Gromulus
New member
OK, I have had my few modifications on my truck for 2 - 3 years now and never thought much about them. They serve a purpose and don't get much further thought. This includes the pair of LightFORCE 170 "Striker" off-road lights that have been sitting on my Jaos center protector for the past 2 1/2 years. They always turn on when I need them and still look great.
Sure the LightFORCE driving lights are the favorite of many off-roaders "down under". They are a tough plastic composite construction that can supposedly be shot with a .22 without damage. They are lightweight, don't rust, and have no glass to break. I think their best feature (besides the snap-on filters) is their unique variable focus beam which can go from spot to flood in seconds.
A few Sunday's ago I we were going to early Mass and stopped to pick up my dad. There was a heavy sheet of "black ice" on his street and even though I was only going about 20 mph, I could not negotiate a curve and ended up hitting a big snowpile and taking out his neighbor's mailbox and wood post. (A good lessson that full-time 4WD means little when stopping or slowing on ice!). The 4Runner actually climbed the drift somewhat and nailed the heay metal box and wood post. Since the off-road lights were sitting out front, the right one took the brunt of the impact. My front bumper cover had a large hole and many scrapes. The Jaos center protector was ok with the exception of a long gouge on one of the uprights. One on the Light FORCE lights was thrown off and ended up about 20 ft away. I picked it up and threw it in the back since we were already late for church.
When we got home after Mass I surveyed the damage. The bumper cover woud have to be replaced ($200 for the primer cover and $400 for the paint job and labor). I figured another light would cost be about $130 or so. When I looked at the light I was amazed to see that it came off the threaded mount wothout any damage. Theere were no scratches and the reflector was intact. The bulb, hoever, was broken off in the socket. I took a pair of pliers and removed the bulb remnant. I switched bulbs form the other light and remounted the light. No problem! The light threaded back on and looks like new! I ended up ordering another bulb for $6 and am good to go.
I have a whole new respect for these LightFORCE lights. I am convinced a glass light would not have made it through in the same condition. I would not even consider another brand of off-road light for my vehicles.
Sure the LightFORCE driving lights are the favorite of many off-roaders "down under". They are a tough plastic composite construction that can supposedly be shot with a .22 without damage. They are lightweight, don't rust, and have no glass to break. I think their best feature (besides the snap-on filters) is their unique variable focus beam which can go from spot to flood in seconds.
A few Sunday's ago I we were going to early Mass and stopped to pick up my dad. There was a heavy sheet of "black ice" on his street and even though I was only going about 20 mph, I could not negotiate a curve and ended up hitting a big snowpile and taking out his neighbor's mailbox and wood post. (A good lessson that full-time 4WD means little when stopping or slowing on ice!). The 4Runner actually climbed the drift somewhat and nailed the heay metal box and wood post. Since the off-road lights were sitting out front, the right one took the brunt of the impact. My front bumper cover had a large hole and many scrapes. The Jaos center protector was ok with the exception of a long gouge on one of the uprights. One on the Light FORCE lights was thrown off and ended up about 20 ft away. I picked it up and threw it in the back since we were already late for church.
When we got home after Mass I surveyed the damage. The bumper cover woud have to be replaced ($200 for the primer cover and $400 for the paint job and labor). I figured another light would cost be about $130 or so. When I looked at the light I was amazed to see that it came off the threaded mount wothout any damage. Theere were no scratches and the reflector was intact. The bulb, hoever, was broken off in the socket. I took a pair of pliers and removed the bulb remnant. I switched bulbs form the other light and remounted the light. No problem! The light threaded back on and looks like new! I ended up ordering another bulb for $6 and am good to go.
I have a whole new respect for these LightFORCE lights. I am convinced a glass light would not have made it through in the same condition. I would not even consider another brand of off-road light for my vehicles.
