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Auto Talk => The Garage => Topic started by: MaxPower on October 08, 2005, 02:33:32 PM

Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: MaxPower on October 08, 2005, 02:33:32 PM
I'm thinking about getting a pair of driving lights for my truck.  With the early sunsets and animals in the roads some extra light won't hurt (don't worry...I'll aim them correctly!)

I'm leaning strongly toward the Hella FF1000 light (Hella FF1000 (http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaPortal/WebSite/Internet_usa/ProductsServices/Performance_Lighting/FF_Series/FF1000/FF1000.jsp)) and wondered what their reputation was.  I want a quality light but I'm not going to spend $250, and these look like they're pretty good and I can find a kit for around $100.  I know Hella is a reputable brand, but is PIAA or KC better?
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Run Away on October 08, 2005, 07:57:32 PM
Hellas are hella tight.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: footoflead on October 08, 2005, 07:58:28 PM
QuoteHellas are hella tight.
:rockon: ...I like the fog lights on the silverado...the brights are super bright on it too
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: cozmik on October 08, 2005, 09:12:00 PM
Hella is probably the way to go. They are simply masters at lighting. PIAA is over rated.  
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Run Away on October 08, 2005, 09:40:30 PM
I love lights.
At night, the front of my car can't get bright enough.

My SE should be awesome at night, it's got the mintest (read: non-milky) foglights I've seen plus Sylviana headlights, along with upgrade ground wires.

You're just looking for a pair of driving lights? Have you though of how you're going to wire them up?
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: MaxPower on October 09, 2005, 12:01:30 PM
I actually bought the FF1000's before I checked back for a response.  If they ship smoothly, installing them is next Saturday's project!  But thanks anyway for the responses, this is what I wanted to hear!   :praise:

I'm planning to mount them on the bumper of my Tacoma, inset of the headlights.  No safari or brush bar, I mocked them up with cardboard and they'll fit nicely.  I bought the kit, so it comes with the wiring harness, relays, switch ect. but I'm planning on hooking them up so they go on when I flick on the high beams.  I'd rather have them on that switch and not have to drill another hole in the dash, plus I don't intend to use them when the high beams arn't on.

I'm new to wiring cars so any tips on how to wire it into the high beams would be great.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: MaxPower on October 16, 2005, 04:13:43 PM
Update: I installed the lights today and they work.  Whoohoo.  Pictures to follow...
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: footoflead on October 16, 2005, 04:30:21 PM
QuoteUpdate: I installed the lights today and they work.  Whoohoo.  Pictures to follow...
:rockon: Hurry up with tha pic.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Raghavan on October 16, 2005, 04:31:48 PM
Quote
QuoteUpdate: I installed the lights today and they work.  Whoohoo.  Pictures to follow...
:rockon: Hurry up with tha pic.
what he said.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: JYODER240 on October 16, 2005, 08:02:41 PM
Don't get Silvania SilverStars, I put them in my car and they burnt out 3 times in a year and a half. I finaly got frustrated and put the stock bulbs back in.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Catman on October 17, 2005, 04:30:43 PM
Pics please!
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Raghavan on October 17, 2005, 09:09:35 PM
Where are teh pics?
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: cozmik on October 21, 2005, 12:48:50 PM
QuoteDon't get Silvania SilverStars, I put them in my car and they burnt out 3 times in a year and a half. I finaly got frustrated and put the stock bulbs back in.
He's right. What you need are Osram SilverStar's. They are the European version of the SilverStar. They are brighter and last much longer than the U.S. version.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Catman on October 21, 2005, 07:56:25 PM
No pics yet? :angry:  Wanker.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Raghavan on October 21, 2005, 08:25:17 PM
QuoteNo pics yet? :angry:  Wanker.
LOL. :lol:  
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: footoflead on October 21, 2005, 08:39:00 PM
QuoteNo pics yet? :angry:  Wanker.
Arrest him cat :angry:  
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Raghavan on October 21, 2005, 08:44:39 PM
Quote
QuoteNo pics yet? :angry:  Wanker.
Arrest him cat :angry:
:rolleyes:  :lol:  
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: MaxPower on October 22, 2005, 12:17:03 PM
...see what I didn't say in the above post was that I still had to take the pictures first  :)    Which I did this morning.  So, without further ado:

Holy Brightness Batman!
(http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/2026/bright7yk.jpg)

With the lights turned off:
(http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/2241/drivinglts9qt.jpg)

Covered:
(http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/2583/covered1la.jpg)


These puppies are GREAT.  To steal a term from KC, they really are Daylighters.  They really light up the road.  The beam does bounce a little due to the mounting location of the lights, so that's something I'm going to try to improve on.  It's not a huge deal though.  The black-on-white Hella covers aren't exactly asthetically pleasing, but the protection they provide is worth it.  I leave the lens covers on during the day.  I'm a very satisfied customer!  :lol:  
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: SaltyDog on October 22, 2005, 12:27:16 PM
Boo Ya.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: Raghavan on October 22, 2005, 01:52:15 PM
Nice. :praise:
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: footoflead on October 22, 2005, 06:10:12 PM
:rockon:
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: J86 on October 22, 2005, 11:30:39 PM
Just outta curiosity, whereabout in Maine are ya from?  I used to do alot of cruising up and down the coast, and I have a friend with a house up on Long Lake.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: SaltyDog on October 23, 2005, 08:22:50 AM
QuoteJust outta curiosity, whereabout in Maine are ya from?  I used to do alot of cruising up and down the coast, and I have a friend with a house up on Long Lake.
I think he said somewhere around Mt. Desert Island when Acadia NP came up in the map thread.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: MaxPower on October 23, 2005, 08:50:13 AM
QuoteJust outta curiosity, whereabout in Maine are ya from?  I used to do alot of cruising up and down the coast, and I have a friend with a house up on Long Lake.
I live on the Blue Hill peninsula, which is the peninsula between Acadia and the Penobscot River.  I grew up in Blue Hill and this summer moved to Brooklin, a bordering town.

(http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/5986/memap6ws.jpg)
It's not a great map, but it's better than nothing.
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: J86 on October 23, 2005, 03:13:50 PM
Oh cool, from what I remembe there were ALOT of bugs...is it near Deer Isle?  I've spent a few nights at anchor around there...Stonington I think?
Title: aftermarket driving lights
Post by: MaxPower on October 23, 2005, 06:24:05 PM
Yeah, Deer Isle is off the end of the peninsula.  I look across Eggomoggin Reach every morning at it.  There's World-Class sailing around here.