Auxiliary Light Questions

[Gromulus]

My JAOS center grill protector should be here within a few days. I am now in the market for some auxiliary lighting.

While I will make use of off-road lights on our frequent backwoods camping trips, I would also like some extra lighting for general highway and local nighttime driving (The eyes ain't what they used to be!).

I have looked at Hella, PIAA, IPF, JAOS and others. I really like the Lightforce units, particularly the 170 model. I especially like the idea of being able to focus the pattern and the availability of the filters. They would thus function as driving and fog lights.

I am concerned about the legality of the lights. Are there certain models or wattages I should be looking at for legal highway use, or is the question more one of positioning height and aiming?

I called my local OHP and the officer wasn't much help. He said as long as they are not as bright as my high beams and aimed correctly, I shouldn't have a problem. Ohio law states that no vehicle can have more than "five" driving lights on at any one time. Sort of vague.

Any help here is most appreciated!

 

[ksneubec]

Laws vary from state to state, but in general, driving lights are considered illegal. A lot of this will depend on the cops. IF you have driving lights aimed low enough so they are not higher than your headlights, you may not get hassled, but the way these things work, a lower vehicle in front of you will still be blinded due to the way the light is focused.

Fog lights are only legal in poor driving conditions. However, obiously they are less bright. I used to have Driving Hella's on my old Rav4, but even though they were aimed low, I still got flashed a lot. I HATE people with bright lights, so I didn't want to be a hypocrite, so I didn't use them much.

For my 4Runner, I went with Fog lights. I did this b/c I knew that I would get more use out of them. They are expensive PIAAs (580s), so they are very bright and actually work fairly well as driving lights, but still do not blind oncoming drivers.

Here's the catch: The most important thing about fog lights is actually NOT the color of the bulb, or the way the light is focused, but instead where they are mounted. Studies have recently been done that prove that while one would think that yellow would be the best color, due to issues with light wavelength, this is not the case. Good ole white light is better. The lower, the better, however. Keep this in mind if you really want function out of these fog lights, in terms of where you mount them. Frankly, mine are so high, that they really are better driving lights than fog.

Hope this helps, congrats on the new grill protector.
(And as hard as I look, I can't find the article about why yellow fog lights are not that good)

 

[toybox]

Studies have recently been done that prove that while one would think that yellow would be the best color, due to issues with light wavelength, this is not the case. Good ole white light is better. The lower, the better, however.

Do you have a link to this information because I still hear the contrary.

 

[ksneubec]

No, of course, I can't find the anything on the web about the specifics of the study. Sorry

 

[Bobby]

I remember hearing that yellow light reflects less in foggy conditions so that's why a lot of fog lights are yellow. Most states don't allow more than 4 lights at any given time, which is why your fogs turn off when you turn on your high beams.

I got mine more for off road and when there's no one else on the road. I've only really used them once in the month or so I've had them.

 

[Gromulus]

Lightforce lights

OK, I have decided on the Lightforce 170 driving lights. I now have a few questions I hope someone can help with:

1) Any suggestions on competitive, reliable internet dealers for the Lightforce lights? I would also be interested in a wiring kit.

2) From other threads I gather the preferred interior switch to use in a 4th generation 4Runner is from the Tacoma? Does anyone know what year and part number?

3) Lightforce filters. I am a bit confused on the various type (not color) filters for the Lightforce 170 units.

Any help is most appreciated!

 

[Good Times]

Re: Lightforce lights

1. talk to [email protected] or call him directly at 602.793.674. tell him exactly what you want and he'll be able to get it for ya. usually the best prices online and he'll price match if he can. if not he'll refer you to another competitor that has better prices (you can't beat this). tell him i sent him your way and he'll take care of ya

2. i had the part number but just lost it so i'll have to dig it up again. the 05 taco has a fog light switch that i have but they're $$ at the dealer. expect it to be in the 40's for the switch! so think twice on this.

3. what conditions do you drive in? tell me what you're trying to do and i'll give you some direction.

good luck!

OK, I have decided on the Lightforce 170 driving lights. I now have a few questions I hope someone can help with:

1) Any suggestions on competitive, reliable internet dealers for the Lightforce lights? I would also be interested in a wiring kit.

2) From other threads I gather the preferred interior switch to use in a 4th generation 4Runner is from the Tacoma? Does anyone know what year and part number?

3) Lightforce filters. I am a bit confused on the various type (not color) filters for the Lightforce 170 units.

Any help is most appreciated!

 

[Gromulus]

Lightforce

Hi Lance,

Thanks so much for the (quick!) reply. I will contact [email protected] and give him your name.

Wow - $40 for a switch. Ouch! Any other decent looking alternatives?

Filters. The main use for the lights will be for our frequent primitive camping excursions in mountains, national forests, etc.

I would also like to use the lights (with filters) on-road during foggy/rainy/snowy nights. I know these may be too bright for use on road, but I was hoping with a filter (yellow/amber) they might be toned down enough for on-road use.

Thanks again!

 

[Gryphon]

Generally, anything above 55 watts should not be used on-road. Almost every aftermarket light will sate on the box "off-road use only" or some such.

I run 55 watt fogs on my bumper. I use clear lenses because I do not like yellow. Mine are aimed low, but I get flashed too. So, no; I don't use them much.

Ok, now for the colour arguments: I won't link anything because I cannot find anything right off, tho a Google search should turn up a whole pile of stuff. The short answer: run what you like. I have read several articles arguing back and forth. So, like brand names, get what you want and like. I run clear fogs and driving lights and super-white headlamps. I found I get better results running super-whites or blue-white head lamps than I do with driving lights. IMHO.

The only thing I can state as fact: HID's ROCK! But they are really frigging spendy too, so I don't have any. And thay are another subject too. Enjoy your new equipment!

Switches: I missed that. I get mine at Walmart and use relays. Most switches are too light to run full voltage to your lights. I melted one toggle that way! (it was two 55w drivers) Shop around and you can find nice switches that fit your dash look and do what you want them to. I like the light up ones, but only with a small LED as the light up rockers are too bright for me. DIstracting.

 

[Good Times]

i would not run the 170's onroad. they're too bright that oncoming cars will not be happy at you lightforces are generally geared for outback lighting and not general road lighting as they shoot off a powerful beam. but since the 170's can be adjusted, you might be able to run them on the road. I can't say for certain as I don't have em personally. i have 240 XGT (fixed) and they're sooo bright that i don't even bother turning them on as i'd piss off everyone on the road

you can get any regular rocker switch or even some of these:
http://www.4x4mods.com/Product/Jeep/rockerswitches.html

other options are painless wiring has some cool switches too btw.

for snow, i'd say use blue. for fog i'd say amber.

good luck!

 

[jeober]

Regarding the optimal color of fog lights:

If fog itself selectively reflects visible light it would take on a color of its own. Clouds are white aren't they? An unfiltered [white] light passes more lumens, so use it. Another color like amber might look cool, and coolness definitely has a value.

Now at the far infra-red, the longer wave length not as easily absorbed by vapor particle size but this is relevent for a night vision discussion, not here.

 

[Gromulus]

Ordered Lights

Thanks for the input guys.

I ordered the Lightforce 170 lights, wiring kit, a couple sets of filters, and the Taco switch.

Hopefully everything wil arrive within the next week and I can install next weekend.

Now for my next add - a tow hitch bike carrier..........................

 

[Colemanfu]

I run my LF on the road but only with the yellow difuser (sp?) it throws the light in a Horizontal pattern. I use it in the fog or rain. I get flashed every now and then but not a big deal. I keep the clear on 95% of the time.

Great lights - better than my set of IFP supery rally for $350 - they did have a cool high low beam option but these are much better. You should be very pleased.

I just used a switch from Radio Shack. Mounted it in the cetern open spot. If you give me an e-mail I can shoot you some photos of the switch and how they are mounted. I would post them but keep getting told they are "too big"? Just let me know.

 

[Gromulus]

Lights, Filters, and Switch

I just used a switch from Radio Shack. Mounted it in the cetern open spot. If you give me an e-mail I can shoot you some photos of the switch and how they are mounted. I would post them but keep getting told they are "too big"? Just let me know.

Thanks for the reply Colemanfu. My 170s arrived yesterday and I hope to find some time tomorrow to install them.

I also purchased a set of standard yellow filters as well as clear combo filters.

I bit the bullet and ordered the Tacoma fog light switch from partznet.com (about $40 for switch and connector). I like the fact that it matches the other OEM switches.

I am anxious to get them installed and see how they work!

Thanks again