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twscott Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Hailey, Idaho
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Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject: "Temporary" cheap headlight adjusters w/pics |
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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 .
_________________ 87 Westy, "Rose" |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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BRILLIANT!!! _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5391 Location: PNW
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Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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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! _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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dubstar Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2009 Posts: 1437 Location: New York
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K58 Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2006 Posts: 1173 Location: Santa Barbara
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Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2008 Posts: 206 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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Bump. This is cool.
Bookmarked for our next project to upgrade/replace our headlights. _________________ 1986 Weekender, automatic, 2nd owner
"A picture is worth a 1,000 words..."
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." |
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indytriple Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2009 Posts: 710 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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I can confirm that this works great if you're in a pinch (for a year or two). _________________ "See The Glass As Already Broken."
87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig
www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2010 Posts: 297 Location: Amesbury, MA
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:26 am Post subject: |
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I two have a few of these..
Pics worked for me.. _________________ 2001 eurovn weekender 207k fresh batteries |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Neptuno Samba Member
Joined: March 23, 2004 Posts: 141 Location: DelCo, PA
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:29 am Post subject: Re: "Temporary" cheap headlight adjusters w/pics |
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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 .
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These pictures are worth a million words!!! _________________ Lonely Vanagon running up and down Delco
joetiger wrote: |
Also, if you look closely, the drapes in the house match the Vanagon, illustrating outstanding thematic continuity. |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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Did this yesterday. Bravo for an excellent fix! Thanks again Samba. _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Reckless Amateur Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2009 Posts: 218 Location: Philadelphia, PA
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Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:52 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ 91 Bostig-powered Westy (automatic)
Philadelphia, PA |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009 Posts: 113 Location: Marin County, Calif.
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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I'm glad I found this. The stock adjusters on mine are shot. _________________ 87 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Edition - sold
82 240D Diesel - recommissioned
85 380SE - laid up |
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davevickery Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2887 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:07 am Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2006 Posts: 463 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:34 am Post subject: |
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This actually looks better/more durable than the crappy plastic stock ones. |
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luVWagn Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008 Posts: 1340 Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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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... _________________ '91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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Racerrojo Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2006 Posts: 827 Location: ALBUQUERQUE 87120
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Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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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? _________________ Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!
Too many vans and mostly all projects |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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kg0483 Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2013 Posts: 47
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Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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I know this is an older post but I have to say thank you so much for this DIY fix!!! I was about to waste $80 and buy the kit from Vancafe. What a total rip that would have been. I can't justify spending that kind of money on screws and little bits of plastic. |
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