Jeep Aux. Lights Overkill ?

[Gear]

Hello everyone,
I am trying to decide if these lights are too big for the front bumper. They are Baja Designs Sol Tek 8" HID lights. I want to put one pair on the front bumper and call it good. I am looking for some opinions on if they are just too big, possible block to much of the turn signal or if you think they look great. Quick note on the use. I do alot of trips into Baja and would like the lights for those back roads where you just don't know what is coming up -- road wash outs, etc. I am also not a speed racer, it is a Jeep, so with that said I do not need them for high speed driving. So please give me some feed back.

Thanks

 

[vengeful]

Personally, I like the look of big aux lights. I think they look good on there. Nice bumper, too!

 

[mountainpete]

Those are beautiful lights, but if I recall correctly, aren't they about $500 each? Based on your short description of use, you may be in a higher price bracket then you really need to be. HID sure does light up the road, but you do pay for it.

As far as size, the larger you go, the greater potential for vibration and "bouncy beam" (technical term!) as you travel on rough roads. Depending on the light and your mount, you may need to add a rear brace from the back of the light for extra stability. Just something to consider - I personally hate auxillary lights that bounce.

Pete

 

[Gear]

Pete -- I think the bounce will be held to a minimum due to the design of the light. It will be attached to the bumper with 3 bolts per light. It also has 3 attachment points to the outer ring/ light cage. 2 on the side and 1 top mount with a quick adjustment screw. As far as HID - because I am planning on only mounting one set of lights I have been pushing for the best. My bigger concern is the lights are too big and will attract too much attention (theft). Oh and Vengeful liked the bumper and gave me one thumbs up. It is a Shrockworks product. More thoughts, anyone

Thanks

 

[kcowyo]

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I think an aux light with similar dimensions to the headlights would "look" better, more in proportion.

I have no idea what size appeals to banditos....:costumed-smiley-007

 

[Grim Reaper]

Higher the better for that type of light. That's why they are usually on the roof for a desert racer.

Pros for higher:
1. Keeps them from being take out by a rock better
2. It puts out a LOT of light for a very long distance. The close to the ground the more likely they will be blocked by slight rises in the road.

The Cons. In the use the "Loose" interpretation of the law in most places is this: If the AUX light is mounted no higher then the vehicles factory lighting then you can run them on the road. That means you could tie those into the high beam circuit and have them automatically come on.

If the light is higher then the headlights in most places they are suppose to have a cover over them to prevent their use on the road. A rookie cop that has spent to much time studying the "code" could give you a hassle.

As for the visual..the lense looks to be the same size as the headlight. It is the huge mounting apparatus that overwhelms the visual. That said...I'm a firm believer in Form follows function. What they look like running 70mph down some deserted desert road Doesnt matter as much as how they proved you clear line of site.

 

[Incusus]

...possible block to much of the turn signal...

BAH! Just wire 'em to the turn signal harness and people will ALLWAYS notice when you make a turn!
:xxrotflma

Seriously, I think you ok... It does not seem to block it all that much. If its a serious issue, you could always get some old VW on-the-fender turn signals for 180 degree visibility...

 

[Miles]

Hi Justin,
That new bumper looks great- very clean and custom looking. To answer your question, though, "Yes, the HIDs are overkill."
As your younger brother, I can say that from the trips we have been on, having extra headlights has never been critical. Those lights don't seem like a good fit there, either. Any ideas as to what would be better for that space?
-Miles

Oh, as far as lights go. Rock lights rule on the trail and at camp.

 

[Superu]

I think they look great!

But, then again this is the front of my rig!

:wings:

 

[ntsqd]

Based on my limited experience with the mount method of the smaller Soltek's I'd be surprised if the beam does bounce.

Just b/c you can't directly see the turn signal doesn't mean that on-coming won't see it flash. Worst case scenario would be they're driving out of the sun - you driving into the sun, and the flash being 'washed out.' If you have the opportunity to test this first I would.

Second the higher the better, but I fully understand a lower mount.

If you are or have an ace fabricator handy, consider a pivoted high mount. Allow the lights to pivot backwards against a pair of gas springs. Provide a latch to hold them all the way back. This does a couple things. Puts the lights up high where they'll do more good. Allows any potential branches/limbs to rotate them back rather than breaking them. And allows you to rotate them back and latch them there.
Latched back they'll be a bit less of an aero issue when not needed and they won't be as recognizable as something worth stealing - due to both their not being easily observed (like they would be down low) and the unconventional mounting would make them less obvious as to what they are.

 

[jayshapiro]

A very painful rock...

They're beautiful lights... but not worth it and in the wrong place.

There's no such thing as "too big" from an aesthetic perspective, but I'd still be worried about:

- If you mount them down there then you'll be shining INTO the dust in Baja, and it will reflect the bright HID light so bright into your face that you'll wind up turning them off, defeating the purpose.

- The lower & bigger they are the more likely they are to be hit by a stone and shatter. (does anyone remember the mathematical equation for calculating this? something like:

height x (Surface area + price) = likelihood of smashing

If they were $100 halogen's then I'd say collateral damage of a good weekend, so be it. But if you stick a pair of HID's down there and lose one to a random stone, you'll kick yourself all the way back to the bank machine.

I've got 4 hella's (6") mounted on a top bar above the windshield on my TJ. They reflect a little on the hood, but I'm not upset that I've lost 2 over the last 4 years. (branches, stones)

Lights are like snorkles... they should be mounted high -- away from the water and the dust.

Cheers,
Jay.

 

[Gear]

Awesome thoughts and ideas everyone. Just some more insite from my side. I like Grim Reapers point that here in CA as long as the lights are hooked up to the high beam I can run them with out covers. This to me is huge because a covered light is a light that is never used. Several have commented on putting the lights up higher. Here is the problem 7' garage. I could put them on the A pilar similiar to other Jeeps and my last Jeep, but the glare off the hood (white) is not good. As well as these lights have remained covered and not used very often on my older Rubicon. Had to think about using them versus flicking the high beam. Jay Shapiro wrote that the lenses would be destroyed by rocks and debre. Baja Designs makes a lexan clear cover hopefully this would help in that department. As far as dust in front of me. I will slow down and let the dust settle. I am usually traveling solo or in the lead and I am never in the race. All in all it sound as though the lights are not too big but more a question of proper location(to low). At this point I am not sure if I have a hole lot of other options. Thanks to all that have given feedback it is greatly appreciated.

 

[adventureduo]

They look too big to me. I can't stand that look. They look like they should be on a trophy truck like someone else mentioned. Just my $0.02 I would go with a 6" instead.

I run all my lights without covers here in SoCal. I was under the impression that as long as they are 55watt and under your allowed too.

 

[flyingwil]

Justin-
Seeing that you have the lights (I am assuming), why not just try it out? If it doesn't work out you can try some smaller lights in the same holes or just let it be.

 

[ntsqd]

With lights mounted high you have two options in dealing with the glare on the hood.
Either move them back far enough that the top-front corner of the roof puts the hood in the shadow; or move them forwards enough that the beam can't get to the hood.
Euro's & pencils up high, fogs & floods down low.

In KA, the last I checked into the vehicle code, you can have a max of 6 illumination lights on at any given time. "Fog" lights may only be on with low beams. "Driving" lights may only be on with high beams. "Auxiliary" lights may be on with either. Mine are ALL "auxiliary" lights.
I recall that there is a maximum wattage, but do not recall what the limit is. Given that high beams are limited to 60 watts each I would expect any additional lights to have the same limit. Lights with more than legal wattage or mounted higher than the headlights need to be rendered in-op while on pavement. That could be a pulled fuse or a cover. Not sure if a covered switch would meet the requirement.
The max wattage thing is interesting since the common HID is only 35 watts. Well within the law, but much brighter than an incandesent of the same wattage. Guess you can blind people legally until the law catches up.