RE: headlight suggestion

[Jeremy Palenchar <jeremyp@mindspring.com>]

Ok, I am CONFUSED!
  I have an '87 4KSQ and the DOT lights suck. I think we all agree on that.
Howver, when I went looking for Euro-spec lights for this car the price
came back at $400 or something ridiculous like that ( I called Blau). What
is the difference between the $400 lights from Blau and the $163 solution
listed below? Will this $163 solution work for my car? I am willing to
spend $160 for lights but not $400. I aplogize if this is a retarded
question. I don't know emough about the car and the products to figure out
what will work together and when I call the supplier they give me prices
like $400.
I apreciate your help on this matter.


jeremy

At 12:42 PM 6/5/98 -0400, you wrote:
>This is common knowledge for many.  Any vehicle using the DOT spec 4"x6"
>quad, the 5"x7" dual or the various round sealed beam lights would do
>themselves well by upgrading to Hella or similar euro-spec H4 and/or H1
>units.
>
>Be advise to shop around before purchasing.  You can find the 4"x6" units
>for as cheap as $36 apiece with the 55w H4 or a 55/65w H1.  If you plan to
>upgrade the bulbs to 80w or 100w H4's and 80/100w or 100/130w H1's, you can
>often get then 4"x6" units, without the bulbs for $30.  I spent $120 for my
>four lights, $12 for 80w H4 bulbs, $16 for 80/100w H1 bulbs and probably $15
>to built a custom relay harness.  A total of ~$163 and a couple hours of
>time to do the swap.  I got might lights from Rapid Parts in NY, and my
>bulbs and wiring from a local automotive chain (VIP, ala Pep Boys etc).
>For relays I used spare Bosch (stock Audi) relays that I had kicking around.
>An easy find in any junk yard...  though the Hella relays with the integral
>fuses are nice.
>
>Just another data point.
>-Stott
>
>YMMV, and I have no connection with the suppliers mentioned, aside from
>being a happy customer.
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From:	Charles.DePenning@frco.com [SMTP:Charles.DePenning@frco.com]
>> Sent:	Friday, June 05, 1998 12:07 PM
>> To:	        -         (052)quattro(a)coimbra.ans.net
>> Subject:	headlight suggestion
>> 
>>      This may have come up previously, but I may have an item of interest
>>      to those on the list that own an early 80's 5000, 4000, Coupe or Ur-Q
>>      with four front headlights.  Yesterday I received and installed a set
>>      of Hella European replacement 4" x 6" headlights (non-sealed beam).
>> I
>>      bougt these from New Dimensions (www.newdimensions.com), cost was
>>      $41.99 each.  The headlights physically are an incredible improvement
>>      over DOT approved sealed beam units, with metal reflectors (instead
>> of
>>      coated glass) and lead crystal lenses.  The bulbs are removable as in
>>      the aero lights- standard H1 and H4 units at 55 watts and 55/65
>> watts,
>>      respectively.  These are NOT DOT approved for street use, of course-
>>      they are too well designed.  Installation is a breeze- remove old
>>      units, replace new ones.  Hella supplies an wiring adapter to use on
>>      the low beams due to different pinouts.
>> 
>>      The beam pattern on low is amazing- a sharply defined upper and left
>>      cutoff and a 'splash' to the right. |---/  Makes an enormous
>>      difference- now my lowbeams look like the old highbeams.  Driving
>>      around town I can now tell that my lights are on!  The new highs are
>>      amazing as well- now I am seeing as far ahead as I need to be at
>>      highway speed.  This is definately a safety improvement, and one of
>>      the best mods I have done to my '83 5kT in six years of ownership.
>> 
>>      I do plan on doing the relay thing this weekend to maximize the
>>      voltage to the lights.
>> 
>>      I should be able to get some pictures soon of the lights and the
>>      installation if anyone is interested.
>> 
>> 
>>      Charley DePenning
>>      '83 5kT
>>      '84 GTI For Sale
>>      '73 C10
>