Date:         Tue, 23 Apr 1996 13:11:08 -0400
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Claralw@aol.com
Subject:      Re: '66 progress, questions about wiring, lights

I had the lights apart.  Also the head-light buckets needed a good cleaning,
the lenses got a good rubbing out on the front and look much better now.
(I'm not sure why these headlights have the extra glass covers over the
sealed beams.  Looks like the glass covers disappeared around 1967-1968
or so.  Anybody know the story here?  Was it just the body style change
--------
headlight buckets for 67 are the same as 66 + earlier

I replaced the small lamps inside the headlight buckets that are mounted
in the side of the bucket although I don't know what these lights are used
for.  I assume the front blinker lights are also the "parking" lights.
----

the little bulbs in the bucket are the running/parking lights- only on when
the light switch is pulled out halfway.


The most difficult lights to replace were all the instrument panel lights.
To replace them I removed the steering wheel mount, dropped the parcel......
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i pull them out individually to change them, by reaching under the dash.
 this way you dont mix all the wires up.  if the wires are out of the way
back there, dont worry about them being tidy.  I have seen transformers
through which you wire the lead to a 6 volt radio in a 12v car.  i dont know
if they are still available.


  12 volt dome light bulbs are longer than 6 volt dome light bulbs and just
  *barely* fit.
---

WARNING - go yank those bulbs YOU HAVE THE WRONG ONES.  i hope you havent put
the plastic covers on, or they will melt.   INSIST on 12V 5W bulbs.   It is
easier to find 10W bulbs.   if you use 10W, leave the cover off, it will
melt.  the aprropriate bulb fits just right.

  Wiper assemblies changed in 1966 to a new unit that can't be dissasembled
  and upgraded to 12 volts by replacing the armature.  I'll need to get a
  1955-1965 wiper assembly.
--
actually, the switch to the bracket included style came in 65.  the easier
thing to do is get a voltage drop, which are cheap and easy to install.
 otherwise, get a 67 wipermotor.

good luck and i hope the electrical monsters aretamed.