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Triumph TR6 - Headlight Relay

Now that I have the new Bosch 55 amp alternator I'm looking at relieving pressure on the headlight switch by installing a headlight relay kit. Dan Masters' Advance Auto Wire kit runs $90 and Victoria British sells theirs for $29.95. Does anybody know of any issues with the VB kit?
BTW, a future project when everything else is done will be a complete harness upgrade from Advance so I don't really want to spend $90 on the kit that won't be needed with the new, expensive harness. Thanks.
Bob
Bob Evans

Bob, di you see Elliot's post on his the other day?
DON KELLY

Yes Don, I saw his post indicating he bought the components and made up the relays for $27 but then another post referred to Victoria British and for $30 the set was complete and ready to go; looked virtually identical to me. I had heard previous quality concerns with VB so therefore my post above. Just seemed easier to go with VB if their kit is okay. Also it's often easier to get VB, TRF or Moss to ship to the wilds of Eastern Canada than it is to deal with a US supplier that does not deal regularly with Canadian orders.
Bob
Bob Evans

Bob,
I did the Bosch Alternator a few years back (thanks, Don!)and the relays last year. What a vast improvement! Puts out enough light now that my headlights could be rated in the "obnoxious" class! (leave that alone, Don)
You will have to 'extend' one side, as the 'one size fits all' doesn't quite do that. I ran it down the right inner fender, and it laid in there very nicely.
Might have been the best $29.95 spent on the car!

Rod
Rod Nichols

I'm not a big VB fan, but, seems I haven't heard any complaints about that kit so I say go for it..
My only caveat would be to make sure the power wire is big enough.
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.
.
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ROD, ARE YOU IGNORING MY E MAILS?
DON KELLY

Don,
Yes.
Rod
Rod Nichols

Been buying from VB...MOSS...LBC Co....Terry's...NWBP,,GOOD Parts....TRF.. etc and I can say from my experiances that these parts ...that is most all LBC parts are made by only a few suppliers. I check ebay first, then compare the big companies then order the cheapest for the part/shipping. I've never had any problem with VB and probably shop them the most of them all. Had a bad polished valve cover and they shipped out a new one and told me to keep the old one! The kit in question uses standard auto relays as does Dan's kit...$90 seems a little steep to me considering what goes into it. You probably can't go wrong for $29 being they have done the foot work for you. you could put it together yourself but after the wire/relays etc you'd have close to $25 in it. $90? I'm still trying to figure that one out.
JT White

Rod- Bastage!
DON KELLY

Okay guys, Ive got enough feedback to go with the Victoria British kit and appreciate the help. Thanks all.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Evans

You trying to take away our fun here Bob?
DON KELLY

Nah Don, you can keep posting. Keep ya busy!
Bob Evans

Out of the taverns
DON KELLY

....And me in 'em.
Rod Nichols

Bob....
Shoot me an email
Rod
Rod Nichols

Rod:
You've got mail.
Bob
Bob Evans

Good luck with that Bob.
He sucks on e mail!!


DON KELLY

Need luck Don. Left off the freakin' "g" in his address but at least I got the dot right. Might have mail now Rod.
Bob
Bob Evans

Well I think you both are a little slow. I sent him yours about 3 1/2 hours ago
DON KELLY

I hope you have better luck with VB than I have had. I called them over 2 weeks ago to order an oil cooler. I took them a week, as in 7 days, just to get back to me for shipping cost. I have since had to return their calls 3 times because they can't get my address right. last time was just last night, which means my cooler has not left Kansas yet. I'm not happy with VB. I should have just called TRF, I'd have had it in 4 days.

Rob
rw loftus

Rob, you should have gone to TRF!! Brings up an idea...there used to be a hold down for the hoses from the oil cooler to the heat exchanger (radiator). The device looked like the letter m with a screw in the center and would attach to the frame or ?? and hold the double hoses in place. None of the usual suspects still stocks this item. Anyone know where it might be available short of fabrication?? Thanks.
db
Doug Baker

I would say a racing store . Try Pegasus
DON KELLY

Bummer Rob. Don't think TRF has headlamp relay kits and Moss wants $135 for theirs and it looks like they're selling Dan Masters' kit that you can get direct from Advance Auto Wire for $90. I'm not in a rush and for $30 I think I'll take a chance on Vicky Brit. Their kit looks okay and Rod used it and has positive comments above as well as e-mail to me - thanks Rod. Shipping costs should not be an issue with something as small and light as that kit. We're not in Kansas now, Toto, are we....?
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Evans

I know Doug. I'm kicking myself now, but I thought it's same part that everyone carries, it's cheaper there and I thought I'd try someone I've never dealt with before. I think TRF still shows that part in their cat. although your right they don't carry it anymore. I was thinking a pair of emt straps might work. Have to check for size if I ever get the stuff. Bob, have you called yet? Can Post locked out their workers. No mail! I'll be waiting for a while maybe. Double bummer. BTW VB only offers shipping via airmail or UPS. Maybe thats only going north, I don't know. Either way shipping is pricy coming up here.

Rob
rw loftus

Rob:
Haven't ordered or called VB yet but it looks like Steve the mannequin is going to legislate the posties back in any case so the strike won't be long I think. I'm in no hurry for the relay kit so not a problem. As far as costs go, everything is expensive coming up here to Canada it seems. One exception coming this way was my rebuilt dizzy. I sent my dizzy to Jeff at Advance Distributors and Canada Post charged me $26 and change to send to Minnesota - said it was over min size package dimensions by a few millimeters. Jeff shipped it back via US Post for $11.70 in same size package. Go figure, but UPS is a bugger for shipping costs and I'd prefer not to deal with them. Many US suppliers don't want to fool around with us Canadians and ship UPS only to save hassles and we sure pay for it. Another stiff charge was $32 USD that TRF charged to ship me the back ordered trunk board kit, a $44 part! Seems every supplier has their issues and with TRF it's back orders so you piggyback shipping costs on late items. I order most all my stuff from Len at Drake's British Motors in Kelowna, BC where I bought my car. Len will hold my order for back ordered parts unless I really need something. My buddy recently bought that yellow '75 California Spitfire Len had on the site for less than the advertised $2500 selling price. We are picking it up in Halifax after it arrives there by train in another week or two. Now there's a shipping charge to pay!! Another adventure in the making where we also hope to pick up some spare TR and Spit parts for ourselves in the Halifax area during the trip.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Evans

When I got the R200 dif from RG, UPS hit me for I think about $90 on a $500 part. That was the brokerage fee. Won't do it again.

Good Luck Bob

Rob
rw loftus

This thread was discussed between 11/06/2011 and 16/06/2011

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