ARB Bull Bar Lights Question

[CharlieS]

Depends on what you're using the lights for...

Fog lights do have a place, but it is in fog and snow.

If you are doing offroad driving where you don't have to contend with other drivers coming in the other direction, a sweet setup is a pair of pencil beams in the center and some drivign lights on the outside, andgled slightly outward.

This is the setup I had on my rally car, and it WILL light the road up like daylight.

You DO NOT want this on a street only car, as it is probably illegal without covers and worst of all you will without a doubt blind other drivers.

I used the big round hellas (can't remember the model but they were about $600 worth of lights IIRC).

You'll need a big wire setup for this with appropriate relays.

 

[macneill]

On a separate but related note, what do you guys think about mounting fogs to the fairlead mounting wings on the ARB winch bar? I am thinking about going to synthetic rope for my winch, and replacing the roller with a Hawse fairlead. That would leave the wings unused, and either I could cut them off or mount fogs in them. Here in the Central Valley of California there is quite a bit of need for good fogs many days out of the year.

Of course, the holes for the fairlead roller bolts might be just a tad too big to mount lights... Maybe I could use really big washers...

Go for it. That'll be cool. I'm trying to figure out where to put another set of lights on my TJM. Picked up a used set of PIAA 520s and the bar is just not set up for more than one set. Maybe I'll get some tabs welded on or something.

 

[LX_TREME]

I vote for driving and got myself IPF S9H11 HID Super Off Roader - http://www.ok4wd.com/product.asp?id=128

 

[mot]

I vote for driving and got myself IPF S9H11 HID Super Off Roader - http://www.ok4wd.com/product.asp?id=128

LX,

Unless they make different reflectors for the US market (or elsewhere) those IPF's are fogs. I know that the site you posted says "driving", but at least in Japan they are only available with fog pattern (with yellow/crystal covers, right?).

Anyway, as always, I could (and probably am) wrong.

Mot

 

[macneill]

LX,

Unless they make different reflectors for the US market (or elsewhere) those IPF's are fogs. I know that the site you posted says "driving", but at least in Japan they are only available with fog pattern (with yellow/crystal covers, right?).

Anyway, as always, I could (and probably am) wrong.

Mot

Yeah, but he drives all the way from LA back to Stewartsville, New Jersey to get his truck worked on at OK4WD.

 

[Cookiemonster]

driving lights. how often do you actually see fog and they never live up to their hype anyways. I had a pair of the 520 driving lights and there was nothing wrong with them, but i've stepped up to the lightforce 170s now. i've also got another pair for sale in the FS section if you are interested.

Depends on you area so far as fog is concerned. Here in NorCal we get coastal fog on the coast and tule fog in the central valley. I've seen alot of accidents and a whole lot of fatalities due to fog.

Not sure but guessing here that Arizona, New Mexico, and areas of BC probably don't get an incredible amount of fog.

As far as fog lights, they are a whole lot more effective than standard white lights which white wash everything.

If you really want to have some fun try running a patrol car with lights and siren in the fog. The light just bounces off, makes for a great show. Scares the crap out of people cause they don't see you until your on top of them. Of course you don't always see them traveling at a snails pace either until your foot and brake pedal is through the floor board.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I'm using the PIAA L525-X JDM H4's. I've only had a need for the fogs once when living in LA. Climbing up a hill through low clouds/fog, visibility was extremely poor. The low's (not sure how they compare to fogs, but they illuminate maybe 20ft in front of the vehicle) do cut through the fog. The guy in the adjacent lane was in a much faster car and could have easily passed, but he was relying on my lights to "see." I have an OEM dash switch control the low's independently, while the high's are wired in parallel to the vehicle's high's so all four highs turn on/off simulataneously with the flick of the steering column switch. In reality, I could do without the low's, especially now that I live in AZ where fog is non-existent. For driving on rural roads in normal conditions, driving lights/highs are a must. If you live where it rains or snows a lot, I'd also get fogs. On my next rig, I'll get a dedicated pair of driving lights and ditch the fogs.

 

[Texus]

drivin' lights...

fogs are only as effective as than can be when they are low, as in under the bumper... they are only effective to light along the ground, under the fog so to speak... also, being amber/yellow reduces the glare/refraction in the suspended water vapor (fog)... up high (i.e. on an ARB), no lights work well in foggy conditions...soooooo... go Hella 500 or bigger... drivin' ones that is...

 

[Gold Finger]

About twenty years ago I had 2 Super Oscar Driving Lights and 2 Super Oscar Fog Lights, all with 100W Bulbs. The Driving Lights came on with main beam while the fogs were operated by the side lights, all where able to be switched off completely independently, so when on main beam I had all 4 illuminating the road together with the vehicle lights which when on dipped beam would allow the fogs to stay on. The illumination was amazing. The fog lights were mounted quite high on the bumper and I arranged them so that the cut off allowed a reasonable distance but would not annoy oncoming vehicles the spread of light was very good and illuminated well beyond the curb.

If I were to buy lights today I would be tempted by some of the wide angle variety as well as fogs because vehicle lighting has improved even though I gripe about the 80’s poor lighting the main beam is not so bad as far as distance is concerned but wholly inadequate when turning or trying to negotiate difficult terrain. . I would never buy spot beams as IMHO I believe that they are useless unless travelling on straight roads, the OEM is good enough for that, but one would be constantly switching them off if any one appeared over the horizon so as not to annoy them. I have even considered H4 Main / Dip in a driving lamp shell because I do not think that auxiliary dip only are available, well I have not seen them in the UK in any case.