BTDT - and I won't do it again. The 50 watt blubs will cause a melt down
of the rear light fixtures. I have first hand experience. Had to replace
both tail-light assemblies because of it. Don't let anybody blow smoke
up your behind on this one. The only bulb that can be safely used is the
backup light. I have 50 watt halogens in there and they do produce  lot
of heat. However, since they are used infrequently - and only then for
just a few moments when backing up - they work fine, and I have had mine
for over two years with no problems. The other, hotter bulbs, are
another matter.

Don't do it!!

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

tabe johnson wrote:

>I have stumbled across some NOS 50 Watt lightbulbs.  They are
>suitable for all the rear lights in the Vanagon and they are an
>easy upgrade -- just remove the old bulbs and put these in.  Takes
>five minutes.  Very satisfying, for the time it takes!
>
>Each rear light assembly holds 4 bulbs - Stop, tail, turn, and reverse.
>If you want to change all of them, that makes 8 bulbs per vehicle.
>
>Similar bulbs are available on the web and on ebay for $3 ea.+s/h.
>I expect to be able to negotiate a price in the range of
>$1.50-$2.00 per bulb + shipping.
>
>Could I get a show of hands (OK, emails, whatever) as to if any
>of you would be interested in purchasing some of these bulbs, and
>how many?  I'm not going to do this if no one cares.
>
>Here are a variety of photos of the brake lights on my westy.  Left side
>is the replaced 50W bulb; right side is the stock bulb.  The difference
>in the tail lights (not shown) is even greater because the stock bulb is
>pretty small.
>
>http://www3.telus.net/public/tabe/vanagon/50w_bulbs_day.jpg
>http://www3.telus.net/public/tabe/vanagon/50w_bulbs_night.jpg
>http://www3.telus.net/public/tabe/vanagon/50w_bulbs_distant.jpg
>
>
>Let me know if you're interested!
>
>--tabe johnson
>xtabe@yahoo.com
>'87 Westy
>
>______________________________________________________________________
>Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
>
>
>
>