"Ditch Lights" Look Stupid bc I'm Dumb

Super self-critical post here... but I'm hoping I can spare ppl the money and disappointment.

To start off, all the products I mention in this post exceeded my expectations but do not complement each other in this specific combination.

I was looking for a way to add some auxiliary lighting to my tacoma for the few times each year where I hop a curb in the nighttime (and mostly because I like spending money on my truck). So obviously I began doing research and found that one of the least intrusive ways to add lighting to your truck is by adding "Ditch Light" brackets on the hood hinge assembly.

So I bought some Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Pods in a combo pattern (incredible lights for the money btw) and relentless fab brackets. My problem comes as seen in the picture below where the lights seem to be too far in towards the center of the truck and sort of canted in either direction.

The easy fix for this is to use the bracket for its intended purpose and direct the lights towards the sides for a true "Ditch Light" setup. Well this is where problem 2 comes in. Now, the lights which I wanted to face forwards are facing to the side and illuminate an area I previously did not want illuminated, and the area I was previously illuminating is lacking the aux lights.

Now i'd like to reach out to the community to help me out, because I've definitely seen some tacomas that have pods in the same locations as I do and they do not seem to be at an angle like mine and much further out from the center. Is this just by design for the RF brackets? I understand their intended purpose, but is there a way to make them level to be used in this configuration? Any help would be appreciated, and if I need to clarify anything please let me know because I can't write without rambling!

 

Take a look into the Cali Raised side projecting Ditch Lights. They can be aimed more forward and because of the side LED’s will light up a lot of area.

 

Did you put the brackets on the wrong sides?

 

My problem isn't really with the lights themselves, it just seems like the brackets I have installed lean towards the outside of the truck when mounted forwards so I was looking to see if there was any way to straighten them up.

And I wish you hadn't of said that because I really need to finish paying off this truck and they are almost in my shopping cart now lol

 

That really made me question my life, but there is no way to mount them any other way bc of how the bracket is designed.

 

That’s the way they’re supposed to be installed. Ouch. I recently just ordered the Cali raised low profile and this makes me glad I went with the choice. The good news is all you had to switch out is the mounting brackets which takes only a few minutes and cost 55 bucks on Amazon

 

It's the relentless brackets, i have a set on the shelf just for that reason...

Went with the sdhq offering, life is better.

 

Ok now I'm questioning my entire existence. The way I installed them seems to be opposite of the picture. But looking at the product page it seems to be the right way? I just think that I goofed and bought a highly-specialized part for an application that it isn't for.

 

Shoot... My girlfriend bought me them for valentines day and wont be happy that she spent $70 for nothing

 

Do you have any pictures of your lights mounted?

 

For reference, this is how mine sit now...

 

I think your lighting setup is worth more than my truck lol

 

Don't tell her and gift those to a friend lol

 

I took a risk and ordered a cheap set off Amazon and they fit way better than those ones - much more outside towards the a-pillars.

$23 LED Light Pod Metal Hood Mount Bracket Kit/Ditch Hood Light Brackets Compatible with 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma - Black.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HXS8QBP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

 

It's embarrassing how much money is tied up in those things....

 

but it looks sick so who cares. I just wish you could get the look without spending so much money. The quality difference is just outstanding and I don’t know how there isn’t a mid-range option that isn’t complete garbage.

 

Yeah, I have a few cheap ones on the shelf.. it truly is a night and day difference. The relentless brackets were my first mistake also... so don't feel bad.

 

Are you happy with your DD pods? I think they’re the company I’m gonna stick with for my lighting for now but I just wanted to make sure I’m not getting myself into a money pit

 

Yeah they are all good. I have a mix of DD and BD because I was ocd about the fog light lenses all matching...lol

 

I literally flipped a coin when deciding between the two, but I’m also super impressed with how bright the DD are even at the sport level.