Date:         Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:37:12 -0500
Reply-To:     joel walker <jwalker17@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         joel walker <jwalker17@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: '88 headlight upgrade options?
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              reply-type=original

> What I'd like is a reasonable cost option to get more light in the
> low beam
> range, without going with a new grill, etc. Are the 80/100W 9004
> bulbs likely
> to give me this? (I'd add a relay of course). I ran these on my
> Jetta for a
> while but had problems with short bulb life and overheated
> connectors.
> Any other options out there?

the only thing i know of that will help, without replacing the grill
and headlights with the round versions AND halogen bulbs/lights, is
additional lights on the bumper ... fog lights or those Hella XL
(half-fog/half-driving). and the quality of the added light depends on
the brand/model of the extra lights. but it is cheaper than the
grill/etc. well ... can be. ;)

one advantage of this method is that if you wire the added lights
somewhat 'illegally' (most states require that fog lights go out when
high beams come on) and have the added lights triggered by the parking
lights, not the low beam lights, you can click the headlight switch to
the first click and drive on the fog lights (no headlights). this is
VERY much better in dense fog and blowing snow ... you don't get any
reflected light from the headlights, and you can see better.

the DISadvantage of this method is that you don't have much room on
top of the bumper. don't even think about putting the lights under the
bumper ... they won't last two weeks. :(  but on top of the bumper,
you need to be careful where you mount them, and be ever more careful
when driving so you don't smack someone, even slightly, and waste the
lights. :(  they are also vulnerable in parking lots for those idiots
who can't judge where the front of their gawdawful pickup truck
bumper-winch is. :(
so it's not exactly the best of all possible solutions. but it is a
good one.
and if you work it right and buy TWO sets of the fog/XL lights, you
put one whole light kit under the rear seat as a spare, and the 3rd
light on the REAR bumper as a backup light! makes backing up in the
dark woods a whole lot easier! :)

joel