Off-road Newbie Question Regarding Ford XL80 A-Pillar Light Kit by Baja Designs . . .

[rcl4668]

I will be having my dealer install these shortly. Would these lights best be described as Spot Lights, Flood Lights, Pod lIghts, Baja Lights? I got the little stickers from Stickerfab and want to label them correctly on the overhead Auxiliary light switches. Thanks!

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[Brian_B]

The answer is Yes.

 

[Alassise]

It all depends how they identify themselves. I will be careful not to offend them and ask them how will they like to be aimed. Once they make a decision between all the confusing choices, you can call then ditch lights, just to piss them off...

 

[Brian_B]

In seriousness - most folks will call the lights on the A-pillar ditch lights, but given your sticker choices, I would say whatever you think you'll use them most for.

Baja lights I usually think of being up on a roof mount or roll bar, but there's no strict definition there.

 

[rcl4668]

Thanks so much! I will be mindful of the pronouns. And yes, the Stickerfab stickers do come with a ditch lights sticker along with other practical stickers such as hyperdrive, missiles, mute children and flux capacitor. (Not kidding.)

 

[Brian_B]

Puddle lights - Lights on the side view mirrors
Rock Lights - lights up in the fender wells of your tires
Light bar - long bar of lights, usually mounted either just above the windshield or on the front bumper

Flood lights - usually on the tailgate to illuminate the area (think like setting up camp or something), but could be on a-pillar or other locations

Spot lights - I would call this a light on the a-pillar that has a handle to move it around, like you see on police cars - but it could be other locations or without a handle.

Chase light - a flashing or stobing light on your tailgate or rear tire, so people can see/follow you easily on a trail or to alert other people you are on a trail (nice to have at night in hunting season)

Off-road light - basically any light that isn't street legal. Some states required they be covered when not in use.

(these have actual definitions, but it varies state to state)
All of these are usually mounted on your bumper underneath the main headlamps, used for various purposes
Driving Lights
Aux Lights
Fog Lights

 

[rcl4668]

Puddle lights - Lights on the side view mirrors
Rock Lights - lights up in the fender wells of your tires
Light bar - long bar of lights, usually mounted either just above the windshield or on the front bumper

Flood lights - usually on the tailgate to illuminate the area (think like setting up camp or something), but could be on a-pillar or other locations

Spot lights - I would call this a light on the a-pillar that has a handle to move it around, like you see on police cars - but it could be other locations or without a handle.

Chase light - a flashing or stobing light on your tailgate or rear tire, so people can see/follow you easily on a trail or to alert other people you are on a trail (nice to have at night in hunting season)

Off-road light - basically any light that isn't street legal. Some states required they be covered when not in use.

(these have actual definitions, but it varies state to state)
All of these are usually mounted on your bumper underneath the main headlamps, used for various purposes
Driving Lights
Aux Lights
Fog Lights

Thank you so much for the breakdown!

 

[Oldhippie]

I call my “pillar” lights (food/driving combos pointed to the side) “Sasquatch“ lights…them things hide in the fringe…

 

[rcl4668]

I call my “pillar” lights (food/driving combos pointed to the side) “Sasquatch“ lights…them things hide in the fringe…

And . . . they do have a sticker for that.

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

"Turn Signal" -- it sticks out from the left side of the steering column. An option most Bostonians decline.

Seriously: also fog lights, which are mounted in various places, sometimes by the A-pillars or inside a bumper opening. A rule of thumb for them: Amber works best below the headlights. Higher up (especially A-pillar) tends to be distracting. I may get some flak for that, as amber ditch lights are popular. It's an individual thing. But I think amber works best down low, close to a wet reflective road surface, and is less distracting to oncoming traffic. You can also consider "diffused" (non-beam) whites.

Find other off-roaders, not necessarily Bronco owners, meet up with them on trail rides. Check out their gear, ask questions, nobody will look down on you for asking basic questions. For starters, check the clubs section on this site, also Facebook groups.

Keep your eye out for Black Friday specials coming up. Join thebronconation.com, some vendors give 10% discount on participating product lines.

 

[Cobrafang]

I think the most common use is Ditch Lights because they are usually aimed slightly to the side to illuminate the drainage ditches on the sides of most service roads. But as stated already, you do you, and screw whatever the lights identify as.

 

[rcl4668]

"Turn Signal" -- it sticks out from the left side of the steering column. An option most Bostonians decline.

Seriously: also fog lights, which are mounted in various places, sometimes by the A-pillars or inside a bumper opening. A rule of thumb for them: Amber works best below the headlights. Higher up (especially A-pillar) tends to be distracting. I may get some flak for that, as amber ditch lights are popular. It's an individual thing. But I think amber works best down low, close to a wet reflective road surface, and is less distracting to oncoming traffic. You can also consider "diffused" (non-beam) whites.

Find other off-roaders, not necessarily Bronco owners, meet up with them on trail rides. Check out their gear, ask questions, nobody will look down on you for asking basic questions. For starters, check the clubs section on this site, also Facebook groups.

Keep your eye out for Black Friday specials coming up. Join thebronconation.com, some vendors give 10% discount on participating product lines.

Thanks! The Baja Design A-pillar lights will be white (as opposed to the amber lenses that would be better in the snow) and mounted at the accessory point on the "arm" that connects the side view mirrors to the body of the car. The pattern will be a combination that illuminates forward and to the sides. Looks like the consensus is that these should be labelled ditch lights.

And yes, joined Bronco Nation and just did the Off-Rodeo in New Hampshire. I'm a road racer (SCCA, NASA) but this is a whole new world and skill set and I am hooked! Sooo fun!!!!!

 

[Baja Designs]

Thanks! The Baja Design A-pillar lights will be white (as opposed to the amber lenses that would be better in the snow) and mounted at the accessory point on the "arm" that connects the side view mirrors to the body of the car. The pattern will be a combination that illuminates forward and to the sides. Looks like the consensus is that these should be labelled ditch lights.

And yes, joined Bronco Nation and just did the Off-Rodeo in New Hampshire. I'm a road racer (SCCA, NASA) but this is a whole new world and skill set and I am hooked! Sooo fun!!!!!

Glad to hear you installed our lighting solution. We offer amber rock guards which does allows for very useful amber lighting if you ever encounter harsh conditions and would always be recommended for something on the fly. We also have Lens kits available which allow for you to swap the lens pattern or color without voiding the Lifetime warranty.

https://www.bajadesigns.com/lighting-accessories/

Best,
Brahian Herrera | Forum Sales & Support
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (760) 560-2252 Ext 201

 

[rcl4668]

Glad to hear you installed our lighting solution. We offer amber rock guards which does allows for very useful amber lighting if you ever encounter harsh conditions and would always be recommended for something on the fly. We also have Lens kits available which allow for you to swap the lens pattern or color without voiding the Lifetime warranty.

https://www.bajadesigns.com/lighting-accessories/

Best,
Brahian Herrera | Forum Sales & Support
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (760) 560-2252 Ext 201

Thanks Brahian! Can't wait to get the car back from the dealership on Wednesday!

Also, does Baja Design make an overhead light bar that mounts to the Ford OEM roof rack? (I have a four door if that matters).

 

[Baja Designs]

Thanks Brahian! Can't wait to get the car back from the dealership on Wednesday!

Also, does Baja Design make an overhead light bar that mounts to the Ford OEM roof rack? (I have a four door if that matters).

We do not have something that is plug and play. While we do have a roof kit it will not working with the factory rack. We have seen people do it before, but it was a completely custom install.

Best,

Brahian Herrera | Forum Sales & Support
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (760) 560-2252 Ext 201

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