Brighter headlights

[0to60in6min]

hi all,

for a '90 vanagon... instead of going the known route using 80/100W upgrade kit + relays + wiring, I am thinking about this kit

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/high-beam...3910/8027/

on that page they suggest to check clearance on the back of the headlight to see if there enough room for it.

anyone using this kit? any recommendation or advices? good? bad? so so?

thanks in advance

dan

[Paulbeard]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If you aren't replacing the headlight itself, I don't think this is going to help all that much. The OG headlights are not all that great, apparently not even when they were new.
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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

[jimf909]

What PB said.

Perhaps someone will chime in with actual results, but car lights are designed as systems. If you want an LED based system go all in and get one. Adding a LED light to a system designed to use a filament bulb imiht work but in most cases LED lamps don’t mix well with the fresnel lenses designed for specific filament lamps. Some are getting better but the problem with the ‘90 Vanagon lighting will only be cured with new fixtures, the OG lenses and reflectors are probably expired.

This is what mine looked like when I discarded them and replaced the, with e-code units:

There are several threads here recommending that the oem rectangles should be discarded and replaced with either LED integrated headlights or updated e-code headlights.
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- Jim

[RicoS]

[markswagen]

Hi dan,
I believe these ones will fit, I know one van these are on, and the owner sent me this link and told me I should buy some, he said very worth while
https://www.amazon.com/Auxbeam-Headlights-Headligh...&psc=1
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markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[0to60in6min]

thanks guys...

the van I am working on now is imported from Germany and already has E code headlights. Somehow I feel it's not bright enough with its 55/65W bulbs, we live in a rural country side, so we need lights... good lights...

I'd think that LED bulbs will give different light pattern that why I seek your opinion.. the only option left is the 80/100W upgrade kit..

Mark,
that LED kit on your link seems nice... I may try it before going to the classic route.

dan

[?Waldo?]

[Steve M.]

[0to60in6min]

yes Steve, the headlights are H4 E Code...

well.. my experience with LED is quite so so.. I bought a LED light bar for another van.. it's bright yes... but not focused as the Hella 500FF.. so I went back to the Hella...

saying that, I am afraid by going with the LED for the headlights I may have the same problem and waste my $$...

thanks

[mtnride1]

I put the GW kit on mine with the SA grill, I also have a pair of hellas on the bumper which I am changing to Ridgid lighting LED's since I changed to the SA grill with the GW kit the hellas are useless.
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87 westy 2wd (NED)

[Steve M.]

[?Waldo?]

As I posted in another thread recently I purchased these and installed them in my '85:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B376YOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The headlights went from the worst headlights on any vehicle I've owned, (or that I recall having driven) to unequivocally the best. Markedly better than my stock Mk4 jetta headlights with glass lenses. The brightness and clarity is astounding. They are lower wattage than stock so do not even require relays.

To give a total apples to apples comparison, I have the 7" round e-code H4's with the 80/100's in my '91 and the lighting is not nearly as good on low or high beams. I also obviously needed to add the relays for the higher wattage H4's. Just saying.

[pinetreeporsche]

[Jon_slider]

[djkeev]

[SteveVanB]

I absolutely love my Quadratec led headlights. One of my top favorite "mods" of all time
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91 CARAT

[pinetreeporsche]

[?Waldo?]

[IdahoDoug]

So, the original poster has rectangular German E codes on his Vanagon. Some of you are posting round lamps.

To the OP. Your German E codes are fantastic lights. If you are disappointed, I suspect you have a voltage drop issue, grounds, etc. You should consider getting the relay kit and some stronger incandescent bulbs. I agree the LED light sources are not likely to provide the result you are looking for in a quality lamp like you have.

Doug
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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

[Jon_slider]