Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:35:41 -0400
Reply-To: Bill Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bill Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Headlights
In-Reply-To: <16826411-C901-4E8E-AD18-F3065D63062F@gmail.com>
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Art
The headlights on the 86-up vans has been an issue for a long time.
First is the wiring that powers the headlights is quite long and as it ages
gets worse. It also puts a strain on the headlight switch and has caused
a lot of them to fail by melting or burning up. Putting in higher wattage bulbs without any changes to the wiring is a recipe for disaster.
The good news is there are relay kits that are very simple to install that
will protect your switch and allow you to run higher wattage bulbs.
I also suggest that you change the ground to the headlights. Right now
it's on the ground star to the left of your fuse box. I would remove your
grill and cut that ground wire. Install a small ring connector and ground
them near the lights.
A problem that still exists even after doing the above relays is that the
headlight lenses on the housing have a poor pattern because of the
DOT standards at the time. Even with high watt bulbs the light that is
cast on the road is poor but still much better than stock.
There are replacements that look the same but were used in Europe that
also use an H4 bulb. They can be hard to find and when you do are
pretty expensive.
You could convert to an earlier style grill (80-85) with the round headlights
and use E-code lights.
There is also a South African grill kit available new that put four round
lights on the front. I believe the best deal right now is from bus depot.
I would suggest sending Jay Brown an email as he sells the relays
and wiring kits to upgrade what you got or install the SA kit.
I don't have his email handy at the moment but will send it to
you later.
This is a very common problem and if your having issues finding info
in the archives perhaps a google search will return more.
Bill
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 20, 2013, at 10:45 AM, "Art A." <awa0330@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I'm sure this has been discussed, but I didn't see it in the archives.
>
> Maybe I'm just getting older...actually no maybe about it...but it is getting increasingly difficult to drive my 86 Westy at night unless I simply keep the high beams on. We all know the headlights just don't illuminate enough.
>
> Is there a definitive replacement unit or a higher intensity replacement bulbs that is reliable and will solve this?
>
> Thanks all,
> Art