Lights for back roads /deer

[Bbp]

I drive a lot of back roads. There are a lot of deer. What lights would you recommend for better distance and off to the side of the road? Where would you mount them? So many companies and so many options it's hard to make a decision. Thanks

Sponsored

 

[Grayhound]

I’m using diode dynamics ss3 sport lights mounted on my cowl. I’ve been very happy with them. I see many eyes staring back at me Now.

 

[Cips]

I went with Diode Dynamics as well. Their factory tour video helped sway my decision; it was a very impressive watch.

Anywho, I did some research on lighting areas before I made my purchase to get a better idea of where I was trying to light up. Baja Designs has good information on what they refer to as Lighting Zones. I'd start there.

https://www.bajadesigns.com/help/lighting-zones/

 

[jadmt]

not cheap but these KC slimlites really light up the road..they were so bright I actually put the DOT diffuser lenses on them..they light up the sides as in front very well. mounted on a cheap Rocktrix winch guard.

 

[azjl#3]

We have deer and, elk, that will stop your day if you hit one.

Are you talking on real roads or forest service type roads. I would not use extra lights on real roads, just use hi beams.

I do have rigid wide diffuse beam lights for backroad off hiway use.

 

[ORACLElights]

There are a ton of options out there, but we’re happy to help answer any questions!

For what you’re describing, I’d look at something like our integrated roof light bar for long-distance visibility, and maybe even our off-road side mirrors with built-in LEDs to help light up the ditches and sides of the road — that’s usually where deer love to hang out. You could also add a set of Vega pods aimed a little outward for extra side coverage without going overboard.

 

[Bbp]

I went with Diode Dynamics as well. Their factory tour video helped sway my decision; it was a very impressive watch.

Anywho, I did some research on lighting areas before I made my purchase to get a better idea of where I was trying to light up. Baja Designs has good information on what they refer to as Lighting Zones. I'd start there.

https://www.bajadesigns.com/help/lighting-zones/

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out

 

[Bbp]

We have deer and, elk, that will stop your day if you hit one.

Are you talking on real roads or forest service type roads. I would not use extra lights on real roads, just use hi beams.

I do have rigid wide diffuse beam lights for backroad off hiway use.

Real roads. I'd like to tie them into the auto hi beams.

 

[3TV]

Last year I finished the Rubicon Trail at about 3 PM, aired up the tires, gassed up, and then drove straight through to home in southern Utah. Coming across the Loneliest Highway in America in the middle of the night was made much easier with the aftermarket lights I had on my Jeep. I have 4 of the amber Baja Designs S1 lights behind the front skid plate that do a good job of lighting up the periphery of the road and close to the Jeep. Then I have 2 Baja Designs LP6 lights on the bumper that have good side lighting while also taking care of distance lighting needs. Then I have 2 Baja Designs LP4 lights on the cowling that are angled to better light up the shoulders of the road. It almost felt like driving in daylight while driving across miles and miles of deserted highway at 2 AM.

Mine is the tiny one on 40s

 

[Medsker]

I'd like to tie them into the auto hi beams.

I'd like to do this too. When I lived in Australia it was required by law so the lights always came with a harness that would plug into the back of the headlight and then to the harness and relay. Of course we frequently used them on the regular roads and treated them as high beans. There are more kangaroos over there then there are deer here. The semis would fill the front of their rigs with lights and turn them all on. If they didn't see you in time and you came around a corner it is like staring at the sun.

I wish someone made something like that over here. I was out at 4 am the other morning and rode for over an hour through the mountains without seeing another vehicle. I put them on a few times but always kept my finger on the on/off switch. It would've been easier to just turn off the brights and them at the same time if needed.

I'm too old to try and figure out all the stuff necessary to do it. But if any electrical person could make a harness or even a schematic it would be nice.

I've rambled enough.... Good luck staying away from the critters out there!

 

[X35]

KC HiLites Gravity Titans in driving beam:

https://www.kchilites.com/gravity-titan-led-pair.html

Absolutely love mine. I have them wired into the OEM Hi Beam switch with a KC supplied adapter harness. I live rural with tons of deer around and they get the job done. Not cheap though.

 

[Grayhound]

I'd like to do this too. When I lived in Australia it was required by law so the lights always came with a harness that would plug into the back of the headlight and then to the harness and relay. Of course we frequently used them on the regular roads and treated them as high beans. There are more kangaroos over there then there are deer here. The semis would fill the front of their rigs with lights and turn them all on. If they didn't see you in time and you came around a corner it is like staring at the sun.

I wish someone made something like that over here. I was out at 4 am the other morning and rode for over an hour through the mountains without seeing another vehicle. I put them on a few times but always kept my finger on the on/off switch. It would've been easier to just turn off the brights and them at the same time if needed.

I'm too old to try and figure out all the stuff necessary to do it. But if any electrical person could make a harness or even a schematic it would be nice.

I've rambled enough.... Good luck staying away from the critters out there!

KC made an adapter for us based on forum feedback

https://www.kchilites.com/wire-harness-adapter-jeep-jl-headlight-6325.html

 

[Medsker]

KC's adapter is a little expensive but probably worth it to not have to worry about doing things right. I'm trying to think of a way to run it through the aux switches but I can't think of a way to do it. I guess you'd just have to mount a SPST switch to turn the lights on and off for when you don't want them on with the high beams. At least if I'm thinking of it right. I'm thinking: high beam wire from the adapter -> SPST switch -> relay -> lights Is this right?

 

[KC HiLiTES]

KC's adapter is a little expensive but probably worth it to not have to worry about doing things right. I'm trying to think of a way to run it through the aux switches but I can't think of a way to do it. I guess you'd just have to mount a SPST switch to turn the lights on and off for when you don't want them on with the high beams. At least if I'm thinking of it right. I'm thinking: high beam wire from the adapter -> SPST switch -> relay -> lights Is this right?

Hello,

Yes, this would be the correct way to add this function to the lights so you can use both the OME headlight wiring and a 2nd switch

 

[Dexter612]

I had a pair of BD Squadron Sports with the amber combo lens on my JKU bumper. They worked well on country roads and were brighter than the Hella halogen headlights I was running. I have the same lights now in the bumper of my JLU instead of the oem fogs. They aren't as bright as the oem led headlights. They work well, but I will be adding another pair of Squadron Sports with the amber spot lens to try to match the performance of the current headlights.

Sponsored