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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69809
Location: Phoenix Metro
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 Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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| SambaUser1M wrote: |
| StockNazi wrote: |
| Anyone have a side to side pic showing the brake light and reverse light bezels? |
I'd like to see that, too!
I've been researching this for a few days. I've even found the same red, glass, lens part-number applied to a "center brake light" on one site, that's applied to a "red reverse light" on another site.
I've had a few people recommend using a red reverse light lens and reverse light bezel on a Barndoor brake light housing like splitpartsunlimited sells. The advice was even repeated by one of the more reputable resto parts suppliers.
So I've ordered everything from three different places - because nobody had everything in stock for me to simply order once - and I'll post my findings. Regrettably, I will not have a Barndoor bezel to photograph side by side, but I'll break out the calipers and post dimensions of what arrives. I'll include part numbers, too. Perhaps someone else can post OG Barndoor info and clear picture can be drawn once the data is assembled.
James
PS Be patient. One shipment is coming from Argentina. |
Unfortunately I don't have a reverse light bezel to measure.
The bezel on my '55 Barndoor is between 9-10mm deep.
I believe it's original but cannot be 100% sure.
I measured it on the Bus but can remove it if needed.
Barndoor photo (not my Bus):
I do have an NOS hooded light, like this (also not mine but same idea)
On the non-hooded part it measures 10mm.
So unless the non-hooded bezel is different, my 2 bezels are very similar in depth.
Maybe Clara can post, she has a Barndoor Bus and a later Bus with a reverse light she added to the rear bumper.
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SambaUser1M
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Irvine, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Everett. I have two different bezels on the way. An aftermarket, generic reverse light bezel and a Hella reverse light assembly (with bezel). |
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joe56vw
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2004
Posts: 3202
Location: Olympia wa
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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if there is a size difference from the brake light bezel and the reverse light one I don't think it's enough to really notice
the set up I use on my '56 was an original brake light lens and everything else was a early bay reverse assembly
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CaLiBus
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2011
Posts: 1097
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Should work. I've seen that set up with the hooded bezel a few times on lids. |
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SambaUser1M
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Irvine, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 9:16 pm Post subject: lens dimensions |
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My parts arrived; I mic'd 'em.
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EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69809
Location: Phoenix Metro
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SambaUser1M
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Irvine, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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| EverettB wrote: |
| Do they fit and work? |
Dunno yet. I'm waiting on the housing from Argentina.  I'm sure it'll work. |
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SambaUser1M
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Irvine, CA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| EverettB wrote: |
| Do they fit and work? |
They work. I'm not thrilled by the fit, but my gut tells me that most of the fault lies with the lens. It's marked Hella, but I have my suspicions it's a copy. The issue I'm seeing is there's a 4-5mm gap between the lens sides and the inner edge of the bezel. |
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BulliBill
Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 4572
Location: St Charles, MO
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| Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: Decklid center brake light style changes |
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| happyhippo wrote: |
Hey folks,
Everett and I were exchanging some emails about decklid brakelight styles. Seems there is no definitive posting on when the style changed from the barndoor style to the later, 56-57 style (pictured). The change probably happened sometime in 1955, but does anyone know the correct month that the change was made?
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Okay, Here is the brakelight bulbholder assembly that I received with a used center brakelight decklid which came to me on the '59 Double-Cab (yeah, I know...).
The shot above shows that the license plate light bulbholder is exactly the same as in the photo in this thread seen on the computer monitor (Page 1 in this thread). The black housing is a slightly different shape, it is taller. Here are a few more shots of my bulbholder assembly.
The chromed reflector bulbholder part is inserted into the black housing.
Notice the taller black housing in this side view.
So, any comments on this version of the bulbholder? middle or later version? Fabricated?
In addition to the "beater" decklid this came on, I have a NOS center brake light decklid that was freshly painted during the resto of my '59 DC so that I'll have to option to run either the correct 1959 NOS decklid that I also had painted, or the incorrect but cool NOS center brakelight decklid for extra night time brake lighting...
Bill
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton
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EverettB
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Posts: 69809
Location: Phoenix Metro
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easy e
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2008
Posts: 3931
Location: 1 hr north of Santa Barbara
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| Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:56 pm Post subject: Re: Decklid center brake light style changes |
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| BulliBill wrote: |
| I'll have to option to run either the correct 1959 decklid or the incorrect center brakelight decklid for extra night time brake lighting... |
I had one of each style & was debating which to run on my '58.
IMO... without the 3rd light looks way cleaner. It kinda draws your eyes to it (see pic below, from gallery)... I leaned towards the cleaner look & opted for stock & bought one of those reflective magnets in the classifieds for night driving. I think the eyebrow lid would look great on your '59, plus it's highly stock already.
But obviously... if it's your only brake light...
Whatever you choose... you've left yourself options to choose at will.
Cheers,
e
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Stocknazi
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Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5150
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| Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:32 am Post subject: |
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| EverettB wrote: |
| Im my opinion someone made that. |
It almost looks like an ashtray bottom.
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Stocknazi
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Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5150
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| Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:37 am Post subject: |
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I like the look of the brakelight decklid on a bus that has high taillights.
I like the dollar lights/flat decklid as well on a high taillight bus.
Low rear light and either style decklid just dosen't look quite right; it does add a little more brakelight visability if wired as a "third brake light."
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WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God."
Thomas Jefferson |
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BeaterBarndoor
Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2000
Posts: 824
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:03 am Post subject: Re: Decklid center brake light style changes |
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| Quote: |
So, any comments on this version of the bulbholder? middle or later version? Fabricated?
In addition to the "beater" decklid this came on, I have a NOS center brake light decklid that was freshly painted during the resto of my '59 DC so that I'll have to option to run either the correct 1959 NOS decklid that I also had painted, or the incorrect but cool NOS center brakelight decklid for extra night time brake lighting...
Bill |
This looks like an ambulance back up light assembly that has been modified using the license light for use as a brake light.
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joe56vw
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2004
Posts: 3202
Location: Olympia wa
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| Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Decklid center brake light style changes |
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Need some pictures of this style assembly either NOS or restored and some advice on how to go about restoration
Alittle refresher on what terminals go to what wires would be nice also since it's been years that i've worked on one
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'60 15 window walkthrough
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559931&highlight=
why is there no sarcasism button on here? |
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EverettB
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Posts: 69809
Location: Phoenix Metro
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joe56vw
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2004
Posts: 3202
Location: Olympia wa
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| Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Decklid center brake light style changes |
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Yeah i saw the barndoor one i think that's what got me confused looks like the later style is alot easier to fix
Looks like i'm just missing the plastic washers, terminal, and the piece that goes to the bulb end
Guessìng it grounds to the decklid itself, only the brake and light wires go to the assembly
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'60 15 window walkthrough
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559931&highlight=
why is there no sarcasism button on here? |
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EverettB
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BulliBill
Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 4572
Location: St Charles, MO
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Decklid center brake light style changes |
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Damn EV, that's center brake light "porn" right there!
Ummm Ummmm Ummmmm!
Bill B
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton
Thanks for any help! |
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RockStock
Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2004
Posts: 3924
Location: England
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| Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 4:45 am Post subject: |
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| campingbox wrote: |
| BeaterBarndoor wrote: |
| EverettB wrote: |
Thanks campingbox.
Here's a photo of the earlier style for reference
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what i am curious about is the brakebulb contact base. in this photo it is a plastic round base(which ricardo has repop'd according to this one i guess)
any "real" brakelight contact bases i have noticed were always like the photo of the later one above using a fiber board base.
is this one here a fake as well? |
The one pictures is a NOS unit, but it is a later replacement and differs from the original in several ways. |
Here is an NOS(?) pre55 Barndoor brake light assembly...with the fibre board base
Does anyone have a good exploded real life picture record of how to assemble the brake light assembly?
I’m particularly interested in the second seal...probably the one that seals the glass...no.54...as I think I’m missing it
Ie what it looks like/does it slip around the glass, or just sit behind the glass (it’s called ‘Packing’ in the Parts Manual)
I think I have two of the 57 main seals...which btw are different makes
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Last edited by RockStock on Tue Aug 03, 2021 5:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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