Lighting opinions

[juiceboxer]

I want to add some auxillary lights to my 4Runner. I have a Yaima MOAB roof basket and I am planning on mounting 4 lights to that and possibly building a light bar with a linear actuator to adjust from inside the cab. I am using this as a visual template

I would also like to mount two more lights down in the lower valence area somewhat like rdgt4r's lower lights, without cutting into the bumper.

I have narrowed my choices down to three different lamps, Hella FF500's for the lower valence (they come in a fog or driving pattern), As for the roof, I am undecided between 4 Hella FF700's (they only come in a driving beam pattern) or 4 Hella FF1000's (They come in a driving pattern and a pencil pattern). The FF500's are 6.5" in diameter, the FF700's are 7.5" in diameter, and the FF1000's are 7" in diameter.

The the arrangements that I have thought of are:

1. 4 FF700's on top with two FF500's fog pattern below

2. 4 FF700's with two FF500's driving attern below

3. 4 FF1000's two pencil in the middle, two driving pattern on the outside, with two FF500's Fog pattern below

4. 4 FF1000's two pencil in the middle, two driving pattern on the outside, with two FF500's Driving pattern below

5. 4 FF1000's all Pencil beam on top and two FF500's fog pattern below.

6. 4 FF1000's all Pencil beam on top and two FF500's Driving pattern below.

7. 4 FF1000's all driving pattern and two FF500's Fog pattern below

8. 4 FF1000's all driving pattern and two FF500's Driving pattern below

Now, if I haven't completely confused you, what configuration would you suggest?

Also I will be installing HID kits into all Auxiliary lights as well as the factory fogs and headlights (don't worry, i'm going to do a retro)..... I'm worried about brightness :biggrin2:

Thanks for your help!

 

[Elton H]

one problem putting them on the roof is the glare have you checked into maybe putting a set of lightforce's on the bumper ? since you can adjust the beam pattern

 

[rdgt4r]

if you decide to put them on the roof i would do two driving in the middle an all terrain on the sides. and like above you gotta get used to the glare of the lights off of the hood of your truck but its nice to have lighting up high and in front.

where do you think you are wanting to run the wiring for up top? thats where i get stuck becuase for me its gotta be clean.

 

[juiceboxer]

I'm the same way, it's got to be clean. I am planning on running the wires through the end cap of the factory roof rack, down the sides of the track and then up the front leg of the roof basket. When you say all terrain are you referring to a cornering beam? Also, what pattern are you running for those lower valence lights? As for Lightforce's, I looked at them but they are just too expensive for me.

 

[juiceboxer]

I think I've decided on 4 FF1000's driving beam for the roof (they are more like a pencil) and FF500 fogs for the lower valence. Now I just have to figure out what to do with the glare on my hood....

 

[rdgt4r]

the piaa's on the bottom are fogs and they work best obviously down low and i like what they do for me but like you i would love to have some driving or euro beam patterns up higher on my bumper when i build mine thats what im gonna do for sure.

 

[RevengEngine]

I think I've decided on 4 FF1000's driving beam for the roof (they are more like a pencil) and FF500 fogs for the lower valence. Now I just have to figure out what to do with the glare on my hood....

Paint your hood with a matte finish.

Or wear some sunglasses! Those lights are gonna be bright! :bigok:

 

[juiceboxer]

especially with the HID's :bigok: I ordered the fogs today and they should be here tomorrow so we will see how that goes...

 

[SilverBullet01]

as for mounting the lower lights, get two matching L pieces of metal you can bolt together, and form them in a box around your lower valence, and connect them to the frame behind it.


i know it sounds kind of confusing, but can anyone help me explain it better?

 

[juiceboxer]

I think I see where you are going, anyone have some pictures of said mount?

 

[SilverBullet01]

so far its just something that ive been thinking about. think of two L shaped pieces that when bolted together make a rectangle. one side of the rectangle bolts to the lower part of the bumper thats behind the valence. the rectangle encompasses the lower valence.

any clearer?

 

[juiceboxer]

Ya, that makes sense, I was thinking to building a bracket that goes from bottom metal part of the bumper and from the frame. That way they meet at two points and there would be less wobble. the brackets would also be able to be unbolted and removed easily. I'll keep you guys updated o the progress as the fog lights just arrived yesterday.

 

[edwardsmr2002]

Any updates?

 

[juiceboxer]

I'm going to try and make the bracket this weekend, if I can find the time that is....