Overhead vs. Bumper Lighting for Vehicles: Which One is Right for You?

Vehicle lighting placement plays a crucial role in practicality and safety. At Basil's Garage, we're here to help you understand the difference between overhead and bumper lighting, guiding you to make an informed decision based on your unique needs.

Aftermarket lighting is a valuable addition to any vehicle, especially when venturing off-road or into rural areas. We've all encountered that unexpected dip or obstacle on a dirt road - aftermarket lighting can illuminate these hazards faster and further than your factory lighting.

That said, overhead lighting has its own advantages over bumper lighting. With the right beam pattern, roof lights can provide incredible distance, which is crucial if you enjoy high-speed night driving. Lower-mounted lights can be outdriven, meaning that as you gain speed, you need to look further down the road and toward the horizon. If your lights don't reach that far, you're effectively driving in the dark.

If you're only planning to install one set of aftermarket lights, we highly recommend mounting them on your bumper for the best all-around performance.

A word of caution: please remember to turn off your aftermarket lights in the city. Unless they're DOT approved and correctly mounted, they're not only illegal but can also blind other drivers, causing unnecessary risks.

Our first recommendation is usually to add bumper lighting, but why? The key advantage lies in the reduced reflections cast back into the cabin from airborne particles that you'd experience with overhead lighting. Overhead lighting often reflects off rain, snow, and dust, reducing their effectiveness. This is particularly challenging when following another vehicle on a dusty trail with just a roof light bar. The lower the lighting, the fewer reflections are cast back, which is why fog lights are typically mounted at the lowest point.

Bumper lighting also tends to be more cost-effective. Most vehicles can accommodate lighting mounted directly to the bumper without additional brackets. Plus, the wiring process is simpler and less expensive than for overhead lighting, which often requires a rack or brackets.