Post your fog light/driving light pictures?

[erdonline]

I've got two Vanagons- one with round and one with rectangular headlights. I'd like to add fog lights and driving lights to each, and have been looking for pictures to get ideas on what I want to add to each and on which part of the bumper. I've searched here and found some pictures here and there but can't find one thread with just this topic.

I bought a set of Hella 500FF round driving lights on clearance at Wal-Mart for $45, complete with covers, relay, wiring harness and switch. I think I'll put those on the '85, but I haven't decided exactly where and how I'll mount them in relation to any fog lights I'll add.

There are so many possibilities- round or rectangular, round with the round headlights, or round with rectangular for contrast- it makes my head spin.

So I'm looking for pictures for ideas.

Thanks,
Ed in CT

[1621]

If I remember correctly, driving lights should be placed a little higher in order to cast a good beam down the road, hence the SA grill set-up. Fog lights should be placed lower, or closer to the road, for optimal results. You've probably Googled this information already, but I've found this website to be helpful with automotive lighting information.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

As for the looks, I like the round with round, rectangular with rectangular look as well. There's an 86 Weekender around the corner from me with the SA (Projectzwo?) lower grill rectangular fog lamps that looks sharp. I went with the Hella 500 fog lights mounted above the bumper and essentially aligned with the outer edges of the lower grill. You can get the idea by looking at my avatar. The lights are nice for inclement weather.

Also, consider picking up a factory fog light switch for the dash. I know Van-Cafe carries them, but I believe they can be found in other VW models in the junkyard.
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'85 Westy

[wasserbox]

PIAA driving lights.

If you pull off the bumper skins, there are 2 spots on the bumper mount that are ideal for running wires and mounting the lights.

[rblake3]

I put Hella 530 series lights below the bumper. Works perfectly for actual fog/rain/snow and illuminating the sides of the road for deer watch. Lower is better for pure fog lighting. The only drawback is reduced clearance for off road terrain. Every dirt road I have been on has not been an issue. If you use good disconnects, I suppose they could be made to be removable in a jiffy.

Also have the acrylic clear shields installed for lens protection.

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90 Vanagon Carat Wander Wagon
88 16v GTi
01 1.8T Beetle
94 Miata
Vanagon H4 E-Code Lighting Upgrade page

[doyll]

A couple other problems with low mounting are:
* water spashing up on hot lense and cracking/breaking it when using them in wet conditions.
* rocks/gravel flying up and breaking them.

Have had both happen.... and it gets expensive.

[sunshine_norway]

My brother in laws`Vanagon GL

I`m going to install similar Bosch on my Crew-cab (DOKA). If you install them with extra relays, you can put in H3 1oow in each

[Ryan Alfonso]

P'zwo's are the bomb. NLA tho', dagnabbit.

[rs4-380]

I prefer round if they are sitting on top of the bumper and clustered, rectangular if they are below the bumper, regardless of the van headlight shape.

Considering I didn't want to reduce the approach angle, I went all round.

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Dave
87 EJ25 Syncro GL

[redtail]

Did you have to install an upgraded alternator to run all those lights?

[rs4-380]

No, when they are all on (which isn't often) it's 4 55w bulbs and 1 110w bulbs (everything is relayed), that's 330w, or about 27.5 amps, people with big stereos and amps pull more than that. The stock subaru 120amp alternator has no problems with that, a 70amp alternator would most likely run them fine as well.

and fwiw, the two lower outers are 55w amber foglights, the two upper lights are 55w driving beams and the lower center is a 110w driving beam that comes on with the high beams.
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Dave
87 EJ25 Syncro GL

[kevtherev]

straight forward driving lamps.. 55watt halogen OE VW (lenses match the headlights)

next to my mates syncro... (drool)

[erdonline]

Thanks for the pics so far. I'm going to mount round Hella 500 driving lights on the top of the bumper of my '85, and I think amber rectangular fog lights below. Now I just have to decide if they will go above one another, or one set inside and one set outside, etc.

After I got the 55 watt Hellas, I found a set similar Hellas (the 1900 series) with 100 watt bulbs. I was thinking of mounting them on the '85 instead, as driving lights, and still using the fog lights.

On the '87, I was thinking of using 55 or 100 watt driving lights to come on with my low beams. I'd do this for two reasons. One, just the stock low beams are pretty dim, and two, as far as I know, there is a law that states that you cannot have more than four "main" lights on at any one time. A law-enforcement person in CT told me this about ten or 15 years ago, so something may have changed.

Keep those pics coming. We can all use some ideas.

Thanks,
Ed in CT

[bibbylauer]

Hella's on 85 Westy crossing a stream at Silver City ID.

Found these worked great during our summer trip out west. Good lighting helped us avoid a bison at the last second in South Dakota while hunting for a campground.[/img]
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85 Westy

[Jon_slider]

> the stock low beams are pretty dim

I agree. You should upgrade them:

Van Cafe sells a kit including relays to replace the stock round lights with Euro code Hella' lenses and upgraded to 80w low beam, 100w high beam.. HIGHLY recommended

euro lenses
http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=312505831

upgraded wattage H4 lamps
http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=1020725469

relay
http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=1267852675


total watts on low, 160, on high 200, with H4 lamps, and Euro lenses,

stock is 110w on low, 130w on high, with H3 lamps in a non euro lens

IF after that you think you need more light, upgrade to the South African Grille, which adds another pair of 80w H4 high beams

total watts on high, 360, compared to stock 130watts on high beam

IF after that you need more light, its probably a FOG light you will be wanting.

this kit from Van Cafe includes lenses, lamps and relays, and can be setup as fogs instead of driving lights
http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=1341526804

[Dogpilot]

The Hellas are great and if you can find a projectwo kit for the fogs, the install is easy. If you put all the light on, you are indeed a small star on the horizon. The entire package does draw some power. I kind of like a mix of square and round, but I am not the mavin of style.

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Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[erdonline]

[Jon_slider]

Low beam, 160 watts from Hellas with H4's

Hi beam, 360 watts, South african grille

pictures taken while moving, one after the other, non scientific, shaky, and not in exact same spot on the road, but, I think you get the idea

[MarkE]

Hella 500's. I removed the factory plastic caps from the bumper and installed the lights in the factory-drilled holes Too easy. It currently has a lighted-toggle. I have a Mk1 fog-light switch somewhere, so this will do for now until I find it. They work great on the highway. Most impressed

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1984 Vanagon GL Westfalia
2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6

[erdonline]

MarkE, are those fog lights or driving lights you've got on there?

Also, are those "alternative" round headlights?

Ed

[foodeater]