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Cheap Grill-mounted Driving Lights

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by larryde09, Jul 9, 2010.

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Cheap grill-mounted driving lights

Poll closed Aug 8, 2010.
  1. Harbor Freight

    2 vote(s)
    6.5%
  2. Walmart, Autozone, Advanced Auto, etc

    14 vote(s)
    45.2%
  3. Only light bars or quality lights are worth it

    14 vote(s)
    45.2%
  4. Do nothing, driving lights suck

    1 vote(s)
    3.2%
  1. Jul 9, 2010 at 6:20 AM
    #1
    larryde09

    larryde09 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have a 2nd Gen and I want to install some driving lights to improve the high beams. Although I'd love to do a light bar w/ PIAA's, my budget is non-existent so I'm thinking of buying some cheap lights and mounting them in the grill (it's the stock grill). I've read some similar threads, but I want to get everyone's opinion or experiences...

    Are cheap lights worth it? Has anyone found lights that fit well and are bright enough to make a difference? Pics of your rig would be appreciated. Here's one option from harbor freight. I've read some walmart lights worked too. What's the deal with having to cover driving lights when on the street unless they have a mesh guard? Do I need to be take this into consideration?

    Let me know your experiences...
     
  2. Jul 9, 2010 at 9:40 AM
    #2
    #Murphy

    #Murphy Well-Known Member

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    Nick
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    3 inch body lift Bull Bar Hella FF 500 Truck Champ Step ups 10k hid's Nitto Terra Grapplers Unique wheels Yakima Roof Rack Yakima Fairing
    I have the Hella FF 500's and they work great. I use them in Virginia so i dont hit any deer. Has been succesful so far. Cost me 70 $. I have them mounted on a bull bar.
     
  3. Jul 9, 2010 at 9:45 AM
    #3
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    I have the hella 500's and i wasnt impressed with them at all. They are a very weak 55w light. If you get some get a 100w light.

    are ou thinking of mounting them behind the stock grill?
     
  4. Jul 9, 2010 at 10:10 AM
    #4
    pyrate

    pyrate Active Member

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    I would be interested in anything you find out. I am looking to do the same w/o adding a bar on the front. Mine isn't so much about the $$ as I don't have the room to make my truck any longer. It won't fit in the garage if I add a push bar on the front. :eek:

    So I am looking at adding lights someway off the grill or bumper where it would not increase the overall length of the truck. I've even considered using some of the LED lights and mount them behind the grill if necessary.

    I just started looking at options so am interested in anything anyone finds too. I will post if I sort out a solution.

    Thanks,

    pyrate
     
  5. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:06 PM
    #5
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    ^I have the harbor freight light in the bed as well. I cut off the little black reflector covering the bulb and it made it twice as bright.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:08 PM
    #6
    Jimmyjohn

    Jimmyjohn Well-Known Member

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    Smitty Blt Bull Bar& Skid Plate, PIAA 525SMR lights
    If your going to put on lights put on Good ones. I like Piaa.
     
  7. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:10 PM
    #7
    achirdo

    achirdo I Weld!

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    look up the procomp 130 driving lights. love mine. bout 45 bucks each. and they are 130w bulb all metal no plastic and glass not plastic lens...high quality
     
  8. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:21 PM
    #8
    larryde09

    larryde09 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Current: DR750S-2CH Dash Cam, USB Fast Charger in stock blank, Hondo Garage phone mount Previous: 2006 Black 2.7L 5-spd SR5 4x4 Access Cab - K&N Cold Air Intake, Modified Magnaflow Cat-back Exhaust, Altezza Tail Lights, Pop&Lock Tailgate Lock, Extang Trifecta Tonneau Cover, PIAA foglights with stock switch, DrawTite Hitch, OBX Shift Knob, Hood Protector, Vent Visors, DIY step bars, DIY Bed Lights, DIY Ground Lights, DIY Tailgate Electrical Box, Aftermarket switches in stock dash blanks, Sony Head Unit, Illuminated 4x4 switch mod
    Yeah, I'll definetely post what I decide to do. I have my foglights and bed lights in my build if you're looking for any ideas.



    I never thought of the lower grill until I saw a post here on TW. That's certainly an idea, as long as they light up the road ok at that height. A goal of this project is to dress up the boring stock front, since its the only place I haven't really modified yet, so i don't want to hide the lights down there.
     
  9. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:50 PM
    #9
    m0nster986

    m0nster986 ♥ Emergency Medicine

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    I bought driving lights from Walmart a few weeks prior to browsing around Harbor Freights and found similar ones for $6 less!
     
  10. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:54 PM
    #10
    hendooman

    hendooman The Stroker Ace

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    Interested to know how they would do behind the stock grill, seems like they would get about 50% blocked.
     
  11. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:56 PM
    #11
    Caduceus

    Caduceus Well-Known Member

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    Ditto. I even bought some better H3 bulbs. I'm saving up for a LED bar.
     
  12. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:57 PM
    #12
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    x2 there isnt a way to put normal driving lights back there...unless you do a grillcraft or satoshi
     
  13. Jul 9, 2010 at 12:58 PM
    #13
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    I did the HID mod to mine and they are brutal now. The led bars are cool but way over priced. You shoud try and do the HID mod. 40 bucks from DDMtuning
     
  14. Jul 9, 2010 at 1:03 PM
    #14
    larryde09

    larryde09 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I'm assuming they'd have to be a square shape and fit in between the grill bars. If I did round off-road driving lights, I'd spend the money on a light bar. I'm just looking for something that will compliment/extend my high beams and be a fun project.
     
  15. Jul 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM
    #15
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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  16. Jul 10, 2010 at 9:49 PM
    #16
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    X2

    Had them on a previous truck. A good value. I would have them on my current truck, but I still need to decide what lightbar to buy.

    When I bought my 130s they did not include wiring, so keep that in mind. It was not a big deal for me, I am comfortable with wiring.

    If you need lights on the cheap, check the classifieds on here for a used lightbar, then pickup some pro comps!
     
  17. Jul 10, 2010 at 9:51 PM
    #17
    747

    747 function > form

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    Hella 500 from WallyWorld (or 500FF for off-road)...at $60 a pair, you won't feel bad if something happens to them.
     
  18. Jul 11, 2010 at 7:35 AM
    #18
    larryde09

    larryde09 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the info.

    My friend that helped build my step bars is willing to do it, but now he lives 7 hours away, so that's not in the near future. I'll send you info if I ever get it done.
     

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