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SA grille discussion
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specialev
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do standard 5 3/4 diameter bulbs fit in the center of the SA grille? I've got a real sweet set of Cibie center headlights from a Jag I'd like to use.
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specialev
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

specialev wrote:
Do standard 5 3/4 diameter bulbs fit in the center of the SA grille? I've got a real sweet set of Cibie center headlights from a Jag I'd like to use.


Bump to answer this question!

Is the SA high beam headlight a "special" size or 5 3/4" diameter?
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thatvwbusguy
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The inner lenses for the SA Grill are listed as 5 1/2". You would have to measure the inside diameter of the mounting locations and also take the depth of the inner brackets into consideration to see if your 5 3/4" lenses would work.

How easy the job of retrofitting the inner brackets to work with your lenses depends on the mounting structure of your Cibies.

Judging from the amount of headlight and hard start relays I sell in WA, it shouldn't be too hard to find someone with a van sporting the SA Grill that might be willing to let you do a quick mock-up...
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nekto
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

specialev wrote:
Do standard 5 3/4 diameter bulbs fit in the center of the SA grille? I've got a real sweet set of Cibie center headlights from a Jag I'd like to use.

there is a bit more than 1/8th inch clearance around the new high beam lights and the grille on my just finished 82. 5 3/4 should be a tight fit, but it should fit. a quick eyeball measurement with the tape measure give me 5 3/4 inches to 5 7/8. it looks like it will go. i suggest you put a ruler on your Cibies to see how close to 5 3/4 they actually are.
if the are exactly 5 3/4, you will have to be good with positioning. i suggest you use Jay Brown's method of lining up the lights if you try to do this. also, you could trim the inside of the holes with no harm. you won't see another 1/16th to 1/8th inch from three feet, and it would guarantee an easier fit.
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HENDO
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm about to pull mine out and refinish it. Any recommendations?

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Crankey
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used Krylon sandable grey primer and satin black top coat. I didn't use the stuff they make for plastic...just the normal stuff.

just pull the grill, fix any cracks in the plastic with JB Weld (JB Kwick cures faster) sand the whole thing lightly with fine grit like 220 and some scotchbrite inthe cracks and grooves, clean and spray primer. scuff the primer with scotchbrite and spray the topcoat...do another coat scuffing between with scotchbrite.

that's what I did and it's looking good. for the other black plastic I used Forever Black. I got a kit on ebay. works well on the rest of the black plastic.
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420GOAT
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

rustoleum "universal" best stuff on plastic.
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HENDO
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That sounds easy enough. Thanks.
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randywebb
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

420GOAT wrote:
rustoleum "universal" best stuff on plastic.


interesting - what did you compare it with and how did you do the comparison?
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Crankey
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

my krylon has lasted since 05. drys in about 20 minuets
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lloydy
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've just took delivery of this new grill, and i'm swapping from squares. The back of the grill has the metal prongs, do they literally just push into the metal brackets on the headlights? From reading this and other threads it seems like they do. So is the new grill just held in by friction? As the old grill had the 1/4 turn screw.
I'm still waiting for my outer round lights to arrive, otherwise i'd just have a go. Be nice to know in advance how they fit
thanks
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thatvwbusguy
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, just push the pins into the clips and you are good to go.
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lloydy
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 2:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for that Very Happy
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MsTaboo
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Has anyone tried the new Gowesty 7" headlight brackets?
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23905&category_id=334&category_parent_id=
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thatvwbusguy
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are usually a few sets of original 7" round buckets kicking around on the classifieds here for about $50.00.

The GW reproductions look nice, but don't really offer any benefit I can see other than the elimination of what they call the "prone-to-breaking plastic-tipped lens adjusters".

The headlight adjusters are usually not much of a problem on earlier vans like they are on 86-91 stock headlights. My '85 is still running the original adjusters after swapping in and aiming at least 10 different styles of headlights over the years when testing new lens and bulb combinations.

With the money saved by purchasing a used set of buckets, you can invest more into a better set of lenses and bulbs to go in them. My personal favorite combination is the Cibie 7" e-Code lens with the 85/80W Osram Hyper H4 bulb.
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