What is the low beam headlight bulb size for a 1973 Volkswagen Thing?

The 1973 Volkswagen Thing uses a 6014 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

What is the high beam headlight bulb size for a 1973 Volkswagen Thing?

The high beam bulb size for the 1973 Volkswagen Thing is 6014 LED.

Why are my 1973 Volkswagen Thing headlights dim?

Dim headlights on a 1973 Volkswagen Thing can be caused by aging halogen bulbs, which lose brightness over time, or oxidation (cloudiness) on the plastic headlight lenses. Upgrading to a 6014 LED LED conversion kit can provide a significantly brighter and whiter light output.

Which bulb fits the 1973 Volkswagen Thing fog light?

The 1973 Volkswagen Thing uses a LED Fog Light bulb for the fog light position.

Is the 1973 Volkswagen Thing single or dual beam?

The 1973 Volkswagen Thing uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Can I install LED bulbs on my 1973 Volkswagen Thing?

Yes, the 1973 Volkswagen Thing comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 6014 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Does the 1973 Volkswagen Thing have fog lights?

Yes, the 1973 Volkswagen Thing takes a LED Fog Light bulb for the fog light position.

How do I change the headlight on a 1973 Volkswagen Thing?

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 6014 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.

Are LED headlights legal for a 1973 Volkswagen Thing?

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 6014 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

How much does it cost to replace 1973 Volkswagen Thing headlights?

A pair of halogen 6014 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.

What is the difference between halogen and LED for a 1973 Volkswagen Thing?

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 6014 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.

Fitment Guaranteed for 1973 Volkswagen Thing

What Size Bulbs Does a 1973 Volkswagen Thing 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 1973 Volkswagen Thing Have?

When it comes to nighttime visibility, the 1973 Volkswagen Thing relies on an arrangement of 12 specialized bulbs. It features an extensive lighting system powered by a halogen-based setup where a single 6014 LED dual-filament bulb handles both low and high beam duties within the same reflector. This model belongs to the early years of the Thing's 1973-1974 production span. Note that Volkswagen vehicles typically feature a CANbus electrical monitor that checks for specific bulb resistance.

LED Flicker Warning

This vehicle is known to use a CANbus system. Installing standard LEDs may cause flickering.

Use a CANbus decoder.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1973 Volkswagen Thing?

Upgrading to LED is one of the most effective ways to modernize your Volkswagen's appearance and safety profile. Since your Thing uses a single 6014 LED bulb for both high and low beams, ensure your chosen LED kit is "dual-beam" compatible. This allows the LED circuitry to mimic the two-filament design of the original halogen bulb. Because Volkswagen utilizes a CANbus system, standard LED bulbs may cause "bulb out" errors on your dashboard. Always opt for "Error-Free" or CANbus-ready kits which include the necessary resistors. Don't forget the LED Fog Light fog lights; switching these to LED can dramatically improve your visibility in adverse weather.

1973 Volkswagen Thing Bulb Size Chart

Position	Bulb Size	Shop
Low Beam	6014 LED	Buy 6014 LED →
High Beam	6014 LED	Buy 6014 LED →
Fog Light	LED Fog Light	Buy LED Fog Light →
Brake Light	Brake Light Assembly	Buy Brake Light Assembly →
Side Marker	3893 LED	Buy 3893 LED →
Turn Signal Front	7506 LED	Buy 7506 LED →
Turn Signal Rear	7506 LED	Buy 7506 LED →
Dome Light	6418	Buy 6418 →
License Plate	5007	Buy 5007 →
Parking Light	3893	Buy 3893 →
Reverse Light	7506	Buy 7506 →
Trunk Light	LED Light	Buy LED Light →

Installation Guide

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Other Thing Years

1974

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