PIAA vs Rigid

CarlParr · 11-25-2018, 10:06 AM

Filling the holes in my new Aluminess bumpers. Your opinions?

Twoxentrix · 11-25-2018, 10:50 AM

Carl,
That Van is looking great!
As you know I'm partial to PIAA (LED's) - even though I just got into the LED's within the last couple years, have had PIAA's on several trucks and in 20+ years have only replaced 1 bulb (a halogen fog), and never had water enter a housing.
I'd put Fog's in the front bumper (wide beam spread great on trails), and then do a thin light bar mounted even with the top of the bumper (just above the Licence plate) for Driving.
***Just keep tabs on total Amp's as you're adding.

CarlParr · 11-25-2018, 11:44 AM

Thank you. I was thinking of your rig and was PIAA bound until I started reading some Rigid reviews. I was going to ask you what models you were running. Now I'm asking, don't forget the rear. The rear holes are 6 x 4 1/2, making it hard to find.

Twoxentrix · 11-25-2018, 01:30 PM

Might call Aluminess to see what they recommend for the slots in the rear bumper (I'm sure they can direct you)
Currently have :

Rear of Van (mounted in Bumper) = Not sure whats in it now but installed initially by Sportsmobile West and they are still working fine.
Rear of Van (mounted high - to Pop Top) = Two PIAA LP530 LED White Wide Spread Fog
Front of Van (mounted to front of roof rack) = Four PIAA LP560 LED White Driving Beam
Front Bumper (top front) = Two PIAA LP550 LED White Driving Beam
Front Bumper (holes on each side) = PIAA 520 Ion Yellow Driving Halogen Lamp

*If you decide to purchase, make sure you purchase the lights in the "Kits"

Twoxentrix · 11-25-2018, 01:39 PM

The Rear bumper back up lights are listed with Aluminess: 2 styles available

LED Back-up Lights $150
These heavy duty work lights provide a 400 lumen super bright flood beam pattern, perfect for all work and equipment vehicles. The light holes in our rear bumper were specifically designed to fit this light. They work great as a backup light, or hooked up to an auxiliary switch for a utility light.

Hella Picador Back Up Lights $85
The light holes in our rear bumper were specifically designed to fit this light. They work great as a backup light, or hooked up to an auxiliary switch for a utility light

**daveb** · 11-25-2018, 03:46 PM

I had PIAA lights on a few vehicles. Not a huge fan of using the small white/blue LED fog lights as backup as they just aren't bright enough IMO. In wet weather it was difficult to back with mirrors especially on black roadways.

REF · 11-25-2018, 06:04 PM

I have some LED’s I picked up at some truck/trailer supply place years ago to replace the original rectangular halogens in my rear Reunel, they are pretty bright. Needing a replacement as some of the LED’s are out and there’s some moisture that got in. Replacing with these, pretty sure the rectangular slot cutouts are similar sizes in Reunel and Aluminess. Running the same old halogen PIAA in front, a round yellow fog in the bumper and a yellow long range driving pair mounted up on the bumper bar.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ular-24w/3103/

JoeH · 11-25-2018, 06:41 PM

Well the OP didn't ask about other options but I'm pretty stoked on the Baja Designs fogs and driving lights in my aluminess bumper. There's a Black Friday sale going through tomorrow as well. https://www.bajadesigns.com/images/B...82900-40097061

**rionapo** · 11-26-2018, 10:16 AM

Replaced SMB’s Hella fog lights in the front bumper with Rigid D-Series Pro Driving lights. Not a fair comparison but now I can see the trail at night.

Don

moorefc · 12-02-2018, 05:36 PM

Went from old cracked Hellas to LEDs, then back to Hella 500FFs, they work fine and are very reasonable $...I don't find fogs of much use for my driving as I don't trail drive at night, but baja roads, if out too late, like projection....That said, I treat lights as a functional $ per benefit item. Rear bumper inexpensive LED flood backups work great...