twin headlight conversion to single headlight?

Hi I've got a 1990 twin headlight gti cabriolet, I want to convert the lights from twin to single, what do I need to do this, just a grille, or do I need mk1 single headlights and front vallance too? Also I'm assuming the full beams are incorporated in the single headlight versions?

Where is the best place to get these bits?

thanks,

matt

you just need a grill

Hi Matt.

I have done the conversion on my clipper, it's simple enough to do.

Your current headlamps have main beam in, so no need to change these, the inner lamps are auxillary fitment.

You will need a different grille to do the conversion. The cheapest and easiest option would be to buy an aftermarket de-badged grille, these are one piece and available all over the place. It was the first thing I changed on my car.

The second option is a single lamp grille in the original style, found on lower powered golfs and caddy's. These are more expensive ans a bit more work to fit. These are 3 piece units, comprising of outer headlamp bezzles and the center section. To fit these you'll need a set of grille clips to fix the top of the grille to the car a couple of screws for the bezzles, the self locating clips from the original will hold the top of the bezzle, however you may need to improvise fixings for the bottom screws ( I used electric cable clips with the screw going into the hole where the nail went ) I have found the early type grille to be worth the extra effort.

You can find grilles new and second hand on ebay, just don't pay too much. Also places like Big boys toys sell them, link on the left of this page. have a look round and compare prices and decide on the look you want.

Personally I'd spend the cash and go for the original style badged item, you can get chrome and black badges, some rare ones come up on ebay from time to time ( I have an original white one! ).

I think £25 will get a debadged one, and all the bits to do the original style would prob work out about £100

what would you do with the wires from the old inner headlights? Just cover the ends up or would it be tidier and safer to pull them out from souce?

Either way would work.

The spots are run from a feed from the main headlamps. The wire is white. It comes from the plug on the rear of the headlamp to the spot, there is also an earth.

It is easy to remove the wires, I managed to get the actual contact out of the plastic connection on the headlamp, then cut the spot wire at source. The earth can just be cut where it joins the loom.

This is the safer and tidier option in my opinion, but only if you don't want to swop the grille back.

Hope this helps….

chris-h said

Hi Matt.

I have done the conversion on my clipper, it's simple enough to do.

Your current headlamps have main beam in, so no need to change these, the inner lamps are auxillary fitment.

You will need a different grille to do the conversion. The cheapest and easiest option would be to buy an aftermarket de-badged grille, these are one piece and available all over the place. It was the first thing I changed on my car.

The second option is a single lamp grille in the original style, found on lower powered golfs and caddy's. These are more expensive ans a bit more work to fit. These are 3 piece units, comprising of outer headlamp bezzles and the center section. To fit these you'll need a set of grille clips to fix the top of the grille to the car a couple of screws for the bezzles, the self locating clips from the original will hold the top of the bezzle, however you may need to improvise fixings for the bottom screws ( I used electric cable clips with the screw going into the hole where the nail went ) I have found the early type grille to be worth the extra effort.

You can find grilles new and second hand on ebay, just don't pay too much. Also places like Big boys toys sell them, link on the left of this page. have a look round and compare prices and decide on the look you want.

Personally I'd spend the cash and go for the original style badged item, you can get chrome and black badges, some rare ones come up on ebay from time to time ( I have an original white one! ).

I think £25 will get a debadged one, and all the bits to do the original style would prob work out about £100

From “twin headlight conversion to single headlight?”

Hi there, I'm also looking to do this conversion and some people are saying the spot lamps are the high beam and 2 light golfs run a different headlight? Would like to hear from someone who's done it, mine's a 1990 clipper 

I'm about to go the other way, and change from single lights to double, bought a debadged grill with a pair of hella's for £5.50 of a very well known auction site. 

airspirit said

I'm about to go the other way, and change from single lights to double, bought a debadged grill with a pair of hella's for £5.50 of a very well known auction site. 

Have you managed to do this? How did you do it?

I would not cut the wires going to the spot lights as if you wish to swap back to the 4 lights (so you can see in the dark on high/full beam) then it's an easy change, just tape up the ends to stop dirt getting into them and tuck them away.

EAWhite said

airspirit said

I'm about to go the other way, and change from single lights to double, bought a debadged grill with a pair of hella's for £5.50 of a very well known auction site. 

Have you managed to do this? How did you do it?

I want to do the same, any info muchly appreciated please

pingman said

EAWhite said

airspirit said

I'm about to go the other way, and change from single lights to double, bought a debadged grill with a pair of hella's for £5.50 of a very well known auction site. 

Have you managed to do this? How did you do it?

I want to do the same, any info muchly appreciated please

check out this thread, i asked the same question a while ago View topic: Changing number of headlights - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club