alternative headlight reflectors

[john hamblett]

just a quick heads up these reflectors are from a t2 vw camper hella units a tiny bit smaller diameter than the originals but work perfectly and cost only £30.00 each fitting is straightforward but you will need to re drill the fixing holes in the side of the reflector otherwise the beam pattern will be wrong
a good saving on the normal ones

[Toolbox200]

Brilliant stuff, don't think it's a bad thing that they are a tad smaller, mine were always a snug fit and didn't always adjust properly. Too late for me, I went Mk3 option but should help some owners out.

[sparkythecat]

Well done that man !

[N7GTX]

^^^^^^^ wot he said

[FoxTVR430]

Super, your the man!

Could you put up a link please.

Edited by FoxTVR430 on Friday 16th June 21:31

[Jon Brown]

If you want the originals then their from a porker 964. About £50-60 each of the bay

[DrasticplastiC]

I realise this thread dates back a year or so but I would be grateful for some related advice on the matter.

My reflectors are shot on my 95 Chim. I want to keep it looking original, I don't want Lupo lamps or to start cutting the fibreglass to fit something else.

I am interested by this VW T2 Camper Hello conversion as detailed on this thread but I am told by two suppliers on Ebay that the units are sealed. I suspect the lens would be too small for the Chim headlamp cowel? The photos on this thread seem to show a T2 Camper reflector minus the lens, I don't quite follow.......

I would appreciate some advice on this! Thanks.

(Has anyone successfully fitted the LED lorry lights yet?)

[DrasticplastiC]

Further to my post I have been told by Racetech that the Chim Mk 3 H4 Hella units were sealed i.e. lens to reflector and would need fiberglass modification to my 95 Chim.

Unless someone knows different, I thought the car on this thread was an earlier model Chim?

[phillpot]

Bit more than 30 quid but it's not a sealed unit .... VW t2 reflector

[DrasticplastiC]

Thanks for that. I have found out that there were indeed two types of headlamp fitted to VW T2 campers, the earlier was a 3 screw unit and the reflector could be removed from the lens, the later unit was "sealed" and has one fixing screw.

So the question is whether the later "sealed" unit can be fitted to the Chimaera, whether the lens fits in the cowl properly or not....

[indigochim]

I thought that sealed beam units where what was used in the olden days these are the ones that people hate on Landrovers, classic minis and the like. Surely the other option of an H4 lamp in a reflector was the more modern version and the one to go for. Also I'm pretty sure there's a gap between the front of the reflector and the lens on the Chimaera.

[DrasticplastiC]

Racetech said the "sealed" units were for the MK3 Chimaera, by sealed I mean the lens is connected to the reflector, 1 screw application. The earlier ones were completely seperate, also having a 3 screw application. I checked with a VW bus expert and they said T2 buses had the 1 screw "sealed" units on the later models...

Maybe it'll be easier to try and DIY electro-plate the original reflectors I am wondering.......

[mach2]

I had my original reflectors re-silvered by Silchrome. I also had them apply a 2k clear coat lacquer that would protect the finish for the future. They made a fantastic job of it and two years on they are still like new.

[Steve_D]

Why would you want to go experimenting with the VW version when Racetech already sell a reflector you can just fit.

Steve

[Zeb74]

Steve_D said:

Why would you want to go experimenting with the VW version when Racetech already sell a reflector you can just fit.

Steve

I was also wondering why, I saw that they are also available at TVR Parts.
Ok, it's twice the price of the last VW indicated before, but if it's genuine parts and if they last 20 more years, paying an extra 60£ is not a bad investment, no?

[DrasticplastiC]

Thanks for your comments and to reply to your question.

I have restored a range of vehicles over the years as an interest and I have also a background partly in engineering related procurement. I take an interest in buying parts and ensuring I get the best deal. When very simple parts become significantly expensive I like to source alternatives which are almost identical, where this is possible, without compromising the car.

[DrasticplastiC]

I am really interested to know if the VW Camper T2 "semi-sealed" headlamps with one screw can fit the Chimaera but I haven't seen one to know yet....

[Zeb74]

Ok I understand.
It's easier for me, I'm driving on the continent and reflectors for this side of the road are twice cheaper.
By the way, are you sure that the VW ones are well oriented?

[DrasticplastiC]

The chap at the top of this post confirmed last year it was possible to fit the VW T2 Camper reflectors with a little alteration, but they are now the same price as the Porsche ones which fit the TVR.... Hence why I want to find out if the "semi-sealed" units can fit the early Chimaera, without butchering the fibreglass.... Which country are you in then as a matter of interest?

[DrasticplastiC]

The only available Porsche reflectors are for LHD vehicles, apparently it just means the side light is vertical not off-centre when fitted.... I guess some adjustment is needed also....