Fog/Driving lights for trucks
10-12-2016, 10:26 PM
#1
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Fog/Driving lights for trucks
I bought a 2010 Ford F350 diesel a couple of months ago - very happy with it.
However, the lights are not as bright as I would have hoped for.
I was looking to add a light bar or something like it below the grille but there are just so many options out there.
Anyone have anything to suggest that they are happy with? Brands, places to mount, etc.?
However, the lights are not as bright as I would have hoped for.
I was looking to add a light bar or something like it below the grille but there are just so many options out there.
Anyone have anything to suggest that they are happy with? Brands, places to mount, etc.?
10-12-2016, 10:35 PM
#2
Keep in mind that there may be laws regarding placement, luminance and number of driving lights allowed on that can vary on a state by state basis.
10-12-2016, 10:40 PM
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Good point, but I am probably going to install some extra driving lights, which can remain on, and then some huge flood lights which I would not leave on when there is oncoming traffic.
10-13-2016, 11:26 AM
#5
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Agreed on lighting. I copied this guy and installed this: https://www.amazon.com/iJDMTOY-Bumpe...light+bar+f250
Bracket for your 6.4: http://www.autoanything.com/lights/i...nting-brackets
Bracket for your 6.4: http://www.autoanything.com/lights/i...nting-brackets
Last edited by Paddy; 10-13-2016 at 11:59 AM.
10-13-2016, 12:57 PM
#6
My truck's OE lights were OK, but I got a nice boost (about 40%), from
replacing the bulbs with Sylvania Ultra Star bulbs. These bulbs meet DOT
regs for brightness but project more light further down the road.
You didn't say if your truck is equipped with the OE fog light option,
but if it is, the same can be done with those bulbs. Also, as a 6 year
old vehicle, are the headlight lenses fogged or crazed?
If a 40% increase is not enough, you can replace (or add), projector
or LED fog lights in the stock location that plug into the stock wiring
harness so you can use the OE switches and fuses.
if that is still not enough light, then I would look into installing an
auxilary light bar. If your truck came with an "up switch" panel,
installation would be simple and straight forward.
replacing the bulbs with Sylvania Ultra Star bulbs. These bulbs meet DOT
regs for brightness but project more light further down the road.
You didn't say if your truck is equipped with the OE fog light option,
but if it is, the same can be done with those bulbs. Also, as a 6 year
old vehicle, are the headlight lenses fogged or crazed?
If a 40% increase is not enough, you can replace (or add), projector
or LED fog lights in the stock location that plug into the stock wiring
harness so you can use the OE switches and fuses.
if that is still not enough light, then I would look into installing an
auxilary light bar. If your truck came with an "up switch" panel,
installation would be simple and straight forward.
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10-13-2016, 03:48 PM
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All of this is good information.
My truck has stock fog lights so what I am going to do is change out the bulbs in the driving and fog lights and see where that gets me. The headlights are very clear and not crazed over as the truck only has 33k miles on it.
After that I may layer in the light bar for when I need some serious light. Unfortunately the truck I bought is a very basic model and it did not come with the aux light switches but easy enough to add somewhere.
My truck has stock fog lights so what I am going to do is change out the bulbs in the driving and fog lights and see where that gets me. The headlights are very clear and not crazed over as the truck only has 33k miles on it.
After that I may layer in the light bar for when I need some serious light. Unfortunately the truck I bought is a very basic model and it did not come with the aux light switches but easy enough to add somewhere.
10-13-2016, 06:24 PM
#9
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My 2005 F350 had the same problems and we replaced the bulbs with a Halogen system that were very temperamental and often crapped out on us. It's just a terrible cheap design that, luckily, was fixed by the time I got my 2016 F350.
I'll talk to my shop and see what we used so you can know what NOT to use. LOL
***Just spoke to my shop. They were not Halogen, they were HID. The company we got them from was HIDlightz.com
As I said, they were BRIGHT, but VERY problematic and unreliable. FYI!
I'll talk to my shop and see what we used so you can know what NOT to use. LOL
***Just spoke to my shop. They were not Halogen, they were HID. The company we got them from was HIDlightz.com
As I said, they were BRIGHT, but VERY problematic and unreliable. FYI!
Last edited by Yellow996; 10-13-2016 at 06:35 PM. Reason: Updated facts.
10-13-2016, 09:48 PM
#10
Yes, HID conversions are problematic which is why I never recommend
them. There are too many other "fixes" that do a good of job and at a
fraction of the cost and effort.
Since the OP has confirmed the lenses are clear, the bulb upgrade is
a good place to start. There are several manufacturers (Sylvania,
PIAA, Hella, etc.), that makes brighter, whiter bulbs. I'm pretty sure
just replacing the headlight and fog light bulbs will go a long way in
solving this problem.
I still like that light bar Paddy posted for those times when you need
a bit more.
them. There are too many other "fixes" that do a good of job and at a
fraction of the cost and effort.
Since the OP has confirmed the lenses are clear, the bulb upgrade is
a good place to start. There are several manufacturers (Sylvania,
PIAA, Hella, etc.), that makes brighter, whiter bulbs. I'm pretty sure
just replacing the headlight and fog light bulbs will go a long way in
solving this problem.
I still like that light bar Paddy posted for those times when you need
a bit more.
10-13-2016, 09:50 PM
#11
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Yes, HID conversions are problematic which is why I never recommend
them. There are too many other "fixes" that do a good of job and at a
fraction of the cost and effort.
Since the OP has confirmed the lenses are clear, the bulb upgrade is
a good place to start. There are several manufacturers (Sylvania,
PIAA, Hella, etc.), that makes brighter, whiter bulbs. I'm pretty sure
just replacing the headlight and fog light bulbs will go a long way in
solving this problem.
I still like that light bar Paddy posted for those times when you need
a bit more.
them. There are too many other "fixes" that do a good of job and at a
fraction of the cost and effort.
Since the OP has confirmed the lenses are clear, the bulb upgrade is
a good place to start. There are several manufacturers (Sylvania,
PIAA, Hella, etc.), that makes brighter, whiter bulbs. I'm pretty sure
just replacing the headlight and fog light bulbs will go a long way in
solving this problem.
I still like that light bar Paddy posted for those times when you need
a bit more.
After that I may go with the light bar as well.
Living in the sticks and leaving for the track early in the morning means really dark twisting roads. Getting a little more light is a safety thing for me.
10-19-2016, 12:18 PM
#12
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I bought new headlights for my Suburban from http://www.headlightsdepot.com/ and they are much brighter than the original headlights. Even a little bit of oxidation on the lens and cover make a big difference.