uswiring

This isn’t as hard as you’d think and I am no expert on wiring. If in any doubt consult someone professional. Messing with lighting doesn’t usually cause electrical fires but can be extremely infuriating especially when you are dealing with a helpfully extended, patched or just a plain old loom.

This set of instructions is based on a stock loom from a 71 bus, and should be good for a 68-73 van though wire colours may vary slightly from year to year.

The main difference between US and UK spec is the front indicators are used as the side lights, the head lights beam pattern if for driving on the right and the rear taillights do not have a separate indicator feed instead relying on one bulb to do brake, side and indicator!

Headlights and Sidelights

Remove the US sealed beam units, either keep the headlight rims and use H4 sealed beams from a 73- bug or MK1 golf or like I did fit UK spec Beetle (or bus) headlights. You do not need to do anything with the headlight wires, but don't fit the headlight back in just yet!

Next remove the indicator lens, then take out the bulb holder. Pull off the grey wire (side light) and remove the spade connector.

Go back in the cab cut a small rectangle hole in the indicator wire sleeve and then pull the grey wire through the new hole. Thread grey wire thru the headlight bung into the headlight bowl by first removing the bung. Once done refit bung. Do this for both sides

In the headlight bowl stick a spade on the end of the grey wire and attach to the side light. From your new headlight run a new earth back to the inside of the headlight bowl and screw it either into the same spot as the main headlamp earth or the tabs found within the bowl. That should be the front done!

Rear Lights- Stop, Side and Indicators

You cannot use the existing tail light feed as it will flash with your indicators! You will need to run a new line for the rear lights and will need approximately 9 metres which will become you're new brake light feed. Follow the main loom from under the dash to the engine compartment. I attached this to the main loom with electrical tape but you could use plastic wire ties.

Next go back in the cab and take out your hazard light switch and remove the central yellow wire.

Connect the yellow wire to your new wire.

Ok back to the engine bay. You need to make a feed from the right hand (as you look from the back of the bus) tail light terminal 54 to terminal 54 on the left hand tail light. .

Join together the end of your new wire and the new feed (on the right hand side) by fitting a spade and fit this to terminal 54. Fit the white/red wire to terminal 38 (side lights) and the black/red wire to remaining terminal (indicator).

Moving to the left hand taillight your new feed goes to terminal 54, black/brown goes to terminal 38, leaving black/yellow to go to the indicator.

Put your taillights and UK spec lenses on the bus, job done!