Use fog light as headlight

Hello ya'll,

I have the 2021 Tacoma SR Access cab. I wanted to get a pair of fog light to use as headlight. I don't have any switch but my goal is when I turn on the headlight the fog light will be on too without any complicated wiring.

I've tried to search around the forum and I got overwhelmed and couldn't find the right info. If you could link it to me or the items I need to get that would be helpful. Thanks !

 

C _ @kmorgan3 can sell you the C11 T harness so you don't cut into the vehicle wires.
B _ @daveeasa might be able to build you the T for the Low beam tap.
A _ You can do all by your lonesome...

 

Just be careful which "fog light" kit you buy. Many - especially lower priced - kits have a very poor beam pattern and will do nothing more than blind oncoming drivers. A true "fog" pattern - properly aimed - can be run most times with your headlights.

 

Thank you sir!!! I didn't know this is that complicated. So do I just need the C11 T harness or also the T for the low beam tap? I will contact that person after I cleared this. I surely do not want to build this wire system.

Would you recommend any set of frog light to me? I cannot stand that piece of plastic without any light!!!

 

Diode dynamics SAE fogs are nice

 

I love mine. I have the SAE ones from Baja on my Land Cruiser, and wish I would have opted for the Diode.

 

I assuming you guys talking about this one:

https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage-series-3-sae-dot-type-b-fog-light-kit.html

I can get it after figured out the wiring part to use them as headlight without switch as white!!

 

Everything you ever wanted to know about fog lights:

The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review | Tacoma World

Spoiler Alert: The Diode Dynamics SS3's win.

 

Pick up their wiring harness and go direct, ignoring all the factory fluff.

@memario1214 at Hot Shot Off Road is a good source.

 

Diode Dynamics SS3 SAE Fog lights for sure! Get the Pro or Max version if snow is an issue, the Sport doesn't create enough heat on the lens to melt snow/slush/ice. Do NOT waste your money on Baja Designs, after looking through the thread the @Too Stroked linked you'll see why. Rigid and KC make great lights too if you prefer the design. However the Diode Dynamics SS3' blow them out of the water. Honestly if you got the Max SAE Fog with the clear lens you may not even know your headlights are on.... they truly are more powerful than many headlights out there.

I prefer the Selective Yellow lens because it makes a world of difference in poor weather. I have the SS3 Pro SAE Fog with Selective Yellow lens that I use year round. My buddy has the SS3 Max SAE Fog with selective yellow and clear lens, he swaps them to clear for the summer and yellow for winter. A couple weeks after swapping to the clear lenses this spring he was driving through a heavy rain storm and noticed how much better the yellow is vs the clear in poor weather. He almost switched back to the yellow permanently but decided stick with clear for summer and yellow for winter.

This is the SS3 Pro Fog with Selective Yellow lens (on our Subaru Ascent), headlights off, wall apx 100ft away. DISCLAIMER: I took this photo before adjusting them down, didn't take and "after adjustment" shot.

 

Not enough throw for distance in fogs when aimed properly.

 

On a truck with a 2" drop at 25ft and assuming the fog lights are at 28" (just guessing based of 3rg gen stock bumper height) then you would end up with the top of the beam pattern cutoff at roughly 350ft in front of the vehicle assuming the light projected that far, the Max might... It's honestly up to the eyes of the owner of the truck. As long as they are aimed properly I see no harm in using them no matter the weather conditions. I fully understand the science behind fog lights, but they truly do add usable light no matter the conditions.

I can absolutely tell you that using the SS3 Pro's with the Selective Yellow lens on our Subaru Ascent helps at night no matter the conditions. I have less eye strain and better visibility on the sides of the road. I feel like (perceive) that the selective yellow helps reduce the amount of white light (blue, indigo and violet color spectrums) that would normally be there when using only the headlights. Again, I know it doesn't actually reduce the amount of white light produced by my headlights, but the way my eyes perceive the light it greatly helps. Now, if they were the clear lens it would likely be more distracting. But I do have the SSC2 Pro Fog clear lens on my motorcycle and they help tremendously, even with the D2S 4.0 Projector retrofit that I have installed.

This is our Subaru about 40ft away from the wall with low beam (OEM LED headlights) and fog lights on, obviously before I reaimed the fog lights lower, but you get the idea. It really cuts down on the amount of white light reflection.



This is my buddies SS3 Max in his Subaru Legacy, also with OEM LED headlights. The selective yellow absolutely makes a huge difference. Even without poor weather conditions.

 

It really isn't complicated.
If you choose C option/method then just the C11. You could add a SPDT switch between the wire coming from the relay to have it the fogs ON whenever (if you supply the relay with constant battery power and not an ign source). With the C11 tap the fogs would be ON anytime you select low beams.


For the choice of fog lamps, read a bit more. There are so many choices and most burn a hole in the wallet.

 

Your second picture sold me. I am placing the order for the SS3 Sport.

I tried to learn but could you point me the harness I need to get if I want to use it with headlight without switch please. Here is the link of their harness:
https://www.diodedynamics.com/accessories/wiring-and-install.html?product_list_limit=40

Thank you mate! If you didn't mention the bezel I wouldn't know. I'm trying to look for a pair at Ebay and Amazon, most sell a single side. I need to look abit more. I already spend 2K on the accessories for my 21 Taco. At this point I think this is the last mod I would do after the wheels.

 

Another vote for Diode dynamics. I have the amber fog lights and was driving thru a heavy rain one night, turned them on and couldn't believe how much better I could see the road.

 

can confirm, the pros are bright enough to use as headlights.

my hid ground went bad on me mid drive home at night.
Flipped on the Pro DD SS3 SAE FOG and was home without blinding anyone or endangering myself.

they’re pricy but VERY bright.

edit: I got mine from the shameless plugger above me! Hahaha.
Can confirm that memario is also the man. Haha.

 

As I suggested in my post,

And in post 17 he has replied with a link to the harness I referenced.

 

I would absolutely spring for the Pro if you can! Incase you missed it, the 2nd picture is the SS3 MAX and 1st picture is the PRO. Luckily if you get the Sport now and want to get the Pro or Max later (Labor Day sales are coming, wink wink) you can get them later and use the Sport with a different lens for something else like ditch lights, spot/driving lights or whatever later on. I'm not saying the Sport is a poor performer, but for the extra $120 for the Pro it's 100% worth it!

Also, shoot @memario1214 a private message. He's done me and many others very well on this forum. Not saying any other vendor isn't good, bet he has helped me a lot when other vendors weren't able to.