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Fitment Guaranteed for 1981 Volkswagen Dasher

What Size Bulbs Does a 1981 Volkswagen Dasher Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Hard (Tight clearances)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 1981 Volkswagen Dasher Have?

The 1981 Volkswagen Dasher features an extensive lighting system with 13 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with 4000 LED low beams and H5001 LED high beams in a dual-bulb configuration. The Dasher has been available from 1974 to 1981, and the 1981 model falls in the late-generation years. As a Volkswagen vehicle, it uses a CANbus electrical system that monitors bulb status.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1981 Volkswagen Dasher?

To upgrade the 1981 Volkswagen Dasher headlights to LED, you will need a 4000 LED LED kit for the low beams and a H5001 LED LED kit for the high beams. Start with the low beams since they are used most often and have the biggest impact on nighttime visibility. Important: Volkswagen vehicles use a CANbus system that detects bulb wattage. Standard LED bulbs may trigger dashboard warnings or flicker. Choose LED kits labeled "CANbus-compatible" or add inline decoder resistors to prevent these issues. For the fog lights, a LED Fog Lights LED bulb provides a clean white output that pairs well with LED headlights.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 1981 Volkswagen Dasher

To remove the headlight bulb, disconnect the wiring harness, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it straight out of the housing. Volkswagen vehicles are known for tight engine bay clearances around the headlight assembly. You may need to remove the air intake duct, battery cover, or wheel well liner to access the bulbs. Budget 30 to 45 minutes per side for your first replacement. When installing the new bulb, avoid touching the glass with bare fingers. Skin oils create hot spots that shorten bulb life. Wear clean gloves or handle the bulb by its plastic base only. The fog lights are accessed from underneath the front bumper. You may need to remove a few plastic clips or screws from the fender liner to reach the LED Fog Lights fog light socket.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 13 Positions at Once

Low Beam: 4000 LEDHigh Beam: H5001 LEDFog Light: LED Fog LightsBrake Light: Brake Light AssemblySide Marker: 3893 LEDTurn Signal Front: 7506 LEDTurn Signal Rear: 7506 LEDDome Light: 6411License Plate: 3893Map Light: 2825Parking Light: 3893Reverse Light: 7506Trunk Light: LED Light
Shop Complete LED Kit

1981 Volkswagen Dasher Complete Bulb Size Chart

PositionBulb SizeShop
Low Beam
4000 LEDBuy 4000 LED
High Beam
H5001 LEDBuy H5001 LED
Fog Light
LED Fog LightsBuy LED Fog Lights
Brake Light
Brake Light AssemblyBuy Brake Light Assembly
Side Marker
3893 LEDBuy 3893 LED
Turn Signal Front
7506 LEDBuy 7506 LED
Turn Signal Rear
7506 LEDBuy 7506 LED
Dome Light
6411Buy 6411
License Plate
3893Buy 3893
Map Light
2825Buy 2825
Parking Light
3893Buy 3893
Reverse Light
7506Buy 7506
Trunk Light
LED LightBuy LED Light

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Installation Guide
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How Long Do 1981 Volkswagen Dasher Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 1981 Volkswagen Dasher have an expected lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours, which works out to roughly 2 to 3 years of normal use. Signs of a failing halogen bulb include noticeably dimmer output, a yellowish tint compared to the other headlight, or intermittent flickering. At 45 years old, the original bulbs on your Dasher are likely overdue for replacement. Even if they still illuminate, reduced brightness significantly impacts nighttime safety. When one headlight burns out, replace both sides at the same time. Bulbs from the same batch age at similar rates, and mismatched brightness is distracting to oncoming drivers.

What Bulbs Are Compatible with the 1981 Volkswagen Dasher?

The 4000 low beam bulb on the 1981 Volkswagen Dasher is a specific fitment. There are no widely recognized cross-compatible alternatives, so make sure to purchase the exact 4000 size. Using the wrong bulb size can cause improper beam patterns that reduce your visibility and blind other drivers. It can also cause overheating inside the headlight housing, potentially warping the plastic lens or reflector. Always verify the bulb number before purchasing.

1981 Volkswagen Dasher Headlight FAQ

The 1981 Volkswagen Dasher uses a 4000 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 1981 Volkswagen Dasher is H5001 LED.

The 1981 Volkswagen Dasher uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Yes, the 1981 Volkswagen Dasher comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 4000 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Yes, the 1981 Volkswagen Dasher takes a LED Fog Lights bulb for the fog light position.

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old 4000 LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. Note: Volkswagen vehicles use a CANbus system, so LED replacements may need an anti-flicker decoder. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved 4000 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen 4000 LED bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the 4000 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements. Since the Volkswagen uses CANbus monitoring, choose a CANbus-compatible LED kit to avoid dashboard errors.

Did Volkswagen Dasher Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1974 to 1981, the Volkswagen Dasher has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam, High Beam and Side Marker positions. The 1981 model uses the newer bulb specification introduced around 1979. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 1981 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other Dasher Years

19791977197619751974
411412ArteonAtlasBeetleCCCabrioCabriolet

Other Vehicles That Use 4000 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a 4000 LED low beam bulb:

1996 Chevrolet W3500 Tiltmaster1996 Chevrolet W4500 Tiltmaster1996 Chevrolet W5500 Tiltmaster1988 BMW 535is1987 BMW 535i1983 Peugeot 505