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"Temporary" cheap headlight adjusters w/pics
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twscott
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:32 pm    Post subject: "Temporary" cheap headlight adjusters w/pics Reply with quote

Last spring I discovered several broken or non-functioning headlight adjusters just prior to leaving on a longer trip. Put in an order with Van Cafe, but knew they wouldn't be here in time and wanted to have something to secure the headlights and adjust them at least a little. Came up with this fix using drywall anchors, washers, and some spare fuel line. Worked well enough that I just got around to changing them out for the real thing, a year and a half later Confused .

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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PDXWesty
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

BRILLIANT!!!
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Christopher Schimke
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

HA!!! you know what's really interesting about this? In the early '90's, I built a custom Mazda mini truck that I grafted Jetta headlights into the grill. The way that I mounted the Jetta headlights to the Mazda core support and adjusted them is EXACTLY like what you just did. EXACTLY THE SAME! Nice job!
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dubstar
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the dead bug is a nice touch...
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K58
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dubstar wrote:
the dead bug is a nice touch...

yeah!
nice idea...I'll never buy another one of those overpriced POS OEM adjusters!!!
could have resized the pics though
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Belladonna30c
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bump. This is cool.

Bookmarked for our next project to upgrade/replace our headlights.
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indytriple
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can confirm that this works great if you're in a pinch (for a year or two).
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I two have a few of these..

Pics worked for me.. Shocked
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Jake de Villiers
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

[email protected] wrote:

Pics worked for me.. Shocked


Ditto - I love it when people post big pix! Wink
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Neptuno
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:29 am    Post subject: Re: "Temporary" cheap headlight adjusters w/pics Reply with quote

twscott wrote:
Last spring I discovered several broken or non-functioning headlight adjusters just prior to leaving on a longer trip. Put in an order with Van Cafe, but knew they wouldn't be here in time and wanted to have something to secure the headlights and adjust them at least a little. Came up with this fix using drywall anchors, washers, and some spare fuel line. Worked well enough that I just got around to changing them out for the real thing, a year and a half later Confused .

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



These pictures are worth a million words!!!
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IdahoDoug
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did this yesterday. Bravo for an excellent fix! Thanks again Samba.
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Reckless Amateur
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PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This looks like the way to go-the idea of paying nearly $100 for a bunch of brittle plastic anchors and screws seems pretty goofy. BUT, can somebody who's DIYed it like this give me a little help on size of drywall anchors and washers before I head off to the hardware store, and maybe even length to cut the fuel hose? And (since I don't have the Westy sitting in front of me) how many adjusters are there?

These stock adjusters seem like they're among the lamest parts VW put into the ol Vanagon. Thanks for any and all help.
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campism
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PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2012 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

E-clips from Lowe's or HoDepot work well on the fixed posts. Just trim the rubber hose until you get the proper tension to hold everything in place.
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brownbus78
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm glad I found this. The stock adjusters on mine are shot.
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davevickery
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another way to do it using 2 of those fasteners together. A nylon lock nut holds the screw end in place.
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Red Beard
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This actually looks better/more durable than the crappy plastic stock ones.
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luVWagn
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any lengths of fuel line as recommendations?
Details on drywall toggle diameters, or are they standard sizing?

I just broke all these adjusters while putting in new bulbs...
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Racerrojo
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah!
I have two set of square head lights but the adjusters are all crap, and this will allow the look i want on the "85 I'm working on, that and the relay upgrade, should do the trick, a little of topic but... should I change the bulbs or are the relays enough for better lighting?
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IdahoDoug
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Roughly an inch so buy a foot and youll have plenty iirc. There are two lengths one slightly less than an inch n one slightly more than a half inch. The compress to an amazing degree so better an eighth inch long than too short. Toggles are std size.
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kg0483
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know this is an older post but I have to say thank you so much for this DIY fix!!! Very Happy I was about to waste $80 Shocked and buy the kit from Vancafe. What a total rip that would have been. Evil or Very Mad I can't justify spending that kind of money on screws and little bits of plastic.
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