Auxiliary light preferences
If you could only mount two auxiliary lights on your front bumper what would they be?
I'm interested in peoples preferences regarding beam pattern, beam color, light type (i.e., halogen, led, etc.), specific brands and models.
I'm interested in peoples preferences regarding beam pattern, beam color, light type (i.e., halogen, led, etc.), specific brands and models.
Unfortunately there's no such thing as "all purpose lighting" but we can split them in to 3 genreral catagories:
1) Driving lights- these are extra, road legal "high beam" lights that you can mount on the front of your vehicle- typically you are limited to the maximum height you can place them above the road surface (16-42 inches here in Washington) and amount (no more than 2 in WA). Your jurisdiction may vary.
2) Fog lights- low mounted, road legal, lights which are only available to turn on when "low beams" are active, again there legal limits regarding how high they can be mounted. Some people prefer yellow or amber as apparently snow and rain attenuate yellow light less (that's what I run, but mainly because I like the look).
3) Off road lights- anything that doesn't fit the above description or is not suitable to activate on the road. I have a set of roof mounted lights that are fun off road but not at all OK to have on while on a regular road as they will blind other drivers.
Once you know what you are looking for I think some more suggestions will follow. For what it's worth, I run some amber fog lights, cheap LED's for my roof lights, and HELLA 500 driving lights mounted on my brush bar.
1) Driving lights- these are extra, road legal "high beam" lights that you can mount on the front of your vehicle- typically you are limited to the maximum height you can place them above the road surface (16-42 inches here in Washington) and amount (no more than 2 in WA). Your jurisdiction may vary.
2) Fog lights- low mounted, road legal, lights which are only available to turn on when "low beams" are active, again there legal limits regarding how high they can be mounted. Some people prefer yellow or amber as apparently snow and rain attenuate yellow light less (that's what I run, but mainly because I like the look).
3) Off road lights- anything that doesn't fit the above description or is not suitable to activate on the road. I have a set of roof mounted lights that are fun off road but not at all OK to have on while on a regular road as they will blind other drivers.
Once you know what you are looking for I think some more suggestions will follow. For what it's worth, I run some amber fog lights, cheap LED's for my roof lights, and HELLA 500 driving lights mounted on my brush bar.
Thanks for the breakdown of the three categories.
Ideally what I'm trying to find are the best possible road legal lights that bridge the gap between the spot and flood. If this is impossible I guess I'll have to revise my approach.
I've got a pair of Hella 450 driving lights (the square ones) on my brush bar right now. I like the simple two light approach asthetically and I don't have a dual battery system so I'm trying to avoid drawing a ton of power. The downside of my current lighting setup is they are old technology and just don't provide a ton of illumination.
Ideally what I'm trying to find are the best possible road legal lights that bridge the gap between the spot and flood. If this is impossible I guess I'll have to revise my approach.
I've got a pair of Hella 450 driving lights (the square ones) on my brush bar right now. I like the simple two light approach asthetically and I don't have a dual battery system so I'm trying to avoid drawing a ton of power. The downside of my current lighting setup is they are old technology and just don't provide a ton of illumination.
Last edited by browallace; Nov 29, 2022 at 01:55 PM.
new leds draw few amps and provide plenty of light compared to equal 'wattage' incandescents...A one battery/oem alternator (150 amp) system is fine unless you are going to leave them on for hours without the engine running...
road legal is another issue as nearly all 'add-on' LED lights are for 'off road' use....plus the dispersion angles of 'DOT legal' lights are basically useless. As for 'add-on' leds , nearly 99% of them do NOT meet DOT specs........
road legal is another issue as nearly all 'add-on' LED lights are for 'off road' use....plus the dispersion angles of 'DOT legal' lights are basically useless. As for 'add-on' leds , nearly 99% of them do NOT meet DOT specs........
Last edited by XRAD; Nov 29, 2022 at 02:37 PM.
baja designs LP6 or LP9. if wired correctly about as all purpose lighting you'll find. Not cheap but I've been very impressed with their S2 and squadron lights. Buddy has 2 LP6s on his GX and it's like the freaking sun when he turns them on.


