The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review

Ya, that would be easiest. Because I don't have the bumper yet I don't have the ability to measure sizing. But my impression of Taylor's posting is the G4 overall diameter doesn't fit inside the cutout. I guess I should ask Pelfreybilt for the cutout size

 

There are 2 versions of the OEM fog light, an H10 and H11. H10 produces ~900 lumens while the H11 is 1250 lumens. Note these are actual output ratings vs raw lumen ratings from the LEDs. I have H11s although I am currently running 2100+ lumen custom glare capped H9s on a standalone harness.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-foglight-upgrade-h11-not-led-or-hid.435419/

One of the challenges in comparing output with lux is beam pattern. While the majority of the patterns in this review were similar, though Rigid and KC had larger patterns, the OEM pattern is yet again a bit different. A more distributed pattern that puts out more light could have a lower lux (intensity) reading than a lower output light with a less distributed pattern. So the parallels are not as easy as it would seem. It is certainly possible to get the lux at a single point in the beam with the OEM gear to compare peak intensity, but that does not map directly back to output when the beam patterns vary.

 

Awesome, thanks!

So are you sticking with your current setup or do you have plans to change over to LED? Why or why not would you change?

 

I only use my fogs when the conditions actually need them and icing is a concern for me. I often drive over the pass on highway 2 (for non-locals that is a windy 2 lane alpine highway with limited shoulders) after dark in the snow. Sometimes it can be bad and I use the fogs to locate the edges of the roadway at slow speeds. I don't want them to ice over on me. You can see this post here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...1-not-led-or-hid.435419/page-13#post-16741348

I also prefer the lower color temperature. So for my needs of low color temperature with ability to self thaw in the snow I am currently staying with my existing setup.

 

Yeah, I don't think I'll ever get rid of my Koito Lexus fogs. Amber projectors with cheap and easy to buy H3's. I retrofit them on all my cars/trucks.

 

@SaphiraTaco You're right, because the G4s sit slightly further back in the Pelfrey bumper, a bit of the width (not vertical beam) gets cut off. However, to me it isn't enough to worry about figuring out how to mount the lights further forward in the bumper as only a very small amount of the beam gets blocked. I will absolutely take a look at it tonight/tomorrow to see if I can figure out how one could mount it further forward! In order to mount the universal version of the G4s in the bumper, I ended up just drilling/dremeling out our bottom bracket to allow it to sit perfectly in the center of the fog cutout of the bumper.

Yes! These lights you linked (SKUs #500 and #501) do fit most 2018 4Runners. The website isn't up-to-date as about 3 months ago we found a solution to get them to work on non-limited model T4Rs. I'm having the website fixed right now, thanks to your question! Send me a PM about a coupon code!

 

I wanted to respond to my own question. Haha. Since I didn't see anyone post about this setup, I figured I'd try after I buy. Not usually a great idea, but after multiple phone calls into Rigid and searching the interwebs for a definite answer to whether the Amber covers actually fit over the Rigid fog pods AFTER they're installed seemed to be a mystery. So I bought a set of the SAE Fog Pods with the Rigid mounting kit as well as the D-series Amber covers, and 2x CaliRaised H11 to Deutsch connectors off Amazon (for the lenient return policy in case they didn't fit).

Today I installed the kit (Super easy and quick install!) and got the Amber covers to fit over the pods in the brackets and plates. I've attached some photos for anyone who is currently looking to run this setup. It looks pretty great IMO and the amber covers make the light a nice yellow color, not quite canary yellow but not a true amber either.

***One note on the covers, they DO fit and click over the lights easily. However, you cannot take them back off with your fingers. The way they sink into the plates, you have to use a flathead screwdriver or blade to pop the recessed side off first, then the covers come right out. You DO NOT have to unscrew / loosen the lights to get the covers off, you just have to use a pry of some sort to pop them out.



Overall I'm stoked on this kit. It was a hard choice between these and the KC G4s in Amber. The KCs seemed equally as good for inclement weather and general aftermarket fogs specifically in the amber color. My reasons for going with the Rigids were:

1) Mounting Versatility: Since the Rigids are a standard pod, the mounting options are more diverse. The KCs are designed to mount in the Tacoma's standard bumper fog mounts (although they work in other vehicles as well). I figure the Rigids would be better in case I later upgrade my front bumper or move them to a newer/different vehicle. They do have a lifetime warranty after all.

2) Light Color Options: I really like @crashnburn80's testing results from the G4s but he did the white light version and I was really after an amber colored Fog. With the Rigids, I have the option of running the highest output SAE fogs in white, while also being able to pop an amber cover over them for the Amber option I want. Even though the cover is not ideal for filtering the light because it reduces output, since the Rigids are brighter to begin with, they have "some output to spare" perhaps. I think the output will still measure higher than the KC's even with the amber covers on. Maybe @crashnburn80 can confirm this in a future test?

3) Price: I knew I wanted to go the high budget, high quality route. I was able to source the Rigids for only $20 more than the KCs and this included the Pods, Rigid mounting kit, amber covers, and H11 adapters. Overall, I think the price for both the KCs and Rigids is well worth it. They both are top performers for this category of light, they both back their products with awesome warranties and they are both known to be great USA companies in general.

I hope this helps answer some questions for anyone looking into this setup or anyone in the dilemma I was in.

Cheers

 

Awesome, thanks for trying out the covers with the mount kit and sharing with the rest of us!

I do have it on my TODO list to test the Rigid covers affect on the output.

 

Well done review!

 

Lucky me! I live local to @crashnburn80! Got some lighting done correct for a first on my truck. Future fog light pods! Over a time and a half brighter than I had with a cool look too. Highly recommend. One of the best values for the money for sure!

 

Now if we would have only had the polarity right the first time...

 

Nice work and write-up!

I've done a couple hours of searching with no success... Do you know of any brackets/adapter mounts for putting the Rigids in a flush mount pod opening? I have an aftermarket bumper that accepts flush mount square pods, but it doesn't seem that Rigid has the SAE pod with their own flush mount as an option. I'm wondering if there are any workarounds out there.

I would also be open to being able to mount the KC G4s in the same openings if there's a clean looking way to do it, but also couldn’t find anything on my own.

 

Which pods did you go with?

 

Yes. Guys- please test your polarity of your lights BEFORE making any permanent connection. Red to red and black to black wire isnt always correct. I've had two 15's one was one way the other was opposite wiring. Unless you're like @crashnburn80 and you enjoy the skill test of resoldering the same joint multiple times

 

Future. Dot approved stamp on top to to keep the bacon at bay. Nice cut off lines, great output for the money. The mounting brackets are pretty slick too. Requires drilling one hidden 3/8" hole.

 

Two thoughts here. First, is that we don't really have a way to make those G4s flush mount. You can also look at our G34s (3"x4" rectangular LED light) which may work better in that cutout. The G34s aren't the ones reviewed here, but they have about double the light output in the fog beam.

http://www.kchilites.com/gravity-led-g34-pair-pack-light-system.html

Secondly, if you're deadset on flush mounting fogs... Call Rigid. They oughta be able to do that for you custom, as I don't think it would be a big hassle for them since they probably have all of the parts.

 

Great info. I wanted the KCs but went with the Morimoto XBs for 130 with the Tacoma World Discount. Thanks again.

 

It is possible to make the Rigids flush mount. The faces on the Rigid pods are interchangeable with a pod from the same series so you just need the flush mount face from a D-series pod, though you will void the warranty by opening the pod to change the face. That said, a fog pod isn't a very ideal for flush mount. For a true foglight, you need the ability to aim the light at the proper height. In a flush mount pod, you are going to be at the mercy of whatever the angle the mounting surface is to the ground, and may not at all be aimed correctly with little recourse on how to fix it.

More ideally in a flush mount you are going to want a wide area diffused pattern. Since you cannot aim it, you likely want the light to just go everywhere. The Baja wide cornering lights are great for this purpose, but Rigid and others offer similar patterns or diffused patterns. However wide cornering/diffused are not acceptable for use with oncoming traffic.

For lights to use on the street, you really need the ability to correctly aim the light and since the flush mount lights do not offer the ability to aim it isn't a very good fit. You might get lucky and happen to have it reasonably positioned, but seems unlikely. Coming up with a solution to bracket mount the lights from behind would be better if you are looking for a steetable pod.

The G34s are in the review. The rectangular reflector doesn't seem to project as well as the circular G4s, which is consistent with the lux specs on KCs site. I specifically included them for aftermarket bumpers.

Depends on the mounting angle for the Cali-pods. It the bumper mounting surface is angled down at all, focused spot pods that Cali sells will not illuminate much. I'd only consider a spot pod if the mounting surface is almost perfectly vertical.

 

so how satisfied will i be with the rigid’s? someone is selling a pair for $120 obo and i might buy em.
will i have any regrets? will be installing retrofit headlights soon as they are being built and i deff dont want to run stock foglights with em

EDIT: he sold them. but i wouldnt mind buying these so still asking

 

Thanks for the info! I'll do some research to see if getting an adjustable/aimable mount to work is possible.