Light suggestions

[LilDirty91Xlt]

I second upgrading stock bulbs, I noticed a huge difference with GE Nighthawk Platinum's installed. Helped with distance, but more noticeably the peripherals (where the deer is hiding before you hit it). I also have aftermarket fog lights that operate with my high beams, but they are angled away from center, once again to light up either side of the highway.

 

[straycat]

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.

Amazon and Ebay have the upgrade kits. Easy to install if you can follow instructions. Just search your year Ranger and check them out.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Or, when in doubt, just duct tape them.

 

[Surrey]

Dont they sell products designed to deter wildlife? Stuff like whistles that just stick onto your bumper? It seems looking for a product that will reduce the chance of a deer being in your way to begin with would be a good place to start??

One thing you might be interested in is a Brite Box. It makes your low beams stay on when you turn on your highs.

http://www.innovadd.com/bb.main.html

edit - Jim sells 'em too.

http://www.jamesoaksenterprises.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=43_261

 

[johnday]

Finally got time to get back to this. Just what are you guys talking about when you mention "converting/upgrading"? Just the bulbs, or the whole assembly? I'm likely wrong, but I thought the reflector was the determining factor as to how the light is focused. I'd really like to be able to just change out the foglights to driving lights, but still, I'm open for all/any suggestions.
I hate to do it, but a bullbar almost looks like the best solution, and a good pair of lights.
Now the headlights themselves, a bulb upgrade certainly wouldn't hurt, or cost an arm or leg.

 

[Haywire6000]

I personally would go with a good set of aftermarket Fogs/Driving lights.( Which I did) As for state law, I know in Maine you can run any lights on road as long as you cant see any other vehicles(Actual law) basically the same laws as high beams.

 

[Haywire6000]

And I don't mind you semi-hijacking my old thread. It was only a discussion thread anyway.

 

[johnday]

I personally would go with a good set of aftermarket Fogs/Driving lights.( Which I did) As for state law, I know in Maine you can run any lights on road as long as you cant see any other vehicles(Actual law) basically the same laws as high beams.

That's what I always thought it was here as well. But some will run their highbeams until you tell them to turn them down. Sometimes I wish I was a cop!! LOL

And I don't mind you semi-hijacking my old thread. It was only a discussion thread anyway.

You've got the same outlook as myself. I like foroums where guys can add their ideas and thoughts like you're face to face. Sometimes though, it isn't like that.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Most vehicles with fogs, the fogs shine out more which is a good bandaid when you are stuck with low beam.

I haven't driven a vehicle with composite headlights that are not pitted that don't reach out far enough on high beam to pick up a deer in time.

Most of my close calls are when I am meeting a car or have just met a car and I am dealing with the oncoming lights and I am on lowbeam and can't see the deer until I am right up on him.

I have a set of Hella 500FF's mounted on my Westin Grille guard that do extend the range of my highbeams, I do not run them unless there is nobody else in sight and I am on a gravel road though. I absolutly HATE meeting people with overbright lights and don't want to do that to others.

Now my sealed beams on my Ranger... with the highbeams on I missed my street last night because I didn't see the streetsign until it went past. They pretty much just shine straight ahead and not really far ahead either, maybe a little better than two maglights duct taped on the hood...

We don't have bear or elk but I think we would give about anybody else a run for their money on deer. The dealer my brother works at had a year old F-150 come in that took on a full grown black angus bull in fog... didn't know it was there until the impact.

 

[johnday]

Well, just ordered the GE Platinums, and the Brite Box from JamesOaks. We shall see, yes, a pun.
I'll try these out. They seem to be the best option for me since I want to keep the look of my truck.
Now, how about the foglight upgrades, that was mentioned earlier, but no details were given.

 

[Surrey]

Is it possible for you to change your headlights into HIDs?
Thats illegal in Canada, but I think you can do it in the states??

 

[johnday]

Is it possible for you to change your headlights into HIDs?
Thats illegal in Canada, but I think you can do it in the states??

A lot of guys do it, but legal, I don't know. What is irritating are the ones that seem to think it's cool to blind oncoming drivers with a very poor headlight alignment.
That may be another option if what I'm doing isn't enough for me.
I also saw some LED foglight upgrades on jamesoaks.com website. There was a nice set with smoked lens, but none of them appeared to be for an '04-'07. Does anyone know what the difference would be?

 

[jobar]

I just used the license plate holes on my front bumper. I mounted a set of airplane landing lights there. I ONLY use them when I am the only person on the road! But its a really clean look. I upgraded to a safari bar last week. Looks good, very sturdy, and gave me two extra tabs for mounting lights.

 

[4.0B2]

rigids or bust...

 

[johnday]

I just used the license plate holes on my front bumper. I mounted a set of airplane landing lights there. I ONLY use them when I am the only person on the road! But its a really clean look. I upgraded to a safari bar last week. Looks good, very sturdy, and gave me two extra tabs for mounting lights.

Now that is an excellent idea! Did you enlarge the holes any?