Ditch lights vs light bar

[Dirtrider216]

With winter fast approaching (darkness from 4pm-7am) here in northern Maine, I'm considering some more lighting for my backwoods driving. Would a set of ditch lights or a ~30" light bar mounted in my front bumper be a more worthy investment? I already have hid and projectors. And I know I would probably want amber lense caps for the led, I just don't know which would be better initially

 

[wadle5]

With winter fast approaching (darkness from 4pm-7am) here in northern Maine, I'm considering some more lighting for my backwoods driving. Would a set of ditch lights or a ~30" light bar mounted in my front bumper be a more worthy investment? I already have hid and projectors. And I know I would probably want amber lense caps for the led, I just don't know which would be better initially

I think either one is going to shed more light on the road then your current set up. Comes down to preference and mounting. I know rago makes brackets fo 50-80 bucks for ditch lights, then you purchase the lights. Dependent on which bar you go with they usually include mounting brackets. Just comes down to how much you want to spend. For example my KC light I got discounted is a 40inch with a combo flood/spot pattern. Definitely lays out plenty of light in all directions. If you are interested I definitely recommend BlueLine Expedition Outfitters out of Texas. I had the same question and John the owner reached out to me personally 2 day shipped it at no extra cost and gave me a lightbar at about 30% off of what other sites had it listed at.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I have both. A $60 30" single row light bar and a $18 pair of cubes. A light bar will put out more light but the cubes you can aim towards the ditches to spot deer. My,brother's high end Baja Designs LEDs are nice but I didn't want to spend that much on lighting yet. Considering that my setup is many times cheaper they are a lot better value as long as they don't get moisture inside. I tightened all the allen screws on the covers and you can add more sealant to the inside if you wanted.

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

I have both. A $60 30" single row light bar and a $18 pair of cubes. A light bar will put out more light but the cubes you can aim towards the ditches to spot deer. My,brother's high end Baja Designs LEDs are nice but I didn't want to spend that much on lighting yet. Considering that my setup is many times cheaper they are a lot better value as long as they don't get moisture inside. I tightened all the allen screws on the covers and you can add more sealant to the inside if you wanted.

He is correct...it all comes down to your budget. If you are willing to pay top dollar - then I would recommend Rigid lights because you get your money's worth. However should you opt for the cheaper route, I would advise you to increase your budget for preventative maintenance like Zm mentioned above to ensure your lights do not go bad quickly.

I have two SR2 10" light bars and a pair of D2 dually flood with one SR2 10" amber on the way. Needless to say I'm satisfied with Rigid lighting - despite the premium price attached to their products. The output is insane and they stand by their products. If you need pictures of the output - let me know.

Currently my setup is as followed: LOWER GRILL DRIVER SIDE: SR2 10" - HOOD SCOOP: SR2 10" LIGHT BAR - REAR BUMPER: DUALLY FLOODS (anti tailgater mod). I plan to replace white with amber for my hood scoop and install the 3rd 10" on passenger side on lower grill to maximize output.

Again it all comes down to whether you're willing to do a one-and-done deal by buying premium lights or opt for cheaper lights + take steps to implement preventative measures to ensure your lights will last long-term

 

[blackoutt]

I have both. A $60 30" single row light bar and a $18 pair of cubes. A light bar will put out more light but the cubes you can aim towards the ditches to spot deer. My,brother's high end Baja Designs LEDs are nice but I didn't want to spend that much on lighting yet. Considering that my setup is many times cheaper they are a lot better value as long as they don't get moisture inside. I tightened all the allen screws on the covers and you can add more sealant to the inside if you wanted.

Pretty much this exactly. 30" dual row curved combo pattern Auxbeam in the grille and Auxbeam spot cubes on the pillars. Fairly inexpensive, the bar throws a lot of light out front reaching further than the high beams but is only road width wide, the cubes can be aimed out to cover the ditches aka ditch lights and widen that pattern out. I would recommend amber covers for at least the ditch lights to not blind yourself with reflections from even small road signs. I had light bar only for a while but after adding ditch lights I'm not sure I could pick one or the other, probably light bar.

 

[wcjeep]

Some people with light bars above the cab complain about glare. Ditch lights or Rock lights can place light exactly where you want. This type of auxiliary lighting is illegal for on road use where I live. Depending on road conditions and probability of other cars I still use them.

 

[Dirtrider216]

If i was to get both the ditch light and light bar, would i be able to get a fuse block from blue sea systems and install that and run wiring to and from that without a relay?
sorry if thats a dumb question. Im just wondering if it would look neater that way and i don't have to buy a wiring harness with a built in relay for each individual light i add?

 

[Frontline]

I live in northern Michigan where the closest street lights are 100 miles away. I went with a set of rigid d2 hyper spots hard wired to my brights mounted in the lower grill directly to the steel of the bumper. They are amazing and provide light at a distance that I need to see deer and other large animals in the road. Got them off amazon for around $200 one of my favorite investments for the 4Runner so far


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[Anonymous4Runner]

I live in northern Michigan where the closest street lights are 100 miles away. I went with a set of rigid d2 hyper spots hard wired to my brights mounted in the lower grill directly to the steel of the bumper. They are amazing and provide light at a distance that I need to see deer and other large animals in the road. Got them off amazon for around $200 one of my favorite investments for the 4Runner so far


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Got any pics sir? I already have 10" SR2 bars bolted directly to lower bumper steel - curious to see how your D2 rigid looks from the front side. I already have a pair of Rigid Dually floods installed on my rear bumper to deter anti-tailgaters. I'd like to purchase another pair with Amber color this time around and install it on lower front bumper next to the light bars for snow/fog

 

[cloudrunner]

I am running Rigid Dully D2's in the driving pattern mounted on CBI ditch light brackets. They are so much brighter than my HID's and throw light glorious white light further and wider than my high beams. I definitely recommend this setup.

 

[Hiker865]

I just installed the Cali Light bar brackets and cut out my lower grill for a 32inch light bar. Fairly easy to install and looks great.

 

[Frontline]

Got any pics sir? I already have 10" SR2 bars bolted directly to lower bumper steel - curious to see how your D2 rigid looks from the front side. I already have a pair of Rigid Dually floods installed on my rear bumper to deter anti-tailgaters. I'd like to purchase another pair with Amber color this time around and install it on lower front bumper next to the light bars for snow/fog

Here is a pick from last weekend of me stuck in the mud. The amber light are d2 floods that I use as turn signals and daytime running lights and next to them are the hyperspots

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[Anonymous4Runner]

Here is a pick from last weekend of me stuck in the mud. The amber light are d2 floods that I use as turn signals and daytime running lights and next to them are the hyperspots

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Thanks for sharing pictures with me! The amber lights are insanely bright - I can hardly imagine what amber looks like on a 10" light bar! I have an '07 Sport so I'd need a drink or 2 before I consider cutting plastic on the lower grille like you did here! I was not initially sure whether you installed these flush or stealth.

It looks great though, love the look. I would probably go the same route like you did here with your setup on the SR5 '04

 

[techno]

I am running Rigid Dully D2's in the driving pattern mounted on CBI ditch light brackets. They are so much brighter than my HID's and throw light glorious white light further and wider than my high beams. I definitely recommend this setup.

Bloody hell! I'm very impressed with how much light they throw out, even behind! It almost looks like the pic was taken in daylight. D)