Why Every Off-Road, Overland, and Lifted Vehicle Owner Should Re-Aim Their Beams
If you’ve recently lifted your 4×4, upgraded to larger tires, or are planning to — congratulations. That lift opens up a world of capability, from rock crawling to backcountry overlanding. But there’s one critical adjustment most new lift owners overlook: headlight alignment.
I learned the hard way.
🚙 A Real-World Wake-Up Call
The day I got my Jeep back from Lunar Low Automotive after installing a 4-inch lift and 35″ tires, I was on cloud nine. I took my wife out to dinner to celebrate. At a traffic light, the guy in a small sedan in front of me was clearly irritated. But here’s the kicker—it wasn’t because I was blinding him head-on. It was because my headlights were blasting straight into his rearview mirror.
It didn’t stop there. On my West Texas travels, oncoming drivers constantly flashed their brights, even though mine weren’t on. That’s when it hit me: my lifted Jeep’s headlights were now aimed too high.
🔦 Why It Matters
Here are 7 solid reasons to adjust your headlights after lifting your vehicle:
1. Avoid Blinding Other Drivers (Especially at Night)
When your 4×4 gets a suspension lift or larger tires, the angle of your headlights shifts upward. That means your low beams are no longer low. You’re unintentionally dazzling oncoming traffic — or worse, lighting up rearview mirrors like a spotlight at a concert.
2. Restore Your High Beam Performance
Before I adjusted mine, my brights seemed… off. They didn’t throw light down the road the way they should. Once I re-aimed my headlights to the correct position, my high beams came back to life. Jeep Wranglers are already known for subpar factory lighting—don’t make it worse by misalignment.
3. Reduce Road Rage Risk
Don’t let your lighting provoke someone else’s temper. Whether it’s a flash of brights or a tailgater who thinks you’re being aggressive, the problem might just be your headlight aim. This is an easy fix that avoids unnecessary confrontation.
4. It’s a Legal Requirement in Some States
Some states have laws about proper headlight alignment. Driving a lifted vehicle with misaligned lights could earn you a ticket or inspection failure. It’s better to stay ahead of it.
5. Safer Driving for Everyone (Including You)
Misaligned headlights don’t just affect other drivers — they reduce your own visibility. If your beams are aimed too high, you’re lighting up treetops and signs instead of the road directly in front of you. That’s dangerous on dark trails or rural highways.
6. It’s Quick and Easy to Do
You don’t need a shop or fancy equipment. A flat surface, wall, and screwdriver (or 10mm socket) are often all you need. Even better—ask your shop to adjust them when they do the lift. It takes five minutes and makes a massive difference.
7. You’ll Stop Getting Flashed
This was my biggest motivation. Nothing is more frustrating than constantly being flashed by oncoming traffic when you know your brights aren’t even on. Once I adjusted my headlights, it stopped. My drives became less stressful and far safer.
🛠️ How to Adjust Your Headlights — Quick DIY Guide
For Jeep Wrangler JK (2007–2018)
- Park 25 feet from a wall on level ground.
- Use a T15 Torx bit to turn the vertical adjustment screw located inside the headlight housing.
- Adjust until the top of the beam cutoff is just below the headlight’s height on the wall.
- Note: No horizontal adjustment is available on stock housings.
For 2nd Gen Toyota Tacoma (2005–2015)
- Park 25 feet from a wall.
- Locate the 10mm vertical adjustment bolt behind the headlight housing.
- Turn clockwise to raise, counterclockwise to lower.
- Again, aim the top cutoff just below headlight height.
💡 Bonus Tip: Handle Bright-On-Bright Situations Calmly
If someone is coming at you with their brights on, don’t retaliate. Instead, look toward the right-side lane markings to protect your vision. If you need to signal them, a quick flash (lights off and back on) is more effective—and safer—than blasting your brights in return.
🚗 Final Thoughts
Lifting your rig is one of the most satisfying upgrades you can make. But small details like headlight adjustment have a big impact—on safety, courtesy, and your overall off-road experience.
You don’t need the most expensive lighting or a high-end rig to be a responsible, thoughtful member of the off-road community. You just need to take a few extra steps. Adjust your lights—and enjoy the ride.