LED Headlights, anyone try these?

[WestfaliaMike]

[VicVan]

Crazy (?) idea here: If the cheaper LEDs, like the one MichaelCamping installed, are fine but just not bright enough, can we put two pairs? It would look like a SA grille, but with all lights the same diameter. Anyone with basic photo imaging skills?
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[WestfaliaMike]

We will see how long they last...
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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI

[?Waldo?]

I just received these today and installed them in my '85. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B376YOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All I've done is a trip around the block with them so it's just my first impression. They are WAAAAAYYYYYY brighter than the stock headlights. I'm actually understating that. There's a larger difference in lighting between these and the stock headlights than there is between the stock headlights and having the stock headlights off and driving by moonlight during a 1/2 moon... The clarity and evenness of the light seems excellent. I have not had a chance to shine them on a wall and adjust the aim. It's too cold/windy/snowy for that tonight. My '91 has the relays, and brighter e-code H4's and these are much better lighting. Hopefully they last. The specs say 80,000 hours which if averaging 50 MPH is 400,000 miles. At this point I am more than pleased, I'm amazed.

[WestfaliaMike]

[?Waldo?]

I haven't adjusted them yet. I will some time this week. I think they need to be aimed down a bit.

The ones I got are black and I like the look. I couldn't find the lumen ratings on the chrome ones you linked. Highest lumen output is the reason I went with the ones I got. Low beams are over 3X the lumen output of the stock low beams and yet lower wattage so no relays are needed. Incredibly easy upgrade. It was quicker and easier for me than swapping washer nozzles.

[WestfaliaMike]

[?Waldo?]

I'll do the adjustment process outlined here: https://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

The last thing I want to do is blind oncoming traffic.

[WestyWanter]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but it seems to simple to be real plug in play. I have a '86 westy so if I got a circular head light grill I could just buy these lamps and plug them in and be set?!

And headlight buckets of course

[Zeitgeist 13]

You also need the round 7" lens holders and retaining rings. There are two square grill tabs that need to have their rivets drilled out so they can be removed from the body. Then you need to splice in the proper plugs for the lights.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[WestfaliaMike]

[jimf909]

[?Waldo?]

For the '85 and earlier with the 7" round headlights it is a 10 minute swap that is as easy as swapping the two stock headlights. The wiring connection on the new replacement headlights is correct. No mods, no splicing.

For the '86+ that have the square headlights it is a bit more involved as Zeitgeist13 mentioned.

The headlights I got also came with two pigtail adapters to adapt to an oval connector (h13) which is not correct for the later vanagon, but the adapters provide the correct connectors which could be used for splicing into the late van. Like this:

[Ride_On]

Bit of a cross-forum post, but we have a 77 Bay Window and converted from stock 7" round headlights to 7" LED units - Truck-Lite 27027C. Massive difference. I love them. They aren't budget lights, but have/are coming down in price too.

It really is a night and day difference - far brighter, great light spread, excellent beam cut-off, and the high beams - oh the high beams!! Cannons of light. I can see so much more so much better. Ditches? Before, they were dark. Now, illuminated. Much easier to see critters, etc.

Install? I did it in a parking lot at night. 20 minutes as I was being careful and had never delved into the light assemblies on the bus. So easy.

Highly recommend the upgrade... great to see folks sharing pics and experiences of the budget lights too - seems like some good options available.
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1977 Westfalia 2.0 FI Skills EJ25 w SubaruGears 5sp
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=687254
2018 Golf Sportwagen 4MO DSG (Dieselgated 2013 Golf Wagon TDI DSG)

[coqcitywesty]

[vanagonjr]

[?Waldo?]

[coqcitywesty]

[?Waldo?]

I got the headlights adjusted per the Daniel Stern aiming instructions posted above. It was very easy to adjust. I aimed them a little lower than specified simply because mine are so bright. At this point I couldn't be more pleased with the upgrade. The lighting is fantastic on low or high beams. Excellent clear even light. The bang for buck on this upgrade is really remarkable. The quality of light went from horrible (stock) to the best of any car I've driven with a cost below $100, 10 minutes of install, and 15 minutes of adjustment. Highly recommended.

[heidi85ho]

Waldo........yes they are remarkable for under $100. I have had them in now for close to a year and no issues...fingers crossed.
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85 westy-1.9-standard trans, FAS GenV 2.0