off road lights and locations

[4.0B2]

what lights do yall prefer where for offroading at night?

i have hella spot's on my bumper, but i think floods would be better off.

do you prefer floods on the bumper and spots on the roof? would that work better. i'm thinking of putting 2 floods up front, and 2 floods and 2 spots on the roof rack when i mount it.

 

[RavoHimself]

i would say no roof cuz the hood will cause shadows. put them on the bumper somewhere. either floods or fogs will work good

 

[Heavyfire14]

or put four floods on da bumper an two more floods on the roof facing outwards. or just none on the roof.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I have 4 6" Daylighter 130w spotlights going on the roof of my truck going straight forward (I had them mocked up on my roof and there was little to no glare or shadows from the hood, being a spot beam its pretty narrow till it gets about a 1/4 mile away. I also have 4 57 series KC lights mounted to the front of my truck (2 pointing forwards (spot beams and 2 at slight angles to either side driving lights) then 2 amber KC 57 series fog lights mounted below the driving lights and I have 2 flood beams that will be mounted right behind the cab off at angles to either side.

So when I am done I'll have 4 130w spot beams mounted on top, 4 100w driving lights + 2 55w fog lights infront of my truck and 2 100w flood beams facing backwards for working in the dark or whatever.

Spot beams are very good for places where you can see long distances such as highways or deserts. Driving lights are great for wooded areas and stuff, more closed quarters and what not. Fog lights do great in... fog duh and snow (I recommend the amber ones cause they help alot). Flood lights are pretty good but they are much better at providing work area light rather then forward light, I ordered them thinking they would be like my 500w work light and are nothing like it, they work well with no other lights but your regular headlights will overpower them.

What kind of off roading are you going to be doing mostly?

For lights I run KC's exclusively, some people will say don't spend the money when you can get cheaper ones but I think you get what you payed for... 4 of my KC's cost as much as this guy that bought 5 pairs of those cheap BAJA lights and my lights were far superior to his... Hella's are pretty good but only really have one style and alot of people LOVE lightforces but I can't see whats to great about them you pay up to 400$ for a pair of plastic lights that come with no wiring, only good thing is that you can adjust the beam and they come with clear plastic covers.

 

[4x4junkie]

I will also say forget about the roof, but for different reasons.

My reasons are overhead lights tend to "hide" (or make less obvious) details of the road surface since you don't see shadows cast by imperfections such as potholes, ruts, rocks, etc. (you can demonstrate this by holding a bright flashlight over your head, and then down at your side while shining it down a rough or rutted road).
The other reason is you're looking right through the light beam itself to see down the road. If there's any dust, fog, etc. in the air, all they do is light up the dust right in front of your face, essentially making them useless at distance too.

I would say keep at least your most important lights down on the bumper/grill guard.

 

[4.0B2]

yeah.. between the headlights and front bumper lights i should be fine anyways right lol. i'm just not happy with those spot beams up front like that...

 

[The Jester Race]

I'm running these as underbody/ rock lights.

http://www.roundeyes.com/LED_Lighting-Ultimate_Off_Road_LED_White.html

I'll be rockin 5 of these bad boys in the Ruffstuff light bar above my windshield, once I get it built.

And then I have two Piaa fog lights on my bumper.

I hate not being able to see what's in front of me, or more importantly what's Not in front of me.
I also keep a LED Maglite in the truck.

-Jester

 

[disciplerocks]

Put about 5 more on the bumper, at least 8 on the roof, a row across the cowl, and few facing backward for good measure.

 

[02RangerXLT]

Spots... all spots...

 

[Jason]

Are you running fast, baja speeds? If not, I recommend police spot lights to put the shine where you need it. Easy install, and much less poser.

 

[The Jester Race]

Put about 5 more on the bumper, at least 8 on the roof, a row across the cowl, and few facing backward for good measure.

Having the ability to light up a football stadium isn't for everyone.

-Jester

 

[Scotty J.]

I run two spots on the front, and 5 driving lights on the top. Seems to work fine for me.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

That is a good lookin truck Scotty!

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I will also say forget about the roof, but for different reasons.

My reasons are overhead lights tend to "hide" (or make less obvious) details of the road surface since you don't see shadows cast by imperfections such as potholes, ruts, rocks, etc. (you can demonstrate this by holding a bright flashlight over your head, and then down at your side while shining it down a rough or rutted road).
The other reason is you're looking right through the light beam itself to see down the road. If there's any dust, fog, etc. in the air, all they do is light up the dust right in front of your face, essentially making them useless at distance too.

I would say keep at least your most important lights down on the bumper/grill guard.

Well you can always work around that as well, the way my truck is set up I have 3 switches, 1 for my fog lights that come on with my low beams, 1 for my off road lights in the front of my truck that come on with my high beams and 1 thats installed that will turn on the roof lights with my high beams seperate from my front lights. They are there if you need them but if you are in dust or adverse weather conditions then you can flip them off.

 

[86 slo-vo]

Are you running fast, baja speeds? If not, I recommend police spot lights to put the shine where you need it. Easy install, and much less poser.

ever tried to put one in a ranger? aint so easy...i just got done doing it and holy shit that was a job.