Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 14:48:44 -0500
Reply-To: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: FW: Rectangle headlight conversion to common 200mm headlights
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
-----Original Message-----
From: Kenneth Wilford [mailto:kenwilfy@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 12:57 PM
To: Birkenfeld Jeff
Subject: RE: Rectangle headlight conversion to common 200mm headlights
It is funny that you should mention this. About 2 years ago this was
something that was much talked about and discussed. I bought a pair of
rectangular Cibie H4 just for this purpose. However, when I got them I
found that I really couldn't see a way to make a frame for them. I wound up
using a standard rectangular Vanagon outter headlamp instead of making a
frame. The lamp was already cracked, so I just smashed the rest of the
glass out. Then I had to cut away some of the reflector, but I left most of
the reflector which still had the mounting tabs on it. Then I took the
Cibie lamp and siliconed it in place with this industrial silicon that we
had. That was 2 years ago. I promptly put the light in a box and forgot all
about actually installing it on the van.
Just last week I rediscovered this uninstalled project and decided to finish
it. I hate fooling with the adjusters on these lights because they are so
brittle and are junk. However one of my lights was burnt out, and I had a
good excuse to install the H4 Cibie. It went on well and looks stock (if I
didn't tell you, you would never know it wasn't the same as before). It
puts out a lot more light than the stock DOT lens. I am pretty happy with
it. I think it would work even better with a relay upgrade which is the
next thing on the list.
I still have to repeat this proceedure on the driver's side lens. If anyone
is interested I could take some digital pictures and do a write up on it. I
think the Cibie lights were under $100 a pair (it has been a long time so I
could be wrong) and they are beautifully made lenses, and have the parking
light bulb in them as well. If I remember correctly I bought them from
Daniel Stern Lighting. 200mm Cibie H4.
Just FYI.
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Birkenfeld Jeff
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 12:04 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Rectangle headlight conversion to common 200mm headlights
I remember awhile back a post where someone had converted conventional 200mm
rectangle headlights to fit the '86 and later vanagon by fabricating a frame
for the common headlight to fit the vanagon mounting.
Anybody remember this post or a webpage showing this mod?
Thanks,
JB