Date:         Fri, 30 Nov 2001 18:09:07 -0500
Reply-To:     jscohen@SPRYNET.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "James S. Cohen" <jscohen@SPRYNET.COM>
Subject:      Re: Headlights
Comments: To: jburden@CONSULTANT.COM

Julian,

There has been a lot of discussion about this topic, so you are definately not alone. I assume since you have and '85 you have round lights.

My suggestions are as follows.

The cheapest and maybe the most useful upgrade is to add relays to the lights. One for low beam and one for high beam. This allows you to use higher gauge wire and run it directly to the batter resulting in 25-30% increase in luminosity with stock headlights. (I tried this on my Corrado after not believing in it for years and was astounded by the difference.). This should be done whatever other upgrade you do.

(I sell HIGH quaility heavy duty Hella relays if you're interested)

The next thing to try is either H4 lights or Hella Vision Plus (DOT approved) lights. I don't know who makes the if The BD upgrade kit but there is a quality difference in the reflectors and optics, so make sure that it's a good brand.

Finally, the ultimate upgrade would be to go for the SA Quad light Grille. It's expensive but those that have them LOVE them! ( I have one set left if you're interested).

Adding fog lights will do wonders for your low beam driving as well.

I am not in favor of 100W bulbs. I think they don't give eough light to justify the increase in wattage and heat. Also, I'm not sure brighter lights are the answer, they may blind oncoming traffic but don't address the poor beam distribution pattern that the stock lights suffer from. Others on this list will disagree though.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask me any questions, I am light obssessive..

:)

James




>>>Lights on my '85 Vanagon are bad, very bad. Rather than getting direct replacements I'd like to upgrade.

I don't mind the idea of rewiring to get more power up front, but if the gain over Halogen through the existing wire is minimal rather not go to the extra effort.

My research (including searching the archives!) to date has uncovered four options:

1. Bus Depot "Headlight Conversion Kit, H4 Halogen, Set, incl. 12 v bulbs, 63-79 Bus, 80-85 Vanagon" at US$34.95 for the pair.

2. Sylvania H6024 ("30% brighter") at around CAD$56 a pair, available locally.

3. Sylvania H6024XV ("three times as bright") while I haven't found a source for these it appears they would not be much more than option 2 (based on the same shop having H6054 and H6054XV at similar prices).

4. Fast Forwards H4 conversion at CAD $120.

It appears that there is little difference in the cost of the first three options. Someone would have to really rave about option 4 to make me shell out the extra.

So, I have two questions:

1. Which is the best of the above options?

2. Is the effort of rewiring worth it (I guess option one above would allow me to test the standard bulbs, and rewire if I want still more light)?

TIA, Julian.<<<<<
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