Your vehicle's headlights, even if they're new halogens, were essentially designed for average driving conditions. If you plan to take your vehicle into the deep wilderness and far away from city lights, your standard headlights probably won't provide you with as much candlepower as you'd like. You may want to consider adding auxiliary lights designed specifically for off-road situations. Before adding auxiliary lights, check your state regulations pertaining to the number and the power of auxiliary lights permitted on consumer vehicles. There are numerous kits available for installing auxiliary lights, and there are variations among them. Read and follow the directions and wiring diagrams that come with yours. Following are the basic steps for installation. Materials:
Electric drill
Socket wrench or adjustable wrench
Wire stripper and crimping tool
Screwdrivers, slotted and Phillips
Pliers
- Since this project will involve some work with electrical wiring, the first step is to disconnect the negative battery cable before you begin work.
- Select the spot for mounting the lights. In our demonstration, we mounted the lights onto a front grill-guard that we had already installed (figure A). The grill guard has predrilled holes for adding lights accessories. Some installations may require drilling into metal. Most lights can either be mounted upright, as in our demonstration, or suspended upside-down beneath the bumper. Ours is mounted using a retaining bolt and nut.
- The auxiliary lights are controlled by an electronic relay (figure B). The relay allows high-intensity lights to be run from a low-amp switch. It may be installed onto the firewall inside the engine compartment (figure C).
- With the relay installed, you'll need to run the leads from the lights themselves, the power line and the wires that will connect to the switch inside the passenger compartment. The fused red wire (figure D) is the power line that runs to the battery, and the blue wire is the ground. The three color-coded lines to the switch (figure E) can be threaded through an opening in the firewall so they can lead into the passenger compartment beneath the dash. One line leads to the switched ("hot") side of the ignition, one to ground, and one to the relay.
- Connect the three wires to the switch according to the manufacturer's instructions (figure F) and mount the switch in a convenient spot that's easily reached on the dash or underneath (figure G).
- Reconnect the battery and test the lights (figure H).
You'll want to adjust the alignment of your lights to maximize visibility according to the type of driving you'll be doing and your own preference. The manufacturer will probably provide information on how to precisely align your lights for your usage.
RESOURCES :
Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
750 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-2833
Web site: www.ford4u.com
The Off-Road 4-Wheel Drive Book: Choosing, Using and Maintaining Go-Anywhere Vehicles
Model: 1859606067
Author: Jack Jackson
(1999)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Haynes Publications
Backroad Adventuring in Your Sport Utility Vehicle
Model: 0071581863
Author: Jonathan Hanson and Roseann Beggy Hanson
(1998)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
4-Wheel Freedom: The Art of Off-Road Driving
Model: 0873648919
Author: Brad Delong
(1996)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Palladin Press
Hella Inc.
Automotive-lighting accessories in this segment are from
Hella, Inc.
P.O. Box 2665
201 Kelly Drive
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Telephone: 771-631-7500
Fax: 770-631-7575
Website: www.hella.com
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WINDOWS MEDIA VIDEO
