Headlights

[vwvanmanjs]

Hi everybody

Firstly, I don't actually own a T25 so I don't know all the ins and outs ( I've got a crossover bay and a 64 beetle).

I've just started a new business making after-market and uprated lights for bugs and buses and have heard that there is a shortage of RHD rectangular/square headlights for T25s.

I'm interested in helping with this and am keen to develop an after-market solution.

T25s, with square lights, appear to have one 7.5" x 5" light and one 5"x5" light. These sizes are very hard to source, so there are a number of options and I'd been keen to hear your comments and thoughts on them.

6"x4" dip and mainbeam light combined with an additonal 4" square mainbeam/spotlight.
Dual 6"x4" lights both with dip and mainbeam
Single 12" headlight (like the maestro ones people use) if I can find new ones.


Obviously there will be a gap around the smaller lights, but I have found various bezels (chrome or black) and mounts that look okay. I'll post some pictures soon.

I also understand that the original wiring and switch gear is a little fragile, so the kits would obviously be supplied with their own loom including fuses and relays.

All the lights used will be "emarked" and UK road legal.

So the question is, which of my options do you prefer, or does anyone have any better ideas?

Thanks for your help...

[CovKid]

I think you'll struggle to convince square headlight owners to accept units that are smaller. They just wouldn't look right, even with bezels, and they're pretty fussy about things like that - plus if they were going to go that route, they'd have done it already. Maestro headlights seem popular with some but by and large they'll generally prefer to hang on to what they have, even if cracked, or run with LHD ones and just put stickers on. Find affordable replacements and you may be on to something but as I say, I think you'll struggle to get mass interest otherwise.

Put up an example and see if you get swamped - best bet.

[marlinowner]

Instead of using bezels, maybe use a line of DRLs to fill the gap.

[MattBW]

With the crazy prices of the square lights lately, you may tempt some in with those. I think it would be good to be able to see a mock up though to get an idea to really convince. I am trying to picture it but am not sure going just by my imagination.

[greasemonkey]

I would always want to try and keep the original look of the van if possible, so would aim to find the correct size.

A little imagination might be needed as these lights may need to be taken out of the surround, but otherwise look like they might be a nice fit for the main headlight.

http://www.bikermart.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=HLYRD125

At £23 I think it would be worth a punt to see if it will work if you have a smashed light and need a replacement quick - not sure on beam spread being aimed at motorcycle use as might be quite a flat beam.

[danmetallic]

I agree with Covkid. We're a fussy lot and personally the maestros are as far as I'd go from stock. A re manufactured solution incorporating LEDs (with appropriate reflectors etc) is the only way to go I think. But of course that will cost ££££££££s

[California Dreamin]

2 days and 5 replies tells you something.... 80-90 members are perhaps a little more 'Traditional' shall we say. I certainly wouldn't want to pigeon hole members on here but I think its fair to say that The Brick Yard has more of a pimp my ride attitude. Speaking for myself, originality is important and if something is modified it has to be an improvement whilst retaining the overall look.

Martin

[greasemonkey]

I think part of the problem is as vehicles become 'classic' a lot of the value is in retaining the original look of them, especially those who have really nice examples.

[gazza7200]

Would be interested in these if the price was right!

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/b ... p-upgrade/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[danmetallic]

Would be interested in these if the price was right!

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/b ... p-upgrade/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

V-lux and a few other people have these fitted already and they are ex. pen. sive!! Look good though.

The real prize is for whoever can come up with RHD rectangular alternatives

[keytouch]

The real prize is for whoever can come up with RHD rectangular alternatives

I've asked on several threads for the exact measurements and a few photos from all angles but no-one ever replies

[busbuddy]

after market 6x8 units would probably work as the actual lens of these is not far off the size of a T3 unit, there are endless variations available projector/angel eye/etc but you would need to fork out about a grand buying various ones then spend some time getting them to fit in the space on a T3 and look right
getting some off the shelf units and then having bespoke mounting frames made to suit would be the easiest route I would think
some r&d is required and its a pretty niche market, not everyone wants square ones and a lot of people are happy with their lhd ones
im sure if you sent a set of T3 ones over to the Chinese they would make perfect copies BUT that again would need a decent investment

[CovKid]

To be worth doing (at least from a business point of view) and capture a big enough market, any replacements are going to have to be similar to originals in terms of size and/or offer something significantly better than stock. Round headlights are already well catered for with new technology coming along all the time.

I guess thats my point. Any replacement will either need to be a close copy and cheaper than anything else out there or else accommodate something of real, desired value. To downgrade the physical size may interest one or two, but not enough to warrant the time & effort involved. If you change anything on the front of a T25, it becomes very obvious so has to be done right.

This has been looked at and discussed many times and I think the reason it has never actually got off the ground is because no one is prepared to invest the money needed to produce new ones and potentially, not see anything like the returns they hoped for. Having driven all the v-dubs I can't even see Beetle owners settling for slightly smaller headlights, unless as I say they have some kind of awesome technology to justify making the swap, or in the case of the T25, they want a pimped look complete with redesigned grill - but I would think thats still a very niche market.

Put something up and we have something to talk about but smaller units padded with a bezel will be a tricky one to sell unless the price is so low, no one cares. It'd be a real conjuring trick to do both but at least you have some feedback which may prove useful. There is a market there for sure but listening to owners will be key.