Which supplier offers the better S. A. Grille/Light package?

[michaeltag]

I have long had on my list of must-do mods for my Syncro, the South African Grill/Light combo. I had been going to go with the GoWesty package, when I was talking to Jeremiah at Stephan's Auto Haus and he said that the harness kit that comes with the Van-Cafe kit is better. I notice that for an additional $18 the Van-Cafe kit comes with what they call "cut and play" connectors.
I would love to hear from people who have done this mod, where they got there grill/light package and how satisfied they were with everything.
Also, did you go for the standard wattage bulbs or some higher wattage bulbs?
Go Westy has this kit
http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=3899
which is brighter, but only the outer hi-beams are higher wattage, I believe. The inner bulbs are just higher efficiency 55W bulbs that put out more light.
This is the kind of thing where the devil is in the details. I want to get those details correct before I spend $600+
Thanks,
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia Syncro w/ rear locker
• 1.8T engine conversion from Stephan's AutoHaus
• Schwenk Springs, OME shocks, BFG All Terrains on South African 15-inch steel wheels
• GoWesty Plate Steel Bumpers w/ front skid plate & rear swing-away spare carrier
• Big Shot Shifter
• Transaxle rebuilt with taller heavy-duty 4th gear, GoWesty decoupler and oiler plates by Ken at Porter's Precision
* TruckFridge
• Propex Heater
• Vintage Air in-dash A/C

[syncrodoka]

I prefer my Cibie outer H4s over my Hella H4s. http://www.amazon.com/Cibie-082440-Light-Unit/dp/B...k129040-20
You are going to need a set of used early model headlight headlight buckets as well.
The ceramic "cut and play connectors" are nice, I went back and retrofitted them on a few vans of mine that had SA grills for years.
Get some headlight relays fitted on your van if you don't already have them especially if you install brighter bulbs. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1566523

[ThankYouJerry]

[syncrodoka]

The "cut and play connectors" that VC are selling look to be Jay's product(same picture).

[ThankYouJerry]

^^^ I hope so! Jay makes the best products and should be supported by Vanagon owners and other vendors alike.
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[pomfritz]

+1 on Jay's products and service!

I added the SA harness instead when I swapped my lights. Don't have the grill yet but something for the future. Probably going with the VC version, hopefully I can delete the harness from the kit.
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83.5 233K. GW 2.3, SS exhaust, My German Frau named her Stefi

[SyncroPedro]

+2 regarding Jay's knowledge and willingness to help!

I've been emailing with him and he's been a great resource. I'm purchasing the VC full kit, but verified first with him that the relay kit and "cut and play" connector kit are both his products because I wanted to make sure I was supporting him.

I'm looking forward to more light!

[thatvwbusguy]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, it's much appreciated!!!

I have been supplying Van Cafe' with relays and headlight wiring harnesses for about a year. They have been one of my favorite vendors for a long time, so I was really honored to offer my kits to them when they contacted me about working together.

The best high wattage bulbs I have found are the Osram Hyper H4's. They are available in 85/80W and 70/65 watt versions. I have found that the 85/80W actually put out more usable light than the 100/80W Hella bulbs. The overall quality of these bulbs (filament placement, glass shape and size) is much better than any other high wattage bulb I have ever tested or used and the average lifespan has been better as well. http://www.rallylights.com/h4-12v-osram-hyper-bulb-not-legal-for-highway-use.html

I still recommend the Cibie 7" from amazon as the best deal on a high quality headlight http://www.amazon.com/Cibie-082440-Light-Unit/dp/B008DQV88Q This headlight combined with the Osram bulbs is a fantastic combination and what I run in my '85 Westfalia.
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Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


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