light up.

[Mike Ramos]

Re: Auxiliary Driving Lights

Another good discussion...

I run an 80/100 wit headlight bulb with dedicated wiring harness & relays (the stock bulb socket triggers the relays).  Previously a HID unit was installed but the stock FJ lens scattered the light, especially on high beam so although very bright, the light was essentially useless.  Next was a LED bulb that did not come near the performance of the 80/100 halogen bulb. 

After experimenting with several different brands of auxiliary driving lights, the ones best suited for me were the Hella FF50.  They are somewhat affordable at $100 +/- and relatively small in size with a semi-spotlight beam that shines down the road to quite a distance, yet they also light up directly in front and to the sides of the road. 

Stock they utilize the 55 watt H7 bulb but have 65 watt bulbs installed.  They have been in use for five or six years and a lot of miles and I have been satisfied with their performance.  Also installed is a volt meter monitoring the charging system of the FJ and it is well within the system's capacity.  Originally mounted on the engine guards, the lights were relocated at the base of the mirrors where the higher position offers better lighting.  They are adjusted so as to illuminate the right shoulder of the road and slightly to the left of center.     

The short video has several different scenarios, the high beam of the headlight is not used - only the auxiliary lights.  It turns out that they are pretty good in the fog as well, both day and night.

The first segment shows the difference with lights off and on in clear weather and traffic.  Next is light day time fog, followed by heavy night time fog which clearly illustrates the light pattern and where the beams intersect. 

The last segment was fairly long but is edited.  It occurred in the very early morning hours while  leaving the Bay Area.  Having just finished eating a cookie my sainted mother had packed in the tank bag, I was opening a Thermos bottle of warm milk when a car zoomed by and startled me!  So I quickly re-corked the Thermos and off we went - traffic was very light so we never slowed at all and kept up a brisk pace.  When I finally pulled ahead the auxiliary lights were turned on and as the automobile dropped back I finally had the opportunity to enjoy the still warm milk...nothing like an authentic Thermos bottle.

Ride safe.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swLAcneusWA&feature=youtu.be