replacment for factory fogs?

[Wiredawg]

I saw a set of aftermarket foglamps (didn't pay attention to manufacturer) at WalMart yesterday. They looked like the same size as the factory ones. Can't hurt to look.

Might even save a buck. #ad


Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

TowPro,
When you remove the stock fog lamps you'll discover what a cheap pile of junk they are! Thin cheap plastic #ad
.

A couple Sundays ago I removed mine to repair cracks in the lenses and found they were so cheap and junky I decided to toss them. I went out and found a set of Blazer (made by Federal Mogul) Diamond Blue driving lights which I installed with very little modification in place of the stock lights. They look great but the projection is a little narrow, but are significantly brighter than the stockers.

I reused the stock mount brackets and had to carve some of the plastic to clear the back side of the new lights. I also had to trim a small bit off the 4 centering tabs in each hole because the lights are 1/16" or so larger in diameter. But they look much better and I'm satisfied. They have glass lenses and aluminum housings.

The main disadvantige is bulb replacement will be a PITA because it doesn't have the nice twist-in feature for the lamp. You'll have to remove the lamp and remove 2 screws in the back to remove the bulb. Hopefully bulb replacements will be few and far between.

Vaughn
- - - - - - -
'01 2500 QC SB 2wd

 

[TowPro]

OK, I'll admit. I installed the wrong bulbs in my factory fogs, the bulbs that came out had silver on the front, the ones that went in did not (I figured more light?) Now I have 2 holes burning through the fog lenses.

Now that I have to replace them, anybody found anything that fits the hole, and works good?

I really like the Hella 550's on my wifes car and wish I could get that "fog" patteren in a round light that I can replace the factory lights with. These lights will be run on Low Beam like the factory ones, so driving lights will not work.

Any Suggustions?

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

[JGK]

TowPro,

I installed as set of CATZ fog lights over the Christmas holidays where the factory fogs go (my truck didn't have the factory fogs), model MSC. I also installed a set of PIAA 1500 rectangular fogs next to them. The CATZ are higher quality and brighter than the PIAA. However, changing the bulb in either will still be a pain for the same reason Vaughn mentioned. I also had to build mounting brackets for both.

Contact me for details if you wish. Also, check out the CATZ lights at www.fet-usa.com.

JGK

 

[TowPro]

JGK, how do you like these CATZ's? Can you use them with your low beams in traffic? Do people flash their high beams at you? They sure cost a lot at around $88. 00 list each. (I can buy a set of Hella 550 FF's for the price of one CATZ, The 550 fogs have the light pattern I want, but they would not look factory)

I have seen there pictures of the beams at night (sure wish they had a picture of the standard ram headlights to compare it to) what I want to do is fill on where the low beams miss (just in front of the truck) and more coverage on the sides of the road. plus brighter light the same place the headlights now shine. (Am I asking for too much?)

CATZ's emailed me saying with the factory fogs, all I need is to buy 2 lights, and use the factory wires and relay.

Originally posted by JGK:
TowPro,

I installed as set of CATZ fog lights over the Christmas holidays where the factory fogs go (my truck didn't have the factory fogs), model MSC. I also installed a set of PIAA 1500 rectangular fogs next to them. The CATZ are higher quality and brighter than the PIAA. However, changing the bulb in either will still be a pain for the same reason Vaughn mentioned. I also had to build mounting brackets for both.

Contact me for details if you wish. Also, check out the CATZ lights at www.fet-usa.com.

JGK

 

[Cooker]

How well do the CATZ fit in the factory fog light hole?

 

[JGK]

TowPro, Cooker,

I'm real satisfied with the CATZ. They will fill 2 of your 3 requirements, TowProw. The version of the MSC I got are true fog lights - low and wide. Good light in front close, better coverage to the sides. But to achieve that you don't get the improvement straight out at a distance. That's why I mounted the PIAA - they have the driving beam but still use the yellow bulb.

I have used them (just yesterday in fact) in the dark in traffic and no problems with other drivers. Even used them without the regular headlights on. Not sure they'd tolerate the PIAAs though.

The factory wiring harness, I believe, will cause the fogs to shut off if you hit the brights. I got around that by replacing the second relay in the PDC with a jumper (the two relays aren't set up one relay per light, they are in series and shut off the fogs when the brights are on or when running in 'daylight' mode).

Cooker, they fit real nice, but since my truck did not come with the lights themselves installed, I had to cut the plastic trim. It is cone-shaped and I had to whack off about 3 inches of the cone to make the hole big enough. But it worked out just fine. The lenses come through the hole just a bit but are still behind the face of the bumper.

I have pictures of the process and the final result (though still in the camera) if you'd like to see.

Lastly, the price is a bit steep. But you're gonna pay a bunch for good lights. These have metal housings (the PIAAs are plastic, for instance) and good, thick lenses. I got mine over the 'Net from a place I wouldn't order from again - too darn slow - took 3 weeks to get them, but the kit was only a bit over 1-1/2 bills. Check out www.c5touring.com for good prices. There are other places but they seem to have a good price and selection. Don't know if they'd sell you just the lamps without the harness.

Sorry for the length. Hope this helps.
JGK

[This message has been edited by JGK (edited 01-10-2001). ]