Lighting for your Vanagon.
Good lighting changes how far you’re willing to drive
Lighting is about more than brightness. It shapes how the road feels, how relaxed you are behind the wheel, and how confident you feel when daylight fades.
This page is a guide to the different LED headlight and auxiliary light options commonly used with Vanabliss headlight kits. The goal is not to tell you which light is “best,” but to help you understand the differences so you can choose what fits your driving style and the look of your van.
Explore Headlight Sizes
Each size below links to a dedicated page with fitment details and common use cases:
- 5×7 Rectangular Headlights – A balanced size used with the Modern Vibe Headlight Kit
- 4.5-inch Square Lights – Flood and Spot options often paired with the Modern Vibe layout
- 4×6 Rectangular Headlights – A compact rectangular size used in quad rectangle configurations like Quad Projekt
- 5.75-inch Round Headlights – The round size used to achieve a quad round look in the South Portland Headlight Kit
- (Coming Soon) Heated Lights – Useful in cold or wet conditions where keeping lenses clear matters
A Range of Lighting Options
Vanagon owners use a wide variety of lighting styles, and Vanabliss kits are designed to support that flexibility.
Depending on your setup, you may choose:
- LED or incandescent headlights
- Clear or amber lenses
- Lights with integrated daytime running light features
- Matching lights across all positions or mixed inner and outer lights
Each choice changes both how the van looks and how the light is used on the road.
Understanding LED Headlight Styles
Not all LED headlights behave the same way. Two common designs are available for Vanagon applications, each with a distinct character.
Reflector-style LED headlights
These lights spread illumination broadly across the area in front of the van.
- Wide, even light close to the vehicle
- Useful for slower speeds and general visibility
- Often identified by visible LED diodes inside reflective housings
They tend to make the area immediately ahead feel brighter and more open, even if they do not project light far down the road.
Projector-style LED headlights
These lights focus illumination forward with a defined cutoff.
- Longer throw for seeing farther down the road
- Clear horizon line where light stops
- Often identified by a round projector lens or sphere
Projector-style lights are well suited for sustained night driving, where distance visibility matters more than broad foreground illumination.
Neither style is universally better. They simply emphasize different parts of the driving experience.
Flood Lights and Spot Lights
Some lighting positions, especially auxiliary or 4.5-inch lights, are commonly offered in flood or spot beam patterns. Understanding the difference helps avoid disappointment once installed.
Flood lights
- Wide beam spread
- Shorter range
- Fill in the area directly in front of the van
- Useful for slow driving, camp setup, or broad peripheral light
Spot lights
- Narrow, focused beam
- Longer range
- Extend visibility farther down the road
- Useful for high-speed or long-distance night driving
Light Shape and Size
There are no inherent differences in light quality based on headlight shape or size. A 5×7, 4×6, or 5.75-inch light can all deliver excellent results when chosen thoughtfully. The light itself determines the quality of the illumination.
About Lumens
LED headlights are often marketed by lumen ratings. In general:
- Higher lumen ratings usually come with higher cost
- Projector-style lights often advertise higher lumen output
- Real-world usability depends as much on beam control as raw output
A well-controlled beam with fewer lumens can feel more comfortable and usable than a higher-lumen light with poor focus.
Choosing What Feels Right
The right lighting setup depends on how and where you drive, and how you want your van to look when you step back and take it in.
This guide is here to give you clarity, not rules. Once you understand the differences, the choice becomes straightforward.
If you ever want help thinking through a specific combination, we’re happy to talk it through.