In a message dated 4/21/02 1:53:08 AM, afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU writes:

<< Does anyone know of a cheap way to upgrade the low beam headlights in an
86 Vanagon (square headlights).  The stock low beams do not seem to be
safe for driving on busy unlit roads.   Has anyone tried adding cheap fog
lights to use at all times or found more powerful lights at a junkyard
that fit in the vanagon without major modification?   Any suggestions are
appreciated. >>

Andrew,

Here are your choices:

1/ Change the square headlight grille to a pre-86 round headlight grille with
Hella halogen headlamps.  You can get the superior Hella's from a superior
vendor called Susquehanna Motorsports for a paltry $68/pair.  The problem
here is still finding the grille and round headlight buckets at a junkyard.

2/ You can fabricate an adapter to fit 5 1/4" X 7 1/4" rectangular Hella's
($78/pair @ Susuehanna) into your existing grille.  A few years ago, there
was an article describing one way of doing it in the LIMBO newletter.
Basically the adapter is a frame made of small sized angle iron which picks
up the mounting points of the Hella's and the existiing mounting points on
the van.  The Hella's do not have the slight curve of the stock headlamps,
but it is hard to tell that they are not stock.

3/Use a South African grille with 2 round 7" lamps and 2 round 5 1/4" lamps
(all Hella, of course).  A group purchase for these items has just concluded.
 The grilles were offered at $95 and the inner lamps with brackets were
$62/pair.  You would still have to pick up the 7" round buckets and the lamps.

Rich