Fog lights

[Stomper4x4]

Got fog lights? Yes? Well yes and no is more like it. We can't switch them on unless the mains are on so what's the point? In fact how are they even fog lights. If it's foggy or snowing hard you think I'll got fog light and come to find that you can't use them. DUMB. Wonder if there's a way to fix that? Anyone?

[SeaRider]

Depending on where you live, some State required fog lights ONLY works with low beam, some works with parking lights and low beam, but I don't know of any state that let fog lights works on their own without other(from factory), of-course they can be wired anyway you wanted.

Fog/driven lights don't works well if aim or mounted (too) high, they works better when aimed low and slightly outward to both side.

[honeykeeper]

"Fog/driven lights don't works well if aim or mounted (too) high, they works better when aimed low and slightly outward to both side."
That is how mine shine.....but I tried them in the fog and they were about useless.....just for looks???????

[Stingray]

Originally Posted by Stomper4x4

Got fog lights? Yes? Well yes and no is more like it. We can't switch them on unless the mains are on so what's the point? In fact how are they even fog lights. If it's foggy or snowing hard you think I'll got fog light and come to find that you can't use them. DUMB. Wonder if there's a way to fix that? Anyone?

That's interesting, here in Pa. the fog lights aren't allowed to go on with the head lights. Be interesting to see how mine work when my '05 gets here.

[QWIKWHIP]

I think it's just a misrepresentation. They should be called driving lights, not fog lights. Fog lights should be aimed low, with a narrow and yellow beam. Driving lights are aimed higher, with a wide beam and white light. Very few cars actually have real "fog" lights. Lexus is the only manufacturer that comes to mind right now. The rest are just driving lights. Just my $.02.

[Stomper4x4]

all very good points. I believe these to be fog lights. Poor fog lights but the pattern they throw is low ans wide as fogs should be. They aren't very bright however. They do no good for driving at speed when you focus is way down the road. It's been pointed out the the use of fogs when driving in clear conditions actually degrades you night vision as add unnecessary glare from oncoming traffic.

My plan is to have them rewired to work independent of the mains then upgrade them to something better. I think their position is fine for this truck but they may need to be aimed down more. So may the low beams due to the height of the truck.

I'm not much of an electrical guy however. Any help would be appreciated. The goal would be to have then turn on independent of the low/high beams using the OEM switch. My Titan has AUTO lights. I'm guess that the fogs will need to work with out the auto.

Hmm, maybe what should be done is to put real driving light there and buy some aftermarket fogs to mount on the bumper?

[Steve04SE]

Originally Posted by Stomper4x4

all very good points. I believe these to be fog lights. Poor fog lights but the pattern they throw is low ans wide as fogs should be. They aren't very bright however. They do no good for driving at speed when you focus is way down the road. It's been pointed out the the use of fogs when driving in clear conditions actually degrades you night vision as add unnecessary glare from oncoming traffic.

My plan is to have them rewired to work independent of the mains then upgrade them to something better. I think their position is fine for this truck but they may need to be aimed down more. So may the low beams due to the height of the truck.

I'm not much of an electrical guy however. Any help would be appreciated. The goal would be to have then turn on independent of the low/high beams using the OEM switch. My Titan has AUTO lights. I'm guess that the fogs will need to work with out the auto.

Hmm, maybe what should be done is to put real driving light there and buy some aftermarket fogs to mount on the bumper?

From a post by PCiley:
How to re-wire foglights?

Your re-wire will be easier because you have OR package, right? (fogs, front skidplate, ranchos, etc.)

You will need to remove the single nut behind each fog lamp and pull them out (after the nut is removed, you still have a push-in type of clip with that plastic stud of the lamp housing going through it that is VERY hard to push out.. just push harder).

The harness that clips onto the back of each lamp is very useful here. Cut the wires about 6" back from the plug that goes to the light if you are ok with that. The ends of the wire now hanging under the truck can be taped up independently so they won't arc. You should remove the fog lamp fuse from the truck so that the wires won't receive power.

Wire a power line using.. I think I used a 12 or 14 guage "speaker wire".. from the battery to each lamp and wire a ground to each lamp that will be broken in the cab by a switch. The switch will have ONE ground wire coming from both lamps (wired kinda series like) and one wire leaving the switch that will be grounded under the dash by any screw touching metal under there that you choose.

I used "split loom" that corrigated plastic tubing split down one side, for that OEM look. The wiring is all run through that. I used a RING TERMINAL at the battery for the positive wire, another after the switch for the ground. I also used an inline fuse of the same amperage as the OEM fuse on the positive lead about 14" from the battery. Use BUTT connectors to splice the wires back to the OEM fog light plugs that you cut off earlier.

Try to spend a few minutes before all this to see where you would like to run wires under the hood. try to hide them so it all looks clean and factory. I ran them under the grill inside the bumper so nobody will ever see them except the wire running from the battery which looks OEM anyways because its inside the same split loom that Nissan uses for their wiring.

As far as the switch, the most factory look is to use one of those knockout pieces to the left of the steering wheel down low above the kick panel. The knockouts push out from behind, or you can unscrew this panel, its real fast and easy, and then just carefuly remove the knockout. Drill a hole in it and mount any switch you like. All the supplies I used were from Radio Shack and thats also where I found a nice black plastic switch that matched the knockout and didn't stand out at all.

BTW make sure you have plenty of zipties to clean things up. Helps tuck the wires out of the way under the truck and dash, etc.

I think that's about it. If I left something out let me know.

Now you can turn on your fogs whenever you want, to setup camp or just drive around with them on during the day so people in the fast lane move out of your way, have fun.
-Paul

[pciley]

haha.. just jumped in this thread to give that same advice from months ago.
Anyways, an update:

BigRedTitan found a switch from a previous model Nissan Pathfinder, that FITS THE KNOCKOUT PERFECTLY!!! The part number is
999f1-6e000 $14.95 from dealer

Here's a pic that BigRedTitan posted of the same switch installed.

It lights up when the fog lights are on, and it looks OEM! I got mine in about 1 week of waiting for the dealer parts dept.. not too bad.