TheSamba.com :: View topic - BusDepot VisionKit -vs- GoWesty High Power Headlight Kit ?

Mon May 14, 2012 8:21 pm

Hi All,

I've read a bunch of threads about high powered headlight kits so I know I want to do it on my new van ASAP. I don't do a lot of night driving, but when I do it's usually in the middle of nowhere so I need to have good lights on my ride.

Is there any difference between the kits that BusDepot and GoWesty offer?
They look basically the same, but I wanted to see if any of you knew for sure.

GoWesty has 'em on sale right now for $65, and BusDepot has them at their normal price of $75.

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3093&category_id=334&category_parent_id=

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=VISIONKIT2

Mon May 14, 2012 8:28 pm

I built my own, so I do not have experience with either, but they look to be identical. I'd go with the GW's due to the cost. FWIW :)

Mon May 14, 2012 10:26 pm

your money would be better spent on a set of euro spec headlamps. the us spec headlights dont get much better with brighter bulbs.

Tue May 15, 2012 3:48 am

Without a set of headlight relays installed, you can't safely upgrade the bulb wattage regardless of the type of lens you choose.

Upgrading the bulbs and cleaning the inside of the lenses will make a huge difference, even with the stock DOT rectangle setup. I have done this for several people and the difference in output is unquestionably noticeable.

I am not sure what GoWesty uses for relays these days, but the relays from Bus Depot are definitely 40A, which will easily handle the load of the higher wattage bulbs. I am sure a quick call to GoWesty would let you know what amperage their relays are.

When planning to run higher than normal wattage bulbs, be sure to check the condition of the wiring as well as the connectors that go to the bulbs. If anything appears suspect, it is better to replace parts now than to lose your lights when you need them most.

It has been my experience when upgrading bulbs in the stock lenses that the 100W H3 inner bulbs do not last very long. I typically recommend 80/100W in the mains and 55W in the inner high beams. With clean, well aimed lenses, this should be more than enough light for most people. In fact, I have never had anyone come back and ask me to increase the wattage of the inner bulbs.

Tue May 15, 2012 6:30 am

I purchased the "hot start" kit from this Samba vendor (see below) and it was first rate, qualtiy product. If I hadn't already bought a headlight kit I would have bought it from him as well. I like supporting our members whenever possible.

https://sites.google.com/site/vanagonheadlightrelays/

Tue May 15, 2012 6:31 am

I purchased the "hot start" kit from this Samba vendor (see below) and it was first rate, qualtiy product. If I hadn't already bought a headlight kit I would have bought it from him as well. I like supporting our members whenever possible.

https://sites.google.com/site/vanagonheadlightrelays/

Tue May 15, 2012 6:45 am

I have the GW kit. It was easy to install, and I am very happy with the light it produces. It is a huge difference.

Tue May 15, 2012 7:14 am

r.e.wing_fc3s wrote: your money would be better spent on a set of euro spec headlamps. the us spec headlights dont get much better with brighter bulbs.

Um... and just where does anyone find euro spec headlights? And not pay serious money for them?

The OP asked about GW vs BD kits. I installed the BD kit and I am, in fact, quite pleased with the result. And this from someone who started out with "HID's or die!". The conversion is easy and the lights really do their job. Yes, I would like to have euro spec lenses, with their improved cutoff and light patterns. Even looking on the German market, prices are... well... outrageous.

There are rumors that, for some reason, Norway is an elephant's graveyard for these lights (somehow Norway has a lot of them?), but I've seen no proof of this. And I have looked in Germany - the lights are scarce and spendy.

Bottom line: my recommendation is to go with Bus Depot.

DISCLAIMER: I have no connection with Go Westy or Bus Depot save as a customer.

Tue May 15, 2012 7:20 am

If you own a 7" round headlight van you can get nice hella housings from here. The Hellas with upgraded wiring and relays are really nice.

Tue May 15, 2012 7:24 am

Good point - I'm thinking about the rectangular euro lights.

Tue May 15, 2012 7:35 am

RBEmerson wrote: Good point - I'm thinking about the rectangular euro lights.
Them's PRICEY!

Bright light kits.

Bang for buck.. The GW, BD of VC kits are all pretty much the same.
Or That VWBusGuy has the relay kit and then one can buy the bulbs separately..

OP is in Cali and if he can wait for BD's shipping, he saves on sales tax.. but VC and GW will get thier kits to his door in 2 days by regular UPS or USPS.

Pretty hard to beat these bright light kits for under well $100.. where the other "kit" options like the SA grill run into $300, 400 and up.

Tue May 15, 2012 8:03 am

Yeah, well... BD is about 15 minutes from here. And Ron is an occasional poster here. And he's been very helpful with looking up EKTA stuff for me. So BD gets the nod. :D

We visit Germany at least twice a year (family) and, since buying our Westy, I've looked around for stuff. Even over there, T3 Westys are surprisingly scarce. Even more so for a set of "rechteckige Scheinwerfer". Worse, there's a guy with a late T3 with the "good" headlights living around the corner from the in-laws. One of these days the guy is going to wake up to find some really cool DOT-approved lenses in his van! :twisted:

Tue May 15, 2012 8:47 am

RBEmerson wrote: Worse, there's a guy with a late T3 with the "good" headlights living around the corner from the in-laws. One of these days the guy is going to wake up to find some really cool DOT-approved lenses in his van! :twisted:
Oh. You bad... :oops:

My H4 rectangs sit on the shelf. I am somewhat embarassed by what they cost... One used. One brand new in a box. I want some protection for them before install. Deciding between the film and the plastic covers.

That said.. my 80/100w kit from GW has served me well for 8yrs. It was one of the first "mods" I made to the van.
I drive many of the roads that the OP is likely to drive and seldom find the need for the 100w high beams. 80w seems to do the trick when aimed properly.

Methinks the H4s approach the "law of diminishing returns"

Tue May 15, 2012 9:11 am

I use Cee Bailey plastic covers on all of my bike lights. Taking a rock in a BMW K-bike lens is up with the cost of H4's (or worse). Between the thickness of the plastic and the gap between the plastic and the lens, as well as the plastic material itself, IMHO, this is the way to go. Films... I just don't see them absorbing the kinetic energy in flying debris as effectively.

If H4's were closer to the cost of bulbs alone, they'd be a win. But then, if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. :lol:

Tue May 15, 2012 9:54 am

I have rectangular euro H4s with hard plastic covers plus the headlight relay kit and high output light bulbs from VanCafe. I'm very happy with this setup.

I would start with the headlight relay kit followed by high output bulbs and a nice cleaning job of the stock lenses as suggested above.

Tue May 15, 2012 4:17 pm

How much do used square euro H4's go for over there? I have a set somewhere i might sell...

Tue May 15, 2012 4:51 pm

ThorAlex wrote: How much do used square euro H4's go for over there? I have a set somewhere i might sell...

a good set (little to no pitting), when available, used to go for somewhere around $400-$500. I have a spare set of square H4s that I bought 3 months ago for $400.

Tue May 15, 2012 8:52 pm

So where do you guys get those plastic covers for the headlights?

I can say I added relays to my stock 87 square lights, and there was NO difference.

Has anyone had heat problems with the 80/100 bulbs in the stock housings with the relay kits installed?

Tue May 15, 2012 9:24 pm

Plastic covers used to be available at BusDepot but it should not be difficult to make your own. They are also available in a couple of Geman online stores for Vanagons.

I have not had any heat problems running the 100w/80w bulbs.

Tue May 15, 2012 9:28 pm

Going to higher wattage bulbs can sometimes have negative effects on the 21+ year old stock plastic connectors. I have seen scorching and melting on several connectors over the last few years. This is especially true of the 9004 style connector, where the plug is recessed into the base of the bulb shroud.

There are several good high temperature ceramic replacement 9004 connectors available online. The best overall quality and service I have found is from these guys:

http://www.headlightplugs.com/4.7.ht.html

Whenever I do a headlight relay install for someone, I do a before and after reading with my photometer on a tripod 18" away from the center of the main bulb. On average, I see about a 15% increase in lumen output after adding new headlight ground connectors (at the grounding stars) and the relays alone. Once the Hella 80/100W bulbs are installed, the difference is dramatic.

For stock rectangular headlights, the importance of cleaning the inside of the lens and ensuring that the grounds to the bulbs are in good shape really can't be overstated if you want to enjoy good lighting in your van.