Need to replace fog lights to something extremely bright
#1
04-08-2012, 12:45 AM
Need to replace fog lights to something extremely bright
For off road use. Out a lot on the farm and what not.
06 F150. Round fog lights. Do not want to add any lights to it, just curious if I can replace with something decently brighter than stock.
I've found the fog light projectors. Just not sure which ones are crap and which are not.
06 F150. Round fog lights. Do not want to add any lights to it, just curious if I can replace with something decently brighter than stock.
I've found the fog light projectors. Just not sure which ones are crap and which are not.
#2
04-08-2012, 09:34 AM
Except for Silverstars in my headlights, I use PIAA lights and bulbs. Nothing but. www.PIAA.com. Hella, Pilot, KCLites, you name it. I've tried them all. But After my first set of PIAA's, I never went back. I have a set of the 2100i long range foul weather lights on my '94 T'bird, and my '91 Tracer LTS (which I recently gave to my nephew). But for my truck, I had to find the parts to make a set because they have recently become discontinued. I also upgraded my factory fog lights with a set of Plasma Ion Crystal bulbs. They cast the yellow fog hue and are much, much brighter than the stock bulbs. Plus I put a set of the RS600 H.I.D. shock lamps on my grill guard. Those things are just Nasty!! Go to the PIAA website. Hope you find what you need.
Just went to the site to look it up. The Ion crystal, which I use, are #13506 (HB) which are fantastic. Or if you prefer white light the number is #15210 (H10).
Just went to the site to look it up. The Ion crystal, which I use, are #13506 (HB) which are fantastic. Or if you prefer white light the number is #15210 (H10).
Last edited by Scarlet; 04-08-2012 at 09:46 AM.
#3
04-08-2012, 10:07 AM
Brighter, but what beam pattern ?
You can chance going the 55W bulb in the factory fog lamp housing, and up until they melt, it will be brighter in the fog lamp pattern.
Brighter does not mean longer pattern if that is what you are after.
There is a thread a few down from this one with the 30" Rigid Light bar in it, that thing kicks out a lot of light, but at a cost.
If you have some parameters for what you have to work with, that would help.
- Budget & light pattern.
You can chance going the 55W bulb in the factory fog lamp housing, and up until they melt, it will be brighter in the fog lamp pattern.
Brighter does not mean longer pattern if that is what you are after.
There is a thread a few down from this one with the 30" Rigid Light bar in it, that thing kicks out a lot of light, but at a cost.
If you have some parameters for what you have to work with, that would help.
- Budget & light pattern.
#4
04-08-2012, 12:15 PM
Exactly. If you are on a farm, I do not understand why fog lights are your concern. They only light up about 15 meters in front of the vehicle max. I drive on farms almost daily and I use nothing but high beams at night.
To answer your general question, you can force some 65W 9005s in the 9145 socket. Generally the 2006+ round fogs have a melting concern with high-powered bulb. But its only going to give you a couple hundred lumens, max. A Rigid Industries LED light bar or additional lights make a lot more sense. Or even replacing your stock headlamps.
Read:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/il...omparison.html
and
To answer your general question, you can force some 65W 9005s in the 9145 socket. Generally the 2006+ round fogs have a melting concern with high-powered bulb. But its only going to give you a couple hundred lumens, max. A Rigid Industries LED light bar or additional lights make a lot more sense. Or even replacing your stock headlamps.
Read:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/il...omparison.html
and
Fog lights
So, you want to increase the light output down under to fill in the black hole? You've come to the right place. Here I will let you know what is and isn't safe to run in your truck.
Most vehicles come with either the 9140 or 9145 bulb (see chart above). The only difference between the two is wattage output. The 9140 puts out 40W of power, and the 9145 puts out 45W of power with 900 and 1100 lumens, respectively. There is a reason for this madness: HEAT. Chances are, you have a plastic fog light assembly. If so, you want to stay ~20% within OEM specs to avoid melting your lights and possible risk of fire. For vehicles with larger or metal housings, you can safely swap larger bulbs.
Now, if you scroll up and look at the bases of bulb, you will see the 9005, 9006 and 9100 series fog lamps all share the same base. WRONG. They are all different (9140, 9145, and 9155 share the same base). BUT. They are SLIGHTLY different. So with some force and dexterity, you will be able to put and bulb in any socket. For example, if you have a 9145 45W bulb, you CAN fit a 65W 9005 bulb in the same socket. The only difference is a slight off-adjustment of one of the three retainer lines (see above). However, you must be careful.
Vehicles equipped with plastic, round fogs (2006-2011 F-150, exc. Raptor) should not install bulbs over 45W of power! Since they come with 9140, a 9145 would be a good swap. Do not install 9155, 9005, or 9006 bulbs, you WILL melt your housings![/b]
Trucks with the rectangular (2004-2005) or metal housings (STX) are free to increase to highest wattage available (9005, 9011)
This is a flow chart, from least powerful to most powerful halogen drop-in replacements. Heat rating (H) is on a scale from 1 to 5, 1 being coolest and 5 being hottest.
9140- (40W @ 900 lu/H1.5) H10 not a good upgrade bulb, and OEM for some fog lamps. Next step: 9145
9145- (45W @ 1100 lu/H2) H10 bulb. Can be used as an upgrade from 9140 for slightly more light output without risking melting. Next step: 9155
9155- (55W @ 1350 lu/H3.5) H10, great upgrade (if you can handle the heat) from 9145. Next step: 9005
9005- (65W @ 1700 lu/H5) This is a great upgrade for those with metal/glass fog lamps or large housings. Next step: 9011
9011- (65W @ 2350 lu/H5) This is the HIR1. Can be swapped in place of the 9005 with minimal cutting. No heat increase (in comparison of 9005).
9006- (55W @ 1000 lu/H4) This would be used in the stock 1997 & 1998 F-150 fog lights. You can swap to the higher-output HIR2 9012 bulbs or use a different brand 9006 for more power. Next step: 9012
9012- (55W @ 1870 lu/H4) HIR2 bulb. Can be swapped in place of the 9006 with minimal cutting. 55W @ 1870 lumens. No heat increase (in comparison of 9006).
H3- (55W @ 1450 luH3) 55W transverse bulb. You can upgrade to 100W H3, but caution for heat. Next step: H3C HID.
H1- (55W @ 1550 lu/H3) 55W axial filament bulb. Can be upgraded to 100W H1, but caution for heat. Next step: H1 HID
So, you want to increase the light output down under to fill in the black hole? You've come to the right place. Here I will let you know what is and isn't safe to run in your truck.
Most vehicles come with either the 9140 or 9145 bulb (see chart above). The only difference between the two is wattage output. The 9140 puts out 40W of power, and the 9145 puts out 45W of power with 900 and 1100 lumens, respectively. There is a reason for this madness: HEAT. Chances are, you have a plastic fog light assembly. If so, you want to stay ~20% within OEM specs to avoid melting your lights and possible risk of fire. For vehicles with larger or metal housings, you can safely swap larger bulbs.
Now, if you scroll up and look at the bases of bulb, you will see the 9005, 9006 and 9100 series fog lamps all share the same base. WRONG. They are all different (9140, 9145, and 9155 share the same base). BUT. They are SLIGHTLY different. So with some force and dexterity, you will be able to put and bulb in any socket. For example, if you have a 9145 45W bulb, you CAN fit a 65W 9005 bulb in the same socket. The only difference is a slight off-adjustment of one of the three retainer lines (see above). However, you must be careful.
Vehicles equipped with plastic, round fogs (2006-2011 F-150, exc. Raptor) should not install bulbs over 45W of power! Since they come with 9140, a 9145 would be a good swap. Do not install 9155, 9005, or 9006 bulbs, you WILL melt your housings![/b]
Trucks with the rectangular (2004-2005) or metal housings (STX) are free to increase to highest wattage available (9005, 9011)
This is a flow chart, from least powerful to most powerful halogen drop-in replacements. Heat rating (H) is on a scale from 1 to 5, 1 being coolest and 5 being hottest.
9140- (40W @ 900 lu/H1.5) H10 not a good upgrade bulb, and OEM for some fog lamps. Next step: 9145
9145- (45W @ 1100 lu/H2) H10 bulb. Can be used as an upgrade from 9140 for slightly more light output without risking melting. Next step: 9155
9155- (55W @ 1350 lu/H3.5) H10, great upgrade (if you can handle the heat) from 9145. Next step: 9005
9005- (65W @ 1700 lu/H5) This is a great upgrade for those with metal/glass fog lamps or large housings. Next step: 9011
9011- (65W @ 2350 lu/H5) This is the HIR1. Can be swapped in place of the 9005 with minimal cutting. No heat increase (in comparison of 9005).
9006- (55W @ 1000 lu/H4) This would be used in the stock 1997 & 1998 F-150 fog lights. You can swap to the higher-output HIR2 9012 bulbs or use a different brand 9006 for more power. Next step: 9012
9012- (55W @ 1870 lu/H4) HIR2 bulb. Can be swapped in place of the 9006 with minimal cutting. 55W @ 1870 lumens. No heat increase (in comparison of 9006).
H3- (55W @ 1450 luH3) 55W transverse bulb. You can upgrade to 100W H3, but caution for heat. Next step: H3C HID.
H1- (55W @ 1550 lu/H3) 55W axial filament bulb. Can be upgraded to 100W H1, but caution for heat. Next step: H1 HID
#5
04-08-2012, 12:56 PM
#6
04-08-2012, 01:37 PM
I'm still not sure what to do with the headlights. I've seen a lot of projectors with Angel Eyes that I really like. The stock ones on my brothers Camaro are really nice. Finding a quality set that doesn't over do it for my truck is hurting my brain. The HID kit itself is easy, I would just order from TRS.
I'm thinking about ordering the PIAA 510 fog lights with the ATP beam style to replace the fog lights. Of course not for on the road but I think that will give quite a bit of extra light. Anyone have any experience with this? It seems to be a pretty easy option.
Last edited by Search11; 04-08-2012 at 01:57 PM.
#7
04-08-2012, 06:01 PM
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#8
04-08-2012, 08:32 PM
#9
04-08-2012, 11:12 PM
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I'm thinking about ordering the PIAA 510 fog lights with the ATP beam style to replace the fog lights. Of course not for on the road but I think that will give quite a bit of extra light. Anyone have any experience with this? It seems to be a pretty easy option.
I'm thinking about ordering the PIAA 510 fog lights with the ATP beam style to replace the fog lights. Of course not for on the road but I think that will give quite a bit of extra light. Anyone have any experience with this? It seems to be a pretty easy option.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...s-04-08-a.html
#10
04-09-2012, 08:34 AM
Yea, you guys are absolutely correct on those points. You have to use common sense. I thought he just wanted to make the lights a little brighter, not add any. That's why I made the suggestion. Maybe I was wrong. I was concerned about it getting hot too because sometimes I travel to West Virginia, at night and in inclement weather, but I have yet to have a "melting problem". I'm sure it happens if you over do it, ie. useing them when they are not needed like "for show 
" for extended periods. In my case, I just wanted the standard wide beam fog pattern that cast the light, as it should, down and to the sides below the "low" beam. Because I prefer the amber hue over the white is primarily why I chose this bulb. As it turns out, it is a little brighter which is helpfull. I placed the 2100i "Long Range" foul weather lights on the truck for use with the high beams. It sounds counterintuitive, but They do cut the muck. I thought about the 510 ATP's too. Good Idea
" for extended periods. In my case, I just wanted the standard wide beam fog pattern that cast the light, as it should, down and to the sides below the "low" beam. Because I prefer the amber hue over the white is primarily why I chose this bulb. As it turns out, it is a little brighter which is helpfull. I placed the 2100i "Long Range" foul weather lights on the truck for use with the high beams. It sounds counterintuitive, but They do cut the muck. I thought about the 510 ATP's too. Good Idea
#11
04-13-2012, 04:48 PM
#12
04-13-2012, 08:11 PM
Senior Member
Pass on putting Matchboxes in your fogs, the beam extends out a little and wider, but I wouldn't call it very bright. I've driven with just them on and is doable, but you won't be happy with them. Putting MH1's in your fogs will require alot more work and I know for sure I wouldn't do it. If I only used my fogs on a farm, I would simply put a PnP HID kit in them and call it good, they'll light up everything. I can tell you alot of guys are drooling over these Rigid LED pic's lately.
#13
04-14-2012, 08:47 AM
I have the sounds off signal flood pattern LEDs on the back, and they do a good job for throwing light out @ 1400 lumen each.
The Vision-X pod on the front in Euro beam pattern is not too shabby either.
That 30" bar......wow. I just cannot force myself to pull the trigger at the cost level for the usage.
#14
04-14-2012, 12:29 PM
#15
04-14-2012, 02:28 PM
