Auxiliary Lighting

[Mporter]

So now that I got my bumper, I was thinking of getting some driving/long distance auxiliary lights. I'm not looking to break the bank on this, just something that's clean, simple, and works well (aka Utilitarian).

I've been talking to a fellow wheeler at my work and he said the best lights he's ever used were KC HiLites, which I have seen time and time again, and they seem to be reasonably priced. I also have been looking at the Hella 500's but have heard they aren't that great for the amount you spend on them. And I saw the ProComp lights that 4wheelparts offers, but have heard pretty awful things about some of the ProComp products.

If anyone could toss out suggestions/thoughts/comments/etc on these companies and the products they make, or even suggest new ones, I'd be much obliged.

Thanks,

Matt

[Haku]

Its hard to beat these for price/performance....

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=CSM&MfrPartNumber=99000CSK&CategoryCode=3157D

They are HID, very bright, and waaaay cheaper then anything else comparable. Otherwise, there are lots of options for reasonably price Halogen lights at any autoparts store. I know a couple guys are using the Harbor Freight ones and have no complaints.

JH

edit: Forgot to mention that you can find these for at least $30-40 online and on ebay then they show on their website.

[Smash]

Hella 500s. Ran them on the Forester, ran them on my last bike. Loved them. Yeah, they aren't the best, but man they were cheap and reliable.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp278/coloradosmash81/Forester%20Calendar/runner%20up/IMG_0446.jpg



[out near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia in 2008]

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff182/deesmotorhead/BRR/IMG_0081.jpg

[Chris]

My headlights outshined Hella 500s. :(

[Smash]

Guess my headlights suck!

[Chris]

FJ60 lights are notoriously dim since they don't get 12v so yours must have been really bad. :eek:

[scout man]

I have a pair for sale in my garage.
10435

10434

Actually have 3 available, 2 with diffused lenses one clear. They are unused and I have never hooked them up so I cant tell you how bright they are but I beleive they are 55W. Not sure. $25 for all 3 if you want them. may not be the best you could buy, but they are cheap, and since all of these eventually break anyways, its a good start. Let me know if you are interested.

[Mporter]

Do they come with anything else (wiring, switches, etc) or is it just the lights?

[Andrew]

The Hella 500's are fine...at least mine are.

Anyway, you can get them at Walmart for not too much.

[scout man]

Do they come with anything else (wiring, switches, etc) or is it just the lights?
Just the lights, but IMO this is the best way to get them, as the wiring supplied is rarely adequate, and the switches provided are rarely the one that you want to use or fits bets with your interior. This way you can get the lights cheap, grap a cheap spool of 10 or 12 awg wire (what I use for most things, although sometimes overkill), pick out what switch you want from radio shack, and your ready to go.

[Chris]

Those would look good with your rectangular lights Matt.

[Volcom]

Its hard to beat these for price/performance....

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=CSM&MfrPartNumber=99000CSK&CategoryCode=3157D

They are HID, very bright, and waaaay cheaper then anything else comparable. Otherwise, there are lots of options for reasonably price Halogen lights at any autoparts store. I know a couple guys are using the Harbor Freight ones and have no complaints.

JH

edit: Forgot to mention that you can find these for at least $30-40 online and on ebay then they show on their website.

A buddy of mine has 4 of the 4" HID's on the front of his 4Runner. They put out an amazing amount of light. Coming down off of Chinamans last November, he was lighting up the entire field area at the start of the trail. Unreal!


Hella 500s.
X2 and convert them to HID's
http://www.yotatech.com/f131/hid-s-hella-500-s-write-up-lots-pictures-202736/
using this kit
http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=102&parent=85

You can get the Hella's at WalMart for $60-70 and add $30 HID's to them.

[Smash]

Hey Aaron, thanks for that HID info! Might do that to my Hella's once I've got mounting positions set up on the 'burb. I have 4 of them sitting in my garage.

[Volcom]

Hey Aaron, thanks for that HID info! Might do that to my Hella's once I've got mounting positions set up on the 'burb. I have 4 of them sitting in my garage.

No problem. I was thinking about buying a set of Hella's and trying it myself.

[Smash]

I'd sell you some of mine, but I know I want them on the 'burb eventually.

[Volcom]

I'd sell you some of mine, but I know I want them on the 'burb eventually.

No worries, they are cheap enough new. Thanks for the offer though.

[Hypoid]

Do they come with anything else (wiring, switches, etc) or is it just the lights?

If you get those lights from Steve, I can help you wire them. I have some extra relays and wire to help promote the cause. :)

[scout man]

If you get those lights from Steve, I can help you wire them. I have some extra relays and wire to help promote the cause. :)

Now that sounds like a great setup!

[Mporter]

If you get those lights from Steve, I can help you wire them. I have some extra relays and wire to help promote the cause. :)

Seriously considering this :cool:

[scout man]

Just let me know!! Way cheaper than anywhere else! ;)

[Speedwagon]

Hella Micro FFs on the front of my BRAT:

1st is headlights, 2nd is headlights with Hellas.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WxeTPWcu1ys/S10ICyI6rTI/AAAAAAAAAJw/YCu5xiMnFrA/s720/DSCF0172.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WxeTPWcu1ys/S10IDUbJRKI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/oL9O6u6BLv8/s720/DSCF0171.JPG

I purchased these at www.rallylights.com a number of years ago.

[Brody]

Matt....keep in mind that Toyotas used a reverse wiring for the lights and crap in their rigs. If you tie your additional lights into the factory wiring, you will find that you have to reverse the standard +and - in order to get, for instance, your fogs to turn on with the low beams and the driving lights to turn on with the high beams.

I do not know if this is true for every Toyota out there ever made, but seems to be the case for most of the ones I have messed with.

[Mporter]

Thanks Pete, I will once I finally decide.

[tbalcome]

Or replace your headlights with hid?
http://www.hidxenonheadlights.com/

[Mporter]

I might have to look into that when I get some more money, Thanks Travis.

[Hypoid]

Matt....keep in mind that Toyotas used a reverse wiring for the lights and crap in their rigs. If you tie your additional lights into the factory wiring, you will find that you have to reverse the standard +and - in order to get, for instance, your fogs to turn on with the low beams and the driving lights to turn on with the high beams.

I do not know if this is true for every Toyota out there ever made, but seems to be the case for most of the ones I have messed with.Relay logic is my friend! When I wired my wife's Escort I had only two operating conditions before the auxillary lights could be switched on: The ignition switch had to be in the "Run" position and the headlight switch had to be turned on.

It would have been too easy for her to run the battery down. That would have been my fault. :erm:

[Chris]

I do not know if this is true for every Toyota out there ever made, but seems to be the case for most of the ones I have messed with.

That is true of your truck Matt.

[tbalcome]

I might have to look into that when I get some more money, Thanks Travis.

The nice thing is most of the H.I.D kits only draw 35w also so nice power savings!

I also am going to try these to lower my power use at night!
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F1156-x18-T.htm

[TC]

Lightforce FTW


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_R2JLs0I5E

[Mporter]

Hrm....thats impressive, I may have to look into shelling out the cash for some.