Changing 1987 16V front headlights from squared to round...

[83GTI-DS]

Apparently I was wrong in thinking MK-2 GTIs were fitted with round headlights, and if I buy one I'm currently looking at, I'm probably going to want to fit new round headlights on it.

How serious of a job is that for a garage? Any idea regarding the expected cost of the parts necessary for this, as well as (most importantly) the work involved by the garage to get this done - I'm trying to find out how much I'm looking at for this job 

Also - what should be the difference in pricing between a 2-headlight front, and a 4 headlight front (such as the one on an 83 campaign)? Any estimates would help.

Thanks in advance!

Adi.

[tinman]

let me get this straight - you have a 16v with square lights - but you want round lights?

[83GTI-DS]

uhm... yeah  What's wrong with that 

[...joe]

nothing but to my knowledge all mk 2's have round! it has either got a jetta front or a rallye front of some dodgy kit.

you'll need to replace the slam panel and grill but shouldn't take more than half an hour, as you don't know what your doing. the parts are easy to find in any scrap yard or if you want new go to greman and swedish, or someone similar. if you want badged grill the single will be cheaper as you wont have to buy new inner spots. but if you wnt a debadged grill they are about the same and more than a badged one.
does any of that help?

[83GTI-DS]

Gtijoe,

That was what I thought as well - all MK-2's should have round headlights. The owner has no idea what I'm talking about - he got it this way from the ex-owner of the car.

The reason I think differently now, is that I went to cardomain.com and searched for a few GTI's from before 1992, and most of them had squared headlights, which caught my by surprise!   

Thanks for the help - I was wondering if you have an estimate of how much a debadged double grill should cost? Do you think I could get one with the famous GTI red border, or is that harder to come by? I'll buy the parts here in Israel, but your estimates will at least give me some type of a clue (Are we talking 30 pounds, 50 pounds, 100 pounds?).

Thanks again!

[...joe]

more like ?50 for a decent one, or look on ebay and see what you can find.

as for lots of golfs with square headlights i had a look on that website and the ones i saw had jetta headlamps. simple swap.

[Judderi]

I think your doing the right thing mate and swapping back to the round lights. It looks much better!

[mrwotto]

Round lights are better, I am after a set of twin lights tho for my mk2, probably a GTi set.

Paul

[tinman]

uhm... yeah? What's wrong with that?

i think its great, and you want the 4 headlight unit, which is even better.

i hate the square headlights and the two light conversions that everyone does nowadays.

good on yer!

[Judderi]

It will look even better and modern if you get a set of crystal clear lamps, even angel eyes if you like that sort of thing.