Looking at the online vendors, it is clear that the headlamps consist of a housing with a bulb, and the prices are beyond sky high for the housing ($100 and up).  What I bought at Autozone for something like $25 bucks three years ago must have been the housing with the bulb included.  Certainly, to me at the time, it appeared to be no different from a sealed beam headlamp, and my inexperience must have told me it was that.

So, I was wrong about it being a traditional sealed beam, but I did buy a rectangular glass part that fit into the grill in the same fashion as what I took out, and it did include the illuminator -- in other words it was complete to fill the space and to make light.  And it did not cost $100 or more, it cost about $25.

BTW, thinking back some more about doing that job, the glass on my old lamp had a hole in it (road gravel?), and was wet inside.  I imagine that was why the bulb was bad.

Sorry for the mistake.    mcneely

---- Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET> wrote: 
> So, what did I buy at Autozone?  What I removed looked like a sealed beam headlight, and it had no opening through which a bulb could be fit.  What I bought and installed looked like a sealed beam headlight, and had no opening through which a sealed beam could be fit.  It plugged into a receptacle behind the headlamp.  What is going on here?  mcneely
> 
> ---- Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM> wrote: 
> > Patti,
> > 
> > Do NOT buy the entire outer headlight assembly. It is not necessary, and
> > also is not
> > a sealed beam headlight. As an example, go to the bus depot site and look
> > at their
> > offerings of headlight assembly, AND the light bulb (9004) itself here:
> > http://www.busdepot.com/lights-and-lenses?p=1
> > For one thing, the price difference between $200 for the assembly,and
> > $13.00 for the bulb,
> > is scary.
> > 
> > Yes, you can find these bulbs at almost any of your local auto supply
> > stores. They are common.
> > Both the high beam and low beam headlights have separate bulbs, and are not
> > sealed beam lights.
> > 
> > bob
> > 
> > 
> > On Sun, Dec 2, 2012 at 8:37 AM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> > 
> > > Patti, I got a replacement sealed beam headlamp for my 1991 Volkswagen
> > > Vanagon GL Campmobile at a local Autozone store.  I just used the model of
> > > my vehicle, and got the right headlamp.  It is the whole sealed beam, not a
> > > bulb.  mcneely
> > >
> > > ---- PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > > > Hi, everyone and happy holidays.
> > > The headlight went out on my 1990 Westy automatic.  I've had it since 2007,
> > > so I guess it's about time.  Will I need to replace the whole headlight
> > > unit or just a bulb.  Whatever it is, can it be found in a local Pep Boys?
> > >  I plan to replace both lights (for good measure!)  Can someone please give
> > > me a make and model # of headlight that I should buy.  I'd appreciate any
> > > pointers you send my way.
> > > Thanks.
> > > Patti
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > *♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪*
> > > If it's not on my iPhone, it doesn't exist...
> > > ●▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬♥▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬●
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > David McNeely
> > >
> 
> --
> David McNeely

--
David McNeely