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LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 12:11 pm
by OffroadTreks
Hey guys, really thinking hard about replacing my lower fogs with the Rigid Industries fog light mount and then mounting two LED driving lamps in each fog light bracket.

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I know there was a thread around here somewhere about folks already doing this. Wanted to get some input and opinions from those who have. What has your experience been?

Is it enough light? or too much light?

Do you run all four LED pods?

What is your setup?

Anything you'd do differently?

What beam patterns did you install?

I was thinking two spots in the inside and floods near the outside. But not 100% sure.

I'm also not 100% certain if this will be a better lighting solution compared to just stuffing HID's in my fog lights to begin with. So if you have an opinion on that, share away.

:popcorn:

Thanks.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 12:52 pm
by 04Ram2500Hemi
Vision X has the same setup, and that might be worth a look too. The lights behind the grill of my truck are all Vision X and I'm really happy with them. They were less expensive too, so that was a plus.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 12:57 pm
by 2011TXPowerWagon
I really like the lights behind the grill.

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Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 1:00 pm
by OffroadTreks
To clarify, I'm looking at other LED light pod options. But I do plan on using their bracket. Don't want it to turn into a "save money" discussion. Just wanted to talk options.

Doesn't behind the grille kind of defeat the purpose? My chrome grille is pretty constrained.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 1:01 pm
by 04Ram2500Hemi
2011TXPowerWagon wrote:I really like the lights behind the grill.

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I think that might be a problem with his Laramie grill. I was going to suggest that too, but there really isn't enough room between the slots to offer a decent amount of light.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 2:06 pm
by Colibri
Those LEDs are probably bright enough that using them in traffic will irritate other motorists. I have a jeep that I replaced factory fogs on with some baja designs squadrons and the output is phenomenal but they blind oncoming traffic and people in front of me closer than 100 yards or so. Out in the countryside they're worth their weight in gold, but I hardly ever get to use them in civilization. I see the duallys are rated at 1500 lumens each so the four of them is a couple thousand lumens less than mine but still probably too intense for populated areas.

If you were so inclined I'd say get some brighter bulbs for the factory fogs and then get some quality auxiliary lighting for when you need to bring the sun with you in the boonies. That would be a more versatile solution I believe.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 2:09 pm
by Colibri

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 3:01 pm
by Reloaderguy

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 3:42 pm
by OffroadTreks
Yup, saw your install. But how you feel about them still?
Colibri wrote:Those LEDs are probably bright enough that using them in traffic will irritate other motorists. I have a jeep that I replaced factory fogs on with some baja designs squadrons and the output is phenomenal but they blind oncoming traffic and people in front of me closer than 100 yards or so. Out in the countryside they're worth their weight in gold, but I hardly ever get to use them in civilization. I see the duallys are rated at 1500 lumens each so the four of them is a couple thousand lumens less than mine but still probably too intense for populated areas.

If you were so inclined I'd say get some brighter bulbs for the factory fogs and then get some quality auxiliary lighting for when you need to bring the sun with you in the boonies. That would be a more versatile solution I believe.
This has been a consideration for sure. I was thinking about doing a 3 way switch. Maybe only have two pods in use as fogs. And a switch to activate all fours, and possibly have it so all four come on with the high beams.

I have a 42 inch light bar on the way for the bumper. So maybe I'll just go LED or HID in the OE fogs. But I've been tempted to try this. Decisions, decisions.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 3:46 pm
by Reloaderguy
The OEM fogs are garbage, I'm not wasting mone trying to put led or hid bulbs in them.

LED pods work very well. I'll eventually do a light bar but the pods are here to say.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 4:16 pm
by OffroadTreks
Reloaderguy wrote:The OEM fogs are garbage, I'm not wasting mone trying to put led or hid bulbs in them.

LED pods work very well. I'll eventually do a light bar but the pods are here to say.
:rockon:

Kind of how I feel there. That reflector housing isn't really designed for HID's, and they have a piss poor desperation pattern.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 4:19 pm
by Will
Can NOT go wrong with Rigid, had them all over my boat and loved them. If you do the fog light replacement, I highly recommend getting the "driving light" beam. Not flood or spot, they through a flat pancake spread that broadcasts the light wider and easier to adjust below oncoming traffic eyes

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 4:19 pm
by 04Ram2500Hemi
MikeKey wrote:
Reloaderguy wrote:The OEM fogs are garbage, I'm not wasting mone trying to put led or hid bulbs in them.

LED pods work very well. I'll eventually do a light bar but the pods are here to say.
:rockon:

Kind of how I feel there. That reflector housing isn't really designed for HID's, and they have a piss poor desperation pattern.
You think your headlights suck, you should see the lack of output my 2012's put out. I just have a hard time dropping a ton of cash on new headlights right now.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 4:50 pm
by joshet89
I have had that exact setup for a year and a half now and I am still very happy with it. My drive home is mostly back roads after dark and they have been worth their weight in gold just by being able to pick up deer earlier to have a better chance to stop.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 4:52 pm
by TruckBoatTruck
I have Rigid LED pods on my 2015 Laramie PW. They work awesome, super bright. I have the spotlights on the inside and the floods on the outside. I have it so they turn on with the factory switch. Expensive but worth the money.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 5:12 pm
by Reloaderguy
MikeKey wrote:
Reloaderguy wrote:The OEM fogs are garbage, I'm not wasting mone trying to put led or hid bulbs in them.

LED pods work very well. I'll eventually do a light bar but the pods are here to say.

:rockon:

Kind of how I feel there. That reflector housing isn't really designed for HID's, and they have a piss poor desperation pattern.
Do HID'S at the same time.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 5:21 pm
by ggbull
[attachment=0]3x3mount.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]PW3x3.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]PW3x3.jpg[/attachment]I wanted to keep my factory fog lights and switch. I mounted these two easily in the front. They are spot light pattern and I have them pointed outward a bit. I wired it up to a relay and switch. I still have full access to my winch and controls.(I've had to rescue myself once since)I added a factor 55 flatlink so my hook doesn't attach to my tow hook anymore. I love it!

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 5:34 pm
by TruckBoatTruck
Reloaderguy wrote:
MikeKey wrote:
Reloaderguy wrote:The OEM fogs are garbage, I'm not wasting mone trying to put led or hid bulbs in them.

LED pods work very well. I'll eventually do a light bar but the pods are here to say.

:rockon:

Kind of how I feel there. That reflector housing isn't really designed for HID's, and they have a piss poor desperation pattern.
Do HID'S at the same time.
I for sure recommend doing HID's at the same time. I did and my lighting is 10x better diving home down country roads at night. I see 10x the wildlife, makes deer pause on the side of the road instead of jumping at me.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 5:45 pm
by Colibri
Having headlights and oem fogs on is a reasonable amount of light and won't blind anyone else on the road

Having headlights and led fogs is very bright but if you're sharing the road at all you have to turn off the LEDs or you'll blind other drivers and be a jerk, leaving you with just stock low beam whenever others are around. The transition from bright as day to stock low beam sucks as it takes your eyes a bit to adjust.

Having headlights and oem fogs plus a light bar or something similar is the most versatile option. Cutting off the bar for other traffic still leaves you with decent visibility and more than low beams.

Try out your new bar before you swap your fogs. And don't bother trying to convert them to hid. They're already great for their intended purpose. Having a real light on the truck is fantastic but only in addition to stock in my experience.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 7:08 pm
by OffroadTreks
I actually have HID's already in the projectors and LED's for the high beams. I was holding off on the fogs till I made up my mind. The factory projectors are alright, but they aren't anything to write home about.

On my old truck I had Jeremy at the Retro Shop install Morimoto FX-R projectors. World's above the factory projector. Crisp perfect aim and cut off. Not that fussy crap the OE's do. I also believe they sent the beam wider and further. At least it feels that way compared to the HID's in the new truck. Also miss my halo's.


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Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 8:36 pm
by Colibri
Well shit, if your old truck is any indication, I'm sure whatever you decide to do will be tasteful and functional. :rockon:

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 9:54 pm
by nts007
Rigid now makes an actual DOT legal led fog pattern led pod in their 2x2. Been looking at them myself lately. Pair of those and a visionX Optimus 2x2 side by side is what I was looking at. Fogs with low and pencil beam with high

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 9:56 pm
by TruckBoatTruck
I never use my LED fogs on the road. My HIDs are bright enough. Only time I flick them on is when I know other drivers are not coming oncoming. They will not be functional on the road unless you get the driving pods or put some color filter caps. Off road at my lease is where they really "shine" :lol:

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 10:35 pm
by Reloaderguy
MikeKey wrote:I actually have HID's already in the projectors and LED's for the high beams. I was holding off on the fogs till I made up my mind. The factory projectors are alright, but they aren't anything to write home about.

On my old truck I had Jeremy at the Retro Shop install Morimoto FX-R projectors. World's above the factory projector. Crisp perfect aim and cut off. Not that fussy crap the OE's do. I also believe they sent the beam wider and further. At least it feels that way compared to the HID's in the new truck. Also miss my halo's.


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I did 2 sets of 2X2 floods. I wish I had done two sets of 6X6 floods. Combined the 2X2 are plenty bright but I have some plans and mights run a set on the fog light circuit and a set on its own relay. The 6X6 would provide better light if you just run a set by themselves.

I got brighted with just the normal fog lights on. The cubes are obviously too bright for the street.

Re: LED Light pods in the fog lights? Thoughts, Opinions?

Posted: Fri May 20, 2016 8:58 am
by Chromolykid
I highly recommend Baja Designs over any other LED brand, you are paying for quality reflectors and housings. Not to mention they are dimmable and can be strobed. A single 12" racer Onx bar is adequate for 100mph speeds at night. KC is also making pretty awesome lights lately. I will be doing an LED mod on my truck soon, but hadn't considered replacing the floods, now you've got me thinking... A couple squadrons would tuck in there nicely.