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Lights suitable for every day use?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by xxaarraa, Jan 12, 2012.

  1. Jan 12, 2012 at 7:10 AM
    #1
    xxaarraa

    xxaarraa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hi Folks,

    I am getting an EE light bar to go behind my Satoshi. I need some help choosing the right kind of lights to get. I know HIDs such as Kragens are popular, but I would prefer something that I could use everyday, in conjunction with the low beams.

    Are there any options for decent light output, while still keeping it legal for around town and highway use? All my searches only turned up "offroad use only" lights.
     
  2. Jan 12, 2012 at 7:28 AM
    #2
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Lights mounted that high up are kind of high to be used in conjuntion with the low beams (typically you run fog lights with low beams and they should be low to the ground and have a wide, short beam pattern). Have you considered a driving light that would suppliment the high beams? Typically they are mounted higher up and have a long, narrow beam.
     
  3. Jan 12, 2012 at 9:31 PM
    #3
    VanCity4x

    VanCity4x Well-Known Member

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  4. Jan 13, 2012 at 5:34 AM
    #4
    xxaarraa

    xxaarraa [OP] Well-Known Member

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  5. Jan 13, 2012 at 5:46 AM
    #5
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    I think you might find that using lights like that will get you a ticket in most places. Many of those places require Auxiliary lights to be covered unless you are off road and have a very limited number of times (if at all) that you can energize those lights on road.
     
  6. Jan 13, 2012 at 5:50 AM
    #6
    TacoFMS

    TacoFMS Bubble bubble bubble pop

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    One or two things modded... Check out the build thread

    why do you say PIAA's dont last long? Ive been running the same set for around 4 years now and no problems whatsoever. I use them every morning on my drive to work, back roads and about 4am so i rarely see another car and when i do i turn them off long before i get to them. but i couldnt be happier with my PIAA's have some 540's and 520 atp's. 4 years seems pretty good to me????
     
  7. Jan 13, 2012 at 5:19 PM
    #7
    VanCity4x

    VanCity4x Well-Known Member

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    Its not every set, ive just seen a lot of them break, get leaks and get damaged after a short amount of time. A lot of reviews talk about the quality on Hella being better, even tho piaa's can be good.

    Lightforce's are the best. They use a high grade glass that dosent scratch or break. Theres a video of it being hit with a 12 guage and not breaking.
     
  8. Jan 13, 2012 at 5:29 PM
    #8
    anethema

    anethema Well-Known Member

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    Lightforces use plastic covers, plasic lights, lenses, everything.

    In that same video he bounces the light around like a basketball.

    Those covers are damn tough though. I've had a lot of big rocks on the highway hit them, no problems.

    Plus you can focus them!

    They are no good for the road though, they don't have a lower shield to cut the high beam off so they will blind people. As will every light that isn't a low/high beam basically.
     
  9. Jan 14, 2012 at 4:10 AM
    #9
    xxaarraa

    xxaarraa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So if we run the lights behind the Satoshi (which is what I am intending to do), do we still need to run them with the protective covers on? I would think no, but thoughts?
     
  10. Jan 14, 2012 at 4:24 AM
    #10
    ANGUS

    ANGUS Well-Known Member

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    I don't know the laws where you are from but in wv you can run up to 2 55w fog lights in conjunction with your low beams and must be at the same height or lower. I don't think light projection matters here. But I understand being courtious to other drivers
     
  11. Jan 14, 2012 at 9:26 AM
    #11
    anethema

    anethema Well-Known Member

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    If you blind other drivers you will get pulled over eventually, legal fog lights or not. Here the ticket is 'failure to diminish lights' or something similar. Basically didn't shut off your brights and are blinding motorists.

    You don't need covers if they are behind your satoshi, just don't use them on the road. Off-road use only.
     

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