Yet Another Driving Lamp Thread

[Froggy]

After storing a new pair of PIAA 60XT driving lamps on a shelf in the shop for two years I tested their fit on the wife's T4R. Simple aluminum brackets attached to the back of the factory bumper made them easy to install and aim. As wired they are switch-selectable from the cab and can only be energized if the high beams are selected. I also raised the required-in-Kalifornia front license plate 1½ inches.

A fogs-on-with-high beams modification is next.

 

[westwind77]

A fogs-on-with-high beams modification is next.

Now that's what I am waiting for!

 

[rjfowler]

After storing a new pair of PIAA 60XT driving lamps on a shelf in the shop for two years I tested their fit on the wife's T4R. Simple aluminum brackets attached to the back of the factory bumper made them easy to install and aim. As wired they are switch-selectable from the cab and can only be energized if the high beams are selected. I also raised the required-in-Kalifornia front license plate 1½ inches.

A fogs-on-with-high beams modification is next.

View attachment 31647

Looks great. Does putting the lights behind the grate affect the light output or pattern?

Also, what switch did you use?

 

[Froggy]

. . . Does putting the lights behind the grate affect the light output or pattern?

Also, what switch did you use?

The lower grill does block a small percentage of the light but I don't know if it's measureable by looking down the road. I have the same driving lamps on my Cummins/Ram and see no difference. As far as the pattern—no difference.

The switch is a generic dp/dt from my collection that fit the two unused seat-heater switch positions in my wife's 2010 TE. I'll place the fogs-on-with-high beams switch next to the driving lamp switch.

 

[Froggy]

Now that's what I am waiting for!

It's an awfully easy modification if you're happy with the fogs-on-high beam NOT controlled by the OEM fog lamp switch.

 

[jbirk]

Sweet. I know that you would make plenty of friends if you wrote a detailed HOW TO GUIDE for the rest of us!

Keep up the good work!

 

[harper7]

After storing a new pair of PIAA 60XT driving lamps on a shelf in the shop for two years I tested their fit on the wife's T4R. Simple aluminum brackets attached to the back of the factory bumper made them easy to install and aim. As wired they are switch-selectable from the cab and can only be energized if the high beams are selected. I also raised the required-in-Kalifornia front license plate 1½ inches.

A fogs-on-with-high beams modification is next.

Great job!Looks really good Froggy.
I think PIAA must have discontinued those 60XT lights as I don't see them on their website any more.They look like a near perfect fit! Driving lights behind the grill should work fine as the beam pattern is narrow at only 15-20 degrees. Fog lights make alot wider pattern and when I put my 510 fogs behind it the usable light was reflecting and was'nt making it out so I had to move them forward.

Kudos on wiring your driving lights the right way,so they can only come on with your high beams. I see trucks around here driving with them on like they're fog lights all the time.
Driving lights SHOULD be treated like high beams.

 

[Froggy]

. . . I think PIAA must have discontinued those 60XT lights as I don't see them on their website any more. . .

I still see them for sale and think PIAA has them on their site here

 

[harper7]

I still see them for sale and think PIAA has them on their site here

I saw them on the PIAA site with same link .Probably from an old archived link.When I googled it they did have them for sale at a couple of stores.

When I went straight to their present site..... PIAA
They are'nt on there any more. At least I couldn't find them. I'm trying to decide what I'm going to put up top when I get a roof rack and need something short because my garage opening is only 80 inches.

 

[Froggy]

I don't see them on your link either. They've been around for a number of years (ten that I know of) and may be discontinued or may have just lost their 'place' on PIAA's site. They do seem to be available still.

 

[SunPilot]

Great job!Looks really good Froggy.
I think PIAA must have discontinued those 60XT lights as I don't see them on their website any more.They look like a near perfect fit! Driving lights behind the grill should work fine as the beam pattern is narrow at only 15-20 degrees. Fog lights make alot wider pattern and when I put my 510 fogs behind it the usable light was reflecting and was'nt making it out so I had to move them forward.

Kudos on wiring your driving lights the right way,so they can only come on with your high beams. I see trucks around here driving with them on like they're fog lights all the time.
Driving lights SHOULD be treated like high beams.

Why do they need to be treated like high beams...especially if they are aimed low to the ground...they pose no interference to on coming drivers like high beams do. They can be directed to fill in areas that normal lights don't illuminate

 

[Froggy]

Why do they need to be treated like high beams...especially if they are aimed low to the ground...they pose no interference to on coming drivers like high beams do. They can be directed to fill in areas that normal lights don't illuminate

A look at the PIAA 60XT Driving Lamp specifications may answer your question. http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamp-images/60xt_la.gif The beam pattern/bulb wattage seemed more of a long-range thing for me. The factory fogs-on-with-high beams modification fills in the close stuff while the add-on driving lamps reach the distant stuff. Mine are not aimed low!

 

[SunPilot]

A look at the PIAA 60XT Driving Lamp specifications may answer your question. http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamp-images/60xt_la.gif The beam pattern/bulb wattage seemed more of a long-range thing for me. The factory fogs-on-with-high beams modification fills in the close stuff while the add-on driving lamps reach the distant stuff. Mine are not aimed low!

What's the harm having them all on when on a dark road? If a car approaches, you merely dim them like you normally would with the high beam switch...that way the fogs stay on all the time, and the drivers illuminate with the highs giving plenty of coverage. I just like a lot of light, especially on back roads where animals pop out unannounced

 

[Froggy]

What's the harm having them all on when on a dark road? If a car approaches, you merely dim them like you normally would with the high beam switch. . .

I'm wondering if there is a failure to communicate here???

As currently wired the front lamps on my 2010 TE work as they did from the factory until one or both of two added switches are put in the *ON* position. One of the switches allows the added driving lamps to be on whenever the factory high beams are selected—dimming the high beams for approaching traffic kills the driving lamps. The other added switch energizes the factory fog lamps whenever the high beams are lit. This arrangement allows a maximum of 510 watts to be dedicated to forward lighting versus the maximum 230 watts available with the factory wiring. There are reasons I chose to install the two switches rather than have the driving lamps & fog lamps to always light with the hiogh beam bulbs. The first reason is to allow compliance with California Vehicle Code Section 24405:

24405. (a) Not more than four lamps of the following types showing
to the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time:
(1) Headlamps.
(2) Auxiliary driving or passing lamps.
(3) Fog lamps.
(4) Warning lamps.
(5) Spot lamps.
(6) Gaseous discharge lamps specified in Section 25258.
(b) For the purpose of this section each pair of a dual headlamp
system shall be considered as one lamp.

The second reason is to be able to turn off the driving lamps in situations where I'm driving toward highly-reflective signs, etc.