Headlamp retrofit questions. Haaaaaalp.

"Der Käfer" (Rhy) 12/10/2013 at 08:51 • Filed to: None

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Ok so I've posted a few times about my halogen reflector head lamps sucking.. I just put in a set of nicer $50 Sylvanias but didn't really get what I wanted out of them, a couple of you guys said go retrofit. Well I found another beetle driver through a forum but had his retofitted through a shop that charged him $500 to retrofit them. His issue was our lamp lenses have to be completely cut off to get inside, you can't heat them up and just pry them off... I really really want to retro fit a Projector Bi-Xenon but wouldnt have the slightest clue on how to get the lens back on with a tight, factory looking seal. The kit is only $250 vs the 1200 dollar a piece OEM lamps.

ME NO NO HOW TO DO. HALP.

This is the beetle with the custom kit I want to buy. (source: VWVortex.com DrTechy's Turbo Beetle)

Party-vi > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 08:54

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Have you tried any salvage yards for the OEM stuff? Or was it never an option on the new Beetle?

Der Käfer > Party-vi 12/10/2013 at 08:59

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They were an option only on the top tier $30k+ Turbo beetle. I found a salvage beetle but the lamps were still $875 a piece.

zadtheinhaler > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:00

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That's highway robbery. People can claim "what the market will bear" all they want, salvage costing that much is ridiculous.

Der Käfer > zadtheinhaler 12/10/2013 at 09:02

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They got kinda irritated when I tried to negotiate, I would take the set for $500 but he said that my offer was a "joke" and to" check what they go for new."

ColoradoTaco > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:03

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Is that your car pictured? Use a kit from DDMTuning.com, it really is plug and play, hardest part is mounting the ballast somewhere.

zadtheinhaler > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:05

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Wow. Some of the local pawn shops do the same thing for guitars and whatnot.

"It was $1200 new, suck it up"

"It was $1200 new...in 1987. And it's been previously enjoyed. Good luck selling it."

I've seen the same guitars there for 4+ years because they won't budge on the price.

Guys like that can fuck right off.

Party-vi > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:06

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Damn! $250 for a kit sounds scary to me. It might be worth it to buy another set of halogen head lamps and install the kit on them that way if you mess up you'll still have working lights. If you don't mess up you can always sell your still-working halogen lamps after you install the kit.

Der Käfer > ColoradoTaco 12/10/2013 at 09:08

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Thats my body style, not my car but that is the result I want to achieve, this guy (beetle in pics) paid a shop to retrofit his set and they were $600+

Der Käfer > Party-vi 12/10/2013 at 09:10

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those are about $450 a set...... I'm trying to hit up a few friends who are good with electrics and stuff. I can do mechanical but this electrical stuff zooms over my head.

davedave1111 > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:11

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Rally lights?

Der Käfer > zadtheinhaler 12/10/2013 at 09:13

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I mean the beetle in question was a total loss, hit from the driver side by a truck at more than 50+ MPH and the only salvagable parts where the the engine and front components like the lights, fog lamps and grill.

Party-vi > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:14

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The kit should have instructions. Also I'm thinking epoxy is going to be the best way to go when trying to re-seal your headlamps. Luckily my car has two-piece light assemblies so if I ever want to change something I can just unclip the covers :D

CalzoneGolem > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:16

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Dr.d > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:20

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Not for your model but it should be very similar:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthre…

You should get the morimoto mini h1 projectors. They're not the cheapest but they're very high quality but they won't be $500 and this place should be able to supply then and answer questions:

https://www.theretrofitsource.com

Good luck!

dinobot666 > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 09:33

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Have you seen an eye doctor? I mean, how bad is your night vision?

Rigid Industries sells very high quality auxiliary LED lamps that could tuck in somewhere on your bug. Cost would be about the same however.

Der Käfer > dinobot666 12/10/2013 at 09:42

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I have been, and I do have a very difficult time driving in the dark and lately with the winter weather, the rain/sleet, rain in the dark is messing me up. I replaced the wiper blades, put in new halogen bulbs and have a hard time seeing, when I switch on the highs I can see pretty well.

Der Käfer > Dr.d 12/10/2013 at 09:43

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I was just putting items in my cart! I want the motos, iris shroud but IDk what wiring harness to get, is it the one thats currently on my car? the H4?

Der Käfer > Party-vi 12/10/2013 at 09:48

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The retrofitters offer the glue as an option in the kit, I guess Ill go with that!

MrCrash > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 10:36

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The guy that did that retrofit originally started doing them for 4th gen Dodge Rams. He freely shares info to help people, so you might have some luck asking him how he managed to open and reseal them. He walked me through opening the lights for my truck and getting my projectors mounted, and never asked for anything for his time. If you decide to go through him, I can say that he does great work, and can add any modifications you want while he is in there (paint, etching, LEDs, etc). If you don't have it already, here is his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/retroshopheadl…

MrCrash > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 10:44

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Not sure if it would work well for your style headlights, but the retrofitter that did those lights directed me to use waterproof silicone caulk to reseal my housings when I did my retrofit (my lights are the style that can be heated up and separated). I can look up the specific stuff he said to use if you want.

Der Käfer > MrCrash 12/10/2013 at 11:05

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The guy your talking about, did the lights on the beetle in the pics.

Dr.d > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 13:15

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Sounds right, you can also hardwire the system in if you want to do it that way..

zadtheinhaler > Der Käfer 12/10/2013 at 21:16

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And they're still expecting that kind of money?

What a racket. I'd say "I'm in the wrong damn business", but my conscience wouldn't allow me to be that much of a dick.

Yes, I can be a dick, but even I have limits.

Der Käfer > zadtheinhaler 12/11/2013 at 07:44

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I have 0 tolerance for bullshit and this shit stank so bad I had to walk... run away.

zadtheinhaler > Der Käfer 12/11/2013 at 08:31

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Dont blame you at all, bru. It would be very difficult not to bitch-slap the guy. If you can at least haggle, the product will move. If he didn't even pay that much for the whole wreck, he's got no reasonable expectation of selling the lights at that price, much less anything else.

Der Käfer > zadtheinhaler 12/11/2013 at 08:35

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Everything on that car was priced as "new" or near new..... what? Really dude? The car was so far gone that we couldnt try out the head lights, so I could have bought them and they might not even work!

zadtheinhaler > Der Käfer 12/11/2013 at 09:04

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Yup, good choice on walking, dude. Chances are the rest of his yard is similarly priced.

Der Käfer > zadtheinhaler 12/11/2013 at 09:43

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Theres a lot of new or near new cars. Like a 2014 XTS 2k miles side impact total loss, still wants 35k for it. I don't think the person in it survived......

zadtheinhaler > Der Käfer 12/11/2013 at 20:03

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Somebody needs to put down the pipe for a while. $35K for a busted ass XTS that likely has blood and whatever else sprayed inside?

No. Fucking. Thanks.

I'd rather drive a Chevette.

Der Käfer > zadtheinhaler 12/12/2013 at 07:35

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ahahaha omg dude yes. "Sir I know a lot people and places for you to go and get help.."

"help for what?......."

"Crack addiction is very tough I'm sure and I can't imagine how tough it's been for you, I mean just look at your prices! They're so high that only someone higher can see the price as fair.... You need the help."