Is it worth upgrading the fogs?
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
They won't catch on fire! The HIDs really don't run any hotter than stock.
55 watt kits are 35-40% brighter. Check the parts section I have some fogs in 55 watts left for $85 shipped.
55 watt kits are 35-40% brighter. Check the parts section I have some fogs in 55 watts left for $85 shipped.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I'm a little confused by all the blue and white output estimates, I understand 'white' light is 4300K, is that right? My other question is the 'watts'. At what point do you start overheating and perhaps melting the lenses or housings ? Is that a reasonable fear? The headlights and fogs light along with all the other plastic in there, I'm kinda scared of setting something on fire !
If on the other hand, you're okay to lose some of the brightness in order to achieve a cool appearance that will match switchback LED's, go with 6000k. If you kind find 5000k HID's in the fog size, that will give you the best of both worlds, IMO. 35w for your fogs is fine. I'm currently running 5000k 55w HID's in my RadioFlyer projectors and love 'em.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
4300k is the "whitest" light that will put the maxiumum amount of lumens on the road, period. If you are most concerned with seeing well, 4300k is what you want. That's what I have in my fogs.
If on the other hand, you're okay to lose some of the brightness in order to achieve a cool appearance that will match switchback LED's, go with 6000k. If you kind find 5000k HID's in the fog size, that will give you the best of both worlds, IMO. 35w for your fogs is fine. I'm currently running 5000k 55w HID's in my RadioFlyer projectors and love 'em.
If on the other hand, you're okay to lose some of the brightness in order to achieve a cool appearance that will match switchback LED's, go with 6000k. If you kind find 5000k HID's in the fog size, that will give you the best of both worlds, IMO. 35w for your fogs is fine. I'm currently running 5000k 55w HID's in my RadioFlyer projectors and love 'em.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
OK, that's exactly what I was wondering about. Can you please explain the 'Switchback LED's are, and i realize that the conversion to HID puts me in a whole another ballpark as far as heat is concerned. The HID's run much cooler while putting out a lot more 'Brightness' ? I'm at that point that I'm not sure the conversion to HID's would be worth it. I don't do a lot of night driving, BUT it is 'Deer Season' around here. A few years ago, I had a buck completely jump up and out and he cleared my front end in one leap. Which is great except for my nervous reaction to a windshield full of brown fur !
If you're considering HID for your main driving lamps, I urge you to get proper projectors with cut offs so you're not blinding oncoming traffic.
If you're going to be driving out in the boonies without much oncoming traffic, you could always try throwing a set of HID's into your high beams and light up the night like aircraft landing lights if you want to.
Last edited by JMc; Dec 2, 2009 at 04:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I've been running 35w in my fogs and have been thrilled, but now you've got me thinking about 55w for the fogs too. Dayum!! Those have to be BRIGHT.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
Yeah they're nice. I have 1 installed on one side of my projector headlights to see the difference and you can tell. 35 watts are hella bright, but the 55 watts are hella brighter.
I haven't changed my fogs out yet.
I haven't changed my fogs out yet.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,200
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From: DC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
So I got the 55w installed into the fogs, courtesy of JW. Holy crap what a difference from the stock to these. I re-aimed the fogs as well (I think I got it right). I don't have a picture yet, but seriously, it's night and day. I can pretty much run without the headlights if I want to whereas the fogs were useless before.
I'll get some pictures posted up then.
I'll get some pictures posted up then.
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Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
So I got the 55w installed into the fogs, courtesy of JW. Holy crap what a difference from the stock to these. I re-aimed the fogs as well (I think I got it right). I don't have a picture yet, but seriously, it's night and day. I can pretty much run without the headlights if I want to whereas the fogs were useless before.
I'll get some pictures posted up then.
I'll get some pictures posted up then.
Former Vendor
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From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,200
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From: DC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Took this shot earlier in the day. It shows the color difference between 4200k and the switchback LEDs. I was ok with the color difference since I want the more light output. When you're looking at them at night, I barely notice the color difference. It's mainly during the day that you see the yellow (at least from what I've seen).
Turned them off for this one.
Also, those are not my donut marks. Tires are way too expensive on this thing to leave marks like that.
Turned them off for this one.
Also, those are not my donut marks. Tires are way too expensive on this thing to leave marks like that.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Here are my 6000K Fog lights, with 6000K Low beams, and Switchbacks.
The change is UN REAL ! Do it.... I would have done it earlier if I had of known how big a difference it made.
The change is UN REAL ! Do it.... I would have done it earlier if I had of known how big a difference it made.