I am considering buying and mounting a pair of lights on my windshield. I really want something that is relativly cheap and will put out alot of light. I really want them for traveling back roads/old logging roads etc. to see deer or whats around the bend better. I do have the factory fogs. Should I get fog lights, driving lights, or long range. I have herd that the long range are best for the windshield mounts because of the decrease in glare.

 

Watch some of the opinions you'll get here. They'll go all over the place.

Where will you be using these? You mentioned logging roads. Are there tight curves, many ups and downs, fast, or slow speeds?

My opinion:
Long ranges are great if you're going straight (and I mean straight) at high speeds (like 40-60 mph) but will leave you wondering what's on the side of the road and won't show you where the curves go.

For just driving curvy logging roads in high range (between 10-40 mph), then I suggest a good driving light that has a wide beam. Don't worry about the long distance game. Lights with a short, flat cut off (like HIDs) really miss out offroad because they don't light up high things like the sides of the cliff, canyon walls, trees, overhanging branches.

For slow, tight trails (like the grooves at Truckhaven)- go with a strong work light (I know, not glamorous). But, you'll really need to see up, down, left and right but close to the vehicle. Super bright long ranges are absolutely useless here (and will blind the guy in front of you).

I've had all three types. My favorite cheapies are:
1. Harbor Freight's chrome 5" driving lights ($9 each). They have contoured reflectors and straight lenses which is much more effecient that a fluted lense (like most KC's). They're 55 watts, solid, and are REALLY, REALLY good for short to medium range driving. They're awesome for canyon carving too. They shine way to the sides, up and down. I even got stopped by a cop on a country road for having my brights on! If you can handle chrome, these are great money spent.

2. Pro Comp 8" 130 watt rounds. They are long range, but also spill a fair amount of light to the sides, up and down. I have a set on my CJ-7 windshield mount, but the glare's not too bad. They are awesome for speeding down the Sand Highway near the SoCal dunes at 10:00 at night.

Here's a pic showing the 5" on the bumper, and 8" up high:

One other suggestion is to add some very small lights to the side of the windshield mounts pointing down and sideways. Put them on a wireless switch on your key fob. They're great to see where the cliff sides of a shelf road are. Or, to keep from tripping over a rock next to your Jeep when camping (been there, done that, damn it hurts). These were $14 from Wal Mart and are about the size of an egg.


Ok, let the opinions fly. Lord knows I haven't tried all the lights out there...

 

^^^looks like a good mod for the money and well worth it. did you use a brand name bracket to mount them to your windshield or did you customizze it??

 

Lightforce 170 or 140 with wide lenses. You can adjust the beam like a mag light. The wide lenses spread the light. The lights come with standard covers and can be used as a spotlight. The Lighforce will do everything you are wanting.

 

Yeah they are nice but pricey. For someone one a budget who wants a light that isn't too generic, try Hella 500s. $60 at walmart and either driving beam or bright fogs depending on your speed.

 

Thanks for all of the great replies and info. To give you alittle more info I am looking for something that will allow me to go 10-40 on dirt and logging roads. They will be some pretty sharp curves and I dont like not knowing whats around the bend thing. I guess I am looking for the best bang for my buck all around light.

Also if i get a light bar on my bumper would i be better putting the driving lights up there and the fogs on the windshield or the driving lights on the windshield and the fogs on the bar?

 

You would be better of with fogs on the bumper area. The closer to the ground the better for fogs.

 

You get what you pay for.

 

For 10 mph and up, and to see around the corners, seriously look at the HF lites:
5'' H3 HALOGEN OFF ROAD LIGHT
ITEM 47394-7VGA

They are really good for twisty roads and will help you feel more confident about the whats coming around the corners.

Karnuvor,
I agree, multiple long ranges are awesome and were a Baja 1000 tradition. You just have to have $$$ and a whompin' powerful alternator for the amp draw. Now, they're going HIDs, and LEDs.

But, for the budget-minded (or for those of us who married VERY FRUGAL wifes), these are great. Plus, you won't piss off or melt everyone else on the trail.

Regarding the side lights, I just drilled a hole in the side of the windshield mounts (Kentrol, I think). I'll probably do this with the JK too:

 

I am partial to Hella 500s, the are great value, about $75 a pair and the kit includes a switch and a complete wiring harness. Upgrade the stock H3 55w bulbs to H3 100w or 130 w and you have more than enough light. I mounted a pair of floods and a pair of driving lights to my bumper. I am very happy with the outcome.