Ditch Lights

Ended up ordering a set of S1's from @Baja Designs yesterday. Hoping they get here in time!

 

You won't be disappointed! The S1 is super impressive

 

Had to have them. Perfect for my graveyard shifts...

 

sub'd

 

I went with the Rago Low Pro Ditch Light Brackets. The photo from Melissa is confusing because it shows the non-low profile bracket (with the "R" logo).

The Low Pro are very low profile and clean, without the "R" logo. They are also stainless steel, have a slotted mount (for out-of-view positioning of the light bracket), and handy zip tie slots for a tidy installation. Well worth the added cost IMO compared to the competitors.

Top view:

 

Is anyone using hood struts with the ditch lights? Does the higher opening of the hood cause any problems hitting the windshield?

 

I think that would depend on what lights you're running and on which bracket

 

Good point. I was planning on using the CaliRaised low profile bracket and BD Squadron sport

 

You're not going to have a ton of extra room with that particular combo, Squadrons are long in the back. Here's some pics of the clearance with the stock hood open position:

 

Thank you for that. I may have to look for short ditch lights or a different bracket that snakes over the top of the hood so that the lights are bit more forward. Those pictures are really a big help.

 

What hood struts are you planning on going with? The manufacturer should be able to tell you how much higher than stock they lift. Assuming you already have the ditch lights installed, go out to your truck, put the hood on the prop rod and then lift the hood the additional amount that the struts will lift... see if they clear.

 

The other thing I will say is that if you're using these as proper ditch lights rather than trying to use them as driving lights, the squadrons are probably overkill. Mine are pros, but I'm planning to move them down into the bumper when my new one arrives. There's loads of glare even with them angled out 45 degrees or so, I'm planning to switch to an S1 or S2 for more near-field lighting. That setup would most likely clear new hood struts with no problem. A more outboard bracket would help with glare and clearance as well.

 

I'm torn between the spiker engineering or the redline.

 

Spiker hood struts allow you to choose whatever hood height you want, between stock and up to 8" higher. So you can use the same kit for any height (as opposed to having to buy different kits for different heights) - just set up your ditch lights, raise the hood to just below where the ditch lights contact the windshield, and set up the struts to that height.

Here is an install we did just last week for a customer - his ditch lights limited the height to 4" above stock, so that's where we set it at:

 

Spiker engineering it is

 

Rigids out on the trail