2001 Dark Blue Pearl Beetle TDI

[jhota]

not much for pictures, really. haven't washed the car since i bought it.

but i thought i'd share my theory of auxiliary lighting: go big or go home.

[peanutsmom]

Welcome and those are some biggo lights you got there well we are havi g a gtg in Oct so be sure to check out the events thread and try to make plans to come :-).. Look forward to meeting you..

[pm22071985]

I like the aux lights.
More pics of the light bar please.

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by pm22071985

I like the aux lights.
More pics of the light bar please.

^^^What he said, pics and details.^^^

[jhota]

don't really have any good pictures. just more random cel phone snaps.





and the only photo before i got it dirty (day it came home):



anyway, the light bar/brush guard is fabricated from 1.5 inch steel tubing. i didn't feel like doing any bending, so i picked up an IMCA Modified bumper kit from Speedway Motors and chopped it up. i used 2" tubing stubs welded to 1/8 inch plate for the lower mounts. upper mounts were made by welding Grade 8 7/16-20 nuts to hardened washers, then welding the washers into the tube ends. lower mounts use the same mounts as my Panzer Plate, uppers are bolted to angle iron that has been plated across the angle on each end and bolted to the frame with Grade 12.9 metric socket head cap screws. all butt splices were sleeved internally, welded and ground smooth. fishmouths were done with a grinder and flap wheel, because i don't have a tubing notcher worth a darn.

upper mounts pass through the original fog light openings in the grill, lowers pass under the bumper. entire guard was painted with a thin coat of spray-on bedliner.

lights are, from largest to smallest: Hella Rallye 4000 pencil beam, Lucas 20/20 fog, and Hella Rallye 4000 Compact driving beam. i've owned the Hella lamps for around 5 years, and the Lucas is the last survivor of three i bought twenty years ago; they were NOS, but around 17 years old even then. but high-quality optics are worth keeping around; unlike the plastic crap that gets made these days.

the bar is strong enough that my 200-lb self can stand on it. it's been handy so far for grinding over kerbs and such, and is designed in such a way to keep the lower bumper safe. i'm not totally happy with it; some of the welds are less than pretty. but given certain neurological issues (which interfere with my welding ability), it's not too bad. and it's certainly strong enough. i use the car for its utility - appearance just isn't a huge deal for me.

[pm22071985]

Cool!!

[turbug01]

such a nice color... and man I wouldn't wanna be in front of you with those lights on

[4SEVEN3]

What roof rack is that?
I love things used for utility.....marching to the beat of a different drummer! Looks awesome!

[jhota]

factory VW roof racks (made by Thule). i added two more fork mount bike rails as soon as i brought it home.

[Fl_bug]

Nice bug!!! I'm wondering how those lights are on a dark empty road!!

Oh, and for what its worth, the correct color name is "Batik Blue"

[jhota]

i am now officially disenchanted with the factory roof racks. i'll get some pictures of why up tomorrow.