: How do the flat (or domed) lights swap? The ad I see from CIP states "complete assembly." Besides the retaining screws, what else is needed? How does one change/connect the wiring? I would be interested if I could swap back and forth.

Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:25 pm

oasis wrote: DMC-12 wrote: But what about the large format flat lights? I've seen them in red/yellow and solid red. They lay totally flat, but they fit in the same hole and everything.
Okay, I'll bite. :lol: How do the flat (or domed) lights swap? The ad I see from CIP states "complete assembly." Besides the retaining screws, what else is needed? How does one change/connect the wiring? I would be interested if I could swap back and forth.

i have the cip ones. yes they bolt right in...no mods required. the wiring is the same(?) too but i cant get mine to work properly. ive looked em over really carefully and it all looks straight forward enough, but...

...so im running the stock ones, starting to grow on me too!