I want to mount 6" round lights on the front of my truck

[Wes Siler]

I think you really want to consider your use/need. I like my fog lights down low. As soon as there is an obstruction in the way, they cast shadows. Lights mounted higher up do better for distance lighting. Not sure what the goldilocks light or mounting/aiming position is. Also, why many who use the truck off road, go for multiple lights.

I didn’t go to school for testing lights. And you need damn near the same level of education to read the testing reports. I would ALMOST trust a politician more than companies selling lights, almost…. I do put over the reviews from other users. I’m okay being a late adopter so I can get some real world input. Really happy with the DD lights I purchased. Will likely stick with them because - matching!

What is more American than “Spray and pray”? You can apply that to so many things, I’ll let you choose what you think I meant.

The ideal location is in front of the grille. That puts the light out in front of the truck, without glare or reflections. Helps the light cut through dust and weather without blowing out the stuff right in front of your eyes too. On a tall truck, that's plenty high to get over obstacles.

The most effective lighting setup I've ever driven is that single pair of HTX2s on the 200, as linked above. Blizzards, highways, Baja, whatever, nothing beats it.

I'm doing two big Genesis Pro spots on the new Ranger, plus a 50" single row Lightforce bar on top of the GFC, switched separately. The bar is totally unnecessary, just doing it to do it. Should have that wrapped tomorrow and will post photos in near future.

Tl;Dr: use a pair of round driving lights from a brand that respects you enough to tell you how they perform. One spot in front of the driver and a flood on the passenger side will handle 99% of drivers' needs. Mount them out front, where they don't ruin your vision.

Sponsored

 

[Danager]

Again, start with asking what you expect from the lights, and what other lighting there will be. Your wants and needs may be different from mine. Which light, pattern, location, and aim may be different too.

 

[NvrFinished]

Any maker who quotes only lumens is lying to you, the consumer, through omission. Of they can't/won't tell you how their lights actually perform, you don't know how to use them effectively. You see that in all the Instagram builds that slap 10,000 mid or short range lights all over the truck. Such a setup will actually reduce your ability to see down the road or trail at night.

The gold standard is 3rd party tested distance for 1 lux. Any quality light manufacturer will submit their products for testing, then advertise that number.

More here: https://www.outsideonline.com/outdo...verything-you-need-know-about-driving-lights/

This is a great article with informative links. Goes to show that though something may be popular, it doesn't necessarily mean it works as well as people think.

 

[Espo78]

I didn't expect to learn so much about lighting when I started this thread. Now I'm probably going to spend a lot more than I originally planned, so thanks for that!

I agree the article quoted above was a great read.

 

[TerraMechE]

I wanted some more high beam throw for lonely roads, and I also like old school roundies, so I put some Lightforce 170 Strikers on the front of my truck. I ended up cutting my grill and had to come up with a rigid enough mounting scheme to get the look I was after (old Mustang fog/grill light). There were a few fastener holes behind the grill to the sides I was able to tie into, but it was frustrating and I made mistakes on the way to a stable and jiggle-free mount without compromising the radiator shrouding behind the grill.

I don't totally recommend this approach, but maybe it spurs an idea, at least tangentially.

As an aside, @Wes Siler, I do appreciate the practical thoughtfulness you put into your writing, ever since Hell for Leather.

spots are totally useless on these trails, but I guess I had to get a picture...

 

[Wes Siler]

I wanted some more high beam throw for lonely roads, and I also like old school roundies, so I put some Lightforce 170 Strikers on the front of my truck. I ended up cutting my grill and had to come up with a rigid enough mounting scheme to get the look I was after (old Mustang fog/grill light). There were a few fastener holes behind the grill to the sides I was able to tie into, but it was frustrating and I made mistakes on the way to a stable and jiggle-free mount without compromising the radiator shrouding behind the grill.

I don't totally recommend this approach, but maybe it spurs an idea, at least tangentially.

As an aside, @Wes Siler, I do appreciate the practical thoughtfulness you put into your writing, ever since Hell for Leather.

spots are totally useless on these trails, but I guess I had to get a picture...

That's a rad setup. Thanks for reading.

 

[Wes Siler]

How it's done:

 

[Nopalito]

I wanted some more high beam throw for lonely roads, and I also like old school roundies, so I put some Lightforce 170 Strikers on the front of my truck. I ended up cutting my grill and had to come up with a rigid enough mounting scheme to get the look I was after (old Mustang fog/grill light). There were a few fastener holes behind the grill to the sides I was able to tie into, but it was frustrating and I made mistakes on the way to a stable and jiggle-free mount without compromising the radiator shrouding behind the grill.

I don't totally recommend this approach, but maybe it spurs an idea, at least tangentially.

As an aside, @Wes Siler, I do appreciate the practical thoughtfulness you put into your writing, ever since Hell for Leather.

spots are totally useless on these trails, but I guess I had to get a picture...

dude that’s damn near exact idea up I’ve been trying to piece together. Where in CO are you?
If you’re close-ish to the Denver area I’d love to check them out in person.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

dude that’s damn near exact idea up I’ve been trying to piece together. Where in CO are you?
If you’re close-ish to the Denver area I’d love to check them out in person.

I second this.

 

[D Fresh]

Any maker who quotes only lumens is lying to you, the consumer, through omission. Of they can't/won't tell you how their lights actually perform, you don't know how to use them effectively. You see that in all the Instagram builds that slap 10,000 mid or short range lights all over the truck. Such a setup will actually reduce your ability to see down the road or trail at night.

The gold standard is 3rd party tested distance for 1 lux. Any quality light manufacturer will submit their products for testing, then advertise that number.

More here: https://www.outsideonline.com/outdo...verything-you-need-know-about-driving-lights/

Okay.

You can't "prove" your opinion by linking to an article that you yourself wrote in a marketing catalog.

Especially when your article is basically just one big commercial. You spent half that article trying to sell the shitty brand that probably provided the product for free.

https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/lightforce-htx


Yes, that's the original HTX, nothing on on the 2s yet. But seems like they have a hard time building a quality product.

At $1300 a pair that seems like high priced garbage.

Personally, I'll stick with the "shitty" American brand, their life time warranty that I've never once had to use, and their impeccable customer service. But good luck selling your wares under the guise of journalism.

ARB doesn't even manufacture their own lights. They're made by a "shitty" American company.

 

[NvrFinished]

Okay.

You can't "prove" your opinion by linking to an article that you yourself wrote in a marketing catalog.

Especially when your article is basically just one big commercial. You spent half that article trying to sell the shitty brand that probably provided the product for free.

https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/lightforce-htx


Yes, that's the original HTX, nothing on on the 2s yet. But seems like they have a hard time building a quality product.

At $1300 a pair that seems like high priced garbage.

Personally, I'll stick with the "shitty" American brand, their life time warranty that I've never once had to use, and their impeccable customer service. But good luck selling your wares under the guise of journalism.

ARB doesn't even manufacture their own lights. They're made by a "shitty" American company.

There's nothing wrong with voicing your opinion on the lights the author likes to use in the last 1/3 of the article under the section, "My Solutions".

However, the first 2/3rds of the article is extremely informative and helpful. This includes links to other articles with further information on the subject of using LED's in halogen housings, what the eye perceives with driving lights, and etc.

 

[TerraMechE]

dude that’s damn near exact idea up I’ve been trying to piece together. Where in CO are you?
If you’re close-ish to the Denver area I’d love to check them out in person.

I don't get to Denver much.

I just used some 1"or 1.5"x0.125" aluminum angle, cut and drilled to tie into some fasteners behind and below the rubber radiator shroud. I also needed a "low-mount" for the Strikers from Lightforce and a relay harness that I set up to trigger with the high beams.

 

[Nopalito]

I don't get to Denver much.

I just used some 1"or 1.5"x0.125" aluminum angle, cut and drilled to tie into some fasteners behind and below the rubber radiator shroud. I also needed a "low-mount" for the Strikers from Lightforce and a relay harness that I set up to trigger with the high beams.

would you mind sending some close up photos?

 

[D Fresh]

There's nothing wrong with voicing your opinion on the lights the author likes to use in the last 1/3 of the article under the section, "My Solutions".

However, the first 2/3rds of the article is extremely informative and helpful. This includes links to other articles with further information on the subject of using LED's in halogen housings, what the eye perceives with driving lights, and etc.

Nothing "wrong" about the info.

The exception I took was this.

I asked what makes the American brands "shitty." The reply was basically, "I don't like the way they market their lights, and here's a link to back me up." With no mention that the linked to article was written by himself.

"Here's something to back up my opinion. Nevermind that it's more of my opinion."

Then there is the FACT that Outside Magazine is basically one giant commercial, and it seems shady.

How about it @Wes Siler ?

Did you buy the lights you raved about? Or were they provided to you?

 

[Wes Siler]

Nothing "wrong" about the info.

The exception I took was this.

I asked what makes the American brands "shitty." The reply was basically, "I don't like the way they market their lights, and here's a link to back me up." With no mention that the linked to article was written by himself.

"Here's something to back up my opinion. Nevermind that it's more of my opinion."

Then there is the FACT that Outside Magazine is basically one giant commercial, and it seems shady.

How about it @Wes Siler ?

Did you buy the lights you raved about? Or were they provided to you?

I think I'll avoid interacting with this level of discourse. You can easily find my work by googling my name, plus any topic you might be interested in.

Sponsored