MackayMark

As I read, it looks like the only problem with the 30" bar (I'm looking at the Rigid E2 Combo), is it doesn't fit in most bull bars, so maybe the 20" will be ok?

I'm looking at a lot of YouTube videos from Snake Racing (they seem to like the Rigid products).

Anyone use the 20" Rigid light bar and like it? If so, did you pair it up with anything else?

Thanks again for all the input. So much to learn.

ak_cowboy

What a lot of guys have done on the 09-14s (Don't know if it'll work on 2015+) is mount the 30" Bar behind the grill and mount the other lights on a bull bar or light bar in front. You can mount them in the lower bumper, but you lose light output. The higher you can mount a light, the more useable light you get. ( Try it at home by holding a flashlight at your feet vs above your head)

Money being no object; I would mount a 50" Rigid above the windshield and four 6" Lightforce HIDs on a light bar. That would provide daylight at midnight

My current setup is Mini H1 projectors and four 6" HIDs behind my grill. The projectors provide plenty of light to the side and the HIDs reach a mile down the road.

I put a 20" LED bar on my wifes jeep bumper and am getting ready to retrofit some new Mini H1s to help out. Though I really think a 40" Lightbar on the roof rack will be mounted before our next major roadtrip. The 20" is good for most driving, but still lacks the punch I'm looking for. *Disclaimer, this bar is an Amazon china bar. Not Rigid**

PS: All my aux lighting is tied into the high beams with a relay and fuse to make sure I can shut it all down immediately when I see oncoming traffic.

MackayMark

Hi Cowboy, I've seen a few videos of the China knock-off vs. the Rigid original light bars and it's quite dramatic.

I'm reading that some guys are putting high-power lights in the fog light locations. It makes we worry, due to your "put a flashlight near the ground and then over your head" comment (which I actually did and it's very revealing). Do you know the Rigid product lines pretty well? If so, what light would you replace the fogs with? I know they are down low, so maybe putting alternative lighting in there is not too good of an idea, although I see Rigid makes a mounting kit for that location, so they must think so?

Lot's of opinions and of course, the companies want to sell product

Thanks again for your information.

ak_cowboy

I'm not well-versed in the Rigid products due to their price range being well beyond me. However, their hyperspot line looks very exciting and I would love to try one out.

Fog lights should be replaced with fogs. The reason they are down low is to undercut the water droplets and reduce the amount of light that is reflected directly back towards you. Also why fog lights should be amber in color.
Lots of guys will replace them with higher power lights and tie them into the high beams (myself included) but you lose the "fog" capability and I only recommend that option if you drive primarily through clear weather.

I would use the new DOT fog lights that they have out. They have a proper cutoff (so you don't blind oncoming traffic) and still function well as fog lights.
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/50481

However, for nearly $700, I would first invest in a behind the grill light bar tied into your high beams. Your jaw will drop the first time you use it

Pugga

iTrader: (1)

First off, I would scrap the idea of the bull bar. Most of those are cheap and will not actually protect the vehicle, they are more like damage multipliers. If you want to protect the front end, look at something like a Ranch Hand grille guard, much better protection. As for the lights, the Rigid Dually Hyperspots are impressive in my opinion. I have a pair of them on the front of my truck and a pair of cheap LED driving lights (similar to the Rigid Dually driving lights). Between the two of them, I have a decent amount of light for what I do. If I were to add a second pair of hyperspots, I'd be all set for the type of driving you intend to do. A Rigid RDS bar would be more light, but significantly more cost, but would also get you the light you need.

Brokemillwright

I think the ranch hands a kinda ugly and plain. Road armor isn't cheap, but sure looks good, kinda has a bull bar built in lol

MackayMark

Yeah Broke, I don't want it to be that agressive, remember, I'm old and I already got a girl, so I'll leave that sexy armor stuff to you youngins.

I spoke with Nathan at Rigid Industries this morning and here’s what I’m thinking:

1. Big Country - Dakar PRO Kit. Brackets included. Bull Bar. Textured Black powder coat Part Number 523330BB
2. Big Country – Mounting Bracket Kit Part Number ?
3. Rigid Industries - E 20” Combo light bar (center mounted) Part Number 120312
4. Rigid Industries - D2 Wide Lights (mounted on each side of the light bar) Part Number 50211
5. Rigid Industries – F150 2015-2016 Dual Fog Light Mounts (to replace the stock fog lights) Part Number 46555
5a. Rigid Industries – SAE Compliant Fog Light Set (D-Series) (mounted on the inside of the fog light area) Part Number 50481
5b. Rigid Industries – D2 Driving Lights (mounted on the outside of the fog light area) Part Number 50231

Oh and here's another picture of the roads I'm on getting to the ranch.

Thanks. Mark

Scarlet

A repost from your other thread in Off Road section:
Absolutely beautiful country you live in. Love it. For distance lighting, HID is the way to go. They have the best reach and brightness. Only draw backs are - Warm up time. The bulbs take a minute or so to warm up to full intensity. But when they do it's game on. Also, they are best used in rural areas where on coming traffic is minimal. Constant on/off cycles shorten the bulbs lifespan. You also need to consider the Kelvin, or color temperature of the light. HID's are typically in the 4,000K-4,3000K. LED's are usually at 5,0000K and above. The higher the Kelvin the bluer the light. Anything above 5,500K has that blueish tint. Some like it, I don't. LED is improving. The best LED lighting is getting close to HID lighting, but still has a ways to go to match HID. A combination of both would be best. Get a good set of HID Pod spot or driving beam lights for distance. Then a good set of LED for closer/wider range. Places to look are www.visionxusa.com. www.kchilites.com. www.bajadesigns.com. www.piaa.com. www.rigidindustries.com. Myself I have PIAA RS600 HID driving lights (4,300K), and PIAA LP570 LED driving lights (5,000K). I use the HID on back roads, and the LED when I'm anticipating traffic. Here are some comparison pics. First is the LP570 LED lights. Then RS600 HID lights. Hope this info helps. It's not dead on accurate, but should give you a guideline.

Scarlet

also think I should mention something about foul weather. A good set of Fog lights are important in dense Fog and Snow. For me, I put a set of PIAA ion bulbs into the factory housings. I think the yellow hue does a much better job of cutting the muck. I then added a set of PIAA 2100i (i for the yellow ion hue) long range foul weather driving lights. I know that sounds strange, but they work. They throw a yellow hue as a driving beam of 25 degrees instead of the traditional 40-65 degrees of a Fog beam. They are a good fill for me. Last week one evening, I was coming home from a doctors appointment. Snow was really coming down. In traffic I had the Low beams on and factory Fogs on. Could see out to about 75-100 foot or so maybe? Once I was out of traffic I clicked the PIAA long range Fogs on. It was better, but then I shut the Low beams off. My seeing distance at least doubled. The first pic is with the LP570 LED driving lights, with the factory Fogs on. Then a pic of the Low beams with the PIAA long range foul weather lights. The picture doesn't do them justice. When I'm out alone late at night, A lot of times I'll use the HID driving lights with the Fog beams. Don't even need the headlights when I click the PIAA HID's on....

ak_cowboy

I think that would cover all of your lighting needs. I would ask him about changing the 20" to a spot beam since you have all the D2s and fog lights for the flood beams. Otherwise, looks good