Date:         Wed, 28 Dec 2005 09:11:19 -0800
Reply-To:     Brian & Carol Megas <bmegas@ISLAND.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Brian & Carol Megas <bmegas@ISLAND.NET>
Subject:      rectangular headlights, remove black metal inside headlight
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We have an 86 Westy and I upgraded the headlights several years ago by
installing relays, which helped a lot. Of course I don't want to spend the
money/time to get and install the european rectangular headligts or get a
grill from a van with round headlights and then upgrade the round headlights.

First, I'm puzzled as to where the light actually goes when it leaves the
headlight - does it go up into the sky or onto the shoulder of the road or
??? ...because it sure doesn't do as good a job of lighting up the road as
do the headlights in other vehicles that use the exact same light bulb
(ie.9004).

Second, I'm puzzled why I can actually see a beam of light from each
headlight (when it is a foggy day) rather than a nice dispersion of light.
Then I started wondering if this had to do with the black metal with the
cutouts that is inside the actual healight right beside the bulb. Could it
be that it both reduces the light output and also forms a beam of light
that is concentrated in one area instead of being nicely dispersed?

So my question is: Has anybody removed the black metal INSIDE the headlight
that goes around the headlight bulb? I'm thinking this would HAVE to help
increase the output of light from the headlights and improve the light
dispersion (but I don't know if it would cause problems for oncoming drivers).

Cheers,

Brian (and Bruno, the 86 Westy)
Brian, Carol, Thea, Deverelle and Kelsey Megas
 Mikey as the dog, Bruno as the 86 Westy
  Box 180, Chemainus, BC, Canada, V0R 1K0
   bmegas@island.net    http://www.island.net/~bmegas/
**to make your dreams come true, you have to stay awake**