Rear Fog Light & Front Push/Bull Bar question

[SnoboardingDave]

First off, I'm a rookie to this forum & think it's one of the best out there, great info. I recently bought a new Galactic Gray '05 SR5 V8 4WD and am currently plotting out my initial plan of mods. First, I'd like to add rear fog lights in the existing bumper lenses. Yes, I've seen some of the threads w/ great directions but I haven't seen anyone who has just made them rear fog lights (vs. brake & tail). I'm wondering if anyone has done this and can recommend a good light socket, relay, switch, wiring instructions, etc. to make them just rear fog lights. Anyone have any advice? Also, I want to add lights to the front (maybe Hella 500's) but have yet to find a push bar that looks good w/ the crome grille on the 05's. I like "Momo.75" floating idea but am affraid they'll get smashed out (I live & park in D.C.) Any advice on either subject would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. - "Sharp4runr", If you see this, I think I passed you in Springfield today, nice rig.

 

[sharp4runr]

If you want rear fog lights I don't know if I'd use the housings in the bumper. I don't think it could give enough light output to illuminate the rear. Maybe if the bumper lens were clear instead of red.

If you want to use them though, you'd have to use a bulb that gives more light output than the 1157 or similar bulbs. Maybe the easiest would be to buy a fog light kit and just modify the socket or the housing for it to fit. Then you can wire it up to turn on when you put your truck in reverse so you wouldn't need to flip a switch (unless you want a switch).

Westin has the new Ultimate Bull bar coming out and it looks promising though I don't know your tastes. There is always the JAOS center protector if you want to shell out some major cash

I'm actually running the Westin Safari grill and the Hella 500s so if you need a hand wiring them, let me know. It was pretty easy and even an electrical newbie like myself figured it out.

Honk next time so I know it is you

 

[SnoboardingDave]

What I was thinking for the rear was red-rear fogs, like what you find standard on vehicles in the UK & and on the Hilux Surf. So that being said, the red rear lenses on the back bumper would work for me. What I need to figure out is what kind of socket & bulb would work. I was thinking LED's w/ at least the brightness of a brake light, that I'd be able to turn on & off w/ a switch on the dash. Next, I like the Sarari Bar that I saw on yours. That's what caught my eye(I'd like to see a black one, like yours, on an 05 w/ a crome grill), then I looked in the mirror and saw the lights in the rear bumper turned on. I liked that too, but basically I want them brighter and the ability to turn them on & off. The fog going through western Md.'s mountains gets really bad & I don't want to get rear-ended, again.

 

[AlexJet]

What I was thinking for the rear was red-rear fogs, like what you find standard on vehicles in the UK & and on the Hilux Surf. So that being said, the red rear lenses on the back bumper would work for me. What I need to figure out is what kind of socket & bulb would work. I was thinking LED's w/ at least the brightness of a brake light, that I'd be able to turn on & off w/ a switch on the dash. Next, I like the Sarari Bar that I saw on yours. That's what caught my eye(I'd like to see a black one, like yours, on an 05 w/ a crome grill), then I looked in the mirror and saw the lights in the rear bumper turned on. I liked that too, but basically I want them brighter and the ability to turn them on & off. The fog going through western Md.'s mountains gets really bad & I don't want to get rear-ended, again.

I'd recommend going with Toyota brand bulb sockets for maximum convenience. I've done this mod for tail/brakes using those sockets and they are great, you will need to buy small female connectors to fit them into the sockets. The part # for the sockets is:
- Housing Connector - 90980-11020
- Plug Socket - 90075-60060
Then you might get the 3157 type LED and switch it directly to the LED brake line (it has two lines: tail and brake). Break line is VERY bright, so it will be enough, plus you are not having heat problem with LEDs.
Regarding wiring for just fog operation you've to search for thread about adding Tacoma Fog Switch. I don't remember who did it with switch, seems to be iFORCE, but I'm not sure. He described how to wire rear fog lens to rear fog operation.
I hope it helps you. Anyway you can see connectors and how I did my mod in p15-16 here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=1137&perpage=15&pagenumber=16

 

[SnoboardingDave]

Thanks for the info. I've come up w/ a new idea. I think I'll install them to come on normally as taillights(not brake). Then have the brake brightness on a switch to manually turn on and off. I think I can figure this out.

 

[AlexJet]

Thanks for the info. I've come up w/ a new idea. I think I'll install them to come on normally as taillights(not brake). Then have the brake brightness on a switch to manually turn on and off. I think I can figure this out.

This idea was the first to come-up to my head. I used to have rear fog lights working in this way in Europe. It

 

[SnoboardingDave]

I'm probably going w/ my initial thought, which is just rear fogs. I think this is going to be the easiest. I like the idea of having them as brake/tails but I really don't want to tap into any of the existing stock wiring of my vehicle right now. Besides that, its one less set of lights to burn out. Around here (D.C. & Mont. County, Md.) police are always looking to bust people for the most stupid, ridiculous minor things. That way they can avoid doing real police work.

 

[AlexJet]

I'm probably going w/ my initial thought, which is just rear fogs. I think this is going to be the easiest. I like the idea of having them as brake/tails but I really don't want to tap into any of the existing stock wiring of my vehicle right now. Besides that, its one less set of lights to burn out. Around here (D.C. & Mont. County, Md.) police are always looking to bust people for the most stupid, ridiculous minor things. That way they can avoid doing real police work.

Tail/Brake is really good mod and most of all its a SAFETY mod. More Tails lights you have, you'll be better visible on the road; more Brakes - earlier noticeable that you're braking. I don't know how police work in your region, but I don't think they would give you a ticket for HAVING brake lights in OEM housing. Its ridicules. They would never proof it in the court that you were dangerous on the road because you have Brake lights. : They should say

 

[sharp4runr]

Tail/Brake is really good mod and most of all its a SAFETY mod. More Tails lights you have, you'll be better visible on the road; more Brakes - earlier noticeable that you're braking. I don't know how police work in your region, but I don't think they would give you a ticket for HAVING brake lights in OEM housing. Its ridicules. They would never proof it in the court that you were dangerous on the road because you have Brake lights. : They should say

 

[AlexJet]

Its more of if one of those bumper lights were burned out, then they could pull you over. More than likely they wouldn't pull you over just for that, but if they pull you over for something else they may tack on the burned out tail light. I know for a fact Fairfax county cops don't mess around.

I got pulled over once because all my brake lights where dead but my head lights were working. The cop didn't give me a ticket but was adamant that I couldn't continue on my way because it was a safety violation. He did allow me to drive it up to a nearby grocery store because I didn't want to leave it parked by the side of the road (he followed me to the grocery store and waited till my ride picked me up). I later found out that a fuse blew and killed power to all my brake lights.

I agree with AlexJet though as the extra rear brake lights do add a bit of extra safety.

Thanks sharp4runr, I place safety on the first place, then convenience.

Just to make things clear. The cop may pull-over if one of the bumper lights won't work??? In this case other 3 will work. I know cops can do it if your light on one or both sides doesn

 

[sharp4runr]

Thanks sharp4runr, I place safety on the first place, then convenience.

Just to make things clear. The cop may pull-over if one of the bumper lights won't work??? In this case other 3 will work. I know cops can do it if your light on one or both sides doesn

 

[AlexJet]

As far as I understand it, if it is suppose to function as a light and it fails then it is a ticketable offense.

Where is our local PWC Officer when I need him?

Strange What the point of having double bulb tails. My dad has Infiniti G35 with those double bulbs tails. When I'm going to tell him that he can get a ticket if one of those bulbs will go out, he is going to be p*****. Why manufactures are even do this if it

 

[SnoboardingDave]

Yeah, I meant if one burnt out. Nor am I trying to make a big deal out of this. But, it's just one less thing I'd have to worry about. Click on the link below. Not that I'm a drunk driver, but read this, I think you'll understand how anal some, not all, police officers can be in the DC Area. Apparently, they can arrest you for anything in DC, even if you haven't broken a law. It's total B.S. Sharp4runr, you've probably heard about this by now.

From yesterday's Washington Post.....
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/11/AR2005101101968.html

Copy & paste it if it doesn't work. You'll think twice about going out dinner in DC. Or even taking cold medication before driving in DC.

 

[sharp4runr]

No that was the first time I've heard about that idiotic law! man thank god my clubbind days in DC are behind me!!!!!

 

[OUTRNNR]

With regard to the NEW Westin Safari Bull Bar listed by sharp4runr;

Is this the new one?

http://www.performanceproducts4trucks.com/productpage.aspx?pid=109886&name=Westin+Ultimate+Bull+Bar

Also, how do you get them color keyed? I was thinking of getting it painted flat silver with a brushed aluminum texture to match the color of the center of the bottom of my front bumper.

I also think the "skidplate" part of the bull bar looks sweet

Anyone know where we can get these for cheap?

 

[00328]

Yes, that's the new bull bar, but from what I've heard, it's not yet available.


SnoboardingDave - I guess I'm just having trouble grasping the concept of rear fog lights. To have fog lights that are effective you need to have a beam, and in order to have a beam in the rear bumper lights, you would need a more powerful and brighter bulb in there and most likely a lense of a different design. This would generate a lot more heat that I don't think the present lenses could handle. If you are worried about being seen from behind in the fog, then I think just the tail light mod would go a long way in helping others see you.