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What to do What to do...

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Drummer0247, Dec 29, 2012.

  1. Dec 29, 2012 at 10:53 PM
    #1
    Drummer0247

    Drummer0247 [OP] International Jewel Thief

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    I know this has been asked before, believe me i have searched the internet to its end! Here is my predicament, just bought my n-fab light bar and i am ready to buy some lights. here is a lil blurb about my situation. My family and i camp alot, and i off road occasionally, nothing hardcore but like to take the Taco to its natural environment. I really want HID's but i fear that is just the part of me that wants the best of the best, but does not really need it. I am torn between a pair of Hella black magic 500's coupled with the Black magic 1000's, or two hella 4000's or two lightforce 170's. So to all those with experience with these lights do i go with the four Black magic's or just get two lights. Just looking for some good advice to push me over the edge, been researching for like 4 days now and i am driving the wife nuts!!! Thanks for the help
     
  2. Dec 29, 2012 at 11:14 PM
    #2
    650H1

    650H1 Well-Known Member

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    go with what ever is cheap. not like youre using them all the time, or even half the time...
     
  3. Dec 29, 2012 at 11:21 PM
    #3
    Drummer0247

    Drummer0247 [OP] International Jewel Thief

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    thats a good point, sounds like you have been talking to my wife....
     
  4. Dec 29, 2012 at 11:38 PM
    #4
    650H1

    650H1 Well-Known Member

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    haha there are much better things for your truck to waste money on instead of lights. trust me!
     
  5. Dec 29, 2012 at 11:42 PM
    #5
    Drummer0247

    Drummer0247 [OP] International Jewel Thief

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    I like your style....
     
  6. Dec 29, 2012 at 11:52 PM
    #6
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    ALL OF THEM!...Then some more.
    Nonsense!

    I have like 20+ lights on my rig.

    Are you looking for like a long range light? Or flood/fog? Or kinda both?
     
  7. Dec 29, 2012 at 11:55 PM
    #7
    Drummer0247

    Drummer0247 [OP] International Jewel Thief

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    mainly just a driving light, would love some pencils but would have no real use for them, these are mainly for light offroading, and for the occasional, my wife and i left for our camping trip at 6pm and have to setup the site in the pitch dark situation.....
     
  8. Dec 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
    #8
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    Well you can use any of them as driving lights. Just turn them off like brights.

    I would recommend the hella 500ffs. Especially if you slap HIDs in them. Damn they work great.

    The 4000s are the same story.

    I'd skip the 1000s as they don't really pose a big difference over a 700.

    Light force 170s tho are epic good lights. I LOVE my light force 240s. They are a solid light and work amazing. They are very expensive tho.
     
  9. Dec 30, 2012 at 12:04 AM
    #9
    Drummer0247

    Drummer0247 [OP] International Jewel Thief

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    ya thats the pickle i am in, do i go with 4 hella 500ff or spend more and get 2 lightforce 170's......
     
  10. Dec 30, 2012 at 12:22 AM
    #10
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    If you can afford to HID all 4..get the hellas.
     
  11. Dec 30, 2012 at 12:23 AM
    #11
    acdronin

    acdronin Well-Known Member

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    .
    I bought 500's and some bigger Baja Designs, replaced the 55w bulbs with KC 130 watters i got online. I redid all the wiring myself to heavier wire and a relay for each pair, wired it all to a switch right below the center console armrest. 520 watts halogen is plenty, you never going to outrun those and all told, i spent about 200 bucks including the lightbar. Bought the lights from other members here and just modded them to my liking.
    for my money, 55w's are kinda weak IMO. this setup was cheaper than one pair of 170's.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Dec 30, 2012 at 12:24 AM
    #12
    acdronin

    acdronin Well-Known Member

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    well duh! Of course if you want the brightest lights possible but it's serious $$$$
     
  13. Dec 30, 2012 at 12:43 AM
    #13
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    That is also a great idea!

    not really..i bough all 4 of my 500ffs with 55w HIDs off here for 100 bucks..
     
  14. Dec 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM
    #14
    Drummer0247

    Drummer0247 [OP] International Jewel Thief

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    eventually down the road HID's are in the cards.. but as of current my budget of 400-500 dollars does not really cover it....prolly will end up going with 4 500ff or 700ff, or possibly two 4000's...not sure yet, my buddy is peer pressuring me to say f it and just get the lightforces, but having a two week old newborn and a thrifty wife is putting a damper on my budget!
     
  15. Dec 30, 2012 at 11:08 AM
    #15
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    Well post up in the FS section man! I did and like i said..got all 4 of my hella HIDs for 100 bucks.

    You can snag Hellas in there all the time stock or HIDed. plus you can do what the guy earlier said and put in the KC bulbs.

    But..the LF lights are sick. might as well just save for some 240s tho..
     
  16. Dec 30, 2012 at 11:12 AM
    #16
    SoCalTacos

    SoCalTacos Turd runner

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    Led head/dtr lights.
    Since you have a two week old, I'd skip the lights and save for diapers and formula. Unless that $500 is expendable...then is suggest an led light bar. 20" spot and a couple smaller floods.
     
  17. Dec 30, 2012 at 11:13 AM
    #17
    1TUFFTRD

    1TUFFTRD WTF

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    Look for some used kragen HID's! Good price and work great.
     
  18. Dec 30, 2012 at 11:20 AM
    #18
    BradleyScottETC

    BradleyScottETC Class IV Category 8 Elite VIP Member (Only)

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    I had 4 500ffs. They have good light output but they are plastic and you can't take them apart, so they're kind of a pain if you ever get any moisture or bugs (i got both at one point or another) inside of them. I just replaced them with ProComp Explorers. All metal construction, nice lens with good diffusion, way more light output, and plus it has the metal flex conduit rather than just bare wires so I was able to run the wiring through my lightbar as opposed to having it dangling from under the bumper.

    [​IMG]

    also see sig pic.


    I also should mention that other than the shape of the back of the housing they are essentially the same thing as the KC Hilights but with more of a flood-type diffusion
     
  19. Dec 30, 2012 at 11:37 AM
    #19
    Drummer0247

    Drummer0247 [OP] International Jewel Thief

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    my wife and i (well more like my wife) are doing cloth diapers so we are saving tons of money, kind of a pain in the ass but it works... as far as formula he is and will be on the tit for awhile!
     
  20. Dec 30, 2012 at 11:42 AM
    #20
    Drummer0247

    Drummer0247 [OP] International Jewel Thief

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    ya that is part of the reason i am leaning towards the 4000's, love the look of the BM, but as far as durability goes like the fact that they are a metal body, coupled with 100w bulbs def sells it a lil more....we will see def checking the FS section as well....have some X-mas gift cards so i might be buying two of them new....
     

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