I think they are just cheap aftermarket jobbies, the side light fitting is poor quality. The pattern is on the reflector rather than the lens and there's a blue bit in the middle, that sadly doesn't light up. Single screw - what do I know? That's how the bus is. It has had a few new front panels over the years, so maybe not std any more.
I can answer this one because I did the same. Earlier buses didn't have 3 tabs in the headlight bowls for fitting the later lights. Therefore the only lights that will fit are the early, 3 screw rims and lights - this is because they use the edge of the headlight bowl to hold the headlight in place, with a single tab on either the left or the right. However, there is only 1 type of replacement front panel (ask the prototype bay lot, who have to have extra work done to remove the high mounted indicators when they use this panel) and this one replacement panel comes with the 3 tabs welded in to accept the later lights. So, if you've got those 3 tabs, you can use later lights, if you haven't, you can weld them in if you feel that strongly about it (but I'd imagine it's a pain to get them lined up properly). I had the 3 tabs already (previous owner replaced the front panel) so I got rid of the 3 crew lights and got some 1 screw rims and a set of lights designed for a mk1 golf, which had a clear lens and the reflector in the bowl.
Oh by the way NICE bus! love the exhaust ---so that is a beetle exhaust? i've been looking at different exhaust & can not afford most but beetle exhaust are all over & cheaper
Gearbox cleaned up and fitted. All gears select, but not had time to drive it, I just hope it's not a duffer.
1,2 and 3 are 10% longer so 4th isn't so far away. 4th is 3% longer so not much difference, BUT if the box is serviceable, at a later date I'll whip it out again and change the 4th for an early 1600 box 4th which will get me a cruising gear. Hopefully HoverJohn's going to help/do it for me.
Sorry Zed, i ask a lot of questions what year is that box?,is it a bus or beetle?,what should look for when looking for one? i would like better gearing in the bus,seems like i'm ready to change gear as soon as i let the clutch out... :- Thanks for informing me----chuck
It depends on your engine. If you have a stock engine, stick to the stock box. They are noisy and like to rev a bit which aids cooling, maybe you need to thrash it a bit more? My engine gets replaced with a more powerful one in a few weeks time hence the box. In the meantime it's going to be 10% harder work for it in 1,2,3 and 3% harder in 4th.
So the gearbox is cleaned up and fitted. And the wiper spindles changed to late splined type. Not as elegant, but better than scene tax. Nice scruffy ones too. Glovebox lid changed to one without a split with lock. Time I had a clean-up.
You can either grovel about under the dash in among the wiring or do it the "long" way - take out the windscreen and remove the dash top for access. Neither is "easy", but my back likes it the long way, which to me is also the quick way because you won't mess the wiring up in the process and you can see what you're doing.
