Diode Dynamics Fog Lights Installation

[Aleks]

Looks great, nice job on install! I just had mine installed by a local shop, they did a phenomenal job, very pleased. Diode Dynamics has very detailed instructions, but I was leery of removing the front facia myself. These look like they could have been stock from Ford. Anyone on the fence about getting these should just go ahead and do it! Here are some before and after pics;

your front end looks mint --those amber headlight running lights make it look like the new f150's

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[chiko]

I want to change my answers after more thought.

I respectfully disagree with this suggestion. I have not done my install yet but I have read that thread and understand it. The whole point of that very sophisticated and well done thread is to make sure that the fogs shut off when the high-beams are activated. Nothing on the headlamp becomes constant hot on high-beams, it just sends a signal over the Canbus/LIN to turn them on.

As for the initial question: How independent do you want these fogs to be.
MAX - you tie the switch lead with a male spade to a constant hot like the battery and then it does NOT even care what state the truck is in.
MID - you tie the switch lead with a male spade to either some point that is either in accessory OR run position. Acc seem to be hard to find.
NOT (still dependent) - you go with Diode Dynamics install guide and tie into the DRL.

The solution you linked is both Excellent and Elegant but I would not characterize as Independent. It is complicated with the BCM leads and Forscan reprogramming.

I also think Ford missed the mark here. Fine, go ahead with your LIN/BCM signalling technology. But back feed a lead into the head lamp connector to constantly update on what you did. Ford only used 4/16 pins. I saw another thread where the headlamp was put into the oven to remove the chrome for blacklight but would also indicate the state of the high-beams.

I want to change my answer quoted. I have not done this but I think all of these would be safe.

Maximizing independence would still be to wire the switch lead male to a constant hot. DD calls this the Main beam activation wire, white wire that feeds the switch. Truck could be in any state but fogs would run down the battery.

Mid - 1 : A weird one but tap MBAW (Main Beam activation Wire) to an ACC accessory port, typically something in the radio. Not sure how many other ACC points exist.

Mid - 2: Pretty reasonable but you tie the MBAW to the running lights, just like the DD instructions tell you to hook up the DD amber backlights which should be key in RUN not ACC but I have not tested.

Minimum/No independence: Do it as DD described and tie MBAW to the low beam head lights. I was wrong in my other post. DD does not tie anything to DRL/Daytime Running LIghts. My 2024 does not have a DRL wire that is described in the 2022 schematic that is readily found on google so Ford must have changed it.

My supplemental kit has not arrived yet but I will probably test Low beam vs Running lights and see which I prefer and will update if I find problems.

 

[jonshep]

I like the look of the fog light. If you are worried about wiring and you want independence so you can control them, mount the rocker switch wherever you like, run a small wire to a fuse that's behind the ignition switch, go to the auto supply or a salvage yard and get a normally open relay that's rated for the amperage of the light. Wire the relay with a hot wire from the fuse box or direct from the battery, fuse it, connect to relay and then to lights. When you switch the toggle/rocker switch to on, it will close the relay and the fog lights will come on. Turn the switch off or turn the ignition off, the relay will open and the lights will turn off. No programing, no battery drain, and you are in full control.

 

[1-20-2025]

How did you get the rocker switch connected. I saw a picture of the headlight switch and it looks to have a black plastic housing around it. I imagine there are wires in there. Does the back cover come off so the hole can be drilled? Thanks

Looks like the switch was installed up side down.

 

[CWAYMIRE]

The switch can be oriented however you wish. In this case, light up / on. Majority of time it will be off or down. I chose this configuration.

 

[Pfendi]

I’m just here to vouch for the F-150 switch. You can change a setting in forscan to keep the fogs on with high beams, and that’s the way I run it every morning on the backroads.

And to turn on only the fogs, I turn on driving lights and then flip on the fogs. I also have my headlights as drls disabled, so only the fogs are on.

Oh, and here’s a pic of my switch setup. The 2 pos is for my DD ditch lights. (Just seeing you did the same thing, very nice! Tight squeeze, but it works).

 

[Darthie]

This is the stock panel in my 23’ with added led ring button.

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