95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Auxillary Driving Lights - what do you recommend or own?

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Old Feb 22, 2005 | 01:16 PM
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westy44runner's Avatar
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Auxillary Driving Lights - what do you recommend or own?

In your opinion who makes the best driving light for the money? I am going to be upgrading my pro comp lights on my bumper and I want something else. Looking to spend under 250.00 for 2 lights. Lightforce, PIAA, Hella...??
I found some Hella Black Magic's for $200.00, and some PIAA 520 Black crystal ions for under 200.
Please give me your input on what you have and how they work.

Thanks

-Brian
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Old Feb 22, 2005 | 01:22 PM
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I think the best bang for you buck is the Hella 520s.
If you check out Ebay enough times you can score a pretty good deal.

The awesome thing about PIAAs is that the wiring is pretty much done when you get it. You just find places to mount and you're set.
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Old Feb 22, 2005 | 01:44 PM
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Lightforce 170s (http://www.lightforceusa.com/rmdl170.html)

http://www.tufflights.com/Item.asp?ItemID=67
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Old Feb 22, 2005 | 02:09 PM
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If you're planning to buy any of your accessories hit up Mike at Xtreme Offroad (michael@xtremeoff-road.com).

He'll be able to price match almost any shop and if not he'll be able to recommend a shop that will be cheaper (can't beat that man).

Good luck!

pss... lightforcers rock!
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 04:24 AM
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thanks

thanks guys...
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 04:28 AM
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For the money, anything Hella. Decide on what you want to spend, then pic the lamp that is the right size/shape for your application. I've got a bunch of Hellas on my truck and I'm very happy with them - I'll never buy anything but Hella.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 05:05 AM
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From: JACKSON
lightforce 170s - they are excellent lights and versatile as they can focus from narrow to wide beam and have a variety of (overpriced) filters available. I got mine for 178 shipped from www.central4wd.com nice guys.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 07:54 AM
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55w vs 85w+

While researching what lights to purchase I have noticed Hella's comparably priced to PIAA, Lightforce, etc have a much smaller bulb. For instance the Black Magics have a 55W versus PIAA 520s 85W and Lightforce 170 110W - seems like a simple choice...
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 07:56 AM
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yea, but the black magics aren't a run of the mill lamp - they have that black tinted look - do the others? Perhaps you should compare the Hella 500s to the PIAAs. Yes, weaker bulb, but 1/3 of the price.

If you want to compare prices, look at the really 4000s compared to the others. Gotta compare apples to apples.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 08:26 AM
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I agree you do have to compare apples to apples, and comparing Magics to Lightforce 170s to PIAA 520s or BLack Magics isnt nearly the same light, but on the same note they are the same price and you get twice the output from lightforces and the hella 4000 series go for at least for $300 for the kit while lightforce 170s can be had for $200 ...
for sheer value I'm gonna try out a set of Lightforces...thanks guys.
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Old Feb 23, 2005 | 09:01 AM
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I've got the Hella 500's on my bumper and then Baja Desert Foxes on my light bar. I'm hoping to add possibly another set of Hellas but I have not decided yet.

You're going to get alot of mixed reactions here, because we all use different lights. Hella 500s are pretty good and don't *really* cost you and arm and a leg. But thats just one persons opinon.
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