head light compatability

Hello Mick,

If you are not too concerned with attaching any headlight adjusters on, then the Golf Mk1 and Mk2 head light lens fit the G-Wagen headlight cradle. The Mk2 is almost an identical fit; the Mk2 is a fiddly fit but fits all the same.

The problem is, with these fittings; is dependent upon reusing the plastic ball fittings which attach on the ball end of the headlight adjuster screw and cradle.

Generally, these are no longer available through dealers. I have not checked recently but it may be sourceable from some VW camper parts sites or through the likes of Lucas, Hella or Bosch.

Alternatively, change lenses with cradle.

To distinguish between the right hand or left hand dipping lens is possible to identify on some lenses, for the G-Wagen and Golf is also possible to visually identify the dip side.

As principle, Left Hand Driving (UK) has Left dipping lights and Right Hand Driving (Continent) has right dipping lights. From the illustration below, showing the right hand dip falling on the road; one can see the beam falls longer on the road towards the right side (viewing from rear, forwards of vehicle illustration). The shorter beam on the left side is designed so, that for on-coming traffic are not blinded with light glare. Same principle applies for left hand dipping lights but the picture inversed.

This difference can be noticed if headlight beam pattern falls directly on the garage door or wall as shown below.

The picture on the right shows a left-dipping beam. The sloped part of the beam falls on the left side, representing the longer light fall onto the road as shown in the picture above.

The ‘slope’ mentioned above is better known as cut-off.

The picture above shows the slope part on the right side indicating a right dipping light, very much as the first picture illustration, above. So far we have seen the illuminated beam patterns of a right hand and left hand beams.

 Next, we look into the headlight in identifying the same.

By our next picture below, be on the lookout for the almost triangular pattern stickered out on the lens. This pattern diffuses light to shine to the opposing side. In the picture below, the triangular section is taped up with a sticker just before September, 1967 when Sweden changed to right hand driving.

The stickered-triangular section (left side of lens, viewing from rear) would throw light beam to the right indicating a right hand dip (for right hand drive – Continent use).

Note, both front headlights would have this triangular section on the same side of the lens, i.e. Right hand dip would have the triangular profile on the left side of lens and inversely so for Left hand dips.