My German Import RHD 58 - Updated

[lowlight]

Nou kan die pret begin.

[Dutch_Diver]

Looks lovely and with the snow flake lights

[Nick Bekker]

CANT WAIT TO SEE TE RESULT...lol

[karmakoma]

Right, so I bought some 2,5mm aluminium flatbar.

Found out it's too damn tough to bend if you don't have a vice or other appropriate tools.

Tried a thinner and wider 1.5mm flatbar, and that was ok to bend with some pliers.

Had to bend the "feet" the other way, so the bracket can fit on the right.

Managed to make this:





Then the REAl fun started.

Take off the old lights, figure out what goes where, and the ultimate challenge, to have the snowflakes brake, indicate, and illuminate.

Luckily when they fitted the tombstones 20 years ago, they kept the original wiring, and merely added the indicators, so things are still as per the original wiring diagram, they were also kind enough to keep the rubber seals that go between the snowflake light and the fender.

I thought I would do things a little differently. (No relay's, trailer accessory configurations etc for me thanks) Connected the indicators to the brighter side of the dual filament buld.

The lights to the other filament of the dual filament, and then for brakes, what to do.... If only we could squeeze another bulb into that snowflake??

Obviously that won't work (not enough space). However, I got two LED brake lights from the states a while back. Mounted one with it's bracket where it's supposed to go to act as a 3rd brake light, in the rear window.
Then dropped the other one into the left snowflake housing, nice and small it works a treat, bulb holder still goes in easily, it's bright, and no funny wiring shenanigans required.

All I need now is another LED for the right hand side brake.

Just to prove I actually read everyone elses posts, I also removed the "filters" vw installed in the original snowflakes as per DSAN's thread. No Idea why they put them in there. The filter is so thick you can barely see through it?! Even with the filters out, the lights aren't exactly eye searingly bright, although I did test during the day.

Oh, and yes, a pic This pic is with the lights on and the brakes applied. You'll see the brightness of the regular lights on the right. Nothing wrong with those brake lights!

The indicators are more or less the same intensity as the brake lights.

[lowlight]

Looking good Riaan

[karmakoma]

I got three bright red LEDs from the local security shop, soldered them in parallel with a resistor to prevent over voltage damage, put the whole lot into the right snowflake taillight, hooked it all up and it actually works.

Apply the brakes now, and it should be very clear to a driver behind me that we are braking!

[karmakoma]

One of the best threads on the THEPRECIOUS : http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... sc&start=0

Inspirasie tot verdere perspirasie

[karmakoma]

My how time flies, 4 months since I last updated this thread.

We had a great day out at the VW logo day. One item I still have to sort out though is seatbelts.

Ordered some from Wolfsburg West via Calooker.

Still have to fit them, but they look pretty good :

new seatbelts1.jpg

new seatbelts2.jpg

Till next time....