Exterior Semi-Tech General discussion of exterior for the Ford Ranger.

Street Legal Fog Lights

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Old 02-01-2009
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From: Norcross, GA
Street Legal Fog Lights

I'm planning to put some aftermarket fog lights/driving lights either on my bumper or behind the grill after I put on the 01-03 honeycomb grill, but I want ones that are street legal. All the ones that I have looked at so far say "Offroad Use Only." Can someone tell me some decent lights that I won't get pulled over for using?
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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From: locust grove georgia
i bought lights from walmart for $20 to put behind my grill and i havent got pulled over yet for them but all my friend complain about them if they drive in front of me. so they are very bright but i dont think its bright enough to get pulled over for.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Why do you want the lights? Is it for looks or for purpose? If you drive on really dark roads then you could get the offroad lights and then just turn them off when you encounter someone else. Sort of like you high beams. And if it is just for looks then get at least a 6" light.

I had a cheap set from walmart, like $20 or $30 and they worked well.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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I want them for functionality. As far as looks I just want them to be some clear 6" round lights, but I want them to replace the factory fog lights as far as purpose. They can be brighter than that but I don't want to have to turn them off every time I pass a car (most of my driving is on highways). I'm also going to wire them into the stock fog light wires and button on the radio bezel.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Not sure you can get a 6" 'driving' light. That wouldn't be considered offroad only use.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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They all say that on the package but it is really a legally meaningless statement. Every state has laws that pertain to auxiliary lights or the number of lights allowed. As long as you have them aimed such that they do not blind people, you should not have a problem with one set of auxiliary lights.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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From: Plattsburgh, New York
Hella 500 or the 500FF for the price cant beat it.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Thanks for the help. I think I'll just go with the Hella 500s and make sure they aren't aimed at everyone's faces. Is it easier to wire them with the included switch and wires or into the existing factory fog light wires? I no longer have the valance with fogs but the wires and button are still there.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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You can just wire them directly to the fog light wires. No need to use the included parts.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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I really think you are overreacting. I have 6000K HID in my stock lights and I never have any problems.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Originally Posted by Jp7
I really think you are overreacting. I have 6000K HID in my stock lights and I never have any problems.
Well it's just because I have never actually seen aftermarket fog lights in person in use, so I have little idea as to how bright they really are. I just have Sylvania 9007 bulbs in my headlights and have people constantly flashing at me because they think they're my brights.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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They are flashing at you because you have the lights aimed improperly. You need to adjust them down.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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i have two hellas 6" behind my grille and some people flash me, but most people don't care and i know in Georgia there is no law restricting the brightness of the actual lights. Just know that they are very bright lights and the area they light up is very sizeable. Just use sense when approaching cars in the dark with them on cuz if you blind them and they hit you its your fault. no big deal though. i would not wire them into your factory fog light switch, just because if you wanted to turn them on or off separately then you could, but use the switches at the auto parts store not the ones the kit provides.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Originally Posted by rangercrazy07
i would not wire them into your factory fog light switch, just because if you wanted to turn them on or off separately then you could, but use the switches at the auto parts store not the ones the kit provides.
If he wired them up to his stock fog light switch you can still turn on your fogs on or off separate from the headlights.
 
  #15  
Old 02-01-2009
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I might just wire them seperately if they come with everything anyway because.I wanna get a new bumper with fog lights too, but what's wrong with the included switch? Is it just cheap or something?
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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I might just wire them seperately if they come with everything anyway because.I wanna get a new bumper with fog lights too, but what's wrong with the included switch? Is it just cheap or something?
Ease of instalation. You don't have to worry about running the wire through the firewall or finding another place for a switch,
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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harbor freight

$20....i had dual 6inch round offroad lights came with all the hardware and wire you needed
they were 110 watts and bright as hell

i got into a pushing contest with my roomate...(i won) but the lights didnt make it
so i had to go back to my little square 4x2 driving lights on the bumper
 
  #18  
Old 02-02-2009
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From: Old Town, ME
just get a toggle switch, wire the lights together, wire them to the switch. send another wire to the positive of the battery. ground the lights to the negative of the battery. voila! just make sure that its a two prong switch, not three like what comes in the kit with hellas.
 
  #19  
Old 02-02-2009
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Where's a good spot for the switch? I was thinking I'll put it above the brake release closer to under the headlight ****. I just want it somewhere convenient. I don't like the fog light button on the passenger side of the radio.
 
  #20  
Old 02-02-2009
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my switch is down by the gas pedal by the cup holders, that black piece of plastic. I can post pics later if you want? I used to have lights on top, so I put the switch there to keep me from accidentally flipping it on and getting in trouble.
 
  #21  
Old 02-02-2009
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From: vienna va
i got pulled over for having them above the bumper, in virgina thats not allowed. you cant have more than 4 white lights on, too. sucks.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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most states require that lights reach a maximum distance of 75ft and dont stray into the other lane so much to be considered unsafe.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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From: Muncy, PA
Originally Posted by monkeysteeler12@yahoo.com
i got pulled over for having them above the bumper, in virgina thats not allowed. you cant have more than 4 white lights on, too. sucks.
in pa you cant have more than 4 filaments lit at a time. so when your high beams are on you cant have fogs on or any extra lighting. but i ran my fog with the high beam in the probe never got pulled over
 
  #24  
Old 02-02-2009
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From: The Lone Star State
Originally Posted by Xplo
I'm planning to put some aftermarket fog lights/driving lights either on my bumper or behind the grill after I put on the 01-03 honeycomb grill, but I want ones that are street legal. All the ones that I have looked at so far say "Offroad Use Only." Can someone tell me some decent lights that I won't get pulled over for using?
Try craigslist. I bought my Hella 500's for 20.00., and my PIAA 520's for only 100.00
 
  #25  
Old 02-02-2009
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From: CT
Tada. Back to normal.
 


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