Off-road lights

[CodyB]

I am looking at adding some off-road LED lights to a 2023 F150. On previous trucks I’ve had Vision X led bars. Considering the Baja Designs XL linkable LEDs for this truck, maybe 5 or 6 lights. Anyone have experience with the Baja Design XL lights vs LED bars? I know Diode Dynamics also makes a similar system to the Baja Design but output appears significantly less.

 

[180ls1]

I know its common for companies to lie about output, especially the china/cheaper ones. I also know its "common" for the cheap ones to short out and burn down trucks.

That said, I am not that into the desert scene anymore where they are very common but I think BD holds a good reputation.

 

[Garryett]

Been very happy with my diode dynamics.

 

[ThreeOhSeven]

Diode SS3 Pros are bright! I love mine.

 

[Azone]

Vision-X.

 

[fisherman983]

I have a 21' f150 and the aftermarket light/accessories available are very limited which sucks BUT that being said, I have some baja designs lights sitting in my garage waiting for a good time to install them and a good way to so it. I had them on a tacoma and they were bright.
I have 2 pairs of squadron pro's and a 30" onx6 light bar

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[2buffalo]

I am looking at adding some off-road LED lights to a 2023 F150. On previous trucks I’ve had Vision X led bars. Considering the Baja Designs XL linkable LEDs for this truck, maybe 5 or 6 lights. Anyone have experience with the Baja Design XL lights vs LED bars? I know Diode Dynamics also makes a similar system to the Baja Design but output appears significantly less.

I have the BD XL what would you like to know about them?

 

[Marshfly]

I only use BD lights on my trucks. Customer service has been outstanding and the lights are amazing. They also do not void the warranty for user servicing the lights.

I had a set last year that had powder coating chipping off. Come to find out they had changed the powder coating years ago due to that issue. These are 10 year old lights. I bought them as a set of 4 for fog pockets in a Ram. When I sent the one set in with the original invoice and they got fixed, I got an email from BD to send the other 2 in (which were perfect) so they could replace the housings so all 4 would match. Again, zero wrong with those lights. They replaced them free simply so they would match. I'm pretty sure I have 4 brand new lights now.

Truly a forever purchase. I currently have Squadron Pros in spot and sports in wide cornering in my fog pockets and XL Pros in combo on my A-pillars. Pretty amazing combination.

 

[Swamppirate]

The Caliraised LED’s are good lights so far on my Taco.

 

[CodyB]

I have the BD XL what would you like to know about them?

How many lights are in your system? What is your combo of flood, combo, and spot patterns? How have the lights been holding up and experience driving at night? Thanks.

 

[Marshfly]

I'm sure people love their linkable setups. That said, Having a system that has lights below or in the bumper down low to cut under fog, rain, and snow as well as lights higher up closer to the hood line and on the A pillars so they can shine DOWN into ditches and ABOVE vegetation is most likely a more robust setup for varied conditions. Having all of my lights on the same level/plane would be a pretty poor use of lumens IMHO.

There is no way a row of lights above the bumper can do what multiple heights of lights can.

 

[fisherman983]

My gripe about the linkable kit is that it's nowhere near the lumen output of a light bar. I'm still waiting on a company to built a bracket so I can mount mine.

I'll do the fog pocket kit at some point as well.


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[2buffalo]

How many lights are in your system? What is your combo of flood, combo, and spot patterns? How have the lights been holding up and experience driving at night? Thanks.

I have seven. I believe they are the XL Pro. I will need to check when I get back from this trip. They are 50/50 flood and spot. They are bright enough for everything I use them for. My truck is a 2022 with 110,000 miles and have not had any issues so far.

 

[Marshfly]

My gripe about the linkable kit is that it's nowhere near the lumen output of a light bar. I'm still waiting on a company to built a bracket so I can mount mine.

I'll do the fog pocket kit at some point as well.


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I had an OnX6 20" in the lower grill area of a 2019 Ram HD with a set of Squadron Pros with combo lenses on the A pillars as ditch lights a couple of trucks ago. That was a phenomenal combo.

 

[psirus7]

I’ve got a 7 x XL Sport link kit. The big name bars will pump out more light….but I think the link kit looks better. I run a 20” heretic bar under the link kit. Heretic Studios is awesome for the $$$. You may want to look into getting a relay installed to manage the amperage requirements.

 

[Split toe]

I have some BD LP9s on my 3rd gen 4runner and a BD 40" bar on the roof. I make the night look light straight up noon.

 

[AndrewMT34]

I have 4 LP6’s on my tundra they are incredibly bright. Much brighter than the 30” lightbar I used to have in my bumper.

 

[hoooogan]

I have a pair of Squadron Pro's as fogs and a 30" Onx6 light bar. I almost never use the Onx6 because the thing is so damn bright, it's borderline dangerous if you need to turn it off while driving (oncoming traffic). It basically reverse blinds you for several seconds because your eyes need to readjust from too bright to too dark. I like having the massive amount of light, but a lot of times I wish I got the dual control version or just stuck with the lower output S8 light bar.

I've had nothing but great performance out of these lights. BD does not fudge the numbers. When they say >30k lumens, they mean it. Unless they go out of business, I won't even think about other brands.

 

[willtim]

I have PIAA. No issues.

 

[CodyB]

I’ve been curious about the A-pillar setups, is there a lot of reflection/glare from the hood with those lights? Are most using spot or a combo beam pattern on lights mounted on the A-pillar?