Diode Dynamics Stage Series 6" LED light bar review

[EJH]

I installed Diode Dynamics Stage Series 6” LED light bars in amber color on my Ranger last weekend.

My truck is the Lariat with factory LED headlights and LED fog lights.

I decided to go with the light bars rather than replace the OEM fogs for a few reasons:

• The OEM fog lights aren’t crap. They aren’t super bright, but they do provide close, low level lighting better than many other OEM fogs, which tend to be more for decoration.
• I wanted amber lights for snow and rain driving, but did not necessarily want amber lights for high density urban area driving.
• I figured installing the light bars would be easier than accessing the fog lights. However, the additional wiring for the light bars sort of negates this!

I routed the switch to the same flat recessed area on the left of the steering wheel that the Ford brake controller knob mounts too. I thought about other options, but this was the simplest for my needs.

To be legal, I only use either the OEM fogs or the DD light bars at one time. Most laws allow for headlights and one other pair of auxiliary lighting only.

Overall, driving on a clear night in central Oregon (mix of rural and neighborhoods around Redmond and Bend), I am pleased. I tried driving both with the OEM fogs and the DD amber light bars. I found I prefer the amber light bars over the OEM fogs. However, I think if I was driving in a dense urban area, and with more street lights, I’d use the OEM fogs for less chance of aggravating other drivers or signaling myself out.

Where the DD amber light bars really shine was in conjunction with my high beams. Wow. I do have Bambi mode enable, so I get the OEM fogs with my high beams also, but the DD bars provided more lighting in the close range and especially the peripheral view, over the OEM fogs. The amber color helps things ‘pop’ and provides a sense of depth that white LED lighting does not. I have poor eyesight at night and found the improved contrast with the amber color valuable. Which leads me to my revelation: If I had to do it again, I’d probably just replace the OEM fogs with DD SS3 abmer fogs lights, either Sport or Pro. I prefer the amber effect on illumination more than bright white, for my eyes.

I have the SS3 Pro fogs on my 2016 Forester. I find the Pro level almost too bright for urban areas. My Forester has extremely dim halogen lights. Without aftermarket lighting, that vehicle is tough for me to drive at night. So I went with the Pros on that installation. I had to aim the Pros down quite a bit to not offend other drivers. The light the SS3 Pros throw out is frankly insane.

I’ll attach a few pictures.

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[EJH]

FYI here is a review and thread on the DD SS3 fogs:
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/dd-ss3-sport-fogs-review.17352/

 

[Seventeen_days]

Nice review! I also have a set of the DD 6" light bars and they have been awesome.

I did not like the stock LED fogs, especially in the snow, so I put a set of the SS3 Pro Fog lights on mine. I made sure they were not aimed any higher than the OEM fogs and they are significantly better than stock. They not only throw the light further out but also throw a ton of light to the sides of the truck.

 

[EJH]

Nice review! I also have a set of the DD 6" light bars and they have been awesome.

I did not like the stock LED fogs, especially in the snow, so I put a set of the SS3 Pro Fog lights on mine. I made sure they were not aimed any higher than the OEM fogs and they are significantly better than stock. They not only throw the light further out but also throw a ton of light to the sides of the truck.

What color fogs and light bar did you buy? White or amber?

Also curious when you use the fogs versus the light bar?

 

[Superspirit]

I have the ss3 fogs in amber and the 6 in light bars in white. Love the setup.

 

[EJH]

I have the ss3 fogs in amber and the 6 in light bars in white. Love the setup.

If I did my setup again, I would probably go the same option as you. I would probably tie the light bar into the high beam, for automatic operation, and get the driving bean pattern for the light bar.

I may still do this, but I'm happy for now.

 

[Seventeen_days]

What color fogs and light bar did you buy? White or amber?

Also curious when you use the fogs versus the light bar?

Amber Fogs. I have both amber and white lenses for the light bars but run the white lenses.

On the road, I only turn the fog lights on in vision limiting weather

I only use the light bars when off-roading. I haven't been in a situation on the road when I've needed more light than the headlights and fogs aren't enough

 

[Squatchranger]

I installed Diode Dynamics Stage Series 6” LED light bars in amber color on my Ranger last weekend.

My truck is the Lariat with factory LED headlights and LED fog lights.

I decided to go with the light bars rather than replace the OEM fogs for a few reasons:

• The OEM fog lights aren’t crap. They aren’t super bright, but they do provide close, low level lighting better than many other OEM fogs, which tend to be more for decoration.
• I wanted amber lights for snow and rain driving, but did not necessarily want amber lights for high density urban area driving.
• I figured installing the light bars would be easier than accessing the fog lights. However, the additional wiring for the light bars sort of negates this!

I routed the switch to the same flat recessed area on the left of the steering wheel that the Ford brake controller knob mounts too. I thought about other options, but this was the simplest for my needs.

To be legal, I only use either the OEM fogs or the DD light bars at one time. Most laws allow for headlights and one other pair of auxiliary lighting only.

Overall, driving on a clear night in central Oregon (mix of rural and neighborhoods around Redmond and Bend), I am pleased. I tried driving both with the OEM fogs and the DD amber light bars. I found I prefer the amber light bars over the OEM fogs. However, I think if I was driving in a dense urban area, and with more street lights, I’d use the OEM fogs for less chance of aggravating other drivers or signaling myself out.

Where the DD amber light bars really shine was in conjunction with my high beams. Wow. I do have Bambi mode enable, so I get the OEM fogs with my high beams also, but the DD bars provided more lighting in the close range and especially the peripheral view, over the OEM fogs. The amber color helps things ‘pop’ and provides a sense of depth that white LED lighting does not. I have poor eyesight at night and found the improved contrast with the amber color valuable. Which leads me to my revelation: If I had to do it again, I’d probably just replace the OEM fogs with DD SS3 abmer fogs lights, either Sport or Pro. I prefer the amber effect on illumination more than bright white, for my eyes.

I have the SS3 Pro fogs on my 2016 Forester. I find the Pro level almost too bright for urban areas. My Forester has extremely dim halogen lights. Without aftermarket lighting, that vehicle is tough for me to drive at night. So I went with the Pros on that installation. I had to aim the Pros down quite a bit to not offend other drivers. The light the SS3 Pros throw out is frankly insane.

I’ll attach a few pictures.

Very good review and looks fantastic, how did you mount them, and wire them? How involved was that process and did you have any difficulty getting through the firewall?

 

[EJH]

Very good review and looks fantastic, how did you mount them, and wire them? How involved was that process and did you have any difficulty getting through the firewall?

The mounting brackets come with the DD kit, very easy.

I wired the switch next to the TBC. I had the TBC already, or I would have spaced the two switches evenly. At least now I have space for another switch to the right of the TBC if needed.

I ran the wires through the rubber grommet behind the glove box. I cannot get a good picture. It enters the cabin right behind the coolant reservoir. You can reach you arm back there (behind the coolant, on the engine side of the firewall) and feel it. Below the main wire bundle, there is a flat rubber nipple thingie that pops off to reveal an unused pass through. I had to remove the spade connections from the DD harness to get the wire through. I then crimped on new female spade connector from a set I have. Running the wire otherwise is easy. I used a ton of zip ties

FYI, this is a great set of wire connectors for automotive and RV 12V wiring.

 

[Squatchranger]

The mounting brackets come with the DD kit, very easy.

I wired the switch next to the TBC. I had the TBC already, or I would have spaced the two switches evenly. At least now I have space for another switch to the right of the TBC if needed.

I ran the wires through the rubber grommet behind the glove box. I cannot get a good picture. It enters the cabin right behind the coolant reservoir. You can reach you arm back there and feel it. Below the main wire bundle, there is a flat rubber nipple thingie that pops off to reveal an unused pass through. I had to remove the spade connections from the DD harness to get the wire through. I then crimped on new female spade connector from a set I have.

FYI, this is a great set of wire connectors for automotive and RV 12V wiring.

Fantastic thanks for the great info

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