Author |
Message |
renorick Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2020 Posts: 11 Location: Reno, NV
|
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 8:09 am Post subject: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
Yesterday I started a project to backdate my 1987 Vanagon syncro square lights to round the 1986 round lights. I will be installing DOT approved 7 inch led headlights as I need get better lighting for my 70 year old eyeballs. I installed new light relays, used touch up paint on scratches to prevent rust, painted my new round headlight grill flat black and started to install my new Gowesty headlight buckets. As I was going about my bucket install I noticed that my van was missing grill mounting tabs (on the van body) that sit between the center tab and end of headlight bucket. These tabs are part of the square headlight bucket but not on the new round buckets. As I don't believe 3 mounting points for the grill is a very secure solution I am reaching out for ideas. My first thought was to make some mounting tabs I can rivet to the body. Questions: Are these mounting tabs available any where? Any ideas on cutting square holes for the mounting tab clips? Anybody running only three mounting points on their grill and if so what has been your experience? Thanks for any help. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dabaron Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 2561 Location: Philly, mang
|
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:36 am Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
i converted from square to round and decided it was good enough given the number of others out there running the round grills with just the top 3 tabs.
been in high winds and heavy rains, grill is still there. _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo
BiWerks Design, LLC |
|
Back to top |
|
|
big swifty Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2007 Posts: 246 Location: Formally in Republic of VT; now in Hollywood, FL
|
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
I did the same conversion. Mine held fine for many, many years through heavy Vermont storms. _________________ Evan
1987 Vanagon Syncro // Westfalia pop-top graft // Factory new ALH. 11mm IP. AFN 110 RC 2,3,4 // S7 turbo// Titan P502's
2013 Golf 4d TDI. No mods. Yet.
[1991 Jetta coupe TD. Giles Superpump. Custom tall 5 speed. SOLD |
|
Back to top |
|
|
joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
|
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 6:25 am Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
I did the same conversion but grille screws and receptacles are a little old and worn, so I do have a couple of strategically placed zip ties holding it on. It's not ideal aesthetically, but the grille is securely on there. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3054 Location: MD
|
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 6:42 am Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
My lower grill is held on with 4 zip ties. I didn't even trim them, the van has whiskers now.
Zip ties are a great way to hold an old vehicle together. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
|
Back to top |
|
|
joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
|
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
4Gears4Tires wrote: |
Zip ties are a great way to hold an old vehicle together. |
I caution anybody who wants to look closely at my van, "it's all zip ties and duct tape." _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
DLJ Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2008 Posts: 555 Location: North California
|
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
I just made that change. You can easily make two more mounting tabs or if available to you, find an old van and get the tabs off it. (I just copied them from a friends van) Its very easy, but you will have to drill new holes to accept the tabs. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
space Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017 Posts: 673
|
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
Timely post
Im actually adding the lower grill to my 82 and cant figure out how they would have attached
The Rectangular mounting openings on the grill have me puzzled _________________ 82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs
Last edited by space on Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
|
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
space wrote: |
Timely post
Im actually adding the lower grill to my 82 and figure out how the would have attached
The Rectangular mounting openings on the grill have me puzzled |
You need a set of these:
https://www.vancafe.com/HWK80501-p/hwk80501.htm _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
space Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017 Posts: 673
|
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:09 am Post subject: Re: Grille mounting tabs question |
|
|
Thank you Joe T!
_________________ 82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|