TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:29 am

Had a quick search and there doesn’t seem to be a thread on interior Dome lights for Barndoors. Any years changes?
Post up what you have.

I have one GHE light that has no switch fitted from new. Any idea what that’s from?

Sat Apr 01, 2023 8:18 am

As far as I know the one without a switch is not from a VW.

This might be what you are asking but I don't know what vehicle(s).

There's also a thin tarboard seal:

Sat Apr 01, 2023 8:24 am

^Curved switch contact point, and straight.
Maybe two concurrent suppliers, as VW seemed to wisely do.
There are different part numbers on the base’s back too, so worth picturing that.

Common consensus is no logo on the lens for Barndoor.

Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:37 pm

Yep.
34114 with a switch
34159 without a switch.

Did you just know that Chris? 🥸

Sat Apr 01, 2023 2:43 pm

There’s at least two different numbers on the ones with switches

Sat Apr 01, 2023 10:14 pm

Part #s of 2 switches I have with switches:
GHE Part #s 34156 and 34144

I think the 2 switches might be different years or early vs. late Barndoor or Barndoor vs. early non-Barndoor.

I don't know.

Some pics I posted:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php...r=everettb

Info I posted on the pic:
34144 is the original part # used in my 1955 Barndoor 23-Window Deluxe

Sun Apr 02, 2023 6:41 am

I have been looking into getting new bulbs for all my light needs recently and had my dome lights out.
Ive always heard the lenses were just bare/no writing but I dont have anything to add.

I have in my memory though, not sure where Ive seen this but I was always under the impression ambulance used one dome light without the finger switch, it was connected to a dash switch or maybe a switch in the rear? I dont know anything about ambulances, just that it sticks in my memory for why there are lights without finger switches.

As for dome lights in general, I see that I have 2 different types. Both of these have the GHE 34114 stamps, all is the same other than the outer bulb tabs. 1 set with spring type U ,other is just a straight tab

Unfortunately it has been so long ago, I dont recall specifically what buses these came from.

Mon Apr 03, 2023 2:47 pm

Nice info guys. Thanks.
Yep, we were thinking perhaps ambulance.

Tue Apr 04, 2023 2:20 am

Lowdown Dirty Rat wrote: Nice info guys. Thanks.
Yep, we were thinking perhaps ambulance.

I'll check this tomorrow for you on my 52 ambo :)

Tue Apr 04, 2023 4:56 am

BeaterBarndoor wrote:
Ive always heard the lenses were just bare/no writing but I dont have anything to add.

As far as I can tell the lenses are the same as later split bus lenses, but as you say without any writing on. Later lenses certainly fit barndoor light bases

Tue Apr 04, 2023 5:45 am

Scotty wrote: BeaterBarndoor wrote:
Ive always heard the lenses were just bare/no writing but I dont have anything to add.

As far as I can tell the lenses are the same as later split bus lenses, but as you say without any writing on. Later lenses certainly fit barndoor light bases

Yes, id agree all the lenses were basically the same.
For reference, I assume this yellowed one is barndoor(no markings)
and the new clear ones I suspect I picked up from Wolfsburg West years ago. They will do but are slightly different. Not sure if later originals are similar to the reproduction but youll notice the new ones have no text but do have some type of production marking where the GHE/VW would go and the end clip tabs are different.
I do notice they are a little more tricky to remove from the base but fit nice.

Tue Apr 04, 2023 5:55 am

The logos on the lenses seemed to show up in the late '50s. I have pulled some original looking lenses off of '58 buses with no logos.

I have seen the no switch bases used in a 1958 Mercedes van. I assume that they were original to that van.

Not that it is relevant to barndoors, but in the '60s, there are two manufacturers of domelights, GHE and SICO. the GHE ones are the most common ones.