LED Bar Lights - The Legal Aspect - Question

OK - Still new to the forum and learning as I go. My questions:

1> Can I replace my current 2012 Taco fog lights with a LED or HID light system if I do not use the factory housings and run these as my trucks "fog lights"?

2> Can I run a HID/LED light bar while driving in heavy fog?

3> Can I run a HID/LED light bar while driving at night?

I ask because I live in the county (kind of back woods area) where there are a lot of dirt roads and roads without street lights.

Thanks, Mark in Mississippi

 

I believe you will find it varies by state. A lot of light swaps may or may not be DOT approved, but may be different depending on where you live. I didn't care much for the super bright blue lights when everyone started switching. The aiming for my jurisdiction was about the only thing I could enforce. Some states say light bars have to be covered unless off road. Here in Alaska the books actually say you can't have more than 4 white lights facing forward. It doesn't say they have to be on even. By this definition, my patrol truck was illegal. Of course, the courts and LEO's may interpret differently.

All that to say, you might want to ask your local guys to see what they say or will "enforce"

Hope that helps Mark

 

As someone that has lived and driven the backroads of alabama all my life, I'm going to assume your local police are similar to mine in what they do and don't care much about.

1) you can replace your fogs with LED bulbs, or HID systems, but they must be aimed properly and not be too bright. Swapping the light with something like a CaliRaised pod or a BajaDesigns Squadron becomes a completely different story. They would be far too bright to use as a normal fog light. You would blind everyone driving towards you.

2/3) You can run HID while driving, provided they are headlight retrofits. LED light bars are a big no-no while on roads. Regardless of night or fog.

ALL OF THAT BEING SAID

I have LED pods mounted on the hood and I had a 50" bar on my Jeep before I traded it in. I run these at night on public roads all the time. But I have them tied to my high beams and treat them very carefully. Keep in mind that if someone is driving towards you on the opposite side of the road, these lights could cause them to crash, and I wouldn't want that. Also keep in mind that using them is illegal and you could absolutely be given a ticket for using them. I got pulled over once in the 8 years I had my jeep running off-road lights at night and was very polite to the officer during the stop. He understood why I was using them and let me off with a warning. I don't expect most people to let you off like that.

 

Just use them as you would use your high beams. Turn it off for oncoming traffic

 

This is where you need to look:
https://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting?f[0]=field_product_family:4224

The SAE D-series(not XL) is compliant and usable as a fog light replacement. I have them on 3 of my vehicles.
The SAE bars can be used in addition to your high beams as supplemental lighting, but not in use in combination with your low beams like the D series fogs can be.
Also I believe rigid is adding more to the line currently, up to a 30 or 40" bar as supplemental auxiliary lighting (can be wired with high beams). That said, always consult your local laws as well, may be different in different parts of the country

 

Thanks guys for everyone's comments and feedback. I will talk with local law enforcement as I have lived in the same town for 55 years and know the Sheriff and Police Chief quite well.

Wanting to do what is right and legal and to the point that several of you pointed out - nothing is worse than meeting someone with "blinding lights" and I sure do not want to be that person in any form or fashion so there is a good possibility that since I do not intend to off road in my Taco I may just not put myself in the situation of even having a light bar on the front of my Taco......

Thanks Again....Mark

 

Just to clarify a bit more on replacing your fog light (or for that matter headlight) bulbs with LED or HID bulbs, you need more than "proper aiming." The illumination source in LED and HID units it completely different than conventional bulbs. That said, when you install them, they throw a completely different light pattern that the original housing / lens / reflectors were not designed for. This leads to uncontrolled scatter / glare that is really what bothers oncoming drivers. No amount of re-aiming will fix this.

You might want to check this thread out:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/automotive-lighting-101.534393/

BTW: In some states, aftermarket HID systems are illegal for use on public highways.

 

Too Stroked - Thanks Sir for this further clarification and information. Mark

 

You're very welcome. Glad I could help!

BTW, I have a 32" LED bar (fromCaliraised) in my lower grill. It's triggered by a relay off of my high beams. Technically, it's illegal for on-road use. I've never been hassled for having it, but then again, I don't run around with the thing blazing all the time like some idiots. I also run the "Ultimate Headlight Upgrade" as designed and built by our very own crashnburn80. You'll find a full thread on it in the Sticky section here and it's well worth every penny.

 

I just noticed that nobody addressed your second question on running an LED bar in heavy fog. There may be a few (very expensive) LED bars available out there with the proper beam pattern to run in fog, but I haven't seen one yet. Basically, you want a low mounted light source with a very flat / wide horizontal beam pattern. The idea with a fog beam pattern is to allow you to see the sides of the road and stay on it since pretty much nothing will currently penetrate fog for any distance. If you try most LED bars currently on the market in dense fog, all you'll get is a blast of your own light reflected right back in your eyes. Not good.

That said, there are a number of LED (and even HID) fog light replacements that do a pretty credible job of doing what I described above. Crashnburn80 is in the process of writing up a really awesome comparison of the most popular ones as I write this. These are not LED or HID replacement bulbs, but whole replacement lights. Don't get tempted with a LED or HID bulb swap because you'll just be wasting your time & money.

 

Tom - Thanks again - Here is where I am going to start since I am on a limited budget and not the best at wiring projects. Following your recommendations above I just finished reading the thread on headlights that CrashnBurn created and I just ordered two sets (he recommended buying two sets not one because of bulb life) of the Philips Xtreme +130's from his link and I received 25% off my order and free shipping so I have two sets on the way. These will allow me to use the current OEM housings and wiring harnesses but get more light from my headlights.

Fog Lights - To your recommendation I will wait until CrashnBurn finishes his new review of the fog lights (allows me a little time to save up some more $$'s).....

Mark

 

I see idiots all the time driving with led bars on.

Don’t be one of them

 

Sounds like a solid plan on a budget. The full Ultimate Headlight Upgrade is awesome, but you do have to be somewhat handy and able to do some basic wiring with the heavy duty harness that's required. And yes, it does cost a bit more. I'm very comfortable with automotive wiring and taking my time, it took me about 2 hours to install it. The Phillips Xtreme +130s are about as good as you're going to get with the stock wiring and I think you'll be quite happy with them.

As for the fogs, waiting for crashnburn80's write-up will be worth the wait. Based on what I've heard, there will be myths debunked, questionable advertising claims exposed and interesting winners (and losers) declared. Oh, and all of this will be based on science and objective testing instead of internet boasting.

 

I do not intend to be "one of those idiots" - That is why I have been asking for guidance, direction, and recommendations from the group here....

Too Stroked - Thanks Again for your help and recommendations on my questions. Looks like it is time to let this thread die.....

 

The only good thing about most of those idiots is that they're running cheap Chinese LED bars that really aren't that bright. (They are however enough to piss one off.) Anybody with a good one can't do that because we'd burn the paint off of too many cars in front of us.

 

Someone sent the link to rigids site

They have some sweet lights that are good to run on the street.

 

I can say that the Morimoto XB LED fog lights are great. I am looking forward to that comparison to see how they do, but I like them a lot.

 

I too have the Morimotos, but think there might be some better options. I don't want to let any cats out of the bag though.

 

according to V.C 24411 anyone with any auxiliary lights being operated on any highway your lights are to be covered with opaque black covers. Anything that is above the headlights.