Need recommendations for aftermarket lighting

[The Tremor]

Hi All. I want to add some light to the Tremor but there is just too much info out there on different brands. I want to add:

1) ditch lights to be controlled by one of the uplifter switches
2) better fog light to be controlled by the stock light switch
3) a light bar / bars in the bumper - two in the little slots (I think they are 6 inches or so) and a 20 incher in the middle, if it won't interfere with the cruise control. Also to be controlled by an uplifter switch.
4) bed lights to be controlled by by an uplifter switch if they will work with the power turned off, or direct wired to the battery with a switch in the bed if not.

It looks like Diode Dynamics makes good stuff but I'm open to suggestions. I want to get good stuff so cost is not really much of an issue.

Thanks!!!

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[D Fresh]

Diode Dynamics are nice.

I'm a fan of Baja Designs. They've lasted well, perform great, their customer service is spot on. Also they're the only brand I know of that's actually made in the USA.

Those two are on the higher end price wise.

You'll probably see some slick sales man in here soon to try to sell you on the Australian brands. I have no experience with them but you can find identical unbranded clones on Amazon that were probably built in the same Chinese factory.

And then there's @OFC Ranger , who has real good luck with the chicom stuff. i think he goes straight to the source, Alibabba or Wish. Most of the branded stuff you'll see is probably made by the same folks.


What do you want all those lights to do for you? Like intended usage. If they're mostly gonna be for looks I'd suggest going for the cheaper end of the scale.

 

[Msfitoy]

 

[TuggerNutz]

I got everything that you asked about from Diode Dynamics except for bed lighting.
Got the ditch lights with amber back light. I got the low profile ones that don't standout too much. I believe they now come with an adapter with the wiring harness to hook up with the uplifter. Didn't have that with mine.
As far as the light bars. Got the brackets installed but waiting for warmer weather to run the wiring. It's going to be a little more involved than running the ditch lights the way I'm doing it.
Got the Max fogs. The installation isn't too bad. Found the best way for me was to lay perpendicular to the truck and reach using one hand.
Bonus
Got the trailer hitch light too. Ran into a snag though. The trailer hitch doesn't have enough space to feed in Deutsch connector. You'll have to depin it and feed to wires through the small hole. Protip on connecting the harness is to reach up under the bumper and squeeze the tabs that hold the factory assembly. You can then pull everything through the opening. Once everything is plugged in then feed it back.

For the most part everything works as advertised. The only thing is the hitch light install. I assume that they assumed that the Ranger is just like the F150.

 

[Frenchy]

For fog lights I would consider going to IPF. The 983 is a direct replacement housing and still uses the H11. I just installed a set of the 820H headlight assemblies in my Pathfinder and the pattern was great.

Talk to Frank @Stage3Motorsports and he most likely can get it as ARB sells IPS lights

Here is a link to the IPF site.
https://www.ipf-light.com/catalog/custom.php#c983

 

[OFC Ranger]

Are you a night time high speed Baja racer or do you just need a little extra push quality of life lighting?

If not the first then Chicom lighting will meet 99% of your needs. Not to mention a majority of high dollar stuff is the same thing rebranded.

Even if your $50 ditch lights break after 2 years and have to buy another set you are still better off than if you bought. $300 set that lasts 5 years.

Flank lighting is flank lighting... Why people blow hundreds of dollars to what is mostly used as a form of camp or cargo lighting is beyond me.

If you want to impress your friends, post pictures on Instagram, or just have a lot of free cash to burn then get Gucci lighting.


For sake of honesty If I had excess cash I'd roll a Gucci lighting mobile.

There are some steps you can take to extend the life of chicom lights prior to installation, like adding gasket maker or sealent to any point of entry condensation may come in. Honestly a lot of different in high dollar and low dollar are these small steps tossed out. Consider cheap lighting like DIY kits.

I have chinese light bars that are are over 2 years old still as bright as day 1 and zero condensation problems.

 

[maxbottomtime]

For fog lights I would consider going to IPF. The 983 is a direct replacement housing and still uses the H11. I just installed a set of the 820H headlight assemblies in my Pathfinder and the pattern was great.

Talk to Frank @Stage3Motorsports and he most likely can get it as ARB sells IPS lights

Here is a link to the IPF site.
https://www.ipf-light.com/catalog/custom.php#c983

what's the benefit over the stock halogen h11 housing?

 

[Wes Siler]

Hi All. I want to add some light to the Tremor but there is just too much info out there on different brands. I want to add:

1) ditch lights to be controlled by one of the uplifter switches
2) better fog light to be controlled by the stock light switch
3) a light bar / bars in the bumper - two in the little slots (I think they are 6 inches or so) and a 20 incher in the middle, if it won't interfere with the cruise control. Also to be controlled by an uplifter switch.
4) bed lights to be controlled by by an uplifter switch if they will work with the power turned off, or direct wired to the battery with a switch in the bed if not.

It looks like Diode Dynamics makes good stuff but I'm open to suggestions. I want to get good stuff so cost is not really much of an issue.

Thanks!!!

Rather than add multiple little lights (none of which will be terribly effective) why not simply spend less money on a single pair of 6 or 9 inch driving lights and mount them to your front bumper? Those will handle any/all use cases, and create truly effective lighting that will genuinely increase your safety.

Exception there is obviously bed lighting. Just grab some cheap led strips and wire them under that rack. For bed power, the Wolf Haus (he's a member here) power plug is a great/cheap solution.

This thread has already devolved into personal attacks, I'm going to try and avoid responding to those. If anyone needs my bona fides, simply consult Glenn Beck.

 

[Frenchy]

what's the benefit over the stock halogen h11 housing?

Light pattern will be the big advantage along with a yellow front got abnormal weather

 

[Danager]

Lots of good opinions here, from people that have installed various brands in various locations, for various reasons.

My belief is for forward facing on-road application - you’ll want to avoid the cheapest stuff. The law of diminishing returns holds true as you get into the middle and head towards the upper end (of price point). I have DD yellow Pro fogs mounted in my bumper. Nothing better on the road during snow and rain - if you ask me.

When I got my Tremor, I made a harness. This runs from my upfitter switches under the hood. I am pre-wired for 2 sets of lights in the bumper/grille area, a set of ditch lights (will also energize a set of leads at each rear corner), rock lights (8 locations), a SAE connector in the bed and one under the hood for an illuminated whip/etc, and an extra set of leads at each corner for something maybe in the future. I also ran two constants to the bed, one for an LED strip around the interior of the bed and a second for basic 12volt needs in the bed.

The only lights I have installed are the DD fog lights, Lux rock lights, and cheap Amazon weatherproof bright white bed lights. The rest I’ll add as I need. And as mentioned above, I’m leaning towards the less expensive lighting for these other areas.

 

[Bob902]

If you decide to change the entire fog lights out and not just the bulb, put your truck on a set of ramps. Makes changing them a whole lot easier.

 

[Bob902]

Also, I believe it was rough country that makes lights just for the slots in the bumper. If not rough country, I am sure someone will give you the correct answer.

 

[Wes Siler]

Also, I believe it was rough country that makes lights just for the slots in the bumper. If not rough country, I am sure someone will give you the correct answer.

Ford Performance/Rigid make the plug and play fog replacement buckets. I tried a pair, they were utterly pointless.

 

[D Fresh]

If anyone needs my bona fides, simply consult Glenn Beck.

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Warning to everybody. Do not Google those two names.

 

[Wes Siler]

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Warning to everybody. Do not Google those two names.

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