Trail Lights - best bang for $$

[UWdave]

I'm looking at adding a little more light for those occasional night runs. I've never thought the stock lights we that bad, but do realize more light would be nice. I figured I would install the Slee wiring harness linking them to the high beams and some 6" lights in my MetalTech bumper.

I'm slightly shocked by how many choices there are and how high some prices are.

PIAA, Hella, Lightforce, IPF...

White, bright white, yellow, super white, HID...

Any guidance on a best bang for your buck light?

 

[Tacoma4life]

I just use the Hella 500ff's because they work well and are only $65/ pair. On my Tacoma they have lasted several years without an issue (not even a burned out bulb), but I don't use them a ton either.
I started using Hella after I had some $250+ piaa's that didn't impress me at all. The dash switch was fancier I guess, but the housing of the lights rusted out and the light output wasn't noticably better.

 

[B Legit]

Dave, I just put some 6.5 PIAA's on my truck and am happy with the results. They were $130.00 at that jeep shop down in Kent and came with the harness and switch in one package. Let me know if you want to see them and I will cruise down for a beer.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

7" SRS spots from Northern Tool

100 Watt Halogen
Glass Housings
Protective Covers
Mounting Hardware


Got them from the local outlet for $7.99 each after printing out the online sales pricing

 

[shadowless]

i modded some harbor freight off road lights currently on sale for $26. i bought mine on sale for $20 plus there usual 20% and i bought them in oregon so no tax

i then cut the backs out, installed 90 lexus ls400 fog yellow light capsules with 3k yellow hids $40. here is the end result for a grand total of about $60 and a hour or two of work. the best part is the lens is glass and the inner housing composite so heat is not an issue. and it comes with the fancy grill over it which saved my ass after i dropped one light off my work bench 3ft face down with no damage.

harness i made...

night time photo into the sky for a bat signal...

 

[GA Trevor]

Maybe its just the picture, but why would you want green lights?

 

[yoopercharged]

DIY Aurora Borealis?

 

[Titan94]

My dad's had a pair of PIAA lights, similar to an 80xt but a tiny bit bigger, that have lasted since before I was born. They are from around 1985 or so, and the only problem I've had is changing one bulb out, which was pretty simple.

I've heard alot of good things about lights and very few bad things, but some good ones are Hella, Lightforce, and PIAA. IPF is also very good. You really cant go too wrong, I'm pretty jealous of those northern tool lights, they look pretty nice for the money

 

[UWdave]

Are "spot lights" what I want?

Harbor Freight - 03029 Light System
I love how they don't even say what size they are.

Northern Tools - 7" lights
I'm not sure if 7" lights will fit in the Metaltech bumper

I wanted to use the SLEE harness because it upgrades the stock lights as well as adds easy add-on of more lights. I really don't want this to be a long project, so I don't think I want to bother with modifying lights/housings.

Would you rather have 2 Hellla lights (maybe upgrade later), or 4 cheap-o lights.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Are "spot lights" what I want?

It depends on your needs and mounting positions

Spotlights have a very long and narrow beam...

Foglights are meant to cast a low, wide angle beam

No light will actually cut straight through a dense fog, so the wide angle lets you see to the sides to help you stay on path

Not sumthin you'd want on the roof (crazy hood glare)

 

[UWdave]

The goal is to see farther and wider on the trail. The lights will be installed in my bumper.

 

[B Legit]

probably should get "driving lights". Mine are mounted in the center of my bumper and shine deeper farther than my brights. I feel like my PIAA's and my regular head lights is a great combo that lights as much of the road and path as I would like.

 

[lt1fire]

i modded some harbor freight off road lights currently on sale for $26. i bought mine on sale for $20 plus there usual 20% and i bought them in oregon so no tax

i then cut the backs out, installed 90 lexus ls400 fog yellow light capsules with 3k yellow hids $40. here is the end result for a grand total of about $60 and a hour or two of work. the best part is the lens is glass and the inner housing composite so heat is not an issue. and it comes with the fancy grill over it which saved my ass after i dropped one light off my work bench 3ft face down with no damage.

harness i made...

night time photo into the sky for a bat signal...

Which HID's did you use?

 

[UWdave]

Shadowless,
Can you tell me the size of those lights?

 

[Mark W]

For short range, wide area illumination I have been very impressed with the 55 watt flood lights used on a variety of construction equipment like skid steers and such. Mounted over the cab, the give a seamless pattern with no hot spots or weak areas. They do not reach a long way out but the provide very wide and very bright close in lights. Perfect for slow tight trails. Not much good on higher speed runs and worthless on the highway. They make a good offroad combo with some long range driving lights.


Mark...

 

[superjuice]

I purchased some Eagle Eye lights in the 110watt flavor, apparently they are not available in the 110w anymore from jcwhittney but i bet higher wattage bulbs are pretty cheap, came with soft covers(cheazy elastic condoms) but lenses are defiantly are glass with a spot beam. From the link: $20.99 Each -plated Off-Road Halogen Light, 5" Diameter, Clear Lens, 55-watts

I think I paid $45 each, still look and work like new after 4 years. They are supposed to be stainless and i think they are b/c they show no signs of rust even after being subject to the salt up here in New England. They are bright as hell, you can turn off the headlight's and it doesn't make any difference. I can post dimensions of you would like, best $90 i ever spent on lights. I'm not opposed to pulling them off and checking the fit on the 80 if you would like(stock bumper) ...

 

[UWdave]

I pulled the trigger on the $65 Hella 500FF.

I called SLEE to order the harnesses, but they are closed this week for Cruise Moab.

 

[MrOffshore]

How much is the harness? I assume it works with any lights? Do you have a part number?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[UWdave]

Slee - Light Harness

One upgrades the stock wiring, the other is for the aux.

 

[superjuice]

You will not be impressed with the hella 500's.