Has anyone installed auxilliary lights?

[BKunic]

I'd like to install a pair of driving lights for when I'm out in back of beyond at night. I'm happy with the factory fog lights, but might add a second pair as you can't have too much light. I'm wondering what the best way is of mounting these lights. I'm really not too big on drilling holes into the bumper, so do I need to get a brush guard or something else along those lines? Just wondering how others have tackled this. If I do wind up installing a brush guard, I'd rather not lose the tow hooks.



Also, any recommendations on lights, brush guards, etc would be welcome.



Thanks,



Bryan

 

[JMichel]

Ranch hand brush guard is the way to go. I had one on a previous truck. It was very tough. I could stand on the very end of the head light protection bar without deflecting it. It was a very good investment. It saved me from destroying my grill a few times.

 

[ECappleman]

Buy a set of KC lights.

Then change out the bulbs to the GE 4522 aircraft landing lights. You will need to run relays to these lights.



These are 250 watt bulbs and I can see a deer on the highway a mile away! :--)

 

[JCrockett]

I have 2 sets of Light Force, they are the way to go IMO. It gets VERY dark up here in the winter and these lights work great. I have a set on my custom bumper, but I built a removable light bar that mounted to the tow hookson my stock bumper. See my readers Rig gallery for pics of both set ups. If you like the light bar PM me and I will give you some details on how to build it, cost me $50 in material to build. All you need is a chop saw and a small welder.

 

[VStahl]

I put 4 lights on my ranchhand. I used relays with a kill switch in the cab. The unique thing I did though was to tap into the high beam power to use as the trip for the relays ( the direct power source came from the battery though for the lights and relays) so that the lights would only come on if I had the high beams on. So I can cruise down the road and kill my extra lights with just the flip of my high beams and if i do not want them on at all I have the kill switches that keep them off even when the high beams power up.

I like having them wired this way cause I do not have to ever worry about bumping the switch and running the battery dead or have to worry that I have them on cruising the highway and getting in trouble cause they go off when the high beams are dimmed.

 

[ECappleman]

I put 4 lights on my ranchhand. I used relays with a kill switch in the cab. The unique thing I did though was to tap into the high beam power to use as the trip for the relays ( the direct power source came from the battery though for the lights and relays) so that the lights would only come on if I had the high beams on.

Me too, except I used the two lights.

 

[rbattelle]

Buy a set of KC lights.

Then change out the bulbs to the GE 4522 aircraft landing lights. You will need to run relays to these lights.



These are 250 watt bulbs and I can see a deer on the highway a mile away! :--)

Holy cow! That's 20 amps per bulb at 12v!!



-Ryan

 

[ECappleman]

Holy cow! That's 20 amps per bulb at 12v!!



-Ryan

Yep, use a seperate relay on each one. :-laf

 

[AZiegler]

BKunic,

This is my first post on this forum. I hope this works as it should. I will post a pic in my profile of a lighting project in the works. I installed four Helle FF-75 lights (55W each) between the two tow hooks. This did require small holes to be made throught the front dam, but even without the lights you would have to lay on the ground infront of the truck. We have very limited darkness up here right now so I havn't had much of a chance to try them out. I also picked up the light bar from Randy Ellis Design. Best price I could find on a bar that I liked. You can keep the tow hooks with this light. I have one set of KCs on it now and am gettting ready to install the second set before the snow starts to fly and it gets really dark. Ya eight lights is overkill, but in the middle of the winter when I'm a couple hundred miles north of here and I'm really tired from a hard day of snowmibiling I and the moose are always always greatful for every lumen of light I can put out in front of me. I hope this helps.



Andy Z

 

[Bertram65]

I have a brand new Randy Ellis light bar that I am not going to use if anyone is looking for one, it is powder coated black.

 

[nickleinonen]

Yep, use a seperate relay on each one. :-laf

or get a heavy DC power contactor... something used in hydraulic snow plow application with electric motor driving the pump [or starter motor power contactor]

 

[BKunic]

Hey thanks!

AZiegler,



Thanks for that info, that Randy Ellis lightbar is just what I was looking for, think I'll get one. I'll call them up and see if I can get it in white to match the truck. Four lights is all I need down here in the Peoples Republik of CA, even though I can find myself rolling across Nevada or Wyoming late at night. Two fogs and two driving lights rigged up on that light bar ought to work great. Do you have a preference for any particular brand of light?



ECappleman,



Thanks for the idea of the aircraft landing lights, I think I'll incorporate that as well.



Thanks for all your input, I figured out just what I want.



B

 

[ECappleman]

No problem.



The bulbs are about $23 a piece, but have a long life to them.



At night when all the bugs are out, they are so bright, it looks like a Star Trek movie with all the stars on the viewer. :-laf

 

[AZiegler]

BKunic,

I have always used the KC daylighters for several reasons. Warranty, Replacement parts, Availability, Performance. There are other very good lights. Several of my friends use and swear by the Light Force brand.



aziegler

 

[Van Blom]

Andy, thoes little hella lights look great!! are you running fogs or driving light?

Also, what did you mount them to?

I'm going to do the same to my truck. Oo.



Paul

 

[AZiegler]

Hi Paul, The FF-75s are 55W driving lights. I used self tapping screws throught the underside of the opening above the lights. The light brackets came with one hole in the center but I drilled two holes in each bracket, one on each end. Each light is held by two each 3/4 inch self tapping screws.

 

[Matt400]

I wonder if anyone has retrofitted the fogs with a high power off road lamp?



Looks like if you took out or modified the plastic bucket around the fogs in the bumper you might be able to shoehorn in a pair of these 55W Hella's

 

[Van Blom]

Thanks Andy,

Very nice looking truck.



Paul

 

[Van Blom]

Hella has a driving light that is the same configuration as the stock fog light (also hella)

and you can buy high wattage 9006 bulbs that fit them.