Off road Lights for a 2015 4Runner

[Jono.ful]

swim.bike.run, not really a hijack, this is a question that it would be interesting to know the answer to. I don't live in the US, but I am sure we have similar requirements for "legal" lights here in Canada.

WesternGuy

Unless you're running around with all your hypothetical light bars and accessory lights lit up on city streets, the cops honestly have better things to do in AB. BC is a bit of a different story, but ad I said earlier, as long as you have opaque covers on any light bars or pods you'll be fine

 

[4runner43]

Unless you're running around with all your hypothetical light bars and accessory lights lit up on city streets, the cops honestly have better things to do in AB. BC is a bit of a different story, but ad I said earlier, as long as you have opaque covers on any light bars or pods you'll be fine

Thanks Jono.ful. I kind of figured that was the case. I haven't heard of anyone getting stopped in AB because of light problems, unless, as you say they are running around lighting up the world. A friend of mine says he even runs his light bar on the highways in AB when it is dark and there is little traffic and he has never had any problems. BC, well, as you indicated - its a different story.

 

[Jono.ful]

Thanks Jono.ful. I kind of figured that was the case. I haven't heard of anyone getting stopped in AB because of light problems, unless, as you say they are running around lighting up the world. A friend of mine says he even runs his light bar on the highways in AB when it is dark and there is little traffic and he has never had any problems. BC, well, as you indicated - its a different story.

Yep, I do too until there is oncoming traffic

 

[4runner43]

Final Configuration

After some discussion with the guys at the Gear Shop, we came to this configuration:

Head Lights: PIAA H11 Xtreme White Plus Halogen
High Beams: PIAA 9005 Xtreme White Plus Halogen
Fog Lights: Baja Designs Squadron Pro Driving/Combo LED lights

What I learned is that the headlights on the 2015 4Runner are Projection lights and going to something like an LED or HID kit doesn't change the area that the stock lights illuminate, it only makes the area brighter. Apparently, it is considered better to replace the stock halogen lamps with halogen upgrades as that is what the projectors are designed for. The other thing that I considered was that if I am in the "middle if nowhere" and a bulb burns out, it is probably easier to replace a halogen bulb, at least temporarily, than an HID or LED.

The BD Squadron Pro - https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/squadron-pro-led-driving-combo.asp as fog lights will light up the world, so to speak.

My thanks to Christian who spent the better part of an hour discussing the various types of lights/bulbs and the pros and cons of each.

I also intend to add a light bar after I have had a chance to test out this configuration to see if the light bars are a significant requirement.

WesternGuy

 

[swim.bike.run]

After some discussion with the guys at the Gear Shop, we came to this configuration:

Head Lights: PIAA H11 Xtreme White Plus Halogen
High Beams: PIAA 9005 Xtreme White Plus Halogen
Fog Lights: Baja Designs Squadron Pro Driving/Combo LED lights

What I learned is that the headlights on the 2015 4Runner are Projection lights and going to something like an LED or HID kit doesn't change the area that the stock lights illuminate, it only makes the area brighter. Apparently, it is considered better to replace the stock halogen lamps with halogen upgrades as that is what the projectors are designed for. The other thing that I considered was that if I am in the "middle if nowhere" and a bulb burns out, it is probably easier to replace a halogen bulb, at least temporarily, than an HID or LED.

The BD Squadron Pro - https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/squadron-pro-led-driving-combo.asp as fog lights will light up the world, so to speak.

My thanks to Christian who spent the better part of an hour discussing the various types of lights/bulbs and the pros and cons of each.

I also intend to add a light bar after I have had a chance to test out this configuration to see if the light bars are a significant requirement.

WesternGuy

Keep us posted on the install and after pics.

 

[4runner43]

Yes, I will. I am going to go out in the country where it gets really dark at night - no city lights - and take some pics of the current setup on a long, flat stretch of country road and then go back to the same place and take some pics with the updated version. This will let me see how it all turns out. I will definitely share here.

Might be a couple of weeks as I don't get the 4runner back from the body shop until next week and then to take the pics of the existing setup and get the new ones installed, and, oh ya!!! - got to get my winter tires put on as the snow has come to high country where most of the off roading takes place and I want to get out there before they close some of the roads for the winter.

WesternGuy

 

[swim.bike.run]

Yes, I will. I am going to go out in the country where it gets really dark at night - no city lights - and take some pics of the current setup on a long, flat stretch of country road and then go back to the same place and take some pics with the updated version. This will let me see how it all turns out. I will definitely share here.

Might be a couple of weeks as I don't get the 4runner back from the body shop until next week and then to take the pics of the existing setup and get the new ones installed, and, oh ya!!! - got to get my winter tires put on as the snow has come to high country where most of the off roading takes place and I want to get out there before they close some of the roads for the winter.

WesternGuy

I’ll send you pictures on my truck parked at the beach in return.

 

[4runner43]

Sounds like a deal!

 

[M@M]

Definitely following this thread. I find myself in a very similar position, with similar driving (mostly in Northern BC) and might go the upgraded halogen route over HID should your results prove positive!

 

[4runner43]

M@M, I will be posting my results/pictures as soon as everything is back together. I went to the body shop today and they had my 4Runner in the lot with the entire front still to be assembled back onto the body. They said it would be done today. I get it back on Monday (30th) and then I will get some night pics of the present setup, arrange for the new install and get pics of that. Hopefully this will help you in your decision.

You can also have a look at an AB oriented thread here - http://forum.untitledoffroad.com/index.php?threads/off-roads-light-for-a-2015-4runner.1741/

WesternGuy

 

[jpachard]

[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION]

take a look at Baja Designs Squadron Pro R (Driving Combo or Spot) to replace your fogs. check out [MENTION=120150]TotalAutomotiveLV[/MENTION] they're having a sale with 'SEMA17' as the promo code (if that doesnt work try T4R). its half the cost of the BD light bar. and then you can save $500+ and use a fraction of it to get a cheap light bar in the mean time if you dont want to drop $$$ all at once.

I have the Squadron Sports in my fogs its bright but not enough so I plan on upgrading the sports to pros and using the sports as my ditch lights.
Ditch lights will help with the side view.

I almost wrecked my Dads 3rd gen a long long time ago. almost ran into a heard of deer! so once i got my 5th gen recently I swore i'll upgrade all the lights before i upgrade the suspension. lol

I did this upgrade, but did the squadron pros in amber. Where I live they give great illumination on the sides of the road into the woods which is where Bambi and MR. Bear like to hang out. As always, I turn them off for oncoming traffic.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[4runner43]

jpachard, jasxn, I finally decided to replace my fogs with the Baja Designs Squadron Pro Driving/Combo LED lights for the upgrade. I will see how they work when they are installed in a week or so.

WesternGuy

 

[4runner43]

Here's an interesting article I found, published in January of this year, so it should be relevant to my search. It compares what they consider to be the best 8 halogen lights for 2017.

8 Best Halogen Headlight Bulbs 2017 - Best Headlight Bulbs

WesternGuy

 

[anurag]

4runner43

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