Advice on (extra) driving lights for my Mitsu Triton.

[giddyup]

I bought a new Triton (run-out model) a few months ago and have found that the illumination from my lights (halogen) doesn't seem to be as bright as my old pickup, a 10 year old Isuzu D Max, which still had bulb lights. I also noticed it was very hard to pick up anyone walking in dark clothing, or riding a bike with no lights on the left of the road. Admittedly my night vision is probably not what it used to be, so I thought I might add a couple of extra driving lights mounted on a small nudge bar, with one angled slightly to the left to illuminate the side of the road more. Does this make sense? It seems like the only option to me, I can't make the standard driving lights any brighter.

[cumgranosalum]

First of all, I'd get my headlamps adjusted by a company that is set up to do this.

As you say, you might also get your eyesight tested.

[giddyup]

First of all, I'd get my headlamps adjusted by a company that is set up to do this.

As you say, you might also get your eyesight tested.

Adjustment (if needed) won't make the lights brighter.

[seedy]

Are the headlights installed in the truck now sealed beam - meaning you replace the whole glass unit. Or do they have bulbs which are inserted from the rear when the reflector is removed. If a new (er) truck I would guess the latter.

Easy to replace the bulbs with higher wattage. But more risk of blinding oncoming drivers.

Aux lights easy to install as you said on the pushbar. Use a relay and a fused power wire.

[giddyup]

Are the headlights installed in the truck now sealed beam - meaning you replace the whole glass unit. Or do they have bulbs which are inserted from the rear when the reflector is removed. If a new (er) truck I would guess the latter.

Easy to replace the bulbs with higher wattage. But more risk of blinding oncoming drivers.

Aux lights easy to install as you said on the pushbar. Use a relay and a fused power wire.

I'd want the auxillary lights wired into the main beam lights but with an independent switch that allowed them to be turned on or off.

[seedy]

That is how I power my Aux lights.

Tap into headlight circuit to a relay, then toggle switch the relay.

Can not turn on Aux lights without headlights being on, but can turn them off independently.

And if you tie into the Hi beam circuit, Hi beams and Aux lights turn off together.

[giddyup]

That is how I power my Aux lights.

Tap into headlight circuit to a relay, then toggle switch the relay.

Can not turn on Aux lights without headlights being on, but can turn them off independently.

And if you tie into the Hi beam circuit, Hi beams and Aux lights turn off together.

Any particular brand of aux. lights I should look for, or are they all pretty much on a par?

[seedy]

To be honest, I have never looked here in LOS

Try not to drive at night !

LED lights very popular - with most people. I would look at some 55W H3 bulb-style ones. The smaller projector style (round bullet-shaped housing) look good IMO, small enuf so they do not overwhelm the front of the truck, light, waterproof, and easy to aim.

Have them shine on the shoulder should help with you picking up vehicles / pedestrians that lurk there.

Will try and find a pic of what I am talking about.

[seedy]

Tried to post pic - no joy

google projector style driving lights - many on there.

[giddyup]

To be honest, I have never looked here in LOS

Try not to drive at night !

LED lights very popular - with most people. I would look at some 55W H3 bulb-style ones. The smaller projector style (round bullet-shaped housing) look good IMO, small enuf so they do not overwhelm the front of the truck, light, waterproof, and easy to aim.

Have them shine on the shoulder should help with you picking up vehicles / pedestrians that lurk there.

Will try and find a pic of what I am talking about.

I don't drive at night often, but as you know, the amount of motorbikes, bicycles, and food carts that are out on the roads after dark is a worry. Not to mention pedestrians.

[giddyup]

Tried to post pic - no joy

google projector style driving lights - many on there.

Are you talking about something like these? These are fog lights, which are already standard equipment on the Triton.

[giddyup]

I had something like this more in mind.

[stevenl]

Maybe this thread for the BT50 can steer you in the right direction. I am going to do the same for my car. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/528561-mazda-bt-50-launched/page-28

[IMHO]

Your's is a Triton Plus right? If so, it should already have fog lights - are you turning them on?

[giddyup]

Your's is a Triton Plus right? If so, it should already have fog lights - are you turning them on?

Yes, it has fog lights, and while they do improve visibility, they don't show the left hand shoulder of the road. I nearly collected a couple of people last night, one walking with all black clothing, and another on a bicycle with no lights. I figure a couple of spotlights on a nudge bar, one directed slightly to the left to illuminate the shoulder.

[giddyup]

Maybe this thread for the BT50 can steer you in the right direction. I am going to do the same for my car. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/528561-mazda-bt-50-launched/page-28

Novice question. Would those Osram Off Road Bilux 90-100w be suitable for the Triton?

[IMHO]

Your's is a Triton Plus right? If so, it should already have fog lights - are you turning them on?

Yes, it has fog lights, and while they do improve visibility, they don't show the left hand shoulder of the road. I nearly collected a couple of people last night, one walking with all black clothing, and another on a bicycle with no lights. I figure a couple of spotlights on a nudge bar, one directed slightly to the left to illuminate the shoulder.

OK, for the best lights possible on your Triton, here's the recipe:

1. Change the headlamp assemblies for one's with projectors: http://www.rstyleracing.com/index.php?ProductID=Product-110528134385483

2. Change the foglight assemblies for one's with projectors (these will fit the OEM location, using the existing fog lamp brackets upside down and inside out): http://www.rstyleracing.com/index.php?ProductID=Product-13032614000119499

3. Now that you have a very controlled light pattern and won't blind oncoming traffic no matter how bright you go, go ahead and fit 55w HID Xenon kits for the main headlights and fog lights (but not for high beam). Use 4000-4500K light bulbs for maximum visible light.

Guaranteed, the best headlights you've ever had

[bkkjames]

you light up my life

[seedy]

Are you talking about something like these? These are fog lights, which are already standard equipment on the Triton.

As you were going to put on the pushbar, I thought something like this - small and unobtrusive.

[IMHO]

Your's is a Triton Plus right? If so, it should already have fog lights - are you turning them on?

Yes, it has fog lights, and while they do improve visibility, they don't show the left hand shoulder of the road. I nearly collected a couple of people last night, one walking with all black clothing, and another on a bicycle with no lights. I figure a couple of spotlights on a nudge bar, one directed slightly to the left to illuminate the shoulder.

OK, for the best lights possible on your Triton, here's the recipe:

1. Change the headlamp assemblies for one's with projectors: http://www.rstyleracing.com/index.php?ProductID=Product-110528134385483

2. Change the foglight assemblies for one's with projectors (these will fit the OEM location, using the existing fog lamp brackets upside down and inside out): http://www.rstyleracing.com/index.php?ProductID=Product-13032614000119499

3. Now that you have a very controlled light pattern and won't blind oncoming traffic no matter how bright you go, go ahead and fit 55w HID Xenon kits for the main headlights and fog lights (but not for high beam). Use 4000-4500K light bulbs for maximum visible light.

Guaranteed, the best headlights you've ever had

And here's what the end result will look like:

[stevenl]

Maybe this thread for the BT50 can steer you in the right direction. I am going to do the same for my car. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/528561-mazda-bt-50-launched/page-28

Novice question. Would those Osram Off Road Bilux 90-100w be suitable for the Triton?

I don't know but would presume so. Maybe IMHO knows.

[IMHO]

Maybe this thread for the BT50 can steer you in the right direction. I am going to do the same for my car. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/528561-mazda-bt-50-launched/page-28

Novice question. Would those Osram Off Road Bilux 90-100w be suitable for the Triton?

I don't know but would presume so. Maybe IMHO knows.

While they will fit, there's two problems:

1) The wiring in the Triton supports max. 55w. Fitting > 55w will require a relay and a direct fused supply from the battery.

2) The standard reflectors on the Triton will bleed light in all directions with a bulb this intense - i.e. it will become a traffic blinder.

A 100w halogen bulb is still less than 50% the brightness of a 35w HID Xenon. You can pick up 55w HID Xenon kits from Ebay for about 750Baht delivered these days. There's not much point paying similar money for something less effective

[giddyup]

I think the simplest solution will be a nudge bar and two auxillary lights as I first suggested, but thank for all the advice.

[giddyup]

Are you talking about something like these? These are fog lights, which are already standard equipment on the Triton.

As you were going to put on the pushbar, I thought something like this - small and unobtrusive.

Proj Lights.jpg

They would be OK as long as they project enough light.

[IMHO]

Are you talking about something like these? These are fog lights, which are already standard equipment on the Triton.

As you were going to put on the pushbar, I thought something like this - small and unobtrusive.

Proj Lights.jpg

They would be OK as long as they project enough light.

These aftermarket projector housings almost never come with bulbs - so how bright they are is up to you.

[IMHO]

I think the simplest solution will be a nudge bar and two auxillary lights as I first suggested, but thank for all the advice.

OK, just bear in mind that you will become a cop magnet if you have them turned on at any time it wouldn't be appropriate to use high beam. It doesn't matter if they are projectors with a proper pattern, you'll get stopped regardless, as they will be too close to the centre of the car to qualify as normal headlights.

I don't recall the actual design code on this, but my failing memory says headlights have to be within 40cm of the side of the car, or it could be within 25% of the car width from the side - it's one of the two.

[Robert24]

maybe you have a stronger film on the car window than on your previous car?

[giddyup]

I think the simplest solution will be a nudge bar and two auxillary lights as I first suggested, but thank for all the advice.

OK, just bear in mind that you will become a cop magnet if you have them turned on at any time it wouldn't be appropriate to use high beam. It doesn't matter if they are projectors with a proper pattern, you'll get stopped regardless, as they will be too close to the centre of the car to qualify as normal headlights.

I don't recall the actual design code on this, but my failing memory says headlights have to be within 40cm of the side of the car, or it could be within 25% of the car width from the side - it's one of the two.

Is any of that actually enforced in Thailand, other than as an excuse to line someone's pockets? I see dozens of cars with wheels wider than the body (illegal), doors being held closed by rope, no number plates, no road tax, overladen vehicles, under body lighting etc. The list is endless. I'll be prepared to pay a fine if I have to, while a motorbike goes past carrying 4 underage children with no helmets and no licence.

[giddyup]

maybe you have a stronger film on the car window than on your previous car?

No, the lights are definitely weaker than the old D Max.

[IMHO]

maybe you have a stronger film on the car window than on your previous car?

No, the lights are definitely weaker than the old D Max.

Higher models of the D-Max have projectors.