VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Tan vs Muddy Gray: Matching Accessory Sets to Your Vehicle

Quick answer

Choose the VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Gray Accessory Set if your vehicle has cool gray or urban tones, and the VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Tan Accessory Set if it leans warm desert or earth. Both sets share identical parts and price, so the only real decision is color harmony with your existing VANGUARD vehicle.

If you are staring at two nearly identical accessory sets and wondering which one belongs on your VANGUARD vehicle, you are not alone. The Muddy Gray and Tan H.A.U.L. sets look the same on paper, but the color difference changes how your vehicle reads on the shelf.

This comparison breaks down what each set includes, how the colorways interact with common vehicle finishes, and when to pick one over the other. There is no wrong answer, but there is a right answer for your specific setup.

What both H.A.U.L. sets include

The VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Gray Accessory Set and the VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Tan Accessory Set are functionally identical. Each includes four windowless doors, four armored panels that fit into those doors, two additional armored frames for the rear doors, a windshield armor add-on, a brush guard for the bumper, and a cow catcher that mounts on the bumper or on top of the brush guard.

Because the parts list matches exactly, your decision comes down to color. Neither set includes the M240 rifle, so plan for that separately if you want to use the rear door frames as intended.

• Both sets fit all Action Force Vanguard vehicles, so compatibility is not a differentiator.
• Check whether your vehicle already has gray or tan accents before choosing.

How Muddy Gray reads on a vehicle

Muddy Gray is a desaturated, cool-leaning finish that blends with urban, industrial, or winter-themed vehicles. On a gray or black VANGUARD chassis, it looks like factory armor rather than an add-on. On a tan or desert vehicle, it creates a deliberate contrast that can look like salvaged parts.

If you display under cool white or daylight LEDs, Muddy Gray tends to recede and let your figures stand out. If you use warm lighting, it can pick up a slight brown cast, which may or may not be what you want.

• Best for vehicles with gray, black, or blue-gray base colors.
• Pairs well with urban or night-ops figure themes.

How Muddy Tan reads on a vehicle

Muddy Tan is a warm, earthy finish that matches desert, jungle, and weathered military vehicles. On a tan VANGUARD chassis, it looks integrated and intentional. On a gray or black vehicle, it stands out as a field-modification look, similar to how real vehicles accumulate mismatched armor.

Under warm lighting, Muddy Tan looks richer and more cohesive. Under cool lighting, it can appear slightly flatter, so consider your display setup before committing.

• Best for vehicles with tan, brown, or olive base colors.
• Works well with desert or jungle-themed figure displays.

The trade-off: cohesion vs contrast

If you want your vehicle to look like it rolled off the line with armor already installed, match the accessory color to the vehicle color. That means Muddy Gray on gray vehicles and Muddy Tan on tan vehicles. This is the safest choice for a clean, realistic display.

If you want your vehicle to look field-modified or battle-worn, choose the opposite color. A Tan set on a gray vehicle or a Gray set on a tan vehicle creates visual storytelling. The trade-off is that it may look less polished in a static display.

• Matching colorways look factory-fresh; contrasting colorways look improvised.
• Consider your shelf lighting: warm light favors Tan, cool light favors Gray.

Mixing Muddy Gray and Muddy Tan on one vehicle

You can combine both sets on a single vehicle if you want a heavily modified look. Because the parts are identical in shape, you can put Gray doors on one side and Tan doors on the other, or use Gray armor panels with a Tan brush guard. This creates a patchwork effect that some collectors love and others find messy.

If you go this route, decide on a ratio. A 70/30 split usually reads as intentional, while a 50/50 split can look random. Keep the cow catcher and brush guard in the same color for a grounded front end.

• Use one color for the front end and the other for the rear to create a clear visual story.
• Avoid mixing more than two colorways on a single vehicle unless you are deliberately going for chaos.

Other VANGUARD add-ons that affect your color choice

The VANGUARD Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On is a separate accessory that adds a launcher turret with twelve non-firing missiles, three blasting missiles in different sizes, and one rear blast effect. It does not include the Vanguard vehicle itself. Because it is Stealth Gray, it pairs more naturally with the Muddy Gray set than with the Tan set.

If you already own the missile launcher, choosing Muddy Gray for your H.A.U.L. set keeps your add-ons in the same cool family. If you prefer the Tan set, be aware that the launcher will read as a contrasting piece rather than a matched one.

• Stealth Gray launcher plus Muddy Gray H.A.U.L. equals a cohesive cool-toned build.
• Stealth Gray launcher plus Muddy Tan H.A.U.L. creates a deliberate contrast.

Trade-offs at a glance

• Color cohesion: Muddy Gray blends with gray, black, and blue-gray vehicles. Muddy Tan blends with tan, brown, and olive vehicles. Match the set to your vehicle's base color for a factory-fresh look.
• Visual contrast: Choosing the opposite color creates a field-modified or battle-worn appearance. Contrast is a storytelling choice, not a mistake.
• Lighting impact: Warm display lighting makes Muddy Tan look richer; cool lighting makes Muddy Gray look cleaner. Check your shelf lighting before you commit.
• Other add-ons: The Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On is cool-toned and pairs more naturally with Muddy Gray. If you own the launcher, Muddy Gray keeps your add-ons unified.

Product facts

• VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Gray Accessory Set: Fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles and includes 4 windowless doors, 4 armored panels, 2 additional armored frames for rear doors, windshield armor add-on, brush guard, and cow catcher. This set gives you a complete armor package for any Vanguard vehicle, so you can plan your build without worrying about compatibility.
• VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Tan Accessory Set: Fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles and includes the same parts as the Muddy Gray set: 4 windowless doors, 4 armored panels, 2 additional armored frames for rear doors, windshield armor add-on, brush guard, and cow catcher. Because the parts are identical, your choice is purely about color coordination with your existing vehicle and display theme.
• VANGUARD Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On: Fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles and includes 12 non-firing missiles, 3 blasting missiles in different sizes, and 1 rear blast effect. The launcher turret can be put in an upward firing position. Vanguard vehicle not included. This add-on is Stealth Gray, so it pairs more naturally with the Muddy Gray H.A.U.L. set if you want a unified cool-toned vehicle.

Which set should you choose?

Best for

• Collectors with a gray, black, or urban-themed VANGUARD vehicle who want a cohesive, factory-fresh look.
• Display setups with cool white or daylight lighting where Muddy Gray reads cleanly.

Not for

• Collectors with a tan or desert-themed vehicle who want a matching finish—choose the Muddy Tan set instead.
• Anyone who wants a single set to cover both color schemes; you would need both sets to mix and match.

Both the Muddy Gray and Muddy Tan H.A.U.L. sets deliver the same parts and fit, so your decision comes down to color harmony and the story you want your vehicle to tell. Match for cohesion or contrast for character—either way, you get a complete armor package ready for your VANGUARD vehicle.