"Off road" lights on truck

[firefighter jim]

shaking my head-- sure it makes a difference for you-- but for drivers like me with you coming at me, I personally HATE those kind of lights. it really hurts my eyes. No offense directed at you diamondpilot

Ditto, Can't believe those are legal. Do not like them coming at me or in my rear view.

 

[SARG]

For OFF ROAD LIGHTS ........ Go to Napa and find the Aircraft landing sealed beam lamps.

They come in two sizes and have a flat lens. They fit into the rubber worklight housings that Napa sells and believe me .......... you won't find anything that is brighter or lasts longer. And the whole setup can be put together for under $30. Plan on using adequate wiring and a relay.

They are definitely not street legal when you have oncoming traffic. I have had them on various vehicles since the seventies. I even had them mounted in the hi-beams of a 1970 442 W-30.

 

[flyingcow]

For OFF ROAD LIGHTS ........ Go to Napa and find the Aircraft landing sealed beam lamps.

They come in two sizes and have a flat lens. They fit into the rubber worklight housings that Napa sells and believe me .......... you won't find anything that is brighter or lasts longer. And the whole setup can be put together for under $30. Plan on using adequate wiring and a relay.

They are definitely not street legal when you have oncoming traffic. I have had them on various vehicles since the seventies. I even had them mounted in the hi-beams of a 1970 442 W-30.

I've run these a lot up here. 100 watt, 4 inch clear lenses. Goes at least 1/2 again as far as headlights. Good hand warmers too. They're hot. Usually a replacement is about $12 to $15. Use heavy wire!!! Use a 50amp switch. Put a fuse inline!! these puppies use a lot of juice. But they're intense and strong. You'll put people off the road if you forget to turn 'em off. Usually the deer will freeze with that bright light, don't change speed or do anything that alters the sound of your vehicle, they should stay put. It will push the moose away from the light, usually into the ditch. Now i'm running a 6 inch light, less amps, as bright. But, don't know the brand. Bought 'em at the truck dealership.

Now, if you want to get serious about the deer go to Ali Arc Industries I have one on my international trk. (Make 'em for pickups too)Last yr hit 3 deer(100 to 175lbs) and a small moose(600lbs) The bumper works! The cost....$4,000.00, but for me, it's money well spent. The moose would have caused $20,000 in damage, if i stayed on the pavement. Plus i was able to keep on going. Priceless.

 

[timswi]

Those KC Hi-Liter type off road lights are illegal in some states unless they are covered..A few years back, PA really cracked down on them to the point, if memory serves, they would write you up for even having them. They have backed off of that recently.

Gotta watch the state laws on this stuff..my neighbor is a volunteer fireman. he has a blue light bar on his Ram 2500 with all of the signage that fireman usually have. When he goes duck hunting in the south, hes has to take it off, or completely cover it...Found that out when a souther trooper pulled him over for that reason only.

 

[schmism]

ive got a set of hella 500 driveing lights on the front of my truck (on my winch bumper) reach out about twice as far as my brights do.

but i can tell you that at times it doesnt seem like even those are enough....

any offroad lights should be wired with a relay. most kits come with them (least my hella's did)

 

[firefighter9208]

Those KC Hi-Liter type off road lights are illegal in some states unless they are covered..A few years back, PA really cracked down on them to the point, if memory serves, they would write you up for even having them. They have backed off of that recently.

Gotta watch the state laws on this stuff..my neighbor is a volunteer fireman. he has a blue light bar on his Ram 2500 with all of the signage that fireman usually have. When he goes duck hunting in the south, hes has to take it off, or completely cover it...Found that out when a souther trooper pulled him over for that reason only.

In Alabama it's against the law to have a blue light on a vehicle unless you are law enforcement.

It's also against the law for Volunteer Firefighters to run red lights on personal vehicles unless the vehicle has been deemed an emergency vehicle by the fire chief. If that happens the vehicle has to be covered by dept. insurance, because private insurance won't pay. Of course, I see guys all the time running around with red lights on their POV. If they are involved in an accident they might have problems.

Chris

 

[Dargo]

Those KC Hi-Liter type off road lights are illegal in some states unless they are covered..A few years back, PA really cracked down on them to the point, if memory serves, they would write you up for even having them. They have backed off of that recently.

Gotta watch the state laws on this stuff..my neighbor is a volunteer fireman. he has a blue light bar on his Ram 2500 with all of the signage that fireman usually have. When he goes duck hunting in the south, hes has to take it off, or completely cover it...Found that out when a souther trooper pulled him over for that reason only.

I live in a rural area and understand the need to see better when you are alone on rural roads. I have some Hella lights I kick on at times to see further ahead on empty unlighted county roads. My huge problem is that, in my area, people have replaced their fog lights in their vehicles with these lights and, obviously, they blind you when you meet them on the road. Per law enforcement and state driving manuals, you are to look at the right side white line to stay on the road and shield your eyes as best as possible. This works if someone just has their brights on coming at you, but doesn't work with 100 watt driving lights coming at you. Then I have no choice but to turn my bright driving lights on to see the side of the road. When I do so (only doing what they are already doing to me), oncoming offenders then turn their brights on in addition to their bright driving lights.

I know it's wrong, but at times I've basically had to play chicken with them when driving my F350. There is a time and place for these lights. To be safe and watch for deer or any other hazard on a empty road is what these lights are designed to do. My only issue is with the morons who think it's cool or whatever and use them all the time. It's really, really bad in my area. Fortunately the police have been ticketing people for this, but there are so many offenders that the police can't keep up with all of them. My crazy neighbor carries several rocks in his floor as a parting gift for those people with blinding lights. I wonder when this is going to stop? It seems to get worse every year.

 

[RobertN]

Might look up this thread. Four Wheel Parts has a program to send off-road lights to US troops in the field; apparently a lot of these have been installed on military rigs in Iraq and Afganistan.

4 Wheel Parts Bravo Program

First glance looks like they are supplying some of these lamps

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lights-L...ights.aspx?t_c=14&t_s=448&t_pt=4242&t_pl=1849

 

[tugboat-2]

I always install an outside sun visor on my trucks and since I put the deer whistles up there, (many years ago),...I see deer, foxes, coons etc dive off the road a few hundred feet ahead as I approach.

Say what you like about 'em, ... for me, they really do work!! I live in deer country and it used to be quite a problem,.... no more with the whistles I'm here to tell you for sure !!

Now the funny thing about them is, (and I can't explain it) but it doesn't seem to affect cattle or horses, but sure works on everything else. Perhaps I'll enquire of the local Veterinary College, see if they know?

CHEERS!
. . tug

 

[dcyrilc]

I always install an outside sun visor on my trucks and since I put the deer whistles up there, (many years ago),...I see deer, foxes, coons etc dive off the road a few hundred feet ahead as I approach.

Say what you like about 'em, ... for me, they really do work!! I live in deer country and it used to be quite a problem,.... no more with the whistles I'm here to tell you for sure !!

Now the funny thing about them is, (and I can't explain it) but it doesn't seem to affect cattle or horses, but sure works on everything else. Perhaps I'll enquire of the local Veterinary College, see if they know?

CHEERS!
. . tug

If you do, post it and let us know what you find out. You have me curious.