I ordered the Saltek Motorsports switch pro mount to control all my lights I will be installing. 1. SalTek ditch light mounts 2. Rigid lights I just got in.

 

I just got permission to post this pictures they belong to Tony Palmer. He is doing an incredible job on his defender.














I hope this helps out anyone that needs it. It has me.

 

Awesome information. Thank you!

 

VERY nice work! It's a pita up there (from personal experience). Thanks for the pics and the very interesting solutions you used. Well done!

 

Any pics of the finished job?

 

I’m working on something that may be unique on my V8 and will keep you all posted.

Baja Designs S2 pros in the fog pockets, amber

2 pairs of Baja Squadrons behind the lower grille, one with the spot/ combo lens pattern, and one with pure spot.

all controlled with a Switch-pros SP-9100.

I think this setup will preserve the stock look, and add a lot of capability on dark/ desert roads.

A little trepidation as Baja recommends spot pattern beams to be mounted up higher, but I think any tradeoffs from behind grille/ mounted low will outweigh the wind noise and broken stock appearance of ditch lights.

would love to hear experiences from anyone who has installed lighting behind the grille.

made a mockup of the S2 and I think it will look pretty cool

 

I saw a build that did something similar, so you're definitely on the right track.

I've been thinking about running a lightbar behind the lower grill, for similar reasons you describe. Lazer Lamps has a white/amber combo with a bunch of different modes that should fit the bill.
https://www.triple-r-lights.com/line...lite-plus.html

 

I follow the KISS rule.. If you need more light than this have your eyes checked.

 

thanks for showing me your build! This definitely has a lot in common with what I’m going for.

how do you like the switch-pros mounting position they chose? Is it hard to use it or pretty simple?

can the control panel be dimmed/ turned all the way off so it doesn’t hurt night vision in the cabin?

 

Very useful thread here. Thanks for all the links.

I won some ditch lights in a raffle this weekend at a club event. (first time i was at one so pretty good strike-rate)

Usually cometh the witching hour on trail, I'm either back home or securely nestled by the campfire talking nonsense to whatever poor soul is nearby.

In other words, I'm struggling to see a use for the lights.

Is there any simple way to wire these without having to invest $400 + in a switch setup. Seems overkill for 1 set of lights. Is bringing a wire through the firewall a bad idea given my affinity for breaking stuff. I'm thinking water ingress and impacting wading ability. I like the Lucky8 binnacle switch. Nice and simple but looks like it needs that firewall wire. Perhaps I have my wires crossed.