What kind of light should i run?

[BIGdaddy]

i have a lot of lighting mount options on my jeep.

not sure what the current thoughts are.

i'd like to add:

-rear back up light for backing down my driveway and backing into campsites at night.

-front mounted lights that shine forward and to the side/fender area.

here's the rig:

here's an example of what i don't want:

i have the tough stuff hi-lift mount so these would work:

i like the profile of those lights, too. nice and thin. i might get the ones picture and mount them up on the horizontal bar rather than on the hood. i like GEAR's setup for his rear lights. along the same lines.

 

[DBS311]

For back-up lights, I love the IPF 816's that I have on my Cruiser. They put out a tremendous amount of "flood" pattern light that makes backing up very easy and I run them when in camp at night. Also have them hooked up to a three-way switch so the lights are either off, on when I go into reverse, or on permanently.

As far as lights on the hood, I wouldn't do it, but that's only because I don't like the way they look. I would go off the roof rack or the A pillar.

 

[computeruser]

Cheap and easy solution: Hella's utility lights mount neatly in the factory rear bumper holes after you remove the plastic bumper corners. Compliments of rallylights dot com.

For the front, I had a setup pre-winch that put driving lights on a bumper guard/hoop, center of grille, up at hood height, and then had Hella 500-series fogs in the factory location but aimed outward a bit. It worked pretty well, but I dumped the fogs with my e-code headlight upgrade and put the driving lights back on the bumper where your auxiliary lights are currently mounted.

 

[ntsqd]

Typically lights on the hood only light up the hood. To your detriment.
Put long range lights up high and short range lights down low.
I use clear fog lights (usually found in the JY as a single) for back-up lights.

 

[Nullifier]

Well form y truck I have been running a cheap pair of walmart tractor square lamps for back up lights. THey have worked gerat for 5 years no problems at all. They put out good light and were like $20.00. I have considered adding 2 more of these pointed sideways jsut to throw light on a differnt are if I ned it when camping.

Up front is a diferent story. I upgraded my sealed square headlights to H-4 stly housings from IPF it made a big difference. I run piaa 540 yellow fog lamps in the front bumper and plan to add 2 ipf hid up front as well.

Generally having 2 HID up front will get it done.

 

[BIGdaddy]

i like this setup...i would mount them below my congo cage in the front.

 

[BIGdaddy]

For back-up lights, I love the IPF 816's that I have on my Cruiser. They put out a tremendous amount of "flood" pattern light that makes backing up very easy and I run them when in camp at night. Also have them hooked up to a three-way switch so the lights are either off, on when I go into reverse, or on permanently.

As far as lights on the hood, I wouldn't do it, but that's only because I don't like the way they look. I would go off the roof rack or the A pillar.

i like the three way switch idea.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Well form y truck I have been running a cheap pair of walmart tractor square lamps for back up lights. THey have worked gerat for 5 years no problems at all. They put out good light and were like $20.00. I have considered adding 2 more of these pointed sideways jsut to throw light on a differnt are if I ned it when camping.

Up front is a diferent story. I upgraded my sealed square headlights to H-4 stly housings from IPF it made a big difference. I run piaa 540 yellow fog lamps in the front bumper and plan to add 2 ipf hid up front as well.

Generally having 2 HID up front will get it done.

i've seen those at walmart...thats what i'll probably use.

 

[rickc]

Hi Brian:

x2 on IPF816s. They are very robust, look great and come with a well-made harness/relay/switch. Here's a good place to buy them:
http://www.4by4connection.com/816backuplamp.html

I mounted mine high rather than low; less chance of banging against something on the trail and they double as work lamps up there.

Another option is a Hella Matador. Very cool! It can also be wired to run as a back-up/work lamp.

As for up front, your lighting choice depends on what you want; extra driving light or work lights or both. If you put lights up on your roof make sure you don't limit any future plans for carrying things up there (kayaks, bikes, tent, whatever). Also make sure you can still park in the garage if you want to!

If you decide to go with driving lights, you can mount low at front, over the bumper and if in the correct position, you will not require covers. Check you state vehicle regulations!

 

[Overland Hadley]

I like the IPF 968's.

$90 from Costco. (Link)

 

[BIGdaddy]

I like the IPF 968's.

$90 from Costco. (Link)

hey...those look like a good deal.

nathanael is it? thanks a bunch for the link. :beer:

 

[BIGdaddy]

Hi Brian:

x2 on IPF816s. They are very robust, look great and come with a well-made harness/relay/switch. Here's a good place to buy them:
http://www.4by4connection.com/816backuplamp.html

I mounted mine high rather than low; less chance of banging against something on the trail and they double as work lamps up there.

Another option is a Hella Matador. Very cool! It can also be wired to run as a back-up/work lamp.

As for up front, your lighting choice depends on what you want; extra driving light or work lights or both. If you put lights up on your roof make sure you don't limit any future plans for carrying things up there (kayaks, bikes, tent, whatever). Also make sure you can still park in the garage if you want to!

If you decide to go with driving lights, you can mount low at front, over the bumper and if in the correct position, you will not require covers. Check you state vehicle regulations!

i'm following in your footsteps...higher rather than lower. I would like to mount everything on the congo cage, as my wife smacks me everytime i drill a hole in my jeep, and i'm saving up the smacks for a snorkel install. (big ol' hole..lol)

i actually DO plan on carrying a canoe up top and thats why i want to mount the lights hanging below the horizontal bar like four little bats. :xxrotflma

somthing like this:
_____________
l O O O O l
l l

 

[Overland Hadley]

hey...those look like a good deal.

nathanael is it? thanks a bunch for the link. :beer:

No problem.

It is a good deal, they normally sell in the $130/$145 range.
I just received another pair of them two days ago.

 

[madizell]

i have the tough stuff hi-lift mount so these would work:

i like the profile of those lights, too. nice and thin. i might get the ones picture and mount them up on the horizontal bar rather than on the hood.

Lights mounted as pictured are largely for show. They will provide almost no usable light, and whatever light they might provide will be washed out by the glare from the hood. Not to mention that six such lights, usually 55 watt H3's, would draw almost 25 amps of power in use for little or no return on the expense. Mounted high would be better than on the hood, but frankly, such lights are best mounted at or under bumper height to get the real benefit from them because of their dispersion pattern. Under bumper is not a good choice for off road, of course, but that's where they need to be mounted to be useful. Lights up high should be long range or drivers, not floods or fogs.

Rear facing lights perform better up high with a clear view of the rear. Here, you can use a flood pattern since you are not trying to see 100 yards down range while backing up.

 

[rickc]

Those Cosco 968s are at a great price. I strongly advise all of you to buy them! Well made and easy to use/set-up. I don't like the switches but they are easy to change.

I have four rectangular IPF868s up top; two on each side with two big Lightforce 240XGTs in the middle. This allows me to carry two sea kayaks, one each side of the 240XGTs and the truck still fits in the garage!

Brian: you may consider the opposite approach; one or two lamps at each side with a gap in the middle for your canoe.

I think it's already been mentioned; watch out with lamps up top and glare from the hood. Play with a flashlight to get an idea of where a lamp can be fitted without lighting up the hood.