headlights - go big or go home?

[easilydistracted]

So... a lot of people want the smaller custom/motorbike style headlights on their buggys... not me. I'm a fan of the toy car look so I'm wanting bigger lights to make it look a bit more comical and friendly...

Does anyone here use bigger lights on their buggy?
If so, could you post a pic and say how big they are?
Anyone using bigger than 9 inchers?
or is that the point where it gets a little too much?

what are your thoughts?
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It's about the going, not the showing.

[germanx]

Sizewise, I prefer the friendly and comic-like looking large bulps. That is purely subjective.
Another partially subjective aspect is the style of the buggy - overall the headlights have to match or melt in, not stick out in specific.

One limit you might face with very large dimensions is the lamp glass and metal case add up to some significant weight. A very heavy headlamp in combination with the vibrations during rides might cause structural damage (cracking) in the fiberglass around the mounting whole over time.
But this all of course depends on the individual layout of your buggy, the thickness of the laminate, and your driving frequency and driving mode (e.g. offroad use might cause more vibrations than onroad use).

For my taste, 9 inch would be a little too much. Some people drive with smaller steering wheels...
I would not go beyond 7 inch such as mine has:

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'73 Beach Buggy
'66 T1 Deluxe

[tisius]

x2.
I like the classic look of a buggy with round headlights like the one in the above picture.
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drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much!

[easilydistracted]

[joescoolcustoms]

I picked up a buggy a few years ago with the small motorcycle headlights. Not only were they single filament and not legal where I live, but they looked out of place.

The 7 inch bucket is classic, and tasteful styling.

If you want a bigger look, you can get the Eye Lashes and put on them. Not much weight added to speak of, but make them look huge. And clown-ish.
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Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race

Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.

Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone

[germanx]

[easilydistracted]

Thank you! I'll have a look!
Your buggy is very nice! I like the colour and your steering wheel too!
How wide are your front wheels?
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It's about the going, not the showing.

[BL3Manx]

When I restore a Manx I always put 7" Dietz 820s on it, however Derek Jenkins Manx with the Barrett full tube chassis and which was in Eurotuner magazine has 7.5" PIAA headlights and foglights which I think look great http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/eurp-1007-1970-meyers-manx-buggy/

[daanbc]

[AMAC1680]

Early in the rebuild.
Only things changed at that point were the lights and windshield. Changes the look completely. 7"

AMAC

[germanx]

Thank You!

My front tires are 145/78 R15 on 4" centerlines. But I will convert to 155/70 on 5" Calparts soon...

And no, I will not sell the centerlines:)
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'73 Beach Buggy
'66 T1 Deluxe

[easilydistracted]

lol
Sorry, centrelines aren't my bag
I'm having a hard enough time trying to find some standard stock 4 lug steelies!
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It's about the going, not the showing.

[didget69]

I use 6" (technically 5-3/4") headlight housings from a Massey Ferguson or Ford tractor, as the housing & ring are paintable.

And using 5-3/4" H5006 Hi/Low-beam housings with H4 60/55W bulbs... I drill out the mounting bolt hole ID larger (~1/4") to allow the 3 headlight wires to pass through.

bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[jsturtlebuggy]

I use the ones on the left on my buggies. They are Summit Racing off road 6in housing made of stainless steel (no rust). The 5 3/4in lights fit right in housing rubber vibration damper.
I did have to bore out bolt to hide the wires and plug the hole in the back of the housing were original loom came out.
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Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[easilydistracted]

[parmaynu]

[germanx]

[MacLeod Willy]

[BL3Manx]

[didget69]