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Cost effective Off road lighting

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Taco crazy, Jan 16, 2018.

  1. Jan 16, 2018 at 7:50 AM
    #1
    Taco crazy

    Taco crazy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Chattanooga TN
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    '97 Tacoma std cab V-6
    Locked front and rear, bumpers, sliders, cage etc..33" Cooper STT PRO's. Mild suspension lift.
    Looking for some recommendations on some reasonably priced lights. I have run numerous round Hella's over the years, all incandescent. It currently has a 20" light bar mounted there but I'm just not digging the look. This is a 1st gen Taco, just doesn't seem to fit the style ya know. The Warn solenoid box seen in the pic has been relocated so the whole area above the winch is open.

    Don't want to spend $500 for a pair of lights, nor do I want to deal with HID ballasts that fail under adverse conditions (this truck is wheeled).

    IMG_1905[1].jpg IMG_0541[1].jpg
     
    ChadsPride likes this.
  2. Jan 16, 2018 at 12:02 PM
    #2
    Primo 95

    Primo 95 Well-Known Member

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    San Antonio, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 DCSB 4X4
    265/75/16 S/T Maxx 16X8.5 Level 8 Trackers 5100 1.75 HID, LED interior, 3" N-Fab step bars
    I would go for these, I almost got them, but I got something similar with fish eye lens and I am completely happy...they produce more of a old school KC pencil beam.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-7-140W-...ash=item2a68eb41d0:g:a8YAAOSwttVaMfJJ&vxp=mtr

    Everyone gives this reflector type good reviews, except they are deep, so check your dimensions
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-7-45W-C...ash=item282c5208d5:g:7-gAAOSw~RVaK1lT&vxp=mtr

    The ones I have are these, except I have 120W units
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-7-60W-C...ash=item44024ab11b:g:TrkAAOSwAHtaEm5S&vxp=mtr

    My current setup.
    [​IMG]
     
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    #2
    ChadsPride and Taco crazy[OP] like this.
  3. Jan 16, 2018 at 12:04 PM
    #3
    ManBeast

    ManBeast Well Feared Member

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    Zach
    Orange Park FL
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    I love my opt7 c2 lightbar. 32 inch. Plan to get the 52 inch soon

    Edit. Didnt realize you were looking for bar alternatives.
     
    Taco crazy[OP] likes this.
  4. Jan 16, 2018 at 12:19 PM
    #4
    Taco crazy

    Taco crazy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    '97 Tacoma std cab V-6
    Locked front and rear, bumpers, sliders, cage etc..33" Cooper STT PRO's. Mild suspension lift.
    I would want a flood lens vs spot for off road/woods use so I’ll look for those versions. I appreciate your response and good info.
     
  5. Jan 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM
    #5
    Primo 95

    Primo 95 Well-Known Member

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    265/75/16 S/T Maxx 16X8.5 Level 8 Trackers 5100 1.75 HID, LED interior, 3" N-Fab step bars
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #5
  6. Jan 16, 2018 at 12:52 PM
    #6
    Primo 95

    Primo 95 Well-Known Member

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    San Antonio, TX
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    265/75/16 S/T Maxx 16X8.5 Level 8 Trackers 5100 1.75 HID, LED interior, 3" N-Fab step bars
    Headlights (HID) and 32" light bar
    [​IMG]

    Headlights and 7" LED Spots
    [​IMG]

    Headlights, Light Bar & 7" LED Spots
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jan 16, 2018 at 12:58 PM
    #7
    Jibbs

    Jibbs "When in doubt, throttle out!"

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    Whoooooooshchchch
    Nilight makes a clone of the ARB Intensity I've been looking at getting for my truck once I get the front bumper on.

    They get some flak for being a 'cheap Amazon brand' but I've had ditch lights and theyve been perfect for me, especially if you take some time and clear silicone sealant around the seal.

    These are spot but if you look around you may be able to find a flood.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016XFHPAI/ref=twister_B016XFHPDA?th=1
     
  8. Jan 16, 2018 at 3:58 PM
    #8
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Go Hawks!
  9. Jan 16, 2018 at 4:27 PM
    #9
    Taco crazy

    Taco crazy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    '97 Tacoma std cab V-6
    Locked front and rear, bumpers, sliders, cage etc..33" Cooper STT PRO's. Mild suspension lift.
    It’s had a Hella H-4 conversion for nearly 15 years now. I run hella 80w/100w Hella bulbs as well.
     
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  10. Jan 16, 2018 at 4:55 PM
    #10
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Nice. The Osram Hyper 85/80w or Osram Superbright 90/100w are brighter than the 80/100w Hellas and have longer bulb life. If your not running a stand-alone harness on the high wattage bulbs you are holding back their output potential.

    As for off road light recommendations, it may help to know what beam pattern you are after/what you hope to achieve. Wide and short beam for wide near field Situational awareness, driving beam for better distance illumination with wider coverage than spot, spot for maximum distance in a very small point etc. Each have different purposes and products to fit the needs. One cannot effectively recommend a product for ‘better lighting’ without knowing what needs to be better lit.

    Take a look at this graph from Rigid:
    https://www.carid.com/images/rigid-industries/info/images/rigid101-beam-patterns.jpg
     
  11. Jan 17, 2018 at 4:45 AM
    #11
    Taco crazy

    Taco crazy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    '97 Tacoma std cab V-6
    Locked front and rear, bumpers, sliders, cage etc..33" Cooper STT PRO's. Mild suspension lift.
    Yeah thx for the info. I stated in a response above I was looking for more of a flood beam for off road use, which also works for a decent distance on the road pretty well. Do not want or need a spot beam at all, rather looking for a good middle of the road in the flood/driving beam I’d say. This is a woods truck that is driven back and forth to the trails, not a daily, not a work truck etc. if you’re running the mountain back roads and trails you need extra light.
     
  12. Jan 17, 2018 at 8:33 AM
    #12
    Taco crazy

    Taco crazy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Chattanooga TN
    Vehicle:
    '97 Tacoma std cab V-6
    Locked front and rear, bumpers, sliders, cage etc..33" Cooper STT PRO's. Mild suspension lift.
    Thanks again. To start I've ordered upgraded harnesses and bulbs for both my '97 and '15 Tacos. I'll continue the auxiliary light search for my '97 as well.
     
  13. Jan 17, 2018 at 8:59 PM
    #13
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Which bulbs did you go with?

    As far as off road lighting that looks good on that generation truck, I would look at the KC G34 LED lights.
    http://www.kchilites.com/light-type/led/gravity-led/gravity-led-g34-pair-pack-light-system.html

    Kinda depends on what you mean by cost effective though. These lights have an excellent color of 5000k which is among the lowest (best) of LEDs and the reflector design is more efficient than forward facing LEDs while also looking more generation appropriate, plus they have higher than average lumen output and a good waterproof rating of IP86 which is better than Morimoto LEDs, while coming with a 23yr warranty. For Off Road use in flood, I'd look at the wide beam pattern (which should not be run on the street), though they are also available in street SAE fog and driving patterns. I've found them for much less than list, if interested PM me.
     
  14. Jan 18, 2018 at 4:14 AM
    #14
    Taco crazy

    Taco crazy [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Male
    Chattanooga TN
    Vehicle:
    '97 Tacoma std cab V-6
    Locked front and rear, bumpers, sliders, cage etc..33" Cooper STT PRO's. Mild suspension lift.
    Went with the 90/100 Osram bulbs you recommended.
     

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