When restoring or rebuilding a Classic Range Rover, there are upgrades that you add. In addition to Range Rover engine repairs and replacements needed, upgrades to features such as headlights can make driving safer. 

The Classic Range Rover has an iconic front-end born of Rover’s legacy design. Its round lamps were used on Range Rover models from the 1970s, despite many car manufacturers moving to rectangular headlights. 

Unlike its more utilitarian brother, the Defender, the Classic Range Rover sported boxy tail lights and indicators, setting it apart as a luxury vehicle of the time.

While the circular lights give the vehicles that authentic Rover look, the square versions that replaced them in 1994 on the second-generation Range Rover were more modern and far more efficient. 

Current Range Rover models have digital LED with microprocessors that deliver brilliant white beams and can react to the environment to reduce reflections.

Are LED lights better than halogen bulbs?

LED lights are much brighter than their halogen counterparts and provide better energy efficiency and longevity. Replacing an LED headlight means replacing the entire sealed unit, which may blow your budget with prices into the £100s. 

Halogen lamps create less glare on the roads due to their lower brightness, and they are cheaper and easier to replace. They do eat up 80 per cent more energy than an LED with less output. 

How easy is it to replace Range Rover headlights?

For a Range Rover rebuild specialist, it is a simple job as aftermarket spares and replacements are relatively easy to come by, including lights. Spare 7-inch light assemblies for Defenders and Series III Land Rovers are usually compatible.

If you need a little more brightness at night, LED lamps are preferable. Although replacing the halogen bulbs like-for-like is an easy fix, to upgrade to an LED, replacing the whole sealed unit is a better option. 

If only the bulbs are replaced with LED, then there is a risk of misaligned beams and a potential MOT failure. Replacing the unit may need a new mounting ring or gasket. 

The bonus of replacing the 7-inch halogen with a 7-inch LED assembly means you can keep the nostalgic look of the round headlights without compromising on vision at night.