As much as we love our off-road vehicles, we also have to admit that they can potentially be dangerous if they don’t make themselves known and their drivers can’t see what’s ahead of them.
During daylight, this isn’t exactly an issue, but if you have any intention of driving your 4×4 at night then the stock lights on your rig are probably not going to be enough.
You have to be even more aware and vigilant when driving a 4×4 than a standard vehicle. Luckily, after-market lights can go some way towards making you feel more confident during your evening jaunts.
We’re not talking about cheap LED lights here though as they can often do more harm than good – creating glare that can distract other drivers and with little useful projection. What we’re talking about here is the kind of lights that keep you and your vehicle safe.
Off-road lights not only increase visibility but can add a certain amount of style to your ride too. They are also available in dozens of configurations and won’t cost you a small fortune.
Here, we’ll be going through a few of the options available and going through their benefits and drawbacks.
LED light bars
This kind of 4×4 lighting is available in various sizes and is typically mounted at the front of the vehicle or above the windshield.
The primary benefits here (besides the fact they look awesome) is that LED lights take no time to warm up – unlike HID lights, and feature a wide range of options.
Lesser models can be susceptible to moisture and might have sub-par mounting hardware, but the ARB Intensity light bars are developed with an almost indestructible polycarbonate lens and an aluminium body. Truly built to last.
Spotlights
This is the kind of light that emits a strong and focused beam of light that can be incredibly helpful for agricultural users.
Traditionally using halogen bulbs, they can be directed manually and are certainly useful in certain situations but for your average off-roader, it’s probably going to be overkill.
A specialist head torch can be stored in the glove compartment and brought out when necessary for hobbyist users. However, for certain applications and certain users, only a powerful spotlight will do the trick.
Fog lights
These lights produce a shallower and more hazy light that is perfect for helping you see in bad weather. Again commonly used by agriculture, the primary benefit of fog lights is how affordable they are.
However, while they are useful for seeing in light rainfall and heavy fog, they might not be strong enough for night driving.
Off-road lighting considerations
Construction – Look for products built from high-quality materials with durable lenses, strong brackets and waterproof casing (an IP67 rating, if possible).
If you’re going to be off-roading in even a minor capacity you’re going to be putting your vehicle through its paces and your lights need to be able to take that heat.
Brightness – Check the specs before purchasing to ensure how bright your lighting and what beam pattern you’ll be getting (from a spot beam to a flood beam, for example).
Though note that many lights offer a range of beam patterns. As far as brightness is concerned, at least 5,000 lumens should see you through most situations.
Mounting and installation – Where do you want your lights to sit on your rig? Think about not only how they will look on the vehicle but where they would provide the best performances.
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