Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 08:49:23 -0700
Reply-To: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
Subject: Does anyone have an interest in better lights for their Vanagon?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I recently upgraded my BMW GS motorcycle to DE projector lights -
basically the same technology to what is found on newer VWs and the
like. The main advantage to these lights is much better focusing and
the ability to install a fleabay HID kit and not blind on coming drivers
as it is the same technology as what is used in HID equipped
vehicles. End result is that I really like these lights over the old
fashioned reflector technology lights that were on my bike and is used on
our Vanagons.
With more and more news that our T3 parts are
getting NLAed - light adjuster plastic bits for example - sourcing out a
new and better light with parts that are in current production makes sence
to me.
What I am going to do with my Syncro Westfalia
this summer is install Hella DE lights - these are both e-code and SAE
compliant and replacements are availble from places like rallylights.com -
the issue is building the brackets for them and making the installation
look like it is supposed to be there.
As many people like the
double round look of the South African lights I think this is quite
achievable with DE lights and we can still maintain our heigher quality
square light grilles. My idea is to use 90mm low beams and 60mm high
beam lights. Use the machine shop down the way from me to CNC the
brackets that would hold on to these lights and use a anodized black
plates that will fill the opening in our square light grilles and have a
pair of neat round holes for the DE lights to function. Perhaps
build in some mounting points for some mesh headlight protectors and we
would have a good looking a functional set of lights that we can get parts
for should a rouge rock take one of these lights out.
I have no
idea what the custom bits will cost - but I do know that the setup for
something like this is what costs the money. The more sets that get
made up the cheaper they will become. What I am looking for from the
community is how many people are interested and to what level. The
lights are about $100 a piece. Can't see the custom parts costing
any more than $300, would guess closer to $200
1 - Couldn't
care less, like what I have now.
2 - Interested but not 100% sure I
would get some in the next year.
3 - Interested and would be fairly
sure I would buy when they become available.
David Marshall
VW Adventure Driver and BMW Adventure Rider
http://www.hasenwerk.ca
