Extra lights?

[swiss]

Morning sports fans. So I've seen folks with small lights below their main lights... on mine it's just blanked off with small panels (see attached pic). I was wondering how a chap would go about popping lights in there for added awesomeness. My tool kit is a) rubbish and b) rusted to hell but I figure I can always improvise with cooking equipment etc

Cheers dudes.

[ianst28]

think its just std foglights how easy they are to fit i have no idea but i figure a visit to the local scrappy is gonna be the cheapest bet

[steve_earwig]

You could pick up a new lump of trim for your bumper while you're there

Sports fans? The only sport I'm a fan of is International Welterweight Full-Contact Tiddleywinks

[swiss]

The only sport I'm a fan of is International Welterweight Full-Contact Tiddleywinks

Extreme

I'm not bothering to try and fix the scratches, on the bumper or the paintwork. Our driveway was designed by one B.S. Johnson of Ankh-Morpork, and as such has a brick wall built across it with a gap just two inches wider than a Peugeot 406. So much fun.

Anyway, I shall scope out some of these alleged foglights when I next go rob... er... visit the scrappy. TFI.

[ianst28]

. Our driveway was designed by one B.S. Johnson of Ankh-Morpork, and as such has a brick wall built across it with a gap just two inches wider than a Peugeot 406.

woooooooooo-hoooooooooo i think the same guy designed my house good to see another pratchett fan in the forum right i better go before the missus goes all librarian poo on me

[steve_earwig]

And another, I was looking for a decent pic of The Luggage to post when someone mentions the BSI

[swiss]

[Big fat BUMP]

OK, so I've re-opened this project file.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I intend to:

• 1. Jack up the front of the motor and examine the current set-up - how are the blanks secured and is there space to fit the new units?
  2. Take a mosey on over to the scrappy and try to extract the required parts from a wreck.
  3. Fit them on my own car.

Some questions, if you're not all bored with me yet

• a) Ian suggested these smaller units are 'standard foglights'. Excuse me for being slow, but I'd like to be perfectly clear: are these 'foglights' different to the main beams? Are they a separate feature? When I hit the foglights on my control stalk, I only have extra lights come on at the arse end (it's an LX). Does this mean I don't have foglights on my sharp end?
  b) I intend to set these new units up as headlights, to 'compliment' my beams. Assuming they'd fit, can I install bulbs identical to my regular beams in the new units and expect them to respond like my regular dipped/mains?
  c) Assuming I work safely and properly insulate the work afterwards, can I simply cut the existing lines to the headlight clusters and crimp on lines going down to the new units?
  d) If I do this, should I consider upgrading the fuse? I calculate the headlight bulbs draw about 0.2A and I think it'd be ok as it is.

OK, think that's it for now. Appreciate any advice.

[mjb]

a) Ian suggested these smaller units are 'standard foglights'. Excuse me for being slow, but I'd like to be perfectly clear: are these 'foglights' different to the main beams? Are they a separate feature? When I hit the foglights on my control stalk, I only have extra lights come on at the arse end (it's an LX). Does this mean I don't have foglights on my sharp end?

I think UK cars are legally required to have a rear foglamp. Fronts are optional. They ARE different to the headlamps, they're mounted close to the ground, run off separate 10A feeds (one per lamp) from the engine bay fusebox, they have a very narrow spread vertically and large horizontally so they illuminate as little fog and as much at the side of the road as possible. Due to this they are capable of seriously blinding oncoming vehicles over the crest of a hill and are illegal to operate outside of foggy conditions

b) I intend to set these new units up as headlights, to 'compliment' my beams. Assuming they'd fit, can I install bulbs identical to my regular beams in the new units and expect them to respond like my regular dipped/mains?

DON'T. They're designed to cut through thick fog. You use them with your headlamps OFF.

c) Assuming I work safely and properly insulate the work afterwards, can I simply cut the existing lines to the headlight clusters and crimp on lines going down to the new units?

No. You'll halve the brightness of your headlamps. They need a separate switched high current feed. You'll want a light stalk with front+rear fog settings, a relay, and a spot of wiring

The lights you see on the front of rally/offroad vehicles are floodlights. They're highly illegal to use on the road in (probably) every country with tarmac roads and compared to 10A headlights/foglights chew up around 150A. Each. They're used as "super main beams" and the chances are your 406 would have fun providing enough power to drive the alternator required to light them

[swiss]

Thanks. Will digest this info when sober.

[EDIT]

<-- On offer at Co-op

[teamster1975]

Good tipple in this weather Swiss

The wiring is already in place; I intended to fit front fogs to my LX before it was written off.
As mjb says you'll need the stalk with front fog function and the relay.

If you don't have any luck at the breakers I've got a brand new set of D8 front fogs, you'll just need the other bits.

[swiss]

OK, found this which makes it all a lot clearer. Doesn't look like I can set it up like I wanted, but nm... it'll still be an improvement.

I found a thread on retro fitting too, so methinks perhaps electric winders and mirrors throughout may be in order...

Then maybe when I qualify I can afford to overhaul the plant too


Thanks for the advice guys

[teamster1975]

OK, found this which makes it all a lot clearer. Doesn't look like I can set it up like I wanted, but nm... it'll still be an improvement.

I found a thread on retro fitting too, so methinks perhaps electric winders and mirrors throughout may be in order...

You're a brave man Swiss
I've done it so if you need any advice let me know

[mjb]

I wouldn't bother tbh. I've never had to use the front fogs on my 406s, only once in the Laguna when I was trapped in some country lanes in fog at night

The rears on the other hand, I've needed a few times and felt like such a dick because you need the fronts on to light the rears

I might de-fuse my fronts

[swiss]

Oh I agree, I've never used my fogs, on any car, ever. I just think the units look cool, and it might make for some nicer photo opportunities ^^

Well, got me down the scrappy this morning. Found two D8s with fogs. Removed the offside unit from one and realised its nearside lens was smashed. So I went around to the other car, which was up on a rack. Gave me good access to the fog unit. However, when I finally got the spring released, the frakker fell eight feet on to the concrete

So now I've got one complete fog light unit and I'm scouring the web for another ^^

[swiss]

Woo hoo!







Thanks to all those who helped out with this.

No more modding 'till I get a garage!