US Import - lights and MOT'S

[Bobster]

Having had my US Westy for almost a year now thoughts are turning towards fixing some of those jobs for MOT time so I've been uopt today and replaced the broken indicator stalk and am now looking at the windscreen washer.

Looking at the lights though I'm not sure if these are legal, the backs have been converted so that the reverse lights are indicators (with orange bulbs) so I believe that thats okay, however, on the front for sidelights and also full lights these are in the low indicators (obviously full lights also engages the main lights but the side lights remain on too).

Is this normal for an import or has only half a job been done and am I facing a (possible) MOT fail ?

 

[rlepecha]

Half a job has been done, you need to relocate the sidelights into the headlamp bowls, so your going to need new headlamps most likely.

That's how mine have been converted anyway.

Sent from my 02_jbla668 using Tapatalk

 

[Bobster]

Can anyone point me towards the best way to do this in term of cost and retaining stock looks as I've seen on eBay a number of halogen sets such as this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220720080631?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or JK sell the following (although out of stock at the mo)

http://www.justkampers.com/vw-t2-bay-window-parts/t2-bay-electrical-parts/headlights-switches/headlamp-conversion-set-us-models-only-7-ring.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looking at my lights, the chrome ring has a single screw holding them in place if that helps ?

 

[rlepecha]

Either of them will do the job. I fitted Cibie headlights because I wanted the best output. The ring ones would do fine, 1 screw fitting means there is a adjustment ring behind the chrome ring. You can take this out just like you would to replace a bulb.

To change the headlight bowl there is 3 smaller screws on the inner chrome ring, unscrew them, remove old bowl and fit new.

Then find the sidelight wire running to the indicator(remove the indicator) cut and extend it long enough to get into the headlight bowl on each side.

 

[Bobster]

So, am I right in thinking that it's the sealed beam units that I'm after as i seem to have read loads of different threads, done stating late bay headlights, the ones vid listed talk about splitties, well confused now !

 

[rlepecha]

No you don't want sealed beam, the ones you have will be sealed beams.

I believe the headlights that take H4 bulbs are called semi-sealed.

 

[Supertramp]

Will this work as a straight swap for a 71 headlight:
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/942vg0051" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm assuming I then need to drill a hole to add a side light too?

 

[Nugsy]

Any generic &" healight (normally advertised as Land Rover/Mini/VW Golf etc) will fit but you will need non-sealed ones with a separate 5w sidelight bulb/holder. Take the feed wire (grey) off the indicator and stick it on the new sidelight and thats it, job doen

I was thinking of getting some Angel eye ones or Iridium, but then think they look a bit cheesy on and old bus

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400703418864?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4684wt_1203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171015204941?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4739wt_1203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Supertramp]

Any generic &" healight (normally advertised as Land Rover/Mini/VW Golf etc) will fit but you will need non-sealed ones with a separate 5w sidelight bulb/holder. Take the feed wire (grey) off the indicator and stick it on the new sidelight and thats it, job doen

I was thinking of getting some Angel eye ones or Iridium, but then think they look a bit cheesy on and old bus

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400703418864?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4684wt_1203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171015204941?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4739wt_1203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So the ebay link Bobster posted above would be better wouldn't it. Already has the side light installed just needs hooking up:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220720080631&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123#shId" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[DubBGood2Me]

Can anyone point me towards the best way to do this in term of cost and retaining stock looks as I've seen on eBay a number of halogen sets such as this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220720080631?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I used those same ones /\/\/\/\/\/\/\ on my 69 bay and they were fine and solved the side light issue

 

[Bobster]

Can anyone point me towards the best way to do this in term of cost and retaining stock looks as I've seen on eBay a number of halogen sets such as this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220720080631?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I used those same ones /\/\/\/\/\/\/\ on my 69 bay and they were fine and solved the side light issue

Just looking at them, how did they fit as I can't see a ring around the lamp to connect to the headlamp bowl tabs ?

Looking at the shop, I'm now thinking I might need these ones instead ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360700139131?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Supertramp]

Just looking at them, how did they fit as I can't see a ring around the lamp to connect to the headlamp bowl tabs ?

Looking at the shop, I'm now thinking I might need these ones instead ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360700139131?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's a good point, I've already ordered them as I need them for the MOT this week.

 

[rlepecha]

You don't need the replacement rings on an early us import with 1 screw fitting. You already have the ring behind the chrome rim, it's what holds the LHD sealed beam units to the car.

 

[Bobster]

You don't need the replacement rings on an early us import with 1 screw fitting. You already have the ring behind the chrome rim, it's what holds the LHD sealed beam units to the car.

Now I am confused, this is what is already on the bus ...

And it looks as if the light is fixed to a ring which the. Attaches to the bus. The eBay ones look like this

And from the picture I'm struggling to see how they attach ? I'm obviously missing something and just want to make sure I have the correct items before ordering.

Cheers

 

[rlepecha]

The 3 smallest posidrive screws, one is directly at the 12oclock position. Take all 3 of those out. The ring is separate to the headlight glass/unit

 

[Bobster]

The 3 smallest posidrive screws, one is directly at the 12oclock position. Take all 3 of those out. The ring is separate to the headlight glass/unit

Ah, cheers matey. I think it may just be the quality if the eBay pic as I can't make out any tabs for fixing them.

 

[rlepecha]

There aren't any tags, well there will be alignment tags at the back but that is all. The ring on the headlamp will come off the original glass unit and slide over the same 7" diameter on the new headlamp. Then you align the alignment tabs on the headlamp up with the ones in the rear most steel ring and screw it all back together.

I changed all the screws to stainless while I was there.

 

[Bobster]

There aren't any tags, well there will be alignment tags at the back but that is all. The ring on the headlamp will come off the original glass unit and slide over the same 7" diameter on the new headlamp. Then you align the alignment tabs on the headlamp up with the ones in the rear most steel ring and screw it all back together.

I changed all the screws to stainless while I was there.

Ah ha, penny dropped. Many thanks for the help and I'll get some ordered.

 

[rlepecha]

For reference, that's what you should have when you remove the rim and headlight unit.

 

[Bobster]

For reference, that's what you should have when you remove the rim and headlight unit.

Cheers Matey. I've ordered the parts so will let you know how I get on