Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2011 17:58:39 -0400
Reply-To: Jay Brown <badkarma@TTLC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jay Brown <badkarma@TTLC.NET>
Subject: Re: Need Help with South African Light Kit.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi Robby,
It sounds like you are trying to install one of the "HID conversion" kits
into your SA Grill. These generic replacement HID's are generally of very
poor quality and will not work well in a reflector/lens that is designed
for a standard H4 bulb. This is due to the fact that they are a diffrenent
length (as you have already seen) and do not have the same focal
characteristics of a normal filament bulb.
Did you previously have the round headlights (H4 Type) installed in your
van, or are you converting over from the stock rectangular lights?
The South African grill uses H4 bulbs and connectors for the main lens. If
you are swapping over from the stock 9004 type connectors, you will need to
replace them with H4 socket connector. They are available at most autoparts
places for about $10.00.
The smaller inner lens holds an H3 bulb. All of the South African grills I
have seen come with the bulbs and connectors for the inner bulbs, but they
will need to be spliced into the high beam wires (the white wires) from the
main outer lights. You can do this easily with butt connectors. I would
advise you to use marine quality butt connectors with adhesive lined shrink
wrap inside for best results.
There is a lot of information on the SA grill install (including some posts
from me "thatvwbusguy" on this post from thesamba.com. Take a look and let
me know if you have any other questions:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=211279&highlight=
The final part of the install should be to include a set of headlight relays
to protect your headlight switch from overheating. I have been selling
headlight relay kits for a few years and have plenty in stock if you need a
set. Info is available on my website here:
https://sites.google.com/site/vanagonheadlightrelays/
Good Luck,
Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
'87 Zetec Wolfsburg
Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2011 14:39:14 -0400
From: robby kilborn <robbykilborn@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Need Help with South African Light Kit.
So after the South Dakota tornado on June 30 had its way with my van, I had
to replace my grille... I opted for the South African, seeing as I already
had the round headlights and pockets. What I've found out is that the lights
for the high intensity kit, do not fit in the current head light casing.
First, there is a metal piece that appears to cover the bulb (which I
can/did remove) in order to accommodate the length of the bulb.
Once I removed that bit, I noticed that the circumference of the bulb is
smaller than the opening. >.< (that's what she said)... Anyway, I have the
grill, the bulbs... but no light. I already swapped the 8" plugs for the new
bulbs... As for the smaller, inner lights, the attachment/plug from the '87
model, is two parallel plugs, not the 'T' config of the 80/100W. How have
those of you with the SA Kit, managed to fen-angle it to work?
1987 Vanagon Syncro Camper.
Robby
