What am I not understanding about my new H4 square headlight set

[deaddrift]

I have the SA grille and light set, not my cup of tea. Kinda looks like a raccoon to me.

So I bought an H4 setup from campervanculture. Since I have the SA set, I have no frame of reference for what the factory setup looks like. The images here make it look like the mounting bracket is just too small.

Here's my problem:

Note the inner upper tab is nowhere close to reaching the sheet metal.

This image shows only two screws and washers (2/3 and 4/5) securing the light housing to the sheet metal; can this be right?!

I am confuse. Thanks for reading.
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Nat

'91 syncro Westfalia, 2nd and 4th owner

Ò,ó

[mikemtnbike]

I hate to ask an almost rude question, but if you flip that over to try the driver's side, does it fit there?
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[vtmtber]

I took this picture when I was installing the GoWesty H4 kit. The factory lights are on the left and the new ones are on the right.

It looks like you are missing brackets on the lower inside corners.

Ken
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1987 VW Westfalia, 1999 BMW M Coupe, 1986 VW Scirocco 16V, 1976 BMW 2002, 1968 Jaguar XKE

[deaddrift]

Thanks Ken. Looks like you're right. Sigh... now where to find?

Also, it looks like you had some fitment issues too, am I right?
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Nat

'91 syncro Westfalia, 2nd and 4th owner

Ò,ó

[vtmtber]

You're welcome. I had forgotten that I had to bend the bracket a little to get it to line up. It's difficult to get a perfect bolt pattern on a formed piece of sheet metal like that one.

I would use the other three holes to get it aligned properly. Then you can use a piece of sheet metal and a couple self-tapping sheet metal screws for the last corner.

Ken
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1987 VW Westfalia, 1999 BMW M Coupe, 1986 VW Scirocco 16V, 1976 BMW 2002, 1968 Jaguar XKE

[Mikesarge]

Call Ashley at always vee dub on 50th, I bought some headlight parts off of him recently for a good price, so I know he’s got a square headlight van back there
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1986 Syncro westfauxlia EJ-frankenmotor
1980 911 SC 3.1

[GreggK]

Hey Deaddrift,
I'm pretty sure I have those brackets that I removed from my '86 when I installed my SA kit. PM me if you need them.
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'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady

[deaddrift]

Howdy folks, thanks for the replies and tips. I can fab up a bracket replacement if I can't find the riveted brackets for sale, but I'd prefer the original part if I can find it.

Ken, I was thinking of riveting in the part as I've seen in the helpful images. Metal screws are better, you think?

re: The Grille.

I know I'm in the minority on the South African grille aesthetics, and that many members are eager to get one because they are NLA. In fact this evening I got three PMs expressing interest.

The grill is OEM, undamaged, and in great shape; I'll even throw in an aluminum vancafe retention pin for the center, since the existing one is plastic. The logo is shiny. The lamps are clear and undamaged. One low-beam bucket is rusty, and needs cleaning and paint, but the other three buckets are in fine shape, and all have undamaged adjusters.

The set-up's likely to be for sale soon, but I am looking to get a good price for them. It's hard to price these parts; vancafe still has a listing from shortly before they sold out. They last had the grill only--no emblem, lights, or buckets--at $900. So it might be an auction.

https://www.vancafe.com/22S853641A2A-p/22s853641a2a.htm

To be honest, I'm not much inclined to take an early private offer, both for financial reasons and because I'd like to make the package available to the whole samba community. I'm a noob here, so if you have thoughts about the best way to list and or sell these for a good price, to a wide audience, I'd like to hear your thoughts. Maybe that's a weird request?

Cheers,
Nat
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Nat

'91 syncro Westfalia, 2nd and 4th owner

Ò,ó

[Ride-Fly]

[Wellington]

$900 please......

https://www.vancafe.com/SAGRILLKIT-p/sagrillkit.htm

Anyways, price is meaningless when out of stock.

[T3 Pilot]

You should have an essay contest. Winner gets to buy the grille set.
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1988 Vanagon

The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel......

[pjn_wyo]

Pretty sure there is a place called eBay just for what you described.

[jimf909]

I'm with the OP on this in that I don't understand the attraction to the SA grill. Other than the VW badge and steering wheel nothing should be round on a Vanagon. Yes, round headlights are much better than DOT rectangular headlights but there are now multiple solutions for H4 rectangular headlights now.

OP, you'll only sell this kit once. It's in demand. Put it on ebay with a healthy reserve and see what happens. Or list it on the Samba and take offers through a set date.

There are misguided people here who believe they should have a say in what you do with your stuff (https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=740907). Ignore them, they're just greedy. You can always sell it at a low price later but start high, you're not a Vanagon philanthropist.

p.s. FWIW, my guess is that I'm 50/50 on listing stuff on the samba for free or for a price.
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- Jim

[deaddrift]

Thanks jimf909, eBay is the obvious route, but they do take a big chunk in fees.

Being new, I haven't sold on classifieds here and hadn't thought of writing a "taking offers" ad, thanks much for the suggestion!

Not following you on the "50/50" comment though.
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Nat

'91 syncro Westfalia, 2nd and 4th owner

Ò,ó

[tjet]

[jimf909]

The 50/50 comment reflects that while I'm recommending you go after the highest bidder I often put stuff in the free box.

I hope you enjoy your new headlights, sell the SA rig for good money to someone who's happy to get it. Win-win-win.
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- Jim

[Ride-Fly]