Driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle is enjoyable, but it can be challenging at times because you can never quite see everything out front. Standard 4WDs are designed to have lights installed in them for on-road driving, however, when it comes to driving over rough terrain, these lights can’t give you the amount of light needed.
So, you may want to consider 4WD LED light bars that can be used for both highway and off-road driving and can reduce shadows cast by bumpy roads. When placed in front of your vehicle’s roof rack, they can help you see clearly out front and you can drive more safely. They can be mounted onto a bull bar as well, or above the windscreen, with the help of a special bracket.
Reasons to Choose LED Light Bars for Your 4WD
LED bars are pieces of equipment that feature multiple LED lights in different arrays depending on the application. They can be mounted on many different vehicles, including SUVs, pick-up trucks, off-road vehicles, heavy vehicles, ATVs, mining applications and more. Their purpose is to ensure better lighting for the driver in low-light conditions, especially on winding tracks and difficult terrain.
LED light bars are widely used in regional areas to help drivers illuminate the sides of long straight roads where kangaroos and other wildlife can jump out onto the road. Having a wide light pattern can help you spot these animals on time, so you can avoid any dangerous and costly collisions.
Most vehicles come with stock headlights and lighting options, but they are not as bright as LED lights and they just don’t cut it for off-road adventures. You can choose 4WD LED light bars for your vehicle and invest in your safety while you drive at night and when you go off-road. To help you make the right decision, here are a few tips that can help you narrow down your choices.
Tips on How to Choose LED Light Bars for Your 4WD
To make sure you get the best LED light bars for your vehicle, it’s important to consider a few factors which can help you select the right one for your 4WD and your requirements.
Bar’s Length
The length of the bar you choose depends on the size of your vehicle. Measure the mounting area on your vehicle and see how wide it is, so you will know the right size of a light bar that you need. Getting a bar that’s shorter than your vehicle’s width is not a big issue, but getting a bar that is too long can potentially catch things on narrow tracks and turn into a hazard to pedestrians.
Bar’s Shape
When it comes to the shape of LED light bars, they can be straight or curved. Straight bars are more popular as they can be installed on almost any vehicle, however, if you want to install your LED light bar just above your windscreen, then you can choose a curved bar.
Single or Double Row
LED light bars can be made from one or two rows of LED lights and each row can have from 3 up to 48 LEDs or more. If brightness is your biggest concern, then you can choose a double row LED bar, but if the space between your vehicle’s roof and the roof rack is limited, then a single row LED bar might be a good solution.
Water Resistance
When selecting your LED light bar, consider the Ingress Protection rating. It determines how protected is the light bar against water and dust ingress. In general, the higher the IP rating, the better the LED light bar is protected.
Spot or Flood Beam Pattern
The two main types of beam patterns you can choose from are spot or flood. Spot beam patterns provide a narrow beam of light that can penetrate a long distance and are a great choice for on-road driving. They are designed for maximum range and intensity at the cost of beam width and are good for high-speed conditions. Flood beams, on the other hand, sacrifice range and give a wider beam of light, which makes them more suitable for off-road adventures.
LED Colour
Natural daylight is between 5500 to 6500K and this is a good range to consider for your LEDs to ensure you make the most of mimicking daylight. This can help to reduce eyes fatigue, especially for extended drives.
Brightness
Lux is a great indicator of how bright the LED light will be because light bars have many different lens configurations and while some are designed to throw light further, others are designed to spread a wide beam. Lux is a truer indicator than lumens or watts, which is a good measurement of the input power to the light bar but not the output.
Mounting Options
As aforementioned, you can install your LED light bar above your windscreen, under the front bumper or on top of your vehicle, depending on your needs and preferences. But keep in mind that rules differ from state to state, so you will need to refer to your state’s regulations in light bar placement. Regulations can often change, so make sure you are always well informed on light bar placement rules and regulations in your state.
