Does anybody have pictures of how the stock Sterling headlight is mounted or know what the stock lights were from? While I am sure it really doesn't matter as long as it's a 7" light pictures would be helpful and I have no pictures of my stock lights before I ripped them out and tossed them without thinking
Stock headlight and mounting
- Thread starter vpogv
- Start date
letterman7
Honorary Admin
"Stock" headlights were simply the Beetle buckets installed from the back of the light pod. Holes were drilled so that the adjusters would poke through the fiberglass. The light bucket itself sticks a little bit through the fiberglass so that the headlight keeper ring will hold the bulb in place.
As for the market lights, my lenses had been cut flat, then attached with a pair of screws through the reflector and into the fiberglass. I have never been able to determine what they were off of as I cannot find any with a manufacturer's number on them.
For the headlights, yes, any 7" bulb will work. In another thread I suggested an upgrade kit from the Bus Depot for a pair of EU H4 bulbs and harness which replaces the sealed beams traditionally used. Much better beam pattern in my opinion, and a bit brighter as well.
As for the market lights, my lenses had been cut flat, then attached with a pair of screws through the reflector and into the fiberglass. I have never been able to determine what they were off of as I cannot find any with a manufacturer's number on them.
For the headlights, yes, any 7" bulb will work. In another thread I suggested an upgrade kit from the Bus Depot for a pair of EU H4 bulbs and harness which replaces the sealed beams traditionally used. Much better beam pattern in my opinion, and a bit brighter as well.
letterman7
Honorary Admin
So.. I'll see you at Carlisle this year, then?It's interesting to see how the different version of these cars differ around the world. You guys seem to have them fitted on the rear wall of the headlight bay with the hardware in the wheel well.
The peeps over in bonny old England mount then on the rear wall of the headlight bay, but with the hardware exposed;
Whilst us lot Down Under, have them on the rear wall of the headlight bay, mounted to the rear wall, but with a fiberglass surround;
The peeps over in bonny old England mount then on the rear wall of the headlight bay, but with the hardware exposed;
Whilst us lot Down Under, have them on the rear wall of the headlight bay, mounted to the rear wall, but with a fiberglass surround;
ydeardorff
New member
My headlights were originally setup like this as well.
Cyco, Im not sure but unless there are options in OZ that we dont have here in the states; How the lights are mounted is probably more of a personal choice (attention to detail) than anything else.
The picture shown by Rick of the red car, is a more typical kit look (screwed into the surface) whereas the picture you posted with the square headlights is more of an OEM look (better fit and finish).
I think I still have the original set of lights and marker lights. I didnt bother getting under the car to get all of the junk out yet. Ive been too busy with school. But I suppose if someone needs them, let me know. They should still be hanging under the car in the garage.
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Yeah, the fiberglass surround or 'box' was a standard bit of kit with the kit that was delivered to the initial builder. There were two versions, for the square lights pictured and for the 7" VW Beetle headlights (what I have on mine).
Not all have them or use them, but the overwhelming majority do. Obviously those using popups don't use them, and those couple with the Moon-Ace GT headlight pods. And probably a couple of other fittings out there.
delbertinie
Member
I was looking at Cyco's pic of his square headlights and buckets.
What car are they from....it looks as if the buckets and adjusters/ headlights just bolt in the body.
easy cheezy... thats what I want
What car are they from....it looks as if the buckets and adjusters/ headlights just bolt in the body.
easy cheezy... thats what I want
That's not my 'reek, but the square headlights were from a MK1 Ford Capri from memory. And the buckets were fiberglass from 'factory'. I believe there were two versions, square & round, but they just as easily could have been made as blanks.
I've never seen them off, but I think the headlight bolts to the body, then the surround bolts on afterwards. I'd have to have a look, and mine has a half inner wheel guard on the fronts.
RangerBEH
Member
Not to high jack anything but how far aft of the headlight bulkhead do you have before you have to worry about the tire travel? I didn't measure my car before disassembly. I may have found a headlight option just don't want to hit a bump and have the headlight pop out of socket? A ball park would be helpful. I'm considering making boxes to bring the unit forward but if I don't need to then I'll just bolt to the bulkhead.
letterman7
Honorary Admin
I'd measure off of mine but my inner bulkhead would have to come out. I think it was somewhere around 5-6 inches. There's more room than you think - but the fender itself intrudes more to the inside than the tire will.
Posted on my build thread but watned it here as well due to being on topic. I purchased these headlight assemblies but they do not seem to mount up as the originals. What am I missing? I know I can make them work but hoping somebody can point out the obvious issue. *kicked my butt*
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
I still have the "stock" head lights that came out of my car. Tomorrow I'll dig them out and post a picture for you to check out. For you only if you want them just pay for shipping and there yours
That would be great if you have them still. The closest I have found to VW headlights with the similar square mounting frame is from an MKII Golf but those were in the 1990's. I am sure I can make these work I just really don't feel like screwing around more than I have to right now.
*outa here*
*outa here*
letterman7
Honorary Admin
Dunno Pog. Just went through both the Nova and Sterling build manuals and really nothing was there concerning the lights. I'm starting to think they were from something other than the Beetle, but common "in the day", like the TR7 units. Judging from this photo:
it very well be something other than Beetle. That is a TR7 bucket - look at the mounting points. Maybe the lower plate was flipped upside down..
Another possibility: Headlight Buckets Bracket 1973 1977 Ford Truck Pickup F150 73 77 Round | eBay
The Hella Vanagon buckets on CIP1 also look close, but wouldn't have been year correct. I think at this point you may want to do a few things: maybe return the Beetle buckets for a refund and hit the junkyard for a generic pair of 7" buckets that you can hack up. A flat plate to cover the back of the fiberglass bucket can be marked for the appropriate holes to be drilled, and stand-offs made from bolt couplers would work just fine. The challenge is going to be finding the "right" bucket to make work as a blank canvas.
Sorry about that.. I can't find any specific information.
it very well be something other than Beetle. That is a TR7 bucket - look at the mounting points. Maybe the lower plate was flipped upside down..
Another possibility: Headlight Buckets Bracket 1973 1977 Ford Truck Pickup F150 73 77 Round | eBay
The Hella Vanagon buckets on CIP1 also look close, but wouldn't have been year correct. I think at this point you may want to do a few things: maybe return the Beetle buckets for a refund and hit the junkyard for a generic pair of 7" buckets that you can hack up. A flat plate to cover the back of the fiberglass bucket can be marked for the appropriate holes to be drilled, and stand-offs made from bolt couplers would work just fine. The challenge is going to be finding the "right" bucket to make work as a blank canvas.
Sorry about that.. I can't find any specific information.
letterman7
Honorary Admin
I would imagine that almost any small car from the early 70's era, especially if they were imports and prevalent in the States, might have buckets that would work. The fact that the taillights are TR's is coincidence. They just happened to fit the panel at that time since Bedford lights might have been getting harder to import. Makes me wish I hadn't thrown my parts away, too... but premium space and all that!
letterman7
Honorary Admin
Just had a chat with Fred who spoke with Cecil about the OE headlight setup, and it was Cecil's recollection that the headlights came from the early '70's GM pickup trucks, as did the front turn signals. I haven't been able to confirm that through any photos, though - most of the units I've found don't have the stand-offs, though the Ford F150 units are close. The search continues!