Recommendations for ditch lights

Why? Because the search feature sucks, thats why...lol I really did try and search the question.

I'm looking to add a set of ditch lights for driving in adverse weather conditions, snow, rain, fog etc...Not so much for off road.
I know thats what they are really designed for but I like the look and from what I've read they can be adjusted to work great for my application.

I want a good quality set of yellow/amber fog lights that mount up on the hood..ditch light style...I see prices from $50 to $500+
but would like to stay somewhere in the middle if possible.

I'm also guessing flood is better than spot lights in this case but don't really know for sure.

So what have you got? what do you suggest?

Thanks for listening...

 

For ditch lights yes flood or "driving/cornering" is far far better than spots and they should be angled out and down a touch so that they basically compliment your headlights and fogs so you have close to a 180° arc of lighting in front of you.

I also put mine on independent switches so that I can run one side, the other, or both.

When out in the sticks I use the passenger side one to help spot deer before they become roadkill.

Rigid, Diode Dynamics, Baja Designs all good brands I would be happy to stick with, I have Rigid combo/driving for my ditch lights but may get rigid side shooters eventually.

@crashnburn80 has a great lighting thread though it is more geared towards SAE fogs that don't blind people but it may give you inside into form factory and design quality of brands.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...og-light-review.554813/page-301#post-27618352

@memario1214 I believe is a lighting dealer on here I think Sidetracked Offroad I believe he's the guy I bought mine through.

 

I run the Cali raised side shooters with an amber cover. I won't hesitate to say that as a fog light, they're... not great. The positioning is all wrong for proper fog. It will cut through slightly better than headlights, but you get an awful lot of bounce back off the hood.

As a ditch light, they're good. I have no issues finding my campsite or lighting up the sides with these.

If you want a fog light, trust me, mount it low. Not on the hood.

 

Despite what you’ve read, good fog lights are far superior for the situations you’re describing.

 

It's your choice and preference. I mean there are many in sizes and shapes...

Such as tiny ditch lights, big round lights, square lights, etc.

If not happy, make sure they have refund policy for those so you can take them back for refund or exchange. If not, skip them and find something else to try.

You can have yellow lights on ditch and white on fogs... or both are yellow.. Up to you.

 

Baja S2 Pro combo’s here on low pro cali raised brackets. I hardly use them, but late night trails finding camp spots, they are clutch. Ymmv

 

Ditch lights are about the worst possible thing you could use in adverse driving conditions, such as rain, snow, fog etc. In adverse conditions you want patterns with sharp cut offs below the hood line so that you don't get reflected back scatter or glare off the hood, the last place you'd want to place lights for that purpose is on the A-pillar. Flood is also the worst possible pattern for your intended purpose, massive hood glare, no throw and massive back scatter, a complete no starter for adverse weather conditions. What is it you want to achieve? Because everything you list is not inline with ditch lights, much less flood ditch lights. If you want ditch lights for the look, that can be a thing, but they won't serve the purposes you list.

If you are looking for down road illumination with minimal hood glare check out the Morimotos. But these again would not be good for adverse weather on the A-pillar. Morimoto 4banger NCS, Morimoto 4banger HXB

 

I have know idea what I’m talking about!
That’s why I asked the questions….
Thank you I really do appreciate the info
I like the look but in this case it really is about function…
First off I’m in New England so we see all kinds of weather all year round.
Next we’re in a valley and the fog can get thick.
In your opinion is it worth upgrading the stock fog lights or would it be better to add a light bar (does it have to be yellow)behind the grill?

 

Best ditch lights I’ve seen are the Rigid D-SS Pro. Those are the d series but with side shooters. The spot option is fantastic because they have plenty of close up lighting with the side shooters but then also go way far down because of the spot forward beam. They aren’t cheap but you can’t beam them. I would say the D-SS floods would be a worse choice than the spots.

 

For fog use, upgraded fogs will make a significant difference. Best units currently on the market in terms of output and spread is the SS3 Max. The SS3 Sports would be worth considering as well if looking for a more budget friendly option. Note the sports will not run hot enough to melt snow if that is a factor.

Reviews:
Diode Dynamics SS3 Max, Diode Dynamics SS3

 

Diode Dynamics SS3's ALL DAMN DAY.

I'm running the SS3's in the Pro version using the yellow driving beam lenses. They are absolutely bonkers for back roads and empty highways at night. They cut right through any weather I've put them through so far. I would imagine you want this and NOT a flood pattern, as that will just scatter light all around you, which will reflect off all the water/snow particles in the air and blind you. I also thing actual spot beams would be too narrow. Their driving beam is just right for me as a high beam/range beam on steroids.

On the sides I have their SSC2's in the Pro version as well using their white flood lens. (I have pretty dark tinted windows AND windshield has a mild tint too, so trail driving at night is tough without some way to light up the sides. They do an incredible job, but I would NOT settle for the Sports on these.

 

Duallys are worth every penny. That’s what I’ve had on my truck for years now with rago fab brackets. Highly recommend

 

Less travelled backroads and empty highways in any weather is exactly what I’m talking about.

Your set up looks really well thought out.
What is your opinion and experience with the glare off the hood?

 

Next question…can the bulbs in the oem fog lamps be changed and is there a bulb worth using for better fog cutting?

 

The only way you gave hood glare is doing 1 of these things

buying garbage brackets
Facing the lights straight forward

most of the brackets offset the mount so it’s over the fender but there are some out there that are straight up.

my lights are angled at 45 degrees. It still throws light forward, but doesn’t throw it over the hood. If you just want more forward visibility, put a light bar in the grill

 

One of the reasons I like the ditch lights is the obvious advantage of additional light to the sides.
We’ve got a lot wildlife running around in our area.
My goal is to maximize whatever I do get…
Obviously I’m not expecting to get “everything” I’m looking for with one thing or another.
My original thought on the ditch lights is
additional help with fog, light off to the sides and they look cool (hate to say it but looks count)
I’m thinking I could save a few buck and just upgrade the existing fog bulbs on the bumper.
Add a combo light bar behind the grill and
Then add a set of spot ditch lights for side view
Im guessing that will cover most any environment

 

Yes you can change them to leds ... or you can get amber leds

 

You got any pictures? I've been eyeing the S2 Pro's but haven't seen many pictures of them as ditch lights on Tacoma's.

 

Lighting is one of those things you get what you pay for. I use my ditch lights more than anything else I have. I would start with a good set of those and you may not even need any others.. I’ve got a bar in the front but I hardly even use it.

 

Do you have a picture or two of your set up
Model and price of what your running?