Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 18:38:02 -0800
Reply-To: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject: Re: E-Code Lights
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Pat,
You correctly surmised that you are missing something regarding the thread
in which $300 was mentioned along with headlights. The desire for better
headlights has been reflected in threads that have been going on for years.
The latest thread was started by me and it has been going on for about two
months. It has been an educational process which I will not attempt to
repeat here. But I will summarize:
This thread has been about the rectangular headlights that come stock on the
later model vanagons shipped to the U.S. Unfortunately, these are probably
the worst low beam headlights ever made. They are the worst of both worlds.
Both the bulb and the reflector really suck. The result is that these low
beams are not only dim, but they are dangerous. Especially in bad weather.
Most agree that the high beams are adequate. Many of us want better low
beams
Unfortunately it's not just a matter of switching bulbs. Neither the 9004
bulb holder nor the power supply wires that come stock lend themselves to
just poping in a brighter bulb. And even if you could just pop in a brighter
bulb, the stock reflectors are so poor that much of the gained light would
not be put where you need it most. Dan Stern of Stern Lighting has a very
educational web page at http://lighting.mbz.org/ that explains why this is
so.
In short, the solution is to get a headlight with better reflectors that
will accommodate the H4 bulb. While the 9004 puts out only 700 lumens at the
low beam 45 watts; the H4 bulb puts out 1000 lumens at the low beam 55
watts. Also the way the thee inside of the bulb is constructed makes the
light more useable. But even then, the headlight reflectors that meet U.S.
Standards are not as effective at putting the light where you need it as are
the headlights that meet European Standards (E-Code). So the best fix is to
get E-Code headlights that have H4 bulb sockets built into them.
It turns out that the only rectangular (later model vanagons) E-Code
headlights that have the same attachment point pattern where the headlights
bolt onto the metal cans that are fitted to the stock vanagon are the Hella
E-Code headlights that came stock on the vanagons in Europe. They are not
sold here in the U.S.; so to get a set of these is a special order from
Europe. It is even hard to find anyone that can or is willing to import
them. Part of the reason for that is that by definition E-Codes do not meet
U.S. headlight standards (DOT). In some states this is no problem. But in
the states that have inspections it can be a problem.
David Marshall (list administrator) has been selling some of these E-Code
headlights for about $270 without the bulbs (about $8 each) or the rubber
boot that protect the connections from rain (cost unknown yet). (Thus the
estimate of $300 for David's headlight offer.)
Randy Bergum (another list member) has developed a kit that will adapt
other, less expensive and more available, Hella E-Code headlights to the
stock attachment points of the vanagon. This kit will cost about $200 (if an
order of 5 sets can be put together), and it does include the bulbs and the
rubber boot. But it is not a 100% stock look since these lights do not have
as much curve as the stock vanagon headlights (European or U.S. versions).
This makes the outside corners of the headlights stick forward from the
grill about 1/2 inch. Also, Randy is a very busy guy and has not gotten free
to build a new batch of his kits. So we don't know exactly when these will
be available.
Also, a few very talented souls with time on their hands have gone to the
junk yard, found E-Code headlights, and fabricated their own version of an
adapter kit so that they can be bolted to the stock mounting points (see
recent descriptive post by Sam Bateman in archives).
If you are interested in learning more I can't speak highly enough for Dan
Stern's very educational web site on headlights, http://lighting.mbz.org/
I hope this helps to clarify and bring people up to date on the rectangular
E-Code headlight thread.
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
Lake Tahoe
-----Original Message-----
From: Pat Dooley <pdooley@GTE.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 1999 9:47 AM
Subject: E-Code Lights
>Maybe I'm missing the $300 connection or something.
>I have a friend building a 16V turbo golf, he's looking for all the cool
>body kits and such. He did his primary search in Performance VW, a UK based
>publication.
>In his search he uncovered Hella H4 lamps for the Mk1 golf(rabbit) for 12
>pounds each. I dunno the exchange rate, but that's much less than $300US.
>You say, but thats not the vanagon...
>I don't see what the difference is, unless these are the rectangular style.
>My 85 are round and I like them that way. Anyway he says T2 H4's are 30
>pounds each. Thats 60 pounds a pair. Probably under $100US.
>Freight on these parts isn't that much, especially if one orders in bulk.
>Another example is the golf grill spoiler. Bonrath sells for +$100, a UK
>source sells for 13 pounds. I am buying a front apron for 30 pounds,(less
>than the cost of one in the junkyard that I'd have to chop off), so I can
>use a round headlight grill on my rabbit pickup, with my H4's.
>Guess the point is, take a closer look before assuming a part should cost a
>ton of money because it is superior and well known, like the Hella H4's, or
>E codes? I guess.
>
