Map light thingy?

[lloydy]

you can get a led bulb for the map light, you don't have to remove it and fit strip lights.

[CovKid]

Then theres the air in them. German air that is

.. I want to keep my van original ...

... I don't think the bulbs were made in 1989,
Hope this isn't too disappointing.

I think you really need to change your tyres too

[Smcknighty]

It's getting harder to get hold of genuine 80's German air, spare tyres in low mileage golf mk 1's are one way of doing it but they are crazy prices now.

On a side note - looking forward to this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutschland_83" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to gain a better understanding of the world my 1982 German residing van was born into.

[CovKid]

Its often a compromise between keeping things original (for those that like to do that) and what would be deemed valid improvements that retain the look and without upsetting your insurer or putting others lives at risk. On the other hand, customisation can be cool. I once made an electronic dash for a type 2 that was modelled on Next Generation Star Trek bridge controls. Not to everyones taste but it looked very cool as it was totally black until you put the ignition on. However, flights of fancy may not appeal to others - in the same way that pink cars have a limited resale market.

Personally, I think providing you can put things back as they were or the difference isn't that noticeable, then it won't affect a future sale. Nice though they are, I wouldn't fit say a Corsa-type steering mod as insurers do not like it. Who can blame them. I know people do but thats their choice. Better lights rather than dim tungsten has to be worthwhile. Its not stock, but we're in a new century now.

As for interior lights, it now no longer makers much sense to fit tungsten bulbs as their life span is so short in comparison and if you DO break down, its better to have exterior marker lights that may need to be lit for several hours. I changed all mine several years ago and presently working on a complete rethink of rear lights that departs dramatically from stock yet looks the same.