Few questions about putting lights on a '89 ranger...

[Daven]

I am thinking about putting some lights on my truck mainly for looks, but also for offroad purposes. My trucks basically stock all around except for a body lift and 235/75/R15 tires. I will be putting on 31's after these wear.

I am thinking the only place i could mount them, would be the front grill area right? I find the lamp holders on the roof look ridiculous like a improvise for not having a roll bar . So i was wondering what you guys think looks best on a truck my style? I'm going for the hardcore offroad look. So basically i wanna know...

1. Where are my options for mounting?
2. How will i mount them/what will i use?
3. What lights should i get?
4. How many?

I will basically just be wanting them for the odd "dark" trip, and would like to be able to use when it is foggy/blizzardy. From what i understand, there are basically "fog lights" and "driving lights" to choose from, both a different way of lighting. I would more use the driving light setup to be able to see farther and generally more, but would this work bad with heavy fog and/or blowing snow? I am basically going off the fact that u dont use highbeams in fog and from what i understand, driving lights are kinda the same thing.

What do you guys think? Any info, tips, ideas, pictures of what you've done or seen, ANYTHING, is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Doofy]

Fog lights should be mounted as low as possible. Driving lights...at any height. From personal experience, I prefer bumper mounting. I don't like the glare of roof mounts. Could just be my old eyes.

 

[02RangerXLT]

I have two 55w KC Spot Lights that shine further than my brights mounted at about bumper height (now, they were at tow hook or license plate height).

Stock Lights:

Stock lights with KC's:

I really like them, they work quite well...

 

[Boggin]

i have (2) 8" 100w lights mounted on my cowl, i love em

 

[RavoHimself]

hey 02rangerxlt. are those kc's "long range" ones or the driving lamps?

 

[02RangerXLT]

hey 02rangerxlt. are those kc's "long range" ones or the driving lamps?

They are the "long range" lights...

Specifically KC Apollo Series 5" Lights... See Link: http://www.jcwhitney.com/apollo-5-inch-55-watt-round-lights/p2021953.jcwx?filterid=j1

About 90 bucks a pair, not bad IMO for KC's. Heck, JC Whitney has a free shipping coupon at the top of their page right now...

This is the specific link to the long range ones: http://www.jcwhitney.com/apollo-5-inch-55-watt-round-lights/p2021953.jcwx?skuId=574936&filterid=j1

 

[Daven]

Ok thanks. Another thing i forgot to ask about... How easy is this to setup and mount? What gets done with the wires? Will light take much power? I am wondering because i also have a stereo in my truck and wouldnt want to over-do the power load because im running amps, lights. Lol, do you think i would need to upgrade anything power-wise?

Right now i just have a single 12" Kicker CVR ran by a Alpine V-Power amp (Both 400/800 RMS/Peak) and i'm currently only using 8-gauge wiring. But i want to get new speakers and another amp to power those. And i would like to eventually upgrade to one of those new type R thin subs they have out (600/1800 RMS/Peak) and an amp with the same power. What i'm wondering is, will i need to do something crazy like mount another battery or something? Maybe a alternator upgrade would be nessisary, or would i be good?

 

[Boggin]

you will be good

 

[02RangerXLT]

Ok thanks. Another thing i forgot to ask about... How easy is this to setup and mount? What gets done with the wires? Will light take much power? I am wondering because i also have a stereo in my truck and wouldnt want to over-do the power load because im running amps, lights. Lol, do you think i would need to upgrade anything power-wise?

You should be fine. The lights that I have are only 55w's... I suppose that if you wind up going to like 4 130w lights you may have some issues but otherwise you should be fine.

Whatever you decide to go with for lights, make sure you use a relay.

The lights are quite easy to mount, I just had some brackets made up, and used the existing tow hook bolts. Wiring was also easy, took and wire loomed everything so it was protected and it looked clean too...

 

[Daven]

You should be fine. The lights that I have are only 55w's... I suppose that if you wind up going to like 4 130w lights you may have some issues but otherwise you should be fine.

Whatever you decide to go with for lights, make sure you use a relay.

The lights are quite easy to mount, I just had some brackets made up, and used the existing tow hook bolts. Wiring was also easy, took and wire loomed everything so it was protected and it looked clean too...

Ok thanks, i just wasnt completely sure it would be fine. Right now i am just weighing my options on what to do first. I will be getting 31" tires first for sur, then most likely do the gears. In the end i want my truck to be all out crazy lol . 8" Skyjacker lift, i have a smaller body lift on now, bush gard with fog lamps and then roll bar with the 4 driving lights. That kinda thing. So if i do get a rollbar and those lights as well, i will need to get another battery setup or a better alternator?