In 2022 what are my headlight upgrade options on a MK4 Jetta?

[McGuillicuddy]

I still daily a 2003 5MT wagon. Everything about it is great except for the damned headlights. E-Codes aren't plentiful like they once were (especially in Canada), and as I understand it, were not really a massive upgrade anyways (some improvement in low beams, no improvement in high beams). What are the headlight upgrade options remaining these days?

 

[Nero Morg]

Lately the best thing I've seen is an HID retrofit, your best bet is to get your own projectors and a DIY on it. Someone round here was doing it with photos, can't seem to find it right away. I have HID's night and day difference.

 

[McGuillicuddy]

I would need a *very* good tutorial for this. Not something I've ever thought of doing myself.

 

[atownbrg]

I'm interested in this as well. Hit a deer months back that damaged only the drivers side headlight but I ordered this set and replaced both

1999-2002 Volkswagen Jetta Halogen Headlights Set w/o Fog Lamps Left Driver Right Passenger Headlamps Pair Assembly

Upgrade the look and performance of your 1999-2002 Volkswagen Jetta with this Halogen Headlights Set from Headlights Depot. This set includes both the left driver and right passenger headlamps, providing a complete and easy upgrade solution. The clear lens and chrome housing give your Jetta a...

www.headlightsdepot.com

Not impressed at all! I know not an "upgrade" just thought i'd share my experience. Bright and dim spots, hard (if not impossible). Just overall general inferior materials used and I know price reflects that. It was an "emergency" fix. My drive home from work is at night, it would be nice to get a user friendly "upgrade" that's fairly cheap and reliable!

 

[McGuillicuddy]

Midwestlight.biz is the only plug and play solution that I know of that can be easily ordered. I've almost pulled the trigger many times but it's a hefty bill after shipping to Canada and currency exchange.

 

[afterthisnap]

Golf front end. Headlights are great.

 

[Nero Morg]

Would suggest to wait before purchasing Midwest. I currently have their lights in my car, they're absolutely amazing. The reason why I say on waiting is because of current parts shortage, wait time is very long.

 

[STDOUBT]

I managed to scrounge up a pair of Hella DOT with fogs on fleabay.
Have yet to install them, paid about 140 each from different sellers.
About a month ago I emailed Jeff at midwest, and he said he's about 20 days out before he can even start a new build, since he's got a lot of work to burn through - 1st come first served etc.
and has issues sourcing glass lenses (that are worth a crap).

 

[Zak99b5]

I got the Depo OE replica HID-style projector headlights on ebay. They are set up with H7 halogens out of the box.

Also got a DDM HID kit for H7s.

Not the “ideal“ setup, but at least now I can see at night, and there’s no offense to oncoming drivers as the cutoff is sharp and set correctly.

Now I just need to do the Golf mod where lows stay on with highs. Recently received the repair wire necessary from IDParts.

 

[Nero Morg]

Could also try plastic lense ones from Midwest. That's what I have. When I ordered mine in late 2018, it took 3 months for me to get them. I can only imagine how bad it is now with parts shortage.

 

[McGuillicuddy]

Could also try plastic lense ones from Midwest. That's what I have. When I ordered mine in late 2018, it took 3 months for me to get them. I can only imagine how bad it is now with parts shortage.

I sent him am email to ask about lead time. I'm okay with plastic though. I have a bunch of 3M film here that I can put on them to keep them clear.

 

[benmarks]

There's also VXTuning that makes HID's. They're taking pre-orders for April shipping. I had a pair and I highly recommend them.

VX Tuning | The Best LED / HID Headlight & Lighting Upgrade for you VW/Audi

www.vxtuning.com

 

[KrashDH]

Haven't done Jetta retrofits, but have done Golf. I think they are a bit different when it comes to the actual retrofit. I've got a couple threads on here for a Golf, but that won't help you for an exact step by step for the Jetta. Best option thought for you is a true projector retrofit with HIDs. No other lighting options will touch it.

 

[STDOUBT]

@Nero and Krash
How is the "aimability" for HID? Do you set them yourself or how do you go about nailing the optimal angles?
I was reading http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html and my brain locked up. Luckily I don't think it stripped any neurons. I plan to use a poor-boy version of his method for my new halogens :sigh:

 

[KrashDH]

Your have to "clock" the projectors with the lenses off but housings bolted to the car. Once you have them clocked, ie level, then you lock the projectors in place. A few dabs of jbweld/steel stik around the perimeter on the backside of the projector to the housing.

Then you can reinstall the lenses with the butyl per the oven method.

Aimability is the same as stock.

This post from my truck HID retrofit shows how to properly aim HIDs (link should take you to the exact post where I explain it):

Morimoto D2S Projector Retrofit, DIY : 2002-2005

www.cumminsforum.com

 

[Nero Morg]

They use the same adjusters that the stock housings use, I just adjusted mine so that at 25ft away from a wall, my headlights cut off about 4 feet. It's a really sharp cutoff, let me see if I can find an old photo of it.

 

[Nero Morg]

Well I can't seem to find the photo, must have gotten lost to the abyss. Next time I go driving out at night I'll snap one.

 

[Zak99b5]

They use the same adjusters that the stock housings use, I just adjusted mine so that at 25ft away from a wall, my headlights cut off about 4 feet. It's a really sharp cutoff, let me see if I can find an old photo of it.

At 25’, the cutoff should be 2” below the height of the center of the headlight/projector. 4’ seems kinda high, unless I’m misunderstanding you.

 

[KrashDH]

Since no one seems to want to click the link I posted....

This should be done at 25' as mentioned

.

DOT standard for projectors.

 

[Nero Morg]

At 25’, the cutoff should be 2” below the height of the center of the headlight/projector. 4’ seems kinda high, unless I’m misunderstanding you.

You're right, now that I'm thinking about it. I know I set them a little higher than normal, maybe I did 2.5ft, I set them two years ago, hard to remember.

 

[PakProtector]

Even a 2" micro H1 is pretty fine compared to halogens. Those can be fit into the fog light spot and everything looks stock. I think I have figured out how to mount a set of 4TL-R projectors. Those puppies are quite fine. They'll take D2S bulbs, and their pattern is *BRILLIANT. As krash said, you clock 'em and line everything up with the covers off. Then you put on the covers. 4300K Osram bulbs and a 45W Hylux A0050 ballast and I think I will be able to give the road a sunburn. I set my son up with a 3" set of mini D2S Hella clones from Aliexpress and they barely fit the Depo E-Code buckets. D2H bulbs from Mori, and those Hylux 45W ballasts and holy smokes, we can see... No buldgy bits on back...just a pass through for the bulb's HV wiring.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[vandermic07]

There's also VXTuning that makes HID's. They're taking pre-orders for April shipping. I had a pair and I highly recommend them.

VX Tuning | The Best LED / HID Headlight & Lighting Upgrade for you VW/Audi

www.vxtuning.com

I got VX Tuning Ecodes with Halogen and fogs. Wayyyy better than the DIY HIDs that the PO had on the car. I was having tons of wiring issues with the HIDs and didnt trust them anymore, so I went back to "Stock". I waited a while to get them through VX but it was worth it.

 

[atownbrg]

I looked over vx tuning and midwest websites for lights. Seem very good. I honestly may be just interested in the Ecodes vandermic07 just posted he got. One thing I noticed is VX website mentions including "leveling motors" and Midwest does not. Completely new to lighting on these cars. I'm guessing the leveling motors make the height and side to side adjustment perfect every time you turn the lights on?

 

[KrashDH]

I got VX Tuning Ecodes with Halogen and fogs. Wayyyy better than the DIY HIDs that the PO had on the car. I was having tons of wiring issues with the HIDs and didnt trust them anymore, so I went back to "Stock". I waited a while to get them through VX but it was worth it.

Not sure what your setup was from the PO, but betting that they stuffed an HID kit into the stock reflectors. For one that's a big no no, it'll scatter useless light all over the place, mostly into oncoming driver's eyes, and provide you with no additional benefit. It's just not safe for others. If they didn't put them in stock reflectors, then they probably used a junk, pre-made, "projector", which is actually designed for halogen bulbs.

Secondly, HID's in a true projector MADE for HID's will be light years ahead of anything with a halogen bulb. It's unfortunate that your experience was soured on shotty wiring because it's a world of difference from halogen based headlights when done correctly.

 

[benmarks]

I looked over vx tuning and midwest websites for lights. Seem very good. I honestly may be just interested in the Ecodes vandermic07 just posted he got. One thing I noticed is VX website mentions including "leveling motors" and Midwest does not. Completely new to lighting on these cars. I'm guessing the leveling motors make the height and side to side adjustment perfect every time you turn the lights on?

For these products, your only option is a manual option. There are some places that sell kits to replace your cabin dimmer switch with a dual switch that adds a dial for adjusting the motors. It has 3 settings and is based on where you initially aim your headlights. The automatic option that uses front and rear sensors to automatically adjust the motors only works on OEM HID's that have a 12-pin headlight connector. The VXTuning and Midwest products use a 10-pin connector.

 

[J_dude]

Even a 2" micro H1 is pretty fine compared to halogens. Those can be fit into the fog light spot and everything looks stock.

Whoa now this is what I need! I take it you have done this? Do you have any pics of them?

*edit* never mind I just found your build thread

 

[PakProtector]

Most ov those pics are of the 1.8" micro's before I learned that Morimoto is not a guarantee of good schtuff. Careful looking on Aliexpress got me stuff I think is better... but Lightwerkz has the 2" micro and you don't have to wait on the slow boat from China. And it has a stepped shield and I got an Ali set anyway cause the Matchbox was not quite good enough.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[vandermic07]

Not sure what your setup was from the PO, but betting that they stuffed an HID kit into the stock reflectors. For one that's a big no no, it'll scatter useless light all over the place, mostly into oncoming driver's eyes, and provide you with no additional benefit. It's just not safe for others. If they didn't put them in stock reflectors, then they probably used a junk, pre-made, "projector", which is actually designed for halogen bulbs.

Secondly, HID's in a true projector MADE for HID's will be light years ahead of anything with a halogen bulb. It's unfortunate that your experience was soured on shotty wiring because it's a world of difference from halogen based headlights when done correctly.

I am not sure either but they did have a projector lense in them. i still have them in a box. They had VX tuning ballasts. I am not sure if the projectors were VX, but i know it was a DIY. These definitely didn't have a scatter problem. you couldn't see anything until it was pitched black. High beams were like my halogen lows.

The PO also gave me a new set of DIY that he was going to upgrade to but never got around to it. I cant remember off hand where they were from. He said that they were a better unit, and they look higher quality too. I decided not to install the higher quality ones and go with ecodes because I didn't feel like messing around with it and i just want the lights to work and be able to see. I also didn't like paying $100 per bulb, either.

I still have them laying around if anyone is interested.

 

[KrashDH]

I am not sure either but they did have a projector lense in them. i still have them in a box. They had VX tuning ballasts. I am not sure if the projectors were VX, but i know it was a DIY. These definitely didn't have a scatter problem. you couldn't see anything until it was pitched black. High beams were like my halogen lows.

The PO also gave me a new set of DIY that he was going to upgrade to but never got around to it. I cant remember off hand where they were from. He said that they were a better unit, and they look higher quality too. I decided not to install the higher quality ones and go with ecodes because I didn't feel like messing around with it and i just want the lights to work and be able to see. I also didn't like paying $100 per bulb, either.

I still have them laying around if anyone is interested.

Post photos of the original ones you said weren't any good. Especially if they are a DIY retrofit

 

[Nero Morg]

I know it's not night time, but for 11:30am in the rain this is what the cutoffs look like on the Midwest lights.