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Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:02 pm
by Matt
Not sure there is a thread on this already but I can't find one, can anyone recommend the best ways to upgrade headlights? I need a new pair as the originals are condensated and have water in but I'm not sure what to go for. Also need new indicators and sidelights for the front and was going to convert to led, any recommendations?

Matt

Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:25 pm
by Anton
If they've got condensation in them, can't you just take the bulb out and dry them out?

I can't see why you'd need to replace them because of a little water.

If it's just really because you fancy better headlights, I know some people have fitted mk1 or mk2 golf headlights. I think the mk1's fit without modification (I *think*) whereas the mk2's need a little trimming.

Having said that, Twiss put some 100W bulbs in his for more powerful main beams. I don't know of the legalities of that, but I'd like to do the same to mine if it's legal.

You need to upgrade the wiring and add relays, but I can't imagine that's going to be so difficult.

Then there's the option of adding spotlights. I think this is an insurance declare though, so might up your insurance. I've looked at LED spotlights, they look promising (27W spotlights go on ebay for about £15 each, and should cast about 4-10 times more light than OEM headlights, although much of that may just end up in the night sky...)

Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:26 pm
by turbo-tom
Golf mk1 or mk2 with more mods fit mate, scottie will know more :thumbup:

then just use a small 12volt button led light from bolt on bits in the wing ;)

Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:21 pm
by donkeychomp
100w bulbs not a good idea unless you upgrade all the wiring. And prob illegal as they are bloody bright!

Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 7:40 am
by twiss
All I can say regarding 100w bulbs is don't buy cheap chinese shit lol
And yes I have completely redone all the wiring to handle the extra draw... if you connect 100w bulbs into your standard wiring you WILL melt it and ruin the wiring loom

I think 90w is the legal limit in the UK, but out here in Malta nobody gives a fuck.... lots of people can't even figure out how to turn on their fucking headlights

Its not massively difficult to do the re-wiring, and you could always stick some less powerful bulbs in for the MOT. I highly doubt you would get pulled and have your headlights measured!

Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 9:20 am
by ScottieJ
Mk1 golf headlights are the easiest out of the 2 golf headlights to fit but still require to trimming for the mounts. It's a good improvement over standard headlights, and they have built in sidelights. I plan on upgrading the wiring as well so there's less voltage drop so that should mean brighter headlights.

Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:17 am
by courior
I have 90/100W bulbs in the lights (cheap chinese ones that are perfectly fine) . LED strips wrapped round the headlights as sidelights and little indicators mounted in the headlight cowl.

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Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:21 am
by courior
wrong end of the car.. but at the back of the top of the pickup cab i have added a high level 48 LED brake light:

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Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:24 am
by Matt
Ok so I was looking at headlights and found these, wasn't sure if these were the ones with sidelights built in? I don't mine buying desperate sidelights if not.

Re: Headlights, sidelights, indicators etc.

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:31 am
by twiss
They look pretty nice... they are projector lights aren't they? You will definitely need to upgrade your wiring!!!
Not sure about the "desperate sidelights" lol

bear in mind that you will either need to replace the indicator relay, or install a balast resistor for each LED indicator
to be honest I would always go with an LED suited relay as ballast resistors are a pain