Light suggestions

[johnday]

I started this thread because I didn't want to hijack anymore than I did in Haywires thread.
I'm wanting to install some driving lights on my Ranger. I live in deer country, and drive in the dark daily, 35 miles one way to work. Luckily, the deer I have hit, haven't done any damage, but sooner or later, I know I'm going to whack one that will.
MastuhWaffles, suggested mounting some on the bumper in front of the grille. That would be the easiest and quickest way by far, and I may wind up doing it like that.
I've seen where some have mounted them behind the grille, but I think that might limit the usefulness.
My own thought is to mount some in the hole in the valence, but I haven't found a bracket that might work, plus I'd likely be limited to rectangular ones, which would be fine.
Yes, I know, driving lights should be mounted as high as possible, but I've tried to keep things clean and simple on this truck, and mounting them on the roof, or even a rollbar type thing, is totally out of the question.
A bullbar would work, but then I'm concerned it would maybe look tacky on mine, it's a pavement queen, but does see it's share of logging roads.
I know there's a lot of ideas to be had from you guys, so let's hear them, along with opinions on what I've come up with.

 

[kryptonitecb]

As far as brackets go you can always make one. I have for numerous things. Just get some sheet metal and aluminum angle and hack one together.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[Lil-Pony]

how about this?

 

[johnday]

how about this?

Oh dopey me!! I hadn't considered LEDs, Ya, I think that bears a further look.

 

[straycat]

I started this thread because I didn't want to hijack anymore than I did in Haywires thread.
I'm wanting to install some driving lights on my Ranger. I live in deer country, and drive in the dark daily, 35 miles one way to work. Luckily, the deer I have hit, haven't done any damage, but sooner or later, I know I'm going to whack one that will.
MastuhWaffles, suggested mounting some on the bumper in front of the grille. That would be the easiest and quickest way by far, and I may wind up doing it like that.
I've seen where some have mounted them behind the grille, but I think that might limit the usefulness.
My own thought is to mount some in the hole in the valence, but I haven't found a bracket that might work, plus I'd likely be limited to rectangular ones, which would be fine.
Yes, I know, driving lights should be mounted as high as possible, but I've tried to keep things clean and simple on this truck, and mounting them on the roof, or even a rollbar type thing, is totally out of the question.
A bullbar would work, but then I'm concerned it would maybe look tacky on mine, it's a pavement queen, but does see it's share of logging roads.
I know there's a lot of ideas to be had from you guys, so let's hear them, along with opinions on what I've come up with.

Just use your high beams if you can. Running bright off-road lights in the on position on the highway is against the law in almost every state. Fog/driving lights will not help to deter animals (just make it better to see the road for you). We have a lot of dark roads here and we live in the woods. The animals move out of the way when they hear us coming or see our lights. Some of my friends use those alarms that the animals hear that they mount on their vehicles. An animal that is running across the highway is not going to see you anyway…they most likely are being chased by another animal.

 

[johnday]

As far as brackets go you can always make one. I have for numerous things. Just get some sheet metal and aluminum angle and hack one together.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

That is entirely possible, I have access to just about anything I need to do that

 

[Lil-Pony]

something like this but cheaper.
http://www.rigidindustries.com/6-E-Series-LED-Light-Bar-Diffused-p/10651.htm

 

[Lil-Pony]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-72w-spot-flood-combo-LED-ALLOY-work-LIGHT-BAR-4WD-boat-UTE-driving-ATV-lamp-/300939505373?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4611646edd&vxp=mtr

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Besides mounting it on the bumper, you can also get a light bar, there fairly inexpensive, and are pretty easy to install and hold up to 4 lights.

http://www.carid.com/2004-ford-ranger-off-road-lights/westin-off-road-light-bar-866027.html

 

[johnday]

Just use your high beams if you can. Running bright off-road lights in the on position on the highway is against the law in almost every state. Fog/driving lights will not help to deter animals (just make it better to see the road for you). We have a lot of dark roads here and we live in the woods. The animals move out of the way when they hear us coming or see our lights. Some of my friends use those alarms that the animals hear that they mount on their vehicles. An animal that is running across the highway is not going to see you anyway…they most likely are being chased by another animal.

Up here, a lot of our trucks that more or less run nothing but Michigan and Ontario, have a few aux lights installed on moose bars. I won't say they are legal, but I've never heard of any problems from the cops and DOT. Maybe I'm in one of the areas they're legal. Most times the deer will get out of your way, but the fresh splats I see daily, make me want to do something as far as seeing them. I've found if you run your tires on the wakeup strip, or let rip with the airhorn, they mostly move. The alarms don't work, at least in my experience. I've nailed many a deer, and one elk with those installed, hey, maybe they were on backwards and were calling them instead!LOL

Ya, I agree, the key is seeing them, but a lot of times your highbeams don't pick them up until you're just about on them. Never mind a bear, unless you shine right in his eyes, you won't see him. There's just something about a black fur coat that becomes invisible in the dark, even if your lights are right on him.

In the big truck, I don't worry as much as in the little, a good whack can total a 4 wheeler, and I like my little Ranger.

 

[Lil-Pony]

ohh your looking for distance, take a look at this

 

[straycat]

Up here, a lot of our trucks that more or less run nothing but Michigan and Ontario, have a few aux lights installed on moose bars. I won't say they are legal, but I've never heard of any problems from the cops and DOT. Maybe I'm in one of the areas they're legal. Most times the deer will get out of your way, but the fresh splats I see daily, make me want to do something as far as seeing them. I've found if you run your tires on the wakeup strip, or let rip with the airhorn, they mostly move. The alarms don't work, at least in my experience. I've nailed many a deer, and one elk with those installed, hey, maybe they were on backwards and were calling them instead!LOL

Ya, I agree, the key is seeing them, but a lot of times your highbeams don't pick them up until you're just about on them. Never mind a bear, unless you shine right in his eyes, you won't see him. There's just something about a black fur coat that becomes invisible in the dark, even if your lights are right on him.

In the big truck, I don't worry as much as in the little, a good whack can total a 4 wheeler, and I like my little Ranger.

Installed backwards....lol!!! Well, one thing...you have fog lights already installed in your lower valance. Upgrade the fog lights to LEDs and your headlights as well. Much brighter and legal as well. You can see better when it is pitch dark.

 

[johnday]

ohh your looking for distance, take a look at this

Distance, oh yeah! I should maybe have been a bit clearer, no pun intended. LOL
I took a look at those lights you gave links to. Very nice. But wow, are they costly. I especially liked the combination flood/spots. They are definitely an option, and look like they'd be pretty easy to install.

 

[johnday]

Besides mounting it on the bumper, you can also get a light bar, there fairly inexpensive, and are pretty easy to install and hold up to 4 lights.
View attachment 11257
http://www.carid.com/2004-ford-ranger-off-road-lights/westin-off-road-light-bar-866027.html

I came within inches of ordering one of the Westin light bars in black, but thought I'd wait to see what else came up. Some of the info I read was a bit conflicting. First I read it was a no drill installation, but it said the airdam needed to be trimmed. I think I'll call them and find out for sure

 

[johnday]

Installed backwards....lol!!! Well, one thing...you have fog lights already installed in your lower valance. Upgrade the fog lights to LEDs and your headlights as well. Much brighter and legal as well. You can see better when it is pitch dark.

That was the very first thought I had. On another foroum I asked about upgrading, but never got any replies. My searches really haven't turned up anything either. What all would the upgrade require? A total replacement? No big deal if that's what is needed. Do you have any links to an upgrade like that? That would keep the clean theme I've got as well. I rarely use the fogs as it is, I think they're just about useless except for the looks. But I'm all for just changing out the whole thing, I could even use the light switch already in the dash as well.