Door operated rear light UPDATE |
Post Reply |
Author | |
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 07 Mar 11 at 17:15 |
To overcome this I’ve fitted an internal light from a Golf mk2 GTI, the reason I used a GTI light over a standard mk2 is because it has a time off delay which can been useful and only £4 off ebay. It was simple enough, marked out the cut-out and chain drilled around it and used a junior hacksaw blade to cut it out, and made good with a file, I picked up the feed from the light above the door, the hole for the door switch was already there just had to remove the plastic plug. The plastic block mounted to the door that operates the sw’t was from VW Heritage. I fitted LED lamps to both the front door and this light which made a huge difference over the standard filament lamps. The best part about this is, that it looks original I feel. UPDATE
Although I was pleased with this mod and having lived with it for a while, I've felt it was time to improve it.
So removed the light and fitted one from a mk3 Golf, which has the added bonus of having a map light, menaing the little one can read / play games whilst driving at night.
Fitted with LED bulb
Whilst doing this I also added a rear light to the over head locker to make reading at night a lot easier, this one was from a Sharan and only has 2x map lights.
Edited by Holydiver - 05 Nov 13 at 13:58 |
|
|
|
Joker_Club
Vanorak Joined: 14 Sep 06 Location: Sunny Lancs Status: Offline Points: 3733 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Neat
Sensible idea, I`ve looked at it a few times and then found something else on the van to do, but when I get round to it I am going to switch the OE light over the door via that door switch you`ve showed. Just a matter of wiring it so it will come on either via the door switch or from the original built-in switch. I like the time delay idea you`ve got
|
|
Sunny Lancs
|
|
ckendal
Groupie Joined: 24 Apr 09 Location: Eccleston city Status: Offline Points: 230 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Is the Golf GTi light the same fitting as the ones in the front of the cab? ie. Can you simply replace the T3 ones and have time delayed ones?
|
|
1989 California poptop
|
|
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Good point! I'll measure it and post the answer
|
|
|
|
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The cut out for the Golf light needs to be 26-30mm x 85-87mm, sorry didn't have time to measure the cutout for the van light so measured the spare Golf light I had at work.
|
|
|
|
Andytee
Groupie Joined: 25 Jan 08 Location: Leeds Status: Offline Points: 179 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Very nice. I like
You could do a similar thing over the boot space for seeing what's in yer boot / cupboards and fettling your engine in the dark.
|
|
Atlantic poptop
Nissan Leaf Really want a Tesla! |
|
ckendal
Groupie Joined: 24 Apr 09 Location: Eccleston city Status: Offline Points: 230 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I am assuming that it is a larger aperture then. Just bought a GTi courtesy light off ebay (5 quid plus postage). I will either open out the existing aperture above the driver door, or look to see if I can take the delay portion of the Golf light and fit it to my existing light.
The idea of having a light over the rear (above the engine) is a very good idea - for use when either working on the engine, or indeed when camping (no light back there!)
|
|
1989 California poptop
|
|
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
It's on the list of jobs to do
|
|
|
|
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Andy
I was looking at this the weekend, and look like it will be dead easy to wire in, plus I'd have a light for when camping (reading whilst in bed)
|
|
|
|
Red Westie
Yardie Joined: 23 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 567 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Also adds the necessary switches for an alarm to function on the doors etc. Just need one fitting to the tailgate and you have all round courtesy lighting plus possible alarm functionality. Martin |
|
shelly
|
|
16vmini
Groupie Joined: 10 Dec 10 Location: Horsham, nr LGW Status: Offline Points: 119 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
on a side note , the panel that the lights are mounted to above the door , can you still get this ?
mine is a bit different on my westy , just a flat panel fixed with screws .. but its all split and broken .... so it needs replacing Matt
|
|
Zeb
Yardie Joined: 12 Sep 08 Location: Portishead Status: Offline Points: 467 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I installed the swith as shown in the post but linked it to the cab lights, half the reason I did this was the alarm works from the interior lights so the slider is now alarmed. I would like to do the same to the tailgate but need to see some pictures of how to fit a tailgate switch. Has anyone added one?
Cheers
Zeb
|
|
1990 Westfalia California 1.6TD
|
|
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi Brian
On the list to do is fit a light in the rear side panel so it can be used at night whilst in bed, but was also thinking of wiring it into the tail gate too "some how" like you I'll need to see some pics.
Enjoying being back in the UK?? I was over your way last weekend having a cuppa on the sea front! I know how to live it up..
|
|
|
|
Zeb
Yardie Joined: 12 Sep 08 Location: Portishead Status: Offline Points: 467 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi Gary, life is still manic with a troublesome garage build on the go at the moment. I hope to use the bus in the near future to escape the pleasures of buying a 100yr old house in need of a garage.
I'm jealous as I have'nt even lived it up so much to roll down the hill in the van to the coast with a coffee! |
|
1990 Westfalia California 1.6TD
|
|
syncroparge
Yardie Joined: 08 Apr 05 Location: Leicester LE2 Status: Offline Points: 358 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The dimable int lights have 3 connections do you know what each connection is for as I have 3 lights to fit but do not have any connectors.
|
|
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Can't remember from memory but will look it up and let you know.
From memory
Red = 12v
Brown = ground
Brown / white?? switch Edited by Holydiver - 08 Jun 11 at 14:06 |
|
|
|
ckendal
Groupie Joined: 24 Apr 09 Location: Eccleston city Status: Offline Points: 230 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
earth (middle one IIRC), on via door switch and manually on via light switch.
|
|
1989 California poptop
|
|
Holydiver
Vanorak Baxters Chocolate Star Boy Joined: 05 Oct 08 Location: Nr Bristol Status: Offline Points: 1765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Update added
|
|
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |