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rblake3 Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 154 Location: Whidbey Island, WA
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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I spent about $135 on my single round conversion.
Lights = $76
Relays/wires/connectors = $17
Round grille from junkyard = $20
Round light buckets from junkyard = $20
I sold my rectangular light assemblies on Ebay for $160 so I actually made money by upgrading. I used the extra cash to put towards Hella FF1000 driving lights for serious illumination in the back country.
It can be done fairly cheap if you are resourceful. The improvement in safety alone is worth it. Think of how your reaction time is affected between dull DOT lights and E-code lights where you can actually see stuff going 50mph at night. It could save your van and/or your life.
_________________ 90 Vanagon Carat Wander Wagon
88 16v GTi
01 1.8T Beetle
94 Miata
Vanagon H4 E-Code Lighting Upgrade page |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:13 am Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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I need to add some fogs like that. Nice van. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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Or you need the more manly version:
Those FF1000s are a good light what pattern did you choose? how did you mount them? _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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rblake3 Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 154 Location: Whidbey Island, WA
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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IdahoDoug wrote: |
Those FF1000s are a good light what pattern did you choose? how did you mount them? |
They are the driving lights. I have fiberglass bumper so just drilled holes in top of bumper. Those lights are discontinued so get them while you can. There are probably smaller/better options these days but the big 7" rounds make the vans look a tad more burly. Bright like the sun also. _________________ 90 Vanagon Carat Wander Wagon
88 16v GTi
01 1.8T Beetle
94 Miata
Vanagon H4 E-Code Lighting Upgrade page |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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Nice - as driving lights those things probably push light a mile out on a straightaway, eh?
If your lights wobble on rough roads, consider a simple backing plate. I have thick aluminum plate under mine and they are remarkably stable despite their size, using the same bolt through strategy as you are. I also made custom mounts that help spread the load on top of the bumper as well. I'd do it again - worked great!
Mine are fog beams and they can handle high output bulbs due to the interior volume. Drive safely. _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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LemonCove Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2010 Posts: 324 Location: Henderson, NV
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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IdahoDoug wrote: |
Nice - as driving lights those things probably push light a mile out on a straightaway, eh? |
We're veering off topic, but I should mention . . .
I earlier posted my rectangular ECode conversion (edited to include cost). In addition to the ECodes I also added some Cibie 7" fogs and driving lights. This because I do a lot of night driving on rural 2 lanes.
While the driving lights do add additional "fill" (for lack of a better term), the ECode high beams (with 55/60w) and stock square high beams (55w) have equivalent pattern and distance. In a word, the ECode high beams are fantastic and give me great coverage I can't outdrive at 65mph, without the driving lights.
So, getting back to the Idaho Doug quote, in my case the 7" drivers DO "push light out a mile," but so do the ECode high beams (yes, properly aimed).
In other words the Cibie Drivers, which are great lights, aren't really needed with the ECodes (I think they look nice though ). That's my experience anyway.
(no, I don't drive with the fogs and drivers on at the same time) _________________ '88 Bostig Westy |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:30 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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Lemon,
Nice. You have to know lights to be willing to part with the money to get Cibies. Those are terrific units. You are certainly well set up for fast night driving.
We do a lot of that as well - with all our vehicles, actually. I painstakingly set up every vehicle we own with highly upgraded forward lighting equipment. My LandCruisers both have the exact setups with great optics, powerful bulbs, wiring upgrades, etc. With everything on, tooling down the road, I have a huge wide swath of hotspot-free light that reaches out nearly a half mile in useful light and picks up reflectors at more than 7500'. As you know, there is a certain satisfaction to a well thought out, diligently aimed lighting system when its midnight and nobody else is out there. The reward is seeing the cow elk step out into the road 2000 feet out, easing off the gas for a bit without even waking the family, and then continuing on without missing a beat when she leaves the roadway....
Probably singing to the choir, as you also appreciate the whole night driving zeitgiest as well, eh?
Regards _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7472 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 12:58 am Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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Nice '64 Rambler Classic. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Turk.380 Samba Member
Joined: June 22, 2009 Posts: 320 Location: St. Louis
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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Sorry to reactivate a (yet another) dying lighting thread. I cam in here after doing a search for people's thoughts on adding Driving Lights and if they are worth it. Found a few good opinions here.
What I wanted to add here, is that on our last trip out west, I had one of the 80/100 9004 bulbs burn out on us. Now, I've got "all the tricks" done.. relays, dedicated grounds, cleaned and bright shiny reflectors, etc..
Since we got pulled over just hours after the gorram thing burned out, I stopped the next morning at the FLAPS and picked up whatever 55/65 (or whatever they are) 9004 they had on the shelf.
That night, I was surprised to find that from the driver's seat, I really couldn't tell a difference between the two.
So anecdotaly anyway, my conclusion is that assuming everything else is proper order, that a standard good quality 55w 9004 bulb is already pushing the limits of usable beam from a lowly DOT-spec lens.
My other question / navel gazing exercise is, just where the heck are y'all driving that uber high beams and driving lights are even worth the effort? Assuming you are using the high beams, and have the DL's relayed from the highs.. i mean damn.. even way out west I still find myself having to click the highs on/off/on every gorram 20 seconds. it just gets old man. a few miles and i'm just like "frack it!" and leave them off. _________________ Brian W
St. Louis, MO
'64 SO-33 Hatch Top Westy | '87 Syncro Westy: Subaru EZ30D powered | 2002 VW Winnebago Vista |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3118 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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stl_stadtroller wrote: |
My other question / navel gazing exercise is, just where the heck are y'all driving that uber high beams and driving lights are even worth the effort? |
I'll chime in here. I have the stock rectangular lights with a relay kit and some sort of higher output bulbs (whatever comes in the GoWesty kit). I agree, it's a slight improvement but not huge.
That said, I find the output of my high-beams to be perfectly fine. The low beams are a little too low.
As some have said, it's nice to see that cow elk from far away as possible. As long as no one else is on the road for me to blind, I have my high beams on and all is well. If I have my low beams on it will be harder to see the critters but if my low beams are on there are probably other cars, and more lights, on the road.
In the "backcountry" where others are using their uber lights, I'm driving real slow on dirt roads anyway and wouldn't want to light up anybody else's campsite. I could however see adding a auxiliary backup light for navigating into camp spots - my tinted window make that a chore.
I should caveat all of that with this: I try really hard not to drive at night, no matter what car I'm in. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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Lots of lonely 2 lane roads in the intermountain West - and deer and pronghorn love them
1st thing is to get rid of the DOT reflector design... _________________ .... |
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Turk.380 Samba Member
Joined: June 22, 2009 Posts: 320 Location: St. Louis
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 1:12 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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SCM wrote: |
That said, I find the output of my high-beams to be perfectly fine. The low beams are a little too low.
...
I should caveat all of that with this: I try really hard not to drive at night, no matter what car I'm in. |
Same here. The 100w H3's that come in the GW kit seem to do the job (when I can actually use them), but the DOT low/highs quickly reach a point of diminishing returns.
But those I may actually end up removing.. or at least just going back to 55/65 in the high/lows..
I've recently been tidying up my electrical panel, and when I went to re-do the light relays I noticed that the wires plugged into the "P" terminals had gotten a bit melty!!
I now have my relays re-done into sockets that clip into the panel, and I once again re-did the wiring..
Ended up having to move the Fog relay since it was hitting the air duct. But Now I got it all nice and tidy anyway. And room to grow (uber horns, anyone?) _________________ Brian W
St. Louis, MO
'64 SO-33 Hatch Top Westy | '87 Syncro Westy: Subaru EZ30D powered | 2002 VW Winnebago Vista |
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goffoz Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2007 Posts: 1486
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Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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As I said earlier my H3 euro high low rectangles have been great at stock wattage.
But these 37W LEDs from Amazon are amazing..about $50 with a harness 3hr install(for me..OCD )
These fill the near distance amazingly and do not seem to piss off the on coming drivers....they make great DRLs and Fogs
very happy with them
LEDs only on a dark night
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takeiteasy Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2016 Posts: 169 Location: New York, NY
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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So my '85 came with square headlights, and I do like the look of the rounds to start. I know there are different lamp options etc, but are the rounds considered an upgrade vs the squares? Thanks _________________ '85 Weekender 1.9L
"With your past and your future precisely divided.
Am I at that moment? I haven't decided." |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10251 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 2:55 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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Factory original the squares are better - 4 lamps with 2 being dedicated high beams. However upgraded rounds to new euroH4 lightsare cheap and rhen outperform the squares. Some like me upgraded their factory squares with a wiring harness and higher output bulbs and are happy. The problem with changing squares to rounds is you then must factor in a harness, mounting buckets and grille to the upgrade.
Some day I would like to compare my maximally upgraded factory squares to someones round H4s..... _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Paulbeard Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015 Posts: 2604 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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The squares might have been good for a few years but the consensus is that 30 years on, they are worse than useless. You think you have headlights but you really don't.
The Hella E-code upgrade is not that hard to do or go to rounds if you can find a grille. _________________ Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Upgrading my headlights |
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cheapest and best upgrade is to get the '85 & earlier sheet metal mounts from a wrecking yard, and buy the round headlights from Amazon - a thread on here somewhere gives the exact info
then you will need to find a grill from an '85 & earlier to make it look pretty, or build your own
I put in the SA kit but is a lot of bucks and i had to buy the better lights from Amazon anyway _________________ .... |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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