Aux lighting (fog & driving)

[IBCRUSN]

Does anyone have any experience with running two different type lights up front? I have been considering adding aux lights up front and was wondering about installing one fog lamp and one driving (euro beam, etc) to cover both bases. Can I get some input on your ideas? Thanks.

 

[C6H12O6]

You might look at the IPF J-01 lights. They are an amber fog light and a bright white driving light all in one housing. Pretty cool lights. I love mine. Probably not the brightest driving light out there, but plenty bright and very nice to have both in one package.

I doubt you'd like having one driving light and one fog light. It would be tough to get them aimed right to give you much benefit. The best thing I like about the fog lights is the side illumination. No more deer jumping out of the ditches unnoticed.

 

[spressomon]

Lightforce 170's...adjust them any way you want from flood to spot Plus they offer numerous colored filters for different driving conditions (fog, snow, etc.). I'd by them again no question!

 

[mot]

I guess if you have already tried the HIR thingy and the harness upgrade on the headlights and that is not enough I would look into getting something like the Sylvania Xenarc HID fog/driving lights (true HID) and get an aux. driving lights.

I used to think that I liked having both fogs and highs (and lows) on at the same time when I turn on the high beams, but especially on the dark country road I would prefer just having the high beams (w/o lows nor fogs) so I can see further, better.

When I was driving my buddy's Grand Cherokee this summer with separate low and high beams I installed the Xenarc's and they were pretty dang cool fog/assist lights.
The color was good and the light spread was excellent. Plus they're small enough to be mounted just about anywhere.

My $0.02.

 

[mot]

IIRC, I've picked up a pair from www.suvlights.com for less than $250US, shipped (to Utah), but now their price is close to $350!

Link to their site/product

Here are a couple of pics of the rig I was driving:


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[kevinmrowland]

Those look like they would almost fit in the marker light opening of an ARB bar.
That is a lot of $ for something so small...............

 

[MyCrush]

I second the opinion for LIGHTFORCE lamps.........I have had the 9'' 240BLITZ series for 6mos now and they are just incredible. A bit pricey, but nearly indestructible and bright as all-get-out.
They lights have a COMBO external cover that is both a diffusion pattern and a spot beam. Also available in amber and blue.....both optimum colors for winter harsh weather. Just ordered the amber myself!

Check out off-roadlights.com.

 

[IBCRUSN]

Guys, Thanks for the input.

Those of you running light assys larger than 6", do you have any cooling issues?

Mot,
Nice lights and reasonably priced for HID's but still a little pricey for as often as I would use them.

 

[IBCRUSN]

Anyone with the ARB roo bar consider removing the additional turn signals and fit fog lights?

Obviously the bumper would need some cutting but I was looking at Mycrush's rig and thought it would be a good spot for fog lights (mounted under the main lights).

 

[spressomon]

Guys, Thanks for the input.

Those of you running light assys larger than 6", do you have any cooling issues?

/QUOTE]


Nope...not on my 100.

 

[mot]

I think Cory(FZJFillmore) was somewhat concerned with his aux. lights (Hella 4000's?) and moved them down (or was it up?) on his ARB, but that might be due to his rig having a supercharger (TRD?).

I have heard more folks not having any cooling issues than do when it comes to having large aux. lights. But I'm sure it varies depends on your cooling system being in good shape, as well as what kind of driving you do and the climate, etc...

 

[KLF]

I had both driving and fogs on my previous 4Runner, I really liked the setup.

I had Hella 500's for driving lights, and Hella 550FF for fogs. Not the highest quality light on the market, but they did very well for the money.

The problem with trying to use one light as both a fog and driving light (ie: IPF J-01) is mounting position. You're gonna have to make a compromise, there is no optimal location.

Fog lights need to be mounted LOW, so they can cut under fog and poor weather, and illuminate the road surface. Driving lights need to be higher, about headlight height, so they can acheive distance and trajectory.

My current truck has a set of Hella 550FF's hanging under the front bumper.

They are fabulous there. Very broad pattern, not anoying to oncoming traffic, cut under the crummy weather, perfect location. I'm sure I'll be replacing them with a better quality light someday, but for now they are working. I also have upgraded my headlights to Hella E-codes, and I have 100W high beam bulbs, and a heavy wiring harness. Excellent lighting, but I know I will be putting some aux driving lights on the bumper too some day, just inboard of the headlights.

 

[MyCrush]

Guys, Thanks for the input.

Those of you running light assys larger than 6", do you have any cooling issues?

I have not had any cooling probs w/ my 9'' Lightforce lamps. I drove cross country from E to W and concentrated alot of my time in the deserts , including Death Valley in August.

 

[IBCRUSN]

Awesome. Being in KS I'm more concerned about the deer than anything even though the ARB kind of takes care of that. On my last trip to southwestern CO driving the flats I REALLY wanted driving/pencil lights. I'm not a speed demon but 70-75mph on 50 and 10 in the dark is definitely an area where more light is a good thing.

I like the Lightforce and the IPF's but I had better re-read the eval done by the folks in OZ before I make the leap.

KLF, nice mini truck.

 

[mot]

I know you wouldn't want them, but juuuust in case.... I still have my Hella FF1000 and Koito/Warn HID driving lights if you want them.

Sorry for the shameless plug.

Mot