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Physical mounting of aftermarket fog lights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Bigger, Apr 6, 2021.

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  1. Bigger

    Bigger Junior Member

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    Hello.

    We have two gen-2 Prii, one 2005 and one 2004. The ‘05 originally came with factory fog lights, but they are broken (lenses shattered, from before we owned the car). The ‘04 never had fog lights.

    I talked to my awesome mechanic about installing fog lights; he was not encouraging about how to physically mount them. I think that he may have been picturing big KC Hi Lites, the kind that bristle off of roll bars on dune buggies. I just want more usable light in fog, snow and rain.

    eBay has a number of reasonably priced kits with relay, switch, wiring etc- but the descriptions I’ve read either don’t mention mounting or they specifically say ‘don’t try this at home, get a real mechanic.’

    Has anyone found an inexpensive fog light kit that installs neatly without great pain and anguish on the part of the driver? I am not a professional mechanic but I’m comfortable with basic stuff.

    Thank you.
     
    #1 Bigger, Apr 6, 2021
    Priusjames likes this.
  2. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    the plastic bumper is too soft to mount any non-oe style fog lights, so definitely go with a correct fit kit. also make sure the bulbs have i think its an SAE number on them. i bought a cheap kit of yellow lights that were supposed to be direct fit and they sucked. they flopped around when i hit even tiny bumps because they didn't fit tight enough in the factory notches. trying to screw some aftermarket universal junk into your bumper is only gonna ruin the bumper in the long run.
     
    #2 69shovlhed, Apr 7, 2021
    Priusjames likes this.
  3. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    I'm thinking about getting something like this for some driving lights to be ready for next winter. I'm not sure how strong the surface behind the bumper skin is though. https://amzn.to/3tcDZk0
     
    #3 Bunce, Apr 12, 2021
    Priusjames and Sanchan like this.
  4. Priusjames

    Priusjames Member

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    LOL...that’s exactly the light-mount I found yesterday on Amazon that *then* led me down the “this doesn’t just screw to the plate mount and then work, but needs to be drilled into the bumper and there’s nothing but plastic/foam behind it so you have to remove the bumper...check the internet for pics of what’s under bumper and other Prii with driving lights and find other people who have started with this light bar and gone in completely different/better direction once they got inside the bumper” rabbit hole for about 3 hours and ended in my thorough enjoyment of the #jimtheprius overlander thread last night!

    ugh, heh. Spoiler: While I completely enjoyed the #jimtheprius thread that sucked me in because it started early on with pics of a light bar adapted from his old Subaru, it was never fleshed out further than the CAD (lqtm) design of the stealthy superstructure support underbumper thingy. Got a real good feel for what’s under there, though.

    Good luck w your light install! There’s a good thread here about light bars mounted on/behind the lower grill that also gave me ideas and shows the bumper removed (because you’re gonna have to remove the bumper to put washer/nuts behind it at the very least to use that Amazon light bar!
     
    #4 Priusjames, Apr 29, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2021
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