joey.in.pro Headlight ModKeith Kozma 9/3/00 |
I in no way take any credit for
this mod. This mod was created by Joey (nokia88something on the vortex).
Please keep in
mind that if you damage your lights in any way, shap or form don't get mad at
me. Also, I'm going to be frank, while the mod is easy to do if this is your
first time mod'in a car its really simple and don't be afraid, youre only painting,
its not like cracking open the valve cover or anything like that. I would rate
this mod a no brainer. So take it easy and don't get all tense about this mod.
ENJOY!
Parts you'll need
before you get started:
- Golf IV Headlights
(sorta obvious)
- Various hex
and screw drivers
- Spay Paint (
You choose what you want)
- Silicon sealant.
(Buy it at an automotive store ask for something that seals in headlights)
- Heat gun (blow
dryer works also but just take longer)
- Masking Tape
and newspaper
Getting Started.
- Remove grill
( can't really describe it) basically you just pull up on it as there are
little plastic clips that hold it on to the car
- Disconnect the
hood release latch by prying the metal clip that holds it onto the plastic
part. (Look at it and you'll understand how it works)
- Remove the bumper.
There are a few screws you will find when you remove the grill. A few behind
the left and right lower bumper vents and a few in each of the front fender
well.
- Once you remove
the bumper cover from the car you will notice the expose bolts holding the
headlight to the car. Remove those as well as the top 2 bolts. Disconnect
the electrical connection from the car to the headlight and remove the entire
assembly. Remove bulbs now also.
- On the headlight
you will see 4 metal clips. Use a flat head screw driver to simply pry these
off. Carefull not to break them as you will need them again.
- Use a heat gun
to heat the area between the plastic headlight cover and the headlight housing.
There is a silicone type sealent that is used to bond the two units together.
You can also use a flat head screwdriver to run in between the gap to help
you leverage the two parts apart. NOTE: Take your time, you don't want to
break anything here. Just work slow till you're able to seperate the two halves.
- Once you have
successfully seperated the two halves lay the plastic headlight cover aside
and look at the headlights. You will notice that there is 3 main parts. A
chrome trim surround, the main assemble that houses the Hi/Lo, turn signal
and fog lights, and the black plastic housing.
- Separate the
chrome trim surround from the rest of the unit and set aside.
- At this point
you can either seperate the main assembly from the black plastic housing or
leave be. I left it alone because removing it means you have to re aim the
lights, this is on you to decide.
- Mask off the
Hi/Lo beam with the masking tape and newspaper, also mask off the turnsignal
and foglights. Don't rush this step because if you mess up you might end up
painting the reflective part of the headlights and be ass'd out.
- Prepping the
area. If you want to sand away go for it, I didnt. Why cuz I was lazy and
just wanted to see if it would work at all. And just so you know the paint
hasnt peeled or nathing. Still holding strong. I simple just cleaned the area
with alchol to make sure there was no grease.
- What parts to
paint? The main assembly and that chrome trim surround I had you rest to the
side on step 8
- Paint away you
freaky artist you. If you don't know how to use spray paint correctly well
I really can't help you here and you might just be ass'd out.
- Let the stuff
dry.
- Remove the masking
and tada!!!!! If you did it right you will have painted everything that was
chrome and left your Hi/Lo, turns and fog lights all chromey. Looks good does'nt
it!!! Makes you excited huh!
- Smoke break
( I prefer Marlboro Lights but its up to you what you smoke.)
- Lets put this
stuff back on the car! But wait!!!! Yes assembly is the opposite of dissassembly
but here's one important step. Before joining the plastic headlight cover
to the main headlight housing remove all that old silicon stuff that VW originally
put on. You'll need a nice clean area to put the new silicon that you bought.
- Bead it up and
lay it on thick and make sure you get every single space then join the two
pieces and press with all your might to get the stuff to squeeze out any air
bubbles and whipe up all the exess.
- Now that the
stuff is all put back let it sit in the sun to cure for a bit.
- After an hour
or so bolt it back onto your car as well as the bumper and grill. Close the
hood stand back from your car and look at your great lights and all that money
you saved by not buying the real 600 dollar units! Once again light a smoke
and say, "Dang, Joey you are one creative mofo! Thanks again for saving
me money!"
Thats it. It took
me 3hrs to do. Might take you longer or shorter depending on how you work. Also
I wouldnt recommend having the headlights in contact with water for a week,
gotta let the silicone set. BTW, I live in an apartment complex with no covered
parking so the next moring I ran out to see if I messed up sealing the light
together....Nope...no fogging of any kind.
Oh I know this
is a strech but if you do decided to do this mod and it works and if someone
ask you what kind of HD are those could ya say its the "Joey in.pro look
headlights" I think it would be cool to see how far the mod streches.