My first (mostly) unpleasant surprise in my new '87 westy

[WSideWitneSS]

So I decide to do the headlight relay upgrade today. I was surprised how bad the stock lights really are. Everyone says they are, but wow!! I bought all the parts and read some install instructions and I figure I'm ready to go.

Now here's the surprise...I unscrew the fuse panel and am looking around and discover that someone already did the upgrade. Upgraded and the lights still are terrible. I decide that I'll check it out and see if it was done correctly. It sure looks like it was because I got 13.2v at the headlight harness. That's a decent voltage right??

I didn't check out the bulbs, and they could be part of the problem, but I figured it was time to do another upgrade so I ordered the SA grill from busdepot. I cant' wait for that sexy round headlight look! Oh....and to be able to see where I'm going at night.

[purplepeopleeater]

Hmm, perhaps its due to my aircooled roots....but I find that in my carat the headlights are quite nice.

But yeah...SA grill is sexy time.

[Alaric.H]

Yes the stock lights suck I have the H4 on the syncro and stock on the 2wd and there is a big difference.I thought the relay was to just keep the switch from burning out.

[Dogpilot]

The stock will never be as good as the H4's. Are yours cloudy inside? sometimes they are just dirty and a cleaning inside will make them brighter. Search for cleaning the headlights, as many folks had found innovative ways to get them clear again. There are also some threads on brighter bulbs, which will work if you have upgraded your lighting system, or in your case inherited the upgrade. 13.2, fine voltage, but is that under load (headlights on)?
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Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[photogdave]

You have to get brighter bulbs in addition to the relay to get the complete brighter headlight upgrade.
Supposedly the relay alone makes a slight improvement but the bright bulbs really seal the deal!
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89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS

My Westy Movies:
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[presslab]

Did you measure the voltage at the headlamp with the headlamp plugged in and drawing current?

I installed relays and saw a huge difference. My low beams are now acceptable and the high beam is fantastic. I have the stock rectangular lamps like you with stock wattage bulbs.
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1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

[j_dirge]

[WSideWitneSS]

Yes, drawing current. Oh well...I just needed an excuse to get the SA grill. It's just soooooo nice.

[Busdepot]

Our South African grill kit now comes with Bosch H4 outer lights and German 60/55w bulbs. Those are really nice headlights and a big improvement over the sealed-beams, even with the 60/55w bulbs. In fact most of our customers use the Bosch's with the 60/55w bulbs, if only because they provide the maximum headlight improvement possible without having to install relays. But since you have the relays, it will be easy to drop in a pair of 80/100's if the 60/55's don't cut it for you.
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- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot
www.busdepot.com

[randywebb]

what bulbs are included for the inner headlights?

[Busdepot]

The inner lights are genuine VW/Hella and come with 55w bulbs (which is the factory spec for South African Vanagons that came with these lights).
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- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot
www.busdepot.com