The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review

Thanks crash for the explanation on the spec!

They do look good in a stock bumper but I have a CBI Moab 2.0. When I reached out to Rago they said they don’t make any fill plates compatible with aftermarket bumpers. Plus the stock opening is a tad over 4" in diameter so I doubt the OEM bumper Rago plates would fit in my 4" cutouts.

I could probably make them work but I hate to spend $70 on a mount just to chop it up and rework it substantially. At that point I’d rather just make my own. On the other hand the 4" round lights will bolt straight into my bumper with the factory rigid mount and no adapters. So I'd spend some extra on the lights but save on the mounts making it more or less a wash in my situation.

 

Finally finalized my Rigid Selective Yellow install using Rago mounts.



I like the recessed mount on the 12-15s, looks very clean for a traditional pod.



Here is Rago’s install video:
https://youtu.be/T67hhWIsIw0

One of the problems with recessed mounts is very limited adjustability, since the small opening prevents much pivot of the light assembly. The mounts have a bit of play in how they fit, meaning if you drill and bolt them in before checking your pattern, it is very likely you may not be able to align the beam correctly. So I installed mine with the lights powered on. Even then, I couldn’t get the beam pattern correct.

I then made the mounting holes in the bumper slightly oversized, allowing for some play and small aiming adjustment in the mount assembly depending on how it was seated. I then used larger washers on the backside to secure it in place and tossed the included nylon lock nuts and replaced them with lock washers on the back of the larger washer, followed by the Rago supplied supplied washer and a 3/8-16 x 1-1/2” hex bolt to thread onto the Rago supplied bolt. This makes it easier to loosen/adjust/service compared to the nylon locknut, and in my experience nylon lock nuts have a tenancy to seize over time, so I prefer locking washers.

If you don’t, I highly recommend keeping boxes of washers and hardware packs on hand to make these kinds of projects so much easier.



With the oversized mounting holes, backed by larger washers, and using locking washers instead of nylon lock nuts, I was easily able to align my fog beam pattern before tightening everything down in place.



The truck is angled up in this photo with only the backend out of the garage making the pattern appear high, but it fills in nicely below the headlights.

Looking forward to testing these out on the street, and not too far behind looking to add the Baja SAE fogs and secondary aux fogs in the lower valence that I can control independently.

 

The fit looks awesome. Cant wait for the addition of the Bajas. Looks almost like it came from factory with them.

 

All remaining parts ordered and due in this week for the Baja install. Will try it out this weekend and share the results.

 

Has anyone tried the Rigid 46540 4Runner mount like in the thread below? I know it fits (12-15 factory bumper to clarify), just curious if it has more adjustment than the Rago mount

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ctory-fog-for-2012-2015.499573/#post-15532298

https://www.rigidindustries.com/2014-2017-toyota-4-runner-fog-mount-46540.html

Still trying to figure out if I'm going with the square peg in a round hole route, or holding off for the new round Rigids...

 

It is nice how that setup utilizes the factory plastic bezel. The question is, is the light adjustable? Adjustability and aiming is critical for fogs, unlike a flood pattern. It looks like the pod face bolts directly to the plate in the instructions, which makes me think it is not, however the rear pod mount looks slotted rather than fixed, which would make it appear that it is... hmm.

 

Yea, I feel like it may be adjustable to an extent because of the amount of movement the mounting brackets appear to have w/ the slots.

But, there may just be some gaps between the round metal face and the back of the factory black plastic facia since it isn't technically connected (just pressed up against it).

Edit: after closer inspection on the 4Runner at least, it looks like that plate gets wedged between the bumper cover or something. Hmmmm

 

Going to need help on this one. My girl gifted me a Go Rhino rc2 lr bull bar but without the lights I really don't need lights but the holes are there so wanted to go with the OFFROADTOWN but I need to know what kind of harness or brackets I need. I have no experience on this so asking the gurus.

 

How do you want to hook them up? Do you want them to come on with your fogs so you don’t need to wire a custom switch?

 

Rago fog mounts seem to be the only mounts for a 2nd gen right?

 

For Rigid pods, yes. For other standard pods CaliRaised mounts are available. The difference is Rigid pods use a low/bottom mounting point to secure the pod, vs the common standard is a center mount point. Ragos (12-15) will also fit standard center mount pods as well, which I believe is new since the first time I bought them. I haven’t verified that on other Rago mounts. Bajas also utilize a proprietary mount as well requiring Baja specific mounts, which are also available for the 2nd Gen.

 

Rigid makes a mount as well. It is a pain in the ass to install and you can't aim them. The Rago allows more adjustment, not a lot, but enough.

 

Thanks for the info guys, recently ordered KC G4 ambers but now I’m thinking about going with the Rigids and buying the Rago mounts.

 

I love my KC G4 ambers.

 

The KC ambers have awesome color and clean plug and play factor, but the Rigid selective yellows are massively brighter. The selective yellow color illuminates objects better than amber as well. However the Rago mounts are a bit finicky, the solution is not as clean as the direct plug and play KCs.

 

I've got the KC's and love them. But based on your testing of the Rigid pods, I'm considering mounting a set in the lower grill opening. Any thoughts?

 

Your KCs are the white version, correct? Those have great output and color temp and I’d still highly recommend those for people looking for a white fog.

I’m actually currently experimenting with getting some additional fogs in the lower grill. First go was not successful but I’ve got some other ideas to try out.

 

Just got the oem led fogs, is there a factory back panel I may be missing when I tossed out my old oem fogs when I switched to the caliraised pods and brackets? Tried to install the new ones but I think I'm missing a plastic back mount that holds the fog to the bezel?

 

Yes, mine are the white / clear versions. That's kind of why I was thinking of adding the selective yellow fogs. For those times when white just isn't good enough.

 

I changed out my BD amber wider cornering with the BD amber SAE’s about a week ago. I am loving them. I was really concerned that I didn’t want to blind anyone so I had my wife drive the truck up and down the street so I could see first hand how they look. I aimed them very well, parking 25’ from the garage door. IMHO, there is no more glare than the OEM low beams. I drove 300 miles last night on mostly two lanes and didn’t get flashed once, and even met a few cops along the way. I bought the Rigids as well, just in case the BD’s didn’t work out. So I may be selling the Rigids soon for a little cheaper than I bought them. I did take some night shots, but the pics with the phone does not represent how they actually look, it may be a setting or something. I just wanted to give my little review of them.