2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Factory fog lights?

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I am going to order my new truck this weekend and the only option I have not decided on is whether to get the fog lights or not. Is it worth it to get them from the factory, or should I just install them myself? My brother has some he installed on his Dakota, but I don't like the way they fit in there. Let me know what y'all think about your lights.

 

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I got the factory fog lights. They fit nice, they're already wired, and they're ready to use. However, they have cheap plastic lenses and you could do better with aftermarket ones. I would be curious to see if you still get the extra position in the headlight switch if you don't order them though.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 55 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10'11" Slide-in Camper.

 

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I got the factory. On the 98, I installed them myself (bought the MOPAR, tho). The factory installation on my 01 is alot better. I had to go into the dash and install a relay under the dash for the aftermarket. Didn't like that. Also the switch was a pushbutton up by the airbag control. Factory is on the light switch. A lot cleaner.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, EGT/Boost Gauges, Running Boards, K&N,
Real Backup Lights

 

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I didn't order them, so my switch doesn't have the extra position. Someone asked me if I regretted not getting them. I said they look nice in the holes, but I can't think of one time so far that I would have used them. They were one of those things I left out because I didn't think I really had to have them, and I don't miss them.

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

 

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I am getting the fog lights along with all the other stuff in the SLT + package. I kept looking at each option figuring if I needed it or not. Then I looked at the price difference between the truck with what options I felt I "needed" versus with every option there was. Still a $35K truck no matter what I did. So I just put everything on the order. The trucks look a lot better with the factory fog lights than without, regardless of how well they actually work. Besides, having all the options makes it a lot easier when you want to sell (I plan to keep mine for about 20 years however). I think its possible to upgrade the fog light bulbs for not much money if you want more light, and then you still have factory wiring, relay, fuses, and the integrated light switch. #ad


Another item: I plan on using the fog lights as Daylight Running Lights (DRL). I do a lot of driving on two-lane roads, and a lot of tests have shown the DRL reduce your chance of having a head-on or pull-out collision. I think that the DRL looks better running on the fog lights rather than on the headlights. I plan on wiring this from a switched hot lead through a dash switch to the fog light relay. This will turn lights on when engine is running, but allow me to shut DRL off when I don't need them.

Another safety item, if you have the fog lights and you have a headlight burn out, you still have a good bright light on that side of the truck instead of looking like a motorcycle at night. Could be comforting late at night.

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Wait'n for my 2001 2500 QC, SB, 4x4, ETH 6-sp, 3. 54 LSD, SLT++ (everything but those lights on top of the roof), White over Silver, Tan leather. D1 status to ship 8/21.

[This message has been edited by Ski Bum (edited 08-16-2000). ]

 

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I completely agree with Ski Bum. Once you see the price of the truck, all the extra options just seem to be in the noise. I just ordered EVERYTHING!

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 55 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10'11" Slide-in Camper.

 

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I love mine JUST GO FOR IT!

 

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<font color=teal>I use mine on a regular basis. They actually do help in the rain. I basically just slapped every option on my truck is all #ad
</font>

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• <font color=blue>
• Eric D. Howard - #ad
  - BOMB'er! - #ad
  - TDR Member since April 8th, 2000
• 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4 SLT Auto Reg cab Cummins Turbo Diesel 4. 10 gear ratio LT265/75R/16 tires
• Patriot Blue Pearl Coat, Agate interior, Leather seats EVERY option, Silencer Ring AWOL, Trans Go Shift Kit
• JRE 4" Exhaust, "Hot" PowerEdge, Autometer UltraLite Gauges (EGT, Custom Boost, transmission temp), K&N Airfilter</font>

<font size=-2>

[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (edited 08-16-2000). ]

 

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Wish that I had ordered them with mine - Better yet, wish all rigs came with Day time running lights.

 

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Not to get too far off subject here, but I think the daytime running lights can be added by means of adding the missing relay. The Canadian trucks get the relay, we don't. I've been meaning to look into this.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 55 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10'11" Slide-in Camper.

 

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dresslered,
Sorry to say,the canadian engine compartment wire harness is completely different. There is a separate module that's put in the canadian trucks(next to the PDC) for the DRL,and the U. S. trucks don't have the wiring built in for the module.

-Mike

 

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Thanks for the info MikeR. Sounds like a fairly simple circuit to build though.

 

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I have factory lights on my 97. I have a dime sized brown spot on each one, where the std. bulb overheated & burnt the lense... ... DDG

 

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Mine didn't have the lights when I bought it,
so my wife got them for me at Christmas. They
were easy to install and came with the extra position switch and inserts for the bumper so they fit good. It took me and a friend about an hour to install. The extra light they provide is greatand well worth the money. Also if you want them to stay on when your headlights are on bright, just don't hook up the orange wire #ad
#ad
#ad


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99 2500 Quad 4X4 Black 5-Speed
Cummins Longbed

 

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I paid for the lights from the factory but they forgot to put them in. #ad

Cant say one way or the other YET.

 

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I would definatley get them, I ordered them on my truck and the lighting is much better than my 98 that did not have them.

 

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I am definitely going to get fog lights, I just am not sure whether I want to get them from the factory. I like the idea of DRL that someone mentioned. That would require me to rewire the circuit anyway. I am leaning towards installing them myself now. Give me a reason why I should go with the factory lights instead.

 

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Mine are clear and brite. They work good, are on the factory switch and they fill those holes. We have quite a bit of early fog around Savannah some mornings so I do get to use them for their intended purpose.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, EGT/Boost Gauges, Running Boards, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights

 

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Hey Twolf, The switch your talking about with the extra position. Did that just replace your existing headlamp switch. Is the truck prewired to add fog lamps and a factory switch at a later date?

Just curious.



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99' Quad Cab, 4x4, Auto, 3. 55, All options except fog lights and leather, Glasstite topper, Chrome Nerf Bars, VA CPC, Boost Mod & elbow, DiPricol EGT & Boost Gauges Pillar Mount, K&N Air Filter**, Turbo Silencer Ring Removed, Infinity sound w/pillar tweeters, 300w speaker system under rear seat, Metalic Red. Hum, transmission mods and injectors next? ** Removed K&N Replaced w/ paper filter - problems w/ K&N

 

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Take a look behind those plastic covers in the bumper and look at what you have to mount to. There is not much, I spent quite some time the other day trying to figure out what I was going to mount my lights to. Solution for me is get the factory kit. My only questions is will I have to remove bumper to get the lights and new inserts in?

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2001/3500/6X6/4. 10 LSD/AT/K&N/DRIFTWOOD QUADCAB SLT LARAMIE