PIAA vs KC

[Jack Stilts]

Lights are the next thing on my list. I really want PIAA lights, but there are two things holding me back:

1. My Xoskel lightcage, while awesome, would have them mounted sideways. And there is no way to rotate the lamp cage, so it would say "PIAA" all sideways & goofy.

2. Price. While PIAAs are awesome and long-lasting (my buddy still has his working well from 10+ years ago), they are a huge hit on the wallet. Yes, the quality is there and I'd be willing to pay for them; only thing is...does the price warrant their usage? I just saw the "How much do you REALLY use your lights?" thread, and they will definitely be beneficial while camping, on backroads, etc., but I live in the city (for now). They'd be covered and unused 90% of their lifetime.

If I went with a KC kit, I could save some big buck$ and still get decent lights.

Does anyone have any experience with the KC lights? I was looking to just get 4 Daylighters.

Oh, and I really want to do some rack lights - one flood on each side, and two floods in the back. The square kind. Wired to a switch that says "Zombie Lights."

:hihi:


PIAA
2 of these:
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/520-series-clear-smr-black-driving-light-kit-p-5332.html

2 of these:
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/510-smr-series-xtreme-white-fog-light-kit-p-5330.html

And 2 of these:
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/1500-series-back-up-lamp-kit-p-1810.html

KC
2 of these:
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/black-daylighter-100w-system-p-5484.html

And 2 of these:
https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/black-driving-system-p-5057.html

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

You're better off going LEDs....

 

[TKDx00]

Nothing against either one of those, but when I looked into lights I finally went with Eagle Eye's, just to throw another maker into the mix.

 

[Timrich]

Brian, I have KC's on my light bar. They are good lights at a decent price. You are right in that they don't get used much. It's handy to have them when you do need some extra light. In hindsight I wish I would have used the money I spent on the xoskel and KC elsewhere for something more functional. But at least they look cool...lol

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

But at least they make me look cool...lol

Fixed

 

[Roadwarrior]

Look for used lights. I bought 6 hellas for 10$ a pop.. (well when the two I bought from Ricel get here.. USPS is having fun with that package..) and for how much I use them, they were definitely worth the price I paid.

Also, look for Hella 500s.. I love mine.

 

[Jack Stilts]

You're better off going LEDs....

I thought about that after I posted this. Maybe I'll go with regular lights in the front and LEDs in the back / sides. I'm just not sure how I feel about such a BRIGHT white light. I know they're less of a power drain, though.

Hmmm...

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Theres a GB over TNX for Totron LED lights....good quality stuff. Cheap too.

 

[Macland]

Theres a GB over TNX for Totron LED lights....good quality stuff. Cheap too.

Cheap for leds, but not cheap.

 

[yellowx16]

I would also consider pro comp lights if i was you. I have 2 55 watt pro comp 5 inch on the roof, and i will be adding 2 more soon. Add only 20 dollars each they're pretty affordable. LEDs are much brighter than halogens, but if you convert the halogens to HIDs, the HIDs can actually be brighter. DDM tuning kits produce 5000 lumens per bulb, so multiply that by 4 and you're at 20,000 lumens, which is actually more lumen output than a 50" rigid light bar. They also draw roughly the same power. Didn't mean to go on a rant but i just wanted to show round lights have their advantages.

 

[gamecock257]

I had (2) 130w KC long range day lighters on my JK. they were very bright for halogen and I think I got the whole kit for around $120.

Your right though, I never HAD to use mine in the 8 months that I had them, but they were nice to use when camping and leading a group offroad.

 

[Xterraforce]

I have Hella 500s on my Xoskel and my bumper. About the only bad thing about the KC lights to me is mounting depth and weight. Neither of those is really an issue on an Xoskel light cage. I've just liked Hellas for years so I stuck with them. I did have to modify the guards to fit with the sideways mounting of the cage. That and light pattern are things to consider with that type of mount if you can't clock them 90 degrees.

 

[GPD605X]

I just bought 4 KC's from a member on TNX for $145. Check CL frequently and surrounding cities. Even if they are cheap knock-offs, like you said, you won't use them that much but as long as you wire them correctly they should be sufficient. I'm all about saving money where I can.

 

[drbandkgb]

Check out hella optima lights. It's what I used on my 1st xterra build.. Seems like I paid about 45 a pair..

 

[NMTerras]

I'm selling my PIAAs...just sayin...

Edit: IMO they are the best halogens out there, and the coolest looking. But that's just me...only reason selling is I'm going with an LED bar

 

[Jack Stilts]

Thanks for all the input, guys.

I'll be honest - looking at all the LED bars is like looking into the future of lighting. It's weird and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

I like my '02. I think round lights would look better on it. I also think the square LED lights look killer on a 2nd Gen.

I'm still torn :Annoyed:

 

[Xterra Performance]

Note-I am commenting on this thread as Regular old Danny....
I had a concept customs (very similar to the Xoscel) Light bar on my X for about 2 years.(before I started my company)
I had a set of Hella FF 700s in the center and a set of KC Spots on the outside. THe KC's deteriorated way quicker and sucked a lot of power. The hella's were much better as far as staying nice and not getting condensation and rusting out and so on.
with that being said. I have been looking into tons of new lighting companies that are coming into the market. With the large volumn of LED lights in the market now they are a superior product to old school halogen lights. Just the thought of leaving your lights on for a while while your truck isnt running and not freaking out about killing your battery is nice.
they will take loads of abuse! If you like the round style for your Xoscel there are still tons of choices out there in the LED market. IMHO...if I had that light bar I would try and find some round LED's that fit into it. Leaves you more juice down the road when you put that winch in it...

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Note-I am commenting on this thread as Regular old Danny....
I had a concept customs (very similar to the Xoscel) Light bar on my X for about 2 years.(before I started my company)
I had a set of Hella FF 700s in the center and a set of KC Spots on the outside. THe KC's deteriorated way quicker and sucked a lot of power. The hella's were much better as far as staying nice and not getting condensation and rusting out and so on.
with that being said. I have been looking into tons of new lighting companies that are coming into the market. With the large volumn of LED lights in the market now they are a superior product to old school halogen lights. Just the thought of leaving your lights on for a while while your truck isnt running and not freaking out about killing your battery is nice.
they will take loads of abuse! If you like the round style for your Xoscel there are still tons of choices out there in the LED market. IMHO...if I had that light bar I would try and find some round LED's that fit into it. Leaves you more juice down the road when you put that winch in it...

Amen.

I have round LEDs that I haven't installed yet but I have fired them up and they're brighter than halogens.

Hell, my dad's running those same round LEDs on his lawn mower and they're tied to a 5amp fuse and its not blown....

 

[Jack Stilts]

Well Danny...you sold me.

Now I just need to find some decently priced round LED lights for the lightcage. The other rack lights can be square. And they have to be waterproof. And shockproof. And zombieproof. I'll start that with one of the lights that Prime is selling on the group buy.

Unless anyone has any specific suggestions, the hunt begins!

Leaves you more juice down the road when you put that winch in it...

Shhh...you'll spoil my secret plans.

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Not sure if Prime's got these kind or not but this is what I have.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4X-12V-24V-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d7b6bf27&vxp=mtr

So more leds you can get in the round, the brighter it is.

 

[NMTerras]

I should have tried to sell my PIAAs a long time ago. Sigh.

N.Y.X. includes round LEDs in his GB over on TNX. Also, if you don't want to wait, Danny with ORPP can probably hook you up. He's good at getting exactly what you need

 

[NMTerras]

I also agree the round lights look better on the gen1s...I may regret pulling my PIAAs down for a lightbar on Terra...I guess we'll see, and I of course will post pics

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

I should have tried to sell my PIAAs a long time ago. Sigh.

N.Y.X. includes round LEDs in his GB over on TNX. Also, if you don't want to wait, Danny with ORPP can probably hook you up. He's good at getting exactly what you need

Don't forget, he does include those "duallys" like rigid's in his GB too for those that want a lower profile but more output.

 

[NMTerras]

D***it Stevin, take those freaking bugs off your sig. I keep wanting to swat my computer screen

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Hahahaha....alright alright, I'll remove them later today since apparently a few of you have been having bug issues

 

[Jack Stilts]

Alright, so to revive this thread, I have decided:

- Picked up some Hella driving lights from another XN member for the front light cage.
- Picked up all LED lights for the rear-facing and side-facing lights on Jay's group buy.

However, I ordered the 500FF fogs only to find out that they're backordered until AUGUST. WHAT?!

I need more light before AUGUST. Two questions:

1. WTF is the difference between these lights?

http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-005750952-Series-Halogen-Driving/dp/B001TWD5KU/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header
http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-5750941-12-Volt-55-Watt-Halogen/dp/B001TWD5GY/ref=pd_sim_auto_3
http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-010032801-Series-Halogen-Driving/dp/B0010VO8PQ/ref=pd_sim_auto_5

2. Would putting driving lights on the outer mounts of an Xoskel bar be THAT much different than putting fogs? If I take this route, I will have two driving lights on the inner mounts and two driving lights on the outer mounts.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Alright, so to revive this thread, I have decided:

- Picked up some Hella driving lights from another XN member for the front light cage.
- Picked up all LED lights for the rear-facing and side-facing lights on Jay's group buy.

However, I ordered the 500FF fogs only to find out that they're backordered until AUGUST. WHAT?!

I need more light before AUGUST. Two questions:

1. WTF is the difference between these lights?

http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-005750952-Series-Halogen-Driving/dp/B001TWD5KU/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header
http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-5750941-12-Volt-55-Watt-Halogen/dp/B001TWD5GY/ref=pd_sim_auto_3
http://www.amazon.com/HELLA-010032801-Series-Halogen-Driving/dp/B0010VO8PQ/ref=pd_sim_auto_5

2. Would putting driving lights on the outer mounts of an Xoskel bar be THAT much different than putting fogs? If I take this route, I will have two driving lights on the inner mounts and two driving lights on the outer mounts.

Well the first two are just different year models, different gen lights. Then the 700s are a bigger light, check the diameters

 

[Xterraforce]

I have both the 500s and the 500FFs. The first ones there project a fairly round beam and have a good mix of coverage and distance. Personally I think the beam pattern is more of what I consider a "driving light" than a "fog light" but that's just a matter of opinion I suppose. They're pretty good for long range lighting. The second ones (the FFs) project a wider, flatter beam. When mounted as designed they light up more to the sides than the first ones.

 

[Jack Stilts]

Well the first two are just different year models, different gen lights. Then the 700s are a bigger light, check the diameters

Sometimes I derp hard. Thanks, Tuck.

When mounted as designed they light up more to the sides than the first ones.

That's the only thing I'm concerned about. This brings up that side-mount issue we were talking about with the Xoskel.

Worst case, I can pick these up and sell them if they don't work out.

 

[Xterraforce]

If I'm out after dark tonight I'll try to get a picture so you can see what the light pattern is like with the 500FFs mounted sideways.

 

[Xterraforce]

I didn't go out anywhere after dark so I just ran out and tried to get some quick pictures with my phone. As you see, that's not the best way to get night shots. :smile:


Anyway, I hope you can at least get some idea of what the 500FF Hellas will do when mounted 90 degrees from the way they're intended. These are the ones in your second example from Amazon.


A terrible picture of just the inner two.




An almost as bad picture of just the outer two.




All four was enough light to almost get a picture. :erm:




For reference, the field across the street drops off then slowly slopes back up. The trees lit up at the far side are roughly 100 yards away. As you can (barely) see, mounted sideways on the Xoskel the 500FFs have almost no light spread to the sides. The distance is great. I need to fine tune the adjustment a bit but I'm quite happy with them.


And finally just in case my neighbors weren't awake, Close Encounters of the Xterra Kind! I'm not sure which was having the hardest time, my poor camera phone or the alternator at idle.

 

[Roadwarrior]

And finally just in case my neighbors weren't awake, Close Encounters of the Xterra Kind! I'm not sure which was having the hardest time, my poor camera phone or the alternator at idle.

Quest alt swap time!

 

[Jack Stilts]

Those are way more of a spot beam than I thought. I'm surprised at how thin it is.

Also, you win Dude of the Month for so much information!


I ordered them. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Jack Stilts]

I have all four Hellas installed, but I’m having an issue – at highway speeds (60+ mph), one or two of the lights flutters / vibrates. I thought it was the caps at first, but those were taken off and the sound remained. It’s obnoxious and I have stopped countless times to take a look. Everything is super secure – bolted down tight and everything. Not sure what this could be, but I don’t like it.

Going to send them back to Amazon for a replacement, unless I’m missing something here.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Such a sweet color X!

Are you talking about the light goes up and down? Or are you saying it is flickering?


If it is the first, you aren't going to be able to stop that, unless you find a way to make sure your entire car stops vibrating. I would also check your light bar and make sure that it is all the way secure. Past that, there isn't much you can do, maybe rubber bushing to absorb some shock.

The lights I mounted to my grill bounce a little and I have them as secure as they can get without breaking anything.

That's just how having lights on your truck is

 

[Jack Stilts]

Where did that quote come from...

See, that's why I'm confused. I have everything bolted down so tight that I can grab my Xoskel and use it as a handle to pull myself up. Clearly its intended purpose.

To clarify - yes, it's physical movement of the lights themselves. But it must be the housings or something since everything is bolted down to Chinatown.

 

[Roadwarrior]

I don't know.. Wasn't there when I typed it.. Tapatalk is weird

And that's just going to be the nature of the lights, mine do it, others do it.. It's just going to happen. Sadly

 

[Mirage]

When I first put my xoskel and KC's on, my stock air dam made a buffeting noise at ~65 mph, I put a piece of dense foam weatherstripping between the air dam and the basket and it killed the noise.

 

[Xterraforce]

When I first put my xoskel and KC's on, my stock air dam made a buffeting noise at ~65 mph, I put a piece of dense foam weatherstripping between the air dam and the basket and it killed the noise.

That's one thing I forgot to mention. When I first installed mine it actually changed the air flow enough to blow the rubber gasket out from between the roof and the plastic part. If you want to see if it's really the lights, find a deserted road at night and turn them on at speed. If the lights are moving it will be obvious. I've done that at 80 mph and mine are rock solid.

 

[Jack Stilts]

Thanks for the input.

Turns out the air was lifting my air dam up from the roof. Everything else was solid. Slipped some double-sided tape in between the air dam and the roof and it was good to go.