After a few months of research, I decided to go with the Rigid D2 driving lights. They had four light pattern options: driving, wide, diffuse, and hyperspot. The 2 light kit I got came with the lights plus a harness which included wiring, relay, light connectors and dash switch.
I went with the driving pattern as the combination of side and distance lighting seemed to be best for my intended use.
While he Auxbeam lights I originally looked offered a similar light pattern, I chose the Rigids because they accomplished the pattern with reflector optics as opposed to the Auxbeam's externally applied plastic diffuser lens. And while I know I paid a premium for the brand, I was very happy with the quality of the lights and harness; the plug connectors for the lights were a sealed waterproof Deutsch connector, and everything else was of similar quality.
My install was slightly custom. I wanted to be able to disable the Rigids for day to day driving so that I still could use the hi-beams without them coming on, and yet still have the option off-road of them coming on with the stock hi-beams.
The
@slcfj62 wiring harness I had previously installed had the provision for one of the spare relays to be triggered by the stock Hi- beam switch. I intercepted the "trigger" wire for this relay, and ran it through a dash mounted switch. With the dash switch in the off position, the relay to the Rigids does not close when Hi-beams are selected at the stock switch, so they do not come on. With the dash switch on, the Rigids come on when the hi-beam switch is selected.
No action pictures yet. In conjunction with this, I upgraded the bulbs in the H4 housings to 80/100, so I need to get everything aimed properly, so I will take some pics then.
And I know I said "old school" looking in my original post, but the LEDs made a lot of sense as I didn't want to block any more airflow to the radiator than was absolutely necessary. The 2FE had a series of cooling problems which are now resolved, but I am a little gun shy in that department, so the smaller size was a big factor.
