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easilydistracted Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2016 Posts: 43 Location: Yorkshire, UK
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 3:08 am Post subject: headlights - go big or go home? |
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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? _________________ It's about the going, not the showing. |
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germanx Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2010 Posts: 326 Location: Germany
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 4:15 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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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:
_________________ '73 Beach Buggy
'66 T1 Deluxe |
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tisius Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 1570 Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 4:38 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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x2.
I like the classic look of a buggy with round headlights like the one in the above picture. _________________ 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!
Last edited by tisius on Thu Feb 04, 2016 5:32 am; edited 1 time in total |
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easilydistracted Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2016 Posts: 43 Location: Yorkshire, UK
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 5:12 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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germanx wrote: |
...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)... |
Aye... i didn't think about the weight aspect... food for thought. Thanks!
I notice a little spotlight on yours... i spotted a spot! Can you tell me more? _________________ It's about the going, not the showing. |
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joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:35 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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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. _________________ 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 |
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germanx Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2010 Posts: 326 Location: Germany
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:37 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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Quote: |
I notice a little spotlight on yours... i spotted a spot! Can you tell me more? |
This is an orginal Searchlight from Hella. It has a Mirror on the backend and the mirror frame part rotates to operate the light.
There are some for sale in the bay Germany:
search for "Hella Suchscheinwerfer" _________________ '73 Beach Buggy
'66 T1 Deluxe |
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easilydistracted Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2016 Posts: 43 Location: Yorkshire, UK
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:41 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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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? _________________ It's about the going, not the showing. |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:59 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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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/
Last edited by BL3Manx on Fri Feb 05, 2016 10:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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daanbc Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2015 Posts: 403 Location: S.Fl
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 7:29 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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AMAC1680 Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2015 Posts: 300 Location: Jacksonville Fl/Mantoloking NJ
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 7:50 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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Early in the rebuild.
Only things changed at that point were the lights and windshield. Changes the look completely. 7"
AMAC |
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germanx Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2010 Posts: 326 Location: Germany
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 7:56 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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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:) _________________ '73 Beach Buggy
'66 T1 Deluxe |
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easilydistracted Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2016 Posts: 43 Location: Yorkshire, UK
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 8:09 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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lol
Sorry, centrelines aren't my bag
I'm having a hard enough time trying to find some standard stock 4 lug steelies! _________________ It's about the going, not the showing. |
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didget69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 4927 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 9:31 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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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 _________________ 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. |
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jsturtlebuggy Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2005 Posts: 4496 Location: Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 5:14 pm Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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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. _________________ Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960 |
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easilydistracted Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2016 Posts: 43 Location: Yorkshire, UK
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 1:55 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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That is such an awesome buggy... not really to my style but there's plenty of nice design cues I'm taking inspiration from...
Do you think these are the same headlights?
http://www.piaa.co.uk/lamps/lampshow.asp?ID=80 _________________ It's about the going, not the showing. |
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parmaynu Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2004 Posts: 182 Location: Kent, England
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:33 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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germanx wrote: |
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:) |
Germanx, how does your car drive with those skinny fronts? |
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germanx Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2010 Posts: 326 Location: Germany
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:57 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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parmaynu wrote: |
Germanx, how does your car drive with those skinny fronts? |
To be honest, the 145s (as in the pics on the car) are not bad. The tires are 5 years old and for the occasional 2 hour rides I cannot complain.
The car does turn, steering feedback is not a gamble but ok, I notice some understeer in faster curves.
I don't think it is the tire, but most likely the beetle front axle geometry causing some understeer or rubbing due to the not ideal Ackerman geometry...
Breaking is not an issue, the major force is applied through the rear tires anyhow. Front tires don't block under normal driving condition, including some harder stops here and there... (I am not sure if the previous owner swopped the drum brake cylinders between back and front but front not blocking with the skinnies I assume he did....)
I don't like the 145s anymore as they are just a number too skinny and small for my taste. That's why I have decided to change to 155s.
The new Avon tire is much stickier being a race tire for vintage cars... so understeer should be reduced... _________________ '73 Beach Buggy
'66 T1 Deluxe |
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MacLeod Willy Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2014 Posts: 933 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 7:25 am Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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This is just sweet! |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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didget69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 4927 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: headlights - go big or go home? |
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easilydistracted wrote: |
That is such an awesome buggy... not really to my style but there's plenty of nice design cues I'm taking inspiration from...
Do you think these are the same headlights?
http://www.piaa.co.uk/lamps/lampshow.asp?ID=80 |
Only issue... PIAA doesn't appear to make Hi/Low Beam headlights - they make fog & driving lights.
bnc _________________ 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. |
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