Fog Lights
- Thread starter Jayman
- Start date
first may i say that you are very smart to think of your lighting needs. you will find that a high percentage of your expedited driving will be at night.
over the years i have had many sets of driving and fog lamps in addition to headlamp replacements. although autos have much better lights than in the past trucks still offer low end lighting.
the first spot to improve on is the headlamps themselves. if you have the old sealed beam lamps you should consider replacing them with lamps that have replaceable bulbs. these lamps also have optics that concentrate and flatten the beam. replacement bulbs are available in several wattages, but you should stay within dot approved ranges.the lamps themselves are dot approved use. if your vehicle has halogen lighting then you can still upgrade the bulbs to a whiter light.
as far as fog lights are concerned, a yellow or amber light will show up the pavement alittle better in the rain. but a clear fog lamp will illuminate the paint lines and tracks in the snow better.
my choice is without a doubt the clear variety after having tried all the other variations.
the most important points to add on lighting is care in aiming them, and MOUNT THEM AS LOW AS IS POSSIBLE.
also use heavier wiring kits to carry the added wattage or your lights will not be as bright as they might be.
a fog variety light will have a flat appearing beam and illuminates the road below your line of sight therefore the fog or snow does not seem to shroud your vision as much.
you get what you pay for and companies like HELLA lighting offer a full range of options for your night driving needs.
again good choice to address the lighting issue your eyes will thank you!
just my opinion
over the years i have had many sets of driving and fog lamps in addition to headlamp replacements. although autos have much better lights than in the past trucks still offer low end lighting.
the first spot to improve on is the headlamps themselves. if you have the old sealed beam lamps you should consider replacing them with lamps that have replaceable bulbs. these lamps also have optics that concentrate and flatten the beam. replacement bulbs are available in several wattages, but you should stay within dot approved ranges.the lamps themselves are dot approved use. if your vehicle has halogen lighting then you can still upgrade the bulbs to a whiter light.
as far as fog lights are concerned, a yellow or amber light will show up the pavement alittle better in the rain. but a clear fog lamp will illuminate the paint lines and tracks in the snow better.
my choice is without a doubt the clear variety after having tried all the other variations.
the most important points to add on lighting is care in aiming them, and MOUNT THEM AS LOW AS IS POSSIBLE.
also use heavier wiring kits to carry the added wattage or your lights will not be as bright as they might be.
a fog variety light will have a flat appearing beam and illuminates the road below your line of sight therefore the fog or snow does not seem to shroud your vision as much.
you get what you pay for and companies like HELLA lighting offer a full range of options for your night driving needs.
again good choice to address the lighting issue your eyes will thank you!
just my opinion
I only go with white lights for regular, driving or fogs. In addition to Hella, Cibie is another very good upgrade company. Sylvania Silverstars are also excellent bulbs if you already have lights with housings that take replaceable bulbs.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
dieselphreak2K
Expert Expediter
Silverstars are also available in sealed beams as well. I'd reccomend them highly. I already have too many chicken lights on my truck to even power a set of fogs, let alone find room under the bumper.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Actually I would go here and read about lights.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
Also look around, Cibi, Lucas and Bosch has some good info to help you select a set of lights. I have a set of Lucas flamethrowers on my land rover and most of the vehicles I owned used either Bosch or Hella.
Also I would recommend that you buy a good set - spend the money for the lights and the harness.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
Also look around, Cibi, Lucas and Bosch has some good info to help you select a set of lights. I have a set of Lucas flamethrowers on my land rover and most of the vehicles I owned used either Bosch or Hella.
Also I would recommend that you buy a good set - spend the money for the lights and the harness.
rfrogger120
Expert Expediter
In new york state its illegal to have the headlights and fog lights on at the same time. but the chances of getting a ticket are very slim. Cops just dont bother with those minor things.
I replaced my stock 9006 bulbs with silverstars last October. I liked the whiter illumination they provide. One burned out in December. I replaced it 3 weeks later the other side burned out. At $24.00 a pop that's it, no more Silverstars. No I didn't touch the bulbs. Any ideas? Or is this typical?
unorthodoxneon
Expert Expediter
>I replaced my stock 9006 bulbs with silverstars last
>October. I liked the whiter illumination they provide. One
>burned out in December. I replaced it 3 weeks later the
>other side burned out. At $24.00 a pop that's it, no more
>Silverstars. No I didn't touch the bulbs. Any ideas? Or
>is this typical?
These bulbs tend to die out very quick. I know alot of people that run them, they love them but complain they have to change them often.
>October. I liked the whiter illumination they provide. One
>burned out in December. I replaced it 3 weeks later the
>other side burned out. At $24.00 a pop that's it, no more
>Silverstars. No I didn't touch the bulbs. Any ideas? Or
>is this typical?
These bulbs tend to die out very quick. I know alot of people that run them, they love them but complain they have to change them often.
unorthodoxneon
Expert Expediter
>In new york state its illegal to have the headlights and fog
>lights on at the same time. but the chances of getting a
>ticket are very slim. Cops just dont bother with those minor
>things.
I wouldnt think that would be an issue. I know on my pickup truck i run my head lights and fog lights on everytime i drive, day or night. I wouldnt think this would be an issue aslong as non of your lights are pointing up to cause problems with other drivers. I know when i actualy get into expediting and have a truck of my own i plan on having quite a few lights (fogs and leds) I guess thats just the tuner side of me to have a vehicle that stands out from the rest.
>lights on at the same time. but the chances of getting a
>ticket are very slim. Cops just dont bother with those minor
>things.
I wouldnt think that would be an issue. I know on my pickup truck i run my head lights and fog lights on everytime i drive, day or night. I wouldnt think this would be an issue aslong as non of your lights are pointing up to cause problems with other drivers. I know when i actualy get into expediting and have a truck of my own i plan on having quite a few lights (fogs and leds) I guess thats just the tuner side of me to have a vehicle that stands out from the rest.
I thought it was just fogs and high beams concurrently not fogs and any headlights?
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
dieselphreak2K
Expert Expediter
as far as the law goes in michigan, it's that you can only have a total of 4 headlights. You couldn't run two sets of fogs and your headlights.