WW Taillight Bulb Holder

[FMbranden38]

My 1971 bus has taillight bulb holders from Wolfsburg West (see below). I'm confused on the wiring, as they spit out a red and black wire. I've tried comparing it to the wiring diagram, but it's not lining up (maybe I'm just dumb).

Can someone please confirm what wire goes to red and what wire goes to black?

[kreemoweet]

You have to determine which wire feeds the big (brake/turn signal) element in the bulb, and which feeds
the little (tail-light) element. The brake/turn signal wire connects to the stock black/red(R) or black/yellow(L)
wire. The tail-light wire connects to the gray/red(R) or gray/black(L) wire. You will also have to figure out
where the brown ground wire connects on the new holder.
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[aeromech]

It’s pretty shitty. Won’t last long. Would have been better to find an original German made unit.

You will need to figure out how to run a ground wire from this assy to the bus frame. As far as the two wires go, you will need to use a 12 volt source and test it. One will be running lights and one will be brake lights. Good luck with this crap from China
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[FMbranden38]

After fiddling with it for days, I'm ready to say screw it and try to track down an alternative option.

Checked the classifieds but not seeing any original housings. If anyone has a lead, I'd really appreciate it. Or another aftermarket option that might be more reliable?

[aeromech]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2373887
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[metahacker]

I used these and really liked them. Dare I say that they were higher quality than the OG.

https://www.customandcommercial.com/vw-split_scree...ing_10822/

I believe you can still keep your USDM red lenses. I don't recall having to modify them.

You can use them in the stock USDM configuration (combined brake/turn signal - either using just 1 bulb and 1 empty socket, or wiring 2 together)...or, if you like upgraded safety features and/or fancier functionality, you can run a separate brake light and turn signal - using an amber bulb for the turn signal if you're into that - in my experience using a very bright amber LED (like the VLEDS.com "amber 50" 1156) behind a red lens is OK. Or you can use the EDM lenses...but I've never found those to be very attractive in comparison to the US ones, particularly with that integrated cheezy chrome ring on the plastic lens instead of our actual metal retaining ring.

[busdaddy]

That look like way better quality than those shitty "made in India" ones further up this page.
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[Starbucket]

On my 71 I got tired of dim lights and bought LED trailer lights that mount with one nut on their stud, made a "U" bracket out of 3/4" aluminum strip stock (Ace hardware) that mounted through the original tail lens holes with a hole centered to mount the trailer light assy. up next to the original lens and used the original lens on the outside for stock look and VOLA bright running and turn/brake lights.
A simple conversion under $50.00.