Auxiliary lights

[Scott Brady]

I have had excellent success with the high quality Hella lines. The H4000 driving is very effective at moderate speeds, with wide coverage and a very white light. Mounting is very solid and durable. Hella work lamps are also very effective.

I would not recommend any of the other Hella's (550's, etc.), as they have had mount failures.

Lightforce is a first class light. The 170 would be at or near the top of my list.

I am looking into the Hasmar lights right now. Relatively unknown in the aftermarket, but big-time in commercial heavy duty markets like mining, etc. They have some sweet LED and HID work lamps available. I hope to report on them soon.

 

[BajaTaco]

I have used the LF 170's and loved them. Awesome lights. As far as actual light output goes, I mounted one side by side with a 6" KC 100w round light, and the LF was barely brighter. Same wattage bulbs, so my guess is that the slightly larger reflector, and the reflector construction on the LF is what gives it an edge. There is quite a price difference between those two lights, but I myself would spend the extra $ on the LF for the lightweight, high quality construction, and the shatterproof lenses and filters. I think they are worth it just for that alone. The light output is great too.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

Ton of questions

So I'm doing a little internet shopping and looks like the 240 is a value

140=$200
170=$267
240=$325

I have seen the 240's on my friend's 80 and it looks great... always tempting to GO BIG

I gotta account for a switch/wiring into the budget as well... considering the price differential, what do you guys think?

also check out this mpeg of how tough they are!
http://www.off-roadlights.com/ATOUGH.MPG

Thanks guys!

 

[blupaddler]

I have the 240's...They aren't mounted yet.

But they do fill up the ARB bumper quite well!!!

 

[mountainpete]

This is the review I did for the Auxillary lights on the front of my truck. For the price, you just can't beat IPF 968's.

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/wiki/index.php/IPF_968_Driving/Fog_Lamps

 

[BajaTaco]

So I'm doing a little internet shopping and looks like the 240 is a value

140=$200
170=$267
240=$325

I have seen the 240's on my friend's 80 and it looks great... always tempting to GO BIG

I gotta account for a switch/wiring into the budget as well... considering the price differential, what do you guys think?

also check out this mpeg of how tough they are!
http://www.off-roadlights.com/ATOUGH.MPG

Thanks guys!

If the extra cost isn't a big deal for you, and the massive size doesn't bother you (make sure they will fit where you want them) I would get the 240's. They have the same bulb as the 170's, just a larger diameter reflector (obviously). Although I didn't get to compare a 170 side-by-side with a 240, the 240's are supposed to be considerably brighter from the larger reflector, and I think that is probably accurate. I'd love to see them side-by-side though.

Getting back to the KC/LF comparison I mentioned earlier, I found some pics I took at the time.

On the trail - 6" KC on left, 5" Eagle middle, 170mm LightForce on right. The bush on the LF side is a bit closer, so the brightness difference is a little deceiving, but with the LF adjusted to a concentrated beam, you can see that it is a bit brighter than the KC.

This is with lights aimed at a white wall about 50' in front of the truck. 6" KC on left, 5" Eagle middle, 170mm LightForce on right. Here the difference isn't quite so obvious.

Another pic taken with the LF light opened up a bit more using the adjustable reflector (like a mag lite flashlight). Now with the LF pattern flooded a little more, the difference is becoming more obvious.

And finally, the LF light opened up pretty wide. At this point, the beam is flooded quite a bit, but like the maglite flashlight, the center becomes somewhat distorted due to the reflector adjustment.

 

[BajaTaco]

A site you may want to check on for LF pricing - SDHQ

(Notice if you buy in pairs they say **free freight**)

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

BajaTaco, you are DA MAN! :bowdown:
thanks for all the info and leads!

 

[BajaTaco]

You're welcome. Glad I could help.

 

[Desertdude]

Thanks Chris for that light shoot out - I can only fit a 6.6" size light in my bumper - I like the fact that the LF lights are adjustable - looks like the 170's for the front of the Tacoma

 

[Desertdude]

Any thoughts on the cover filters?

 

[HongerVenture]

I've been really thinking over the auxilliary lighting issue for awhile.

You see, I really like the stock T100 headlights with the Daniel Stern recommended bulbs in them. I want to upgrade the wiring per Daniel Stern as well.

I have a set of KC Daylighters that I got for free and used on the Blue T100 I formerly owned. Driving with those lights through rural, mountainous WY really aided in seeing the deer before it was too late. They were mounted on the roof rack far enough back that they didn't glare on the hood. Loved 'em!

However, I need fogs. In the evenings and early mornings, the drive to/from my house has a lot of low-lying fog. I don't really like the idea of putting lights on my rig for fog because I'd like the option for additional driving lamps for trips. Hence the lightforce filters...

I am planning LF 170's for the front of my truck, mounted on the TJM. In daily use, I will run them with a yellow filter and pointed in a downward direction. On a trail I can put a clear filter on as needed and point them forward facing... adjusting their focus to pencil or flood as needed. The only problem I see with this is that the 170's may be to high-powered to work as a fog light even with the filter... so I was thinking of putting only half-voltage through them when being used as a fog. Thoughts?

Further regarding the filters, I wonder if the red filter would effectively aid in night driving by not washing out your ability to see. Red light doesn't affect your rods and cones the same as normal lighting.

Finally, when the camper shell and roof rack are installed, I'll also have the KC lights on top. They were an added benefit and their height really helped. And I already own them.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

I recently installed my LF 170's. I really wanted them but didn't want to spend the $$. I found these used but in perfect shape so I snapped them up for a real good price.

A friend was good enough to give me some 55W offroad lights that I have been using- they gave a bit of fill but the hi beams overpowered them so they were not as useful at night. Now they are retired.

I like the 170's they stick out just past the ARB uprights so I get max. light fill on the trail. The other lights were thin and the ARB bullbar cut off the side fill. As you guys know, a pitch black trail, you want plenty of fill and I am not so concerned with max. distance.

These 170's are quite a bit more powerful! Thanks for all the info Chris and others. I just wish I had them a week earlier for the DV trip, I needed them!!

 

[Desertdude]

Very nice James! I think the 170's are a better fit than the 240's (240's seem a bit to large for the ARB)

With your 170's in DV you would have seen Sasquach coming from miles away :Wow1:

 

[Mlachica]

I love my lightforce 170's. I've had them for about 3 years without any issues. They're lightweight, bright, versatile and indestructable! They help A LOT on pitch black trails and washes. I've also used different filters. My favorite happens to be the yellow one's - the increased contrast helps a lot. Here's how they're mounted:

I'd like to mount a couple lights on the roof as well, I'm just trying to come up with a practical, and sturdy way of mounting them. I plan on using the one's on the roof for widening my lighting pattern (for turning).