Aux Reverse Light Choices

I have a 5th gen 4Runner with the 5000K OEM LED headlights and I'm looking for more light when I back up. I have considered the HIR upgrade, but from the research I've done, the reflector on this generation 4Runner is small and not particularly performant, so my time and money are better spent on aux reverse lights.

Threshold requirements for the lights are:

• flood pattern
• minimum 1300 measured lumens per light
• made by a reputable company
• capable of being mounted below the bumper, then converted to flush mount once I work up the nerve to cut holes in my wife's brand new daily driver

Objective requirements are:

• 5000K color temperature to match the headlights

I am planning on installing the lights as a pair, I have eliminated hitch mount lights from consideration as I would like to retain the use of my hitch.

I am not opposed to spending the money to get something quality, but I want to make sure I get my moneys worth. I have a pair of flush mounted 6000K SSC2 Sports on my Forester, and while they are quite bright, they are the lowest performing flood light DD makes while not being the cheapest, so I'd like to avoid making that mistake again.

I have narrowed down my choices to KC's Flex Era 1, Baja's S1 and S2 Pro, but I am open to other lights that fit my requirements.

Please let me know if I've made incorrect assumptions, missed any lights that I should be considering, and please help me decide which of the three (or more) lights would be best.

 

i would go DD SSC2 pro. but how much light do you need? lol. i run SSC2 sports in a few cars for backup lights and they are stupid bright.

 

The SSC2 Pros seem great, I just wish I could get them in a color that matches my headlights. The SSC2 Sports I have on the Forester are pretty good, but I find that what I see in my mirror is just barely bright enough. And the Forester is a fishbowl and the 4Runner is tinted, so I expect I'll want more light than they provide.

 

I'll just sharer what I did for reverse lighting on my 2021 T4R. I used a pair of Baja Designs S2 Sports with a combo pattern so I have both distance and width. I'm very happy with the results. I used an existing set of holes under the rear bumper and hard wired them into my reverse light circuit. I think you'll find that even their single LED offering offers more than adequate lighting. I'd also highly suggest Diode Dynamics SSC1 or SSC1 pods. And as always, buy them from Colton at Hotshot Offroad!

 

I know it may not meet all your needs for color temp and possibly for output, but i would at least give the hir bulbs a chance. I spend alot of time offroad at night and i really havent found a need for more reverse lighting than the hir bulbs. For how cheap they are its worth trying in my opinion. I can help you mod the bulb/socket since we live close by.

 

Do you think you'd overdrive a work/scene pattern in reverse? I have no experience with BD's beam patterns.

That's fair. I think Tacomas have much better reflectors, but agreed on them being worth trying. And if they turn out to be enough in the reflectors, I may drop the color temp requirement, or try a bulb from VLEDs.

I'd definitely take you up on that.

 

Hey @Yossarian, For the price that S1 lights come in at I would always recommend these for the best bang for your buck light that still performs great. All of our products are backed with our lifetime warranty and uSerivce capability so when you are ready to make some changes all you need to do is give us a call for those flush mount bezels. For a reverse option, the wide corner lens pattern is one of the best-performing lens patterns. If you would like to get any lights from Baja Designs on order I am always happy to give form members a special. Here is a photo of what you can expect with just a single S1 light. Feel free to email me directly if you have any questions at brandonk@bajadesigns.com.
Best,
Brandon

 

Would you recommend it over a work/scene pattern for a bumper or below bumper mounted reverse light? That all sounds great though, I appreciate it.

 

I would recommend the wide corner over the work scene because the work scene will only project about 50ft from the light. The wide corner will give you more than double the distance and have a more focused beam pattern. If you do decide that you would rather have a work scene lens over the wide corner you can always purchase replacement lenses and switch them out after purchasing.
Best,
Brandon

 

Here's what they look like in my driveway. As you can see beside the garage, there's plenty of light to work with. I doubt it would be possible to over drive these.

 

Will it be wide enough for good situational awareness?

Oh dang that's awesome.

Does anyone know how the S1s or S2 Pros compare to the KC Flex Era 1s?

 

another vote for BDS1

 

With one or two of the S1 wide cornering lights mounted you will have adequate lighting width for anything.
Best,
Brandon

 

Morimoto Mod Pods dual intensity. Having them wired to light up on the dimmer setting when truck in reverse. The high intensity lighg mode comes on with a seperate switch so i can turn them on whenever i choose

 

I installed DD . Cut them into the bumper

 

Diode Dynamics SSC2 pro flood pattern with red backlight