Ditch Lights Installed! (Two Bracket Options)

[JCraven94]

Hey all! I've been tweaking my auxiliary lighting setup and figured I'd share. Maybe put some ideas out there for anyone looking to do something similar. As of current, I've installed a pair of ditch lights as well as a switch panel in the overhead console. I went through two different sets of lights and brackets to find what I liked.

The first rendition used a set of brackets available on Amazon (Hood Mount Brackets), they mounted using the hood mounting points. I just had some cheap lights laying around and chucked them on there. I wasn't a huge fan, the spacing was much further in that I anticipated, and the lights sat way too high. They were very intrusive on your view out of the windshield, and honestly they looked goofy. A lower profile set of lights may have worked better, but I wasn't happy. Running wiring was a bit difficult since you had to make sure there was enough slack when the hood opened, and nothing got pinched when it closed.

The second go was much better. I bought a set of @Diode Dynamics (Diode Dynamics Brackets), also available on Amazon. These brackets are mounted near the A-pillar and look much better IMO. I swapped out the lights with a set of spot/flood combos from Harbor Freight. They're pretty decent for the price, bright with a good beam pattern. The wiring was much easier, these lights being stationary. Overall a much better looking package.

These are ran to a three gang switch panel I installed into the overhead console. First position is for the ditch lights, the second two are still open for anything else I may want to add. A nice, clean, and convenient spot, mimicking where auxiliary switches would be found on some F-Series and Broncos from factory.

Thanks for taking a look!

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[bgn]

Same thoughts I had about those Amazon/eBay brackets. Like your aux switches idea. Haven't seen that as a mod for the Maverick in that location before...

 

[AbnRgr]

We have been thinking along the same line. I also went with the Diode brackets, an expensive little piece of metal. They offer a solid mounting point. I have not noticed any road vibration with the lights. I also chose to use the overhead position for my switch panel. I find the lights especially useful on rural, narrow, windy roads.

 

[Justin says...]

I dont really have a need for ditch lights, but I just came here to say that nothing is cooler than overhead switches. From fighter jets to the space shuttle, overhead switches exist on some of the most badass stuff ever made! I like the ones you chose for this setup.

 

[02Knight]

Stellar job! Looks very good. I wish I had your talent so I could do mine.

 

[Carbonite Mav]

I'm looking at getting some ditch lights as well, just love the utilitarian look and they're functional. Love the idea to use overhead switches! Was it hard to set-up and wire? I definitely wanna do the same with mine.

 

[Dad]

Great job. I do have a question regarding the term "ditch lights". Maybe you could shed some light on that (pardon the pun).
Seems to me the lights are too high to be able to light up a ditch on or near the road. I've seen these lights also called bush lights which seems more accurate in that they would illuminate any overhanging shrubbery. I'm not questioning the nomenclature you used, just wondering if the lights are intended more for overhanging shrubbery than ditches.

 

[Montana]

Great job. I do have a question regarding the term "ditch lights". Maybe you could shed some light on that (pardon the pun).
Seems to me the lights are too high to be able to light up a ditch on or near the road. I've seen these lights also called bush lights which seems more accurate in that they would illuminate any overhanging shrubbery. I'm not questioning the nomenclature you used, just wondering if the lights are intended more for overhanging shrubbery than ditches.

Ditch lights should technically be angled at the ditch. Most the times though, they are angled forwards because the amount of spread you get from ditch lights is pretty awesome. When I ran them on a Tacoma, even angled the way I had them, the entire side of the truck would be illuminated. It's really all in the spread and you try to angle them so they add to your high beams without lighting your hood too much. Also, there are different spreads, but most will chose "flood" or "driving" for ditch lights.

As for their height, not issue that I've ever noticed with them.

 

[Dad]

Ditch lights should technically be angled at the ditch. Most the times though, they are angled forwards because the amount of spread you get from ditch lights is pretty awesome. When I ran them on a Tacoma, even angled the way I had them, the entire side of the truck would be illuminated. It's really all in the spread and you try to angle them so they add to your high beams without lighting your hood too much. Also, there are different spreads, but most will chose "flood" or "driving" for ditch lights.

As for their height, not issue that I've ever noticed with them.

Thanks for the explanation. So, the lights can be angled down low enough to illuminate the sides of the road? Re-read your post and it seems you already answered my question. Thanks again.

 

[JCraven94]

I'm looking at getting some ditch lights as well, just love the utilitarian look and they're functional. Love the idea to use overhead switches! Was it hard to set-up and wire? I definitely wanna do the same with mine.

It wasn't terrible. Getting that console down is a bit of a PITA, the clips are hard to release, I have yet to find the science to it. Other than that, a couple extensions on the harness I had to add to reach the over head. Other than that, just some trim pieces and wire management.

 

[JCraven94]

Great job. I do have a question regarding the term "ditch lights". Maybe you could shed some light on that (pardon the pun).
Seems to me the lights are too high to be able to light up a ditch on or near the road. I've seen these lights also called bush lights which seems more accurate in that they would illuminate any overhanging shrubbery. I'm not questioning the nomenclature you used, just wondering if the lights are intended more for overhanging shrubbery than ditches.

Montana had a good explanation, it really all comes down to how you angle them and what kind of lighting you're using. I like the lights I got from HF because they're a combo. Forward LED's are spot pattern, very focused down range increasing overall visibility and range, there's also side facing LED's that cast off to the sides of the truck, and light up the edges of the road.

 

[Montana]

Montana had a good explanation, it really all comes down to how you angle them and what kind of lighting you're using. I like the lights I got from HF because they're a combo. Forward LED's are spot pattern, very focused down range increasing overall visibility and range, there's also side facing LED's that cast off to the sides of the truck, and light up the edges of the road.

Yea when I looked recently some are even labeling spreads as "wide" now. All kinds of different ways to achieve this goal. But most chose a bit more of a forward angle as the spill over is plenty to illuminate a ditch or the side of the truck within your peripherals.

Now you are making me miss them lol. And fog lights.

 

[Tbone289]

I'm not questioning the nomenclature you used, just wondering if the lights are intended more for overhanging shrubbery than ditches.

I believe that was the original intention but overhanging shrubbery lights was just too much of a mouthful.

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