Aftermarket Foglight options?

[ssjones]

Has anyone fitted aftermarket fog/driving lamps to the round factory mount location? I'm driving from MD to OH thru Western MD and WVA tomorrow, they are calling for all kinds of weather and heavy fog. I-68 is notorious for fog. I had a set of these Hella FF fog's on my Accord and they were great. Reasonably priced which was good because in 240,000 miles I went thru three before getting the lexan shields.The factory lamps are just too pricey for something that might not even make one winter.If you have some aftermarket lamps mounted, I'd love to get the details/pix. This is the place I used to get my Hella's, great folks, near Allentown PA.http://www.rallylights.com/hella/ff075.asp

[Lurchdubious]

i may be interested in this as well...

do all 3.5's come pre-wired for fogs, even w/o the actual lights? is it very hard to run the wiring for aftermarket ones?

[generic808]

i may be interested in this as well...

do all 3.5's come pre-wired for fogs, even w/o the actual lights? is it very hard to run the wiring for aftermarket ones?

Yes, to my knowledge, all 3.5's come pre-wired. The harnesses are located on the inside bumper, near the wheel well cutouts. You can access them via the wheel well or by removing the bumper.

As far as installing them, it should be a plug and play as long as you get the right bulb and harness. The thing you would need is a factory stalk/light switch, or you could just use the relay switch most aftermarket fogs come with. You can run the wire through the firewall and mount the switch somwhere on the dash using an existing switch plate.

[ssjones]

I have a 2.5 model and from what I've read, the wiring harness is not there. To be honest, that's no big deal. The wiring kits supplied with my Hella's was a snap to install and I put a factory looking mirco switch in the dash. I have two empty slots beside my trunk release. I just need something that will fit in that round hole. With my broken foot, I've had no opportunity to get under the car and look around as to what fits. These also look like a possibility and there are a bunch on Ebay:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

I could mount the Hella FF rectangular model I've used in the past in the lower grill opening, but I think that would look goofy with the plastic covers for the factory lamps.

Surely someone has mounted aftermarket lights in the factory spot?

[generic808]

I could mount the Hella FF rectangular model I've used in the past in the lower grill opening, but I think that would look goofy with the plastic covers for the factory lamps.

Surely someone has mounted aftermarket lights in the factory spot?

Mount the rectangulars and use the cutouts for a ram-air set up

The weather seems to be clearing up so I'll be looking into my own little custom "cold ram air" intake set-up using the foglight cutouts. I'm still debating if I should add fogs or go for the ram air. Well, I guess I have to check the bay if I have enough room to work with before I get ahead of myself.

[Lurchdubious]

Yes, to my knowledge, all 3.5's come pre-wired. The harnesses are located on the inside bumper, near the wheel well cutouts. You can access them via the wheel well or by removing the bumper.

As far as installing them, it should be a plug and play as long as you get the right bulb and harness. The thing you would need is a factory stalk/light switch, or you could just use the relay switch most aftermarket fogs come with. You can run the wire through the firewall and mount the switch somwhere on the dash using an existing switch plate.

sweet.i'm guessing it's not as cost effective to buy the factory fogs?

[Lurchdubious]

crap, i guess the only way to get the sunroof is to get the sport package with fogs & spoiler? the sunroof is a must have for the wifey maybe i won't need to go aftermarket afterall...

[ssjones]

I do have a sunroof but no spoiler, maybe there is wiring under there. I'll try to check on Saturday, have to do the first oil change than.

crap, i guess the only way to get the sunroof is to get the sport package with fogs & spoiler? the sunroof is a must have for the wifey maybe i won't need to go aftermarket afterall...

[mikemart]

sweet.i'm guessing it's not as cost effective to buy the factory fogs?

Here's some info regarding the factory fog cost:Lamp Assy-fog R, L $155.00 per sideComb. Switch Assy $147.48

I was told by a Nissan tech that it would be approximately 7-9 hours of labor to replace the harness.

I returned mine for a full refund last week because the harness isn't present on the 2.5S. Installed my HID kit last week and now I'm looking for a nice after market fog setup.

ssjones: snap some shots of your fog setup sometime. I'd like to know what you think.

[ssjones]

ssjones: snap some shots of your fog setup sometime. I'd like to know what you think.

That's my problem - I don't have any on my Altima. I sure could have used them last night going thru WVA and Western MD in the mountains, the fog was thick enough to cut for about 60 miles. Here's what the Hellas looked like on my Accord. I'd mount the same set in the same spot on the Altima but with the plastic housings for the factory fogs, I think it would look stupid. On the Honda, you had to cut out a section on each side of the bumper cover to install the factory fogs.I'm going out this evening to change the oil and investigate the factory mounting spots while I'm in that location to see if any round aftermarket lamps will work. With my broken foot, that's sure to take three times longer than necessary.......!#@#!

[mikemart]

Notwithstanding your foot, its pretty easy to check out the mounting spots if you're going to be changing your oil filter. Snap a few clips, three screws and pull! (I'm assuming the oil filter is in the same location for sedans)

I agree with you that it would silly to put lights and not use the cut outs. I think most would.

[ssjones]

Bad news. No aftermarket foglight is going in that factory hole, not without somehow duplicating the factory mount on an OEM fog light. There isn't anything behind the cover but two side mounts where the factory light clips/screws on. I'm don't have the skills to make a bracket that will work.

Plus definitely no factory harness present on my 2.5SL model.

Oh well, I guess replacing those broken lights won't be an issue. I can save the money for those CVT fluid changes....
Modified by ssjones at 9:02 PM 12/14/2007

[Idok]

I bought some Hella yellow projector foglights hoping to use the blank trim pieces that were in place of the fog lights but that wouldn't work. I ended up getting a sheet of plexiglass at home depot and fabricating a mounting platform that attaches from the back of the grill in place of the factory blanks. I used a sabre saw to cut some plexiglass to mouont the lights on then a hole saw to carefully cut a hole to push the fog light through. I bought some brackets at the hardware store to attach the lamps to the plexiglass. I had to use my dremel tool a lot to get everything ti fit right but the lights have been in place for about 3 months and haven't fallen off.Before I mounted things for the final time I tinted the whole plexiglass contraption dark ( not quite black) so most of the hardware is not very visible. I may try to reddo them in the spring but for now they work and don't look too bad.



Modified by Idok at 6:32 AM 12/16/2007
Modified by Idok at 6:33 AM 12/16/2007

[Lurchdubious]

^^^got any pics?

[ssjones]

Please some pix. Did you use something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

^^^got any pics?

[Lurchdubious]

Please some pix. Did you use something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

those look pretty good. ...i'm trying to picture what they will look like on the car...

[ssjones]

Those look great, nice work! I've been thining and this is probably doable. You could even support them from the bottom of the bumper cover, mounting the light on top and out of the hole. Black lights would definitely look proper.

Is the light output worth the effort? I was in some horrific fog the other night and encounter foggy roads (interstate) all the time.

I bought some Hella yellow projector foglights hoping to use the blank trim pieces that were in place of the fog lights but that wouldn't work. I ended up getting a sheet of plexiglass at home depot and fabricating a mounting platform that attaches from the back of the grill in place of the factory blanks. I used a sabre saw to cut some plexiglass to mouont the lights on then a hole saw to carefully cut a hole to push the fog light through. I bought some brackets at the hardware store to attach the lamps to the plexiglass. I had to use my dremel tool a lot to get everything ti fit right but the lights have been in place for about 3 months and haven't fallen off.Before I mounted things for the final time I tinted the whole plexiglass contraption dark ( not quite black) so most of the hardware is not very visible. I may try to reddo them in the spring but for now they work and don't look too bad.

Modified by Idok at 6:32 AM 12/16/2007

Modified by Idok at 6:33 AM 12/16/2007

[Idok]

It does help. I only use them when the weather is bad. I was THINKING of getting 100w bulbs for them. The cases are metal so they won't melt. Since I only use them when the weather is bad oncoming traffic should not be much of a concern.The hardest part about the mount is trying to align the lights. It is all trial and error and takes some time.

[johnny_d]

in the other post, Eric said his girl's foggies melted the lense, not the casing and it was about 65Watts

[Idok]

I thought these were glass, I guess I'll have to check. Thanks for the heads up. I sure wouldn't want to screw em up.

[ssjones]

I'll probably give it a shot after this foot heals. Good to know it can be done! I swore that I wouldn't buy another car again without the factory lights, but where's the fun in that? <g>

I thought these were glass, I guess I'll have to check. Thanks for the heads up. I sure wouldn't want to screw em up.

[Idok]

I emailed hella to find out what type of lenses they are. I found a pair in JC Whitney and it says they are glass. I also loooked real close at mine and I am pretty sure they are glass. I tried to scratch them and couldn't.

[ssjones]

My Hella's were glass. (those FF75's referenced earlier).

I emailed hella to find out what type of lenses they are. I found a pair in JC Whitney and it says they are glass. I also loooked real close at mine and I am pretty sure they are glass. I tried to scratch them and couldn't.

[ssjones]

I ordered a set of these Hella's tonight from Susquehanna Motorsports (The model 1102 kit). They had some of the projector-style lights on closeout. I would have like black but they were "no longer available". $20 for the set was too good a price to pass up even if they weren't black bodied. Hopefully they are in stock. http://www.rallylights.com/Opt...0.asp

I found this similar thread from Henry Chow, who gave me some mounting ideas.zerothread?id=298614

[k9eaglesnut05]

I was just wondering if you ever tried to locate factoty plugs for your fog lights. My sister has the same car with no fog lights and I have the factory lights and stock but I see no wires or plugs?

[generic808]

Wow, 100 watt bulbs are super bright and super-duper hot! My gf's car had 65 watt bulbs and yes, the fatory plastic lens slightly melted. Now it is fogged up with a whiteish-blueish color. Factory bulbs clock in at 55 watts, so you'll be almost doubling the wattage. That really can't be good for your battery, or other oncoming traffic!

[ssjones]

From what I've read, only the 3.5 motor cars have the wiring. I know my 2.5 SL sedan has no wiring.

I was just wondering if you ever tried to locate factoty plugs for your fog lights. My sister has the same car with no fog lights and I have the factory lights and stock but I see no wires or plugs?

[ssjones]

Tonight I pulled the foglight blank and cut it to fit the Hella light. I cannot find a way to attach the light to that blank. Idok - is there any chance you have a picture of the plexiglass mount you came up with? For the life of me, I can't seem to figure out how to come up with a decent mount.

[ssjones]

After much head scratching, I came up with this mock-up mount for the Hella fog lights. I need to get better fasteners, but the light seems pretty solid. I also need to clean up the cut out on the plastic cover plate as well. This was done today, in between installing an exhaust on my neighbors Toyota. It will be next week before I get back to it.

[ssjones]

And on the car. There is some give, so I can bend to aim, hopefully it stays put. If not, some heavier gauge metal would be needed. Once I get them in, wired and aimed, it would be easy to pop out and duplicate the mounts with heavier stuff.