I'll second that.  The real problem is the light lens not the bulb wattage.  U.S. spec lenses are different and inferior to European spec lights.  You can swap all of the different types of bulbs you want but you will not see anywhere near as much improvement as you will by switching to Euro spec. lenses.  I have tried this on my 1990 Audi Quattro and the best bulb I found was only marginally better then the stock bulb, switching to Euro spec lenses was like night and day.  The best part about switching to the Euro lenses was getting the insurance company to pay for them.  That was only because the wife tapped the rear of a Land Rover and its bumper was at headlight level on the Audi.

Mark in AK

----- Original Message -----
From: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Date: Saturday, November 4, 2006 1:36 pm
Subject: Re: Rewiring for Xenon lights
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> As long as you continue to use the DOT headlights, you will continue
> to have hard to see at night problems. The wattage/intensity of the
> bulb is >NOT< the problem. it is the light distribution.
>
> A 55 Watt bulb throws out plenty of light....if you direct it in the
> right places, like the European headlights do.
>
>
> On Nov 4, 2006, at 2:58 PM, Matt Drew wrote:
>
> > Howdy volks-
> >
> > Getting ready to swap-out the OE hard-to-see-at-night headlights
> > with some
> > hi-intensity Xenon bulbs.
> >
> > Lost a previous email where I discussed this one-on-one with a list
> > member.
> >
> > I know that I have to re-wire the headlights so that they don't fry
> > the
> > wiring.
> >
> > What guage should I use? I want to support the load, but don't want
> > to go
> > too low.
> >
> > Also, do I need to worry about the headlight housing/cover being
> > damaged?
> >
> >
> >
> > Matt
> > '90 GL "Blackbeard"
>