LightForce 170s Installed - Well, Almost

[RL Lemke]

Last photo for all y'all. This is the spot pattern. Very minor position changes sweeps the position of the spot here.

 

[RL Lemke]

That's very cool. How does it look from the front with all the lights on?

The 170s are all you really notice, as they are really bright. I have PIAA 520s (85w) on my Subaru, PIAA 910s (110w) on my BMW motorcycle, and these are a huge leap ahead on the brightness factor.

 

[NoDak]

holy crap them things are bright. nice to be able to see that far out, but i would prefer a more cleaner look (read smaller profile) in the mounting if possible.

thanks for the info and pics.

 

[Colemanfu]

Lights look good, love the mount! How are the vibs going down the road? And I did not catch what you used for a switch? I put mine in the center near the down hill button. Great location - my old one was on the dash and I had to reach forward - this set up if very easy (I can also flip it from the passanger seat). I had a long drive home last night and I got a chance to use the lights for long periods of time. They are so bright that when I had to turn them off it seemed un-safe with the stock lighting. You can see that the light is so bright is is almost white like a HID light. I have mine adjusted fairly wide because they throw such a long beam.

 

[RL Lemke]

holy crap them things are bright. nice to be able to see that far out, but i would prefer a more cleaner look (read smaller profile) in the mounting if possible.

If you like the look of the yellow fog pattern, and want a small clean install, try the PIAA 910 Ion lights. The 100W H-1 or H-3 bulbs are available everywhere. The package is very small as compared to the light pattern, which is the result of good optics. Be careful though as there are several different versions of the 910 out there.

Another option is the HID driving light option. http://www.micatech.net/Lights.html These guys offer a good light at a good price.

What drew me to Lightforce was the durable package, changeable focus and lenses. Much of my long distance travel is at night, so these features and light output are critical.

 

[RL Lemke]

Lights look good, love the mount! How are the vibs going down the road? And I did not catch what you used for a switch? I put mine in the center near the down hill button. Great location - my old one was on the dash and I had to reach forward - this set up if very easy (I can also flip it from the passanger seat). I had a long drive home last night and I got a chance to use the lights for long periods of time. They are so bright that when I had to turn them off it seemed un-safe with the stock lighting. You can see that the light is so bright is is almost white like a HID light. I have mine adjusted fairly wide because they throw such a long beam.

There is a tiny bit of noticable vibration in the light right now. But I do not have the light bolts tight yet, while I am still adjusting their position.

I have the lights switched with a connection to the stock fog lights. When the stock fogs are on, the 170s are on. Not that the stock fogs do anything other than light the area right in front of the tires - which is fine for slow off-road use.

The use of the center switch area seems like a great idea. What switch did you use? What route did you use to get the wire thru to the switch? Where did you pull power for the switch?

 

[Colemanfu]

It was not the tuff. I ran a set up much like yours with the relay and all. I ran all the wireing for the switch in the cab through the same hole as the hood release. If you look in the cab under the dash where the hood latch is you can find the black cable. That goes through a gromit into the engin bay. I used that as the pass through point from cab to engin bay. I just ran everything under the dash and into the center section. The piece that surrounds the shifter just pops off. It did take me a bit to figure out how to get it off with out any screws showing and kind of got it off by chance?

As for the switch I just got one from auto zone that lights up when the lights are on. Due to the fold out center tray I had to get a more flush type switch so when open, it would not turn the lights on or get in the way. Nothing fancy it's just basic black ovil with red rocker - saw the same in Raido Shack in green and red. I did have to drill a hole in the stock filler plate and trim some of the plastic tabs off the back to get a flush fit. It sits on top of the little thing about 1/2 and inch or less. Others have ordered a stock fog switch - try a search I under "stock switch" for some options. That would replace the filler all together.

Hope this helps. Let me know id you have any questions. Sorry no pix - not that good on the computer, just surf at work to kill time.

 

[Pribilof]

I think this mounting modification will make it to where these guys could pump out a bunch of these lightbars for $250 each. The mounting will go to the front bumper support bolts on the frame. Very easy install!!!

Any word on this yet? I'm sure there's a bunch of people who would be interested. I know I would be. After seeing photos of people's brush guards, I definately don't want to lose that much clearance or approach angle.

 

[RL Lemke]

Any word on this yet? I'm sure there's a bunch of people who would be interested. I know I would be. After seeing photos of people's brush guards, I definately don't want to lose that much clearance or approach angle.

I am afraid it will be a couple weeks before we finish. Right now it works very well, but I want it stronger. Stand in front, grab the bar, and give it a tug style of stronger. Most bull bars will move too much for me. I want to end up with this prototype being solid, and yet easy to install. Since, I am heading up to Arkansas for work next week, I am unable to spend the time necessary to complete the project until I return. Next Thursday or Friday I should be able to make it over to the fabricators place to finish. Sorry.

 

[Pribilof]

Nothing to be sorry about. You're doing the rest of us a favor. Have a safe trip to Arkansas.

 

[SnoboardingDave]

Did the fabricator you used ever make any more to sell?

 

[Koz]

RL Lemke,

Looks great, but it looks like the lights stick out a little to far and someone could back into them.

Koz

 

[RL Lemke]

Did the fabricator you used ever make any more to sell?

Nope.

 

[RL Lemke]

RL Lemke,

Looks great, but it looks like the lights stick out a little to far and someone could back into them.

Koz

You are right, but they are still back to where I have to lean the lights forward to open the hood. Remember though, with my 3" lift, these lights are way above all other bumpers.

 

[holzapfel]

Awsome pic showing same model/color 4runner lifted. Are they both yours? I would love to get a daytime pic like that to show my wife what a difference 3" makes! Do you have that one large by any chance?


Thanks,

 

[RL Lemke]

Awsome pic showing same model/color 4runner lifted. Are they both yours? I would love to get a daytime pic like that to show my wife what a difference 3" makes! Do you have that one large by any chance?

I've posted versions of these before, but I can't find them in a couple searches. Here are 3 side by side photos taken at a local dealer.

 

[RL Lemke]

Front

Remember though, I think that the Donahoe lift makes the 4Runner look even better.

 

[RL Lemke]

Rear photo. I think the angle made it harder to see the difference. Maybe I'll take some new side by side photos this week. If so, they will be posted in a new message.

 

[Colemanfu]

Spot on! Last week I hit the bumper of a truck parking and it contacted the lower part of my bumper - not the lights. The grey strip below the lower grill. They sit plenty high. No damage I was parking not driving fast. For some reason I have had a hard time lately with judging the distance of the front of the rig? Must be the Sirius sat raido?

 

[Koz]

How about a bracket that pivots or extends.

Koz