High Power Driving Lights
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Los Angeles
High Power Driving Lights
I have a 99 F150 Extra Cab with the stock valance and fog lights. I was looking to install some PIAA or Hella lamps, perferably rectanglar that have a good fit and form for the front of the truck. I'm not looking to have huge lamps protruding from the front. I also read somewhere on here where someone mounted lights behind the grill. Is that feasable? Is the lighting affected by the grill? Does anyone have any ideas on lamps, sizes and mounting locations?....I do quite a bit of driving across the California desert and extra light would definitely be of help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
KMD
WWW.LASDRacing.org
KMD
WWW.LASDRacing.org
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,511
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
You can find similar shape lights from PIAA, but if you don't want to change the look of the front at all, invest in some Sylvania Silver Star lights for the head lights and for the driving lights, if you have not already ( did not note this in the posting ).
If you do a search on Silver Star you can find the numerbs needed for the fog lights.
I only have the 9007STs in the head lights, and they do make a difference. Others that have the stock fogs, say the light output on the fogs with the silver stars is great.
I got the PIAA airdam with a set of 520s and a set of 510s in it.
That is another option, is to swap out the airdam for the PIAA, but it is not a cheap thign to do in total ( airdam and 2 sets of PIAA lights talking about a $350+ upgrade ), but this might give you what you want in the lighting department, but may not be your looks department requirement. I have pics of this on my 2WD in my gallery ( www button below )
I have the 510s in fogs and the 520s in driving lights ( reach way out..I don't dare use them on the highway in the city
), if you wanted to, you could do both sets in driving, and aim them as needed.
Hope this helps, short of the Xenarc HID upgrade.
If you do a search on Silver Star you can find the numerbs needed for the fog lights.
I only have the 9007STs in the head lights, and they do make a difference. Others that have the stock fogs, say the light output on the fogs with the silver stars is great.
I got the PIAA airdam with a set of 520s and a set of 510s in it.
That is another option, is to swap out the airdam for the PIAA, but it is not a cheap thign to do in total ( airdam and 2 sets of PIAA lights talking about a $350+ upgrade ), but this might give you what you want in the lighting department, but may not be your looks department requirement. I have pics of this on my 2WD in my gallery ( www button below )
I have the 510s in fogs and the 520s in driving lights ( reach way out..I don't dare use them on the highway in the city
), if you wanted to, you could do both sets in driving, and aim them as needed.Hope this helps, short of the Xenarc HID upgrade.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,248
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From: Rochester, NY, USA
I'm one of the guys who has driving lights behind the grill. They're Hella 550 driving beams with 130 watt bulbs in them. The difference between these and all of the other hi zoot stuff I've added for lighting is amazing. If you do nothing else to see farther down the road, this is it.
To add something like this, all you have to do is remove the cover panel over the radiator and use the stock cross piece that runs in front of the radiator on 99 and newer F-150's. I added an aluminum stiffner piece to the center of each side, but did the same install for a friend without it and it seems to work fine. Make sure you run a relay between your lights and the switch too. I trigger mine with the high beams.
To add something like this, all you have to do is remove the cover panel over the radiator and use the stock cross piece that runs in front of the radiator on 99 and newer F-150's. I added an aluminum stiffner piece to the center of each side, but did the same install for a friend without it and it seems to work fine. Make sure you run a relay between your lights and the switch too. I trigger mine with the high beams.
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Los Angeles
Thanx guys for taking the time to answer my questions. I'm definitely gonna look into both options and may even use both since the areas that I drive are sometimes very dark and dangerous at night. I really appreciate it.
KMD
KMD
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,248
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From: Rochester, NY, USA
Remember, with the kind of driving you're doing, the only way to really see further down the road is to change the kind of lighting you're using. You can increase the output of your stock headlight (and even fog light) system all you want, but you're just going to put more light in the same places. To truly change things you need different beam patterns and or light locations.
If you really want to see down the road, you'll want auxillary driving beams or even pencil beams. These concentrate the available light in specific patterns - generally right down the road in front of you. You also want to watch where you mount these. Too low and they're useless. Anything much higher than eye level and you get similar issues. The more concentated the beam, the more critical aiming becomes too. I'd recommend upgrading your stock system with better bulbs (and maybe a heavy duty harness) and adding some driving lights. You'll be amazed at the difference. Make sure you wire everything carefully too or the extra light you see may be just the glow from your wiring harness burning up!
If you really want to see down the road, you'll want auxillary driving beams or even pencil beams. These concentrate the available light in specific patterns - generally right down the road in front of you. You also want to watch where you mount these. Too low and they're useless. Anything much higher than eye level and you get similar issues. The more concentated the beam, the more critical aiming becomes too. I'd recommend upgrading your stock system with better bulbs (and maybe a heavy duty harness) and adding some driving lights. You'll be amazed at the difference. Make sure you wire everything carefully too or the extra light you see may be just the glow from your wiring harness burning up!
Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 53
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From: Vienna, VA
The best lights that I have found for this purpose are the KChilites part #736 check out www.kchililtes.com. These are 55watt 90,000 candle power, long range driving lights.
I mounted them by attaching a piece of 1/4" stainless steel by bolting through the bumper between the frame rails. I then cut out some of the air dam in front of the lights. I had great results.
Make sure that you use the relay and an inline fuse on each wire. I think that the KChilites kit comes with everything that you'll need except for the home made mounting brackets.
I mounted them by attaching a piece of 1/4" stainless steel by bolting through the bumper between the frame rails. I then cut out some of the air dam in front of the lights. I had great results.
Make sure that you use the relay and an inline fuse on each wire. I think that the KChilites kit comes with everything that you'll need except for the home made mounting brackets.