Auxiliary lights placement options
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
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Auxiliary lights placement options
My night vision is very poor and even worse in the rain at night. I'd really like to add some auxiliary driving lights somewhere in the front. I don't have any bull bar or brush guard. I'd also like to keep the stock grill. Has anyone had any success mounting them anywhere? I thought about making a bracket behind the grill and positioning the lights through the spaces in the grill. I also thought about mounting them under the bumper through some factory holes on the bottom. I don't want to drill any new holes. Any suggestions? Or pics? I'm thinking about just going with some good ol fashioned rectangular ones.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Grand Junction, CO
Before adding auxiliary lighting, I would upgrade the headlights. There are quality replacements available that make a world of difference. Adding relays to the headlight circuit also makes a tremendous difference, since the headlights receive full voltage.
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Senior User
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I never heard of adding a relay to the headlight circuit. Aren't the headlights already on relays?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Grand Junction, CO
The Silverstar Ultra bulbs make a noticeable difference. Do the relay mod as well, and you'll see a tremendous difference. The relay mod also takes the burden of the current off your headlight switch, making it last longer and reducing the chance of an electrical fire.
If your headlights are old and cloudy/scratched, replacing the assembly with fresh units will also make a very noticeable difference.
If your headlights are old and cloudy/scratched, replacing the assembly with fresh units will also make a very noticeable difference.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2013
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I have seen this mentioned numerous times but never how to do it. I ran HIDs for a bit but they were junk.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: SW Florida
The stock headlight wiring is used to trigger the relays.
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Posting Guru
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Easy. Just get some relays that are properly rated for the job and have them provide power directly the headlight bulbs from a fused, high-current power source. You can tap off the battery or starter solenoid with an inline fuse holder. Use 2 relays, one for both low beams and the other for both high beams.
The stock headlight wiring is used to trigger the relays.
The stock headlight wiring is used to trigger the relays.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Whiter Whites, Brighter Brights - Ford Trucks
You can also buy a ready made harness from LMC Truck. There may be better and cheaper sources.
You can also buy a ready made harness from LMC Truck. There may be better and cheaper sources.
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Senior User
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Whiter Whites, Brighter Brights - Ford Trucks
You can also buy a ready made harness from LMC Truck. There may be better and cheaper sources.
You can also buy a ready made harness from LMC Truck. There may be better and cheaper sources.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: NE Ohio
I had this problem I just decided to get new headlights/bulbs w/ relay harness. later put on the led bar and cubes. I have the cubes angled down so they illuminate the entire road without blinding anybody else. I don't use the led bar unless I don't see anyone else on the road though
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That LMC harness is only $30. Has anyone installed it and can comment on ease of install vs buying the relays, fuse holder, and wire to make your own? If it's just plug and play vs cutting factory wires, it may be worth it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Before I did the relays on my 86 f350, I did a little test to see how much brighter they'd be by sticking a wire into the back side of the headlight plug, then running it to the battery. I turned the headlights on then connected and disconnected the wire from the battery and there was a very noticeable change. I don't think it would be easy to do this on the newer trucks because of the different plug and access.
Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 317
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From: Richmond, VA
I have a set of yellow-tinted HID fogs mounted on the top of my bumper just below my grill, you can see in my avatar. Aim them too low and they're useless, aim too high and they're illegal, but aim them just right and they're super helpful.