Bumper Fog Light Pocket - Splash Guard?

[swamp2]

Just wrapping up my lighting install. In comparing the OEM situation with Raptor+Mod Bumper vs. with aftermarket bumper pocket lights: Factory was nicely protected against mud/rocks/water, pretty well completely, whereas, now it is absolutely wide open. It just looks to be inviting problems.

I don't suppose anyone has made a cover for this need? If so what/how did you fab something up?

For those of you who wheel in wet/muddy/sandy conditions, with aftermarket pocket lights, how has your wiring, connectors and rear of your lights fared? These connectors can get quite jammed from muddy water and it's deposits.

Also, for those same folks as above, would you purchase a product for this?

Setup from the front:

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[RustysBronco]

@4x4TruckLEDs.com enters the chat....

 

[bastardsonofelvis]

I just wash them like the rest of the truck. No issues.

 

[DarthLincoln]

I never checked out the Raptor OEM pocket lights setup. How was that shielded? Do you have photos?

As for a solution for aftermarket lights, I doubt a product exists since it would have to accommodate a whole variety of different size lights. Also, aren’t the dimensions of the pocket in the standard modular bumper different than the Raptor’s? I thought the Raptor has unique end caps that make it wider, but maybe I’m wrong.

 

[swamp2]

I never checked out the Raptor OEM pocket lights setup. How was that shielded? Do you have photos?

I could show a picture of the cover, but it would be very out of context as it is now fully disassembled. In short, there is a molded plastic cover that ENTIRELY protects the factory lights. Those lights have a complex and repeated set of fancy headlight like aiming mechanisms, so that is likely in part what is being protected, along with the wiring of course.

As for a solution for aftermarket lights, I doubt a product exists since it would have to accommodate a whole variety of different size lights. Also, aren’t the dimensions of the pocket in the standard modular bumper different than the Raptor’s? I thought the Raptor has unique end caps that make it wider, but maybe I’m wrong.

They look very close. I do see bolts on the side of the end cap on the Wildtrak that are not on the Raptor. But they are so close that I suspect a single part would work for both. I don't think there is enough variation in light depth to make a universal part not work. The actual shapes and appearance of the lights from the front is irrelevant.

 

[iamcris]

They are weather packed connections. Only way you'll have a problem is if they aren't plugged in correctly. Go to the car wash if you don't like the dirt or mud look.

 

[Brian_B]

This has been brought up a few times recently - the general consensus is that any type of shield or cover you would install would only make packed dirt/mud/snow worse, as you couldn't get at it to clean it off as easily. And the backs of those lights need air, they are heat sinks, so you can't easily just seal them up tight enough so that mud/water/water couldn't get in.

The connectors are weathertight - so just leave 'em open and hose 'em off as needed.

Mine have been fine for 2+ years... good mix of snow, mud and dust, but that's just on my Bronco.. The decent brands all have pretty good warranty lengths... I'm sure folks have run them for years on other trucks/vehicles and can chip in for more on longevity.

 

[MGF]

Just wrapping up my lighting install. In comparing the OEM situation with Raptor+Mod Bumper vs. with aftermarket bumper pocket lights: Factory was nicely protected against mud/rocks/water, pretty well completely, whereas, now it is absolutely wide open. It just looks to be inviting problems.

I don't suppose anyone has made a cover for this need? If so what/how did you fab something up?

For those of you who wheel in wet/muddy/sandy conditions, with aftermarket pocket lights, how has your wiring, connectors and rear of your lights fared? These connectors can get quite jammed from muddy water and it's deposits.

Also, for those same folks as above, would you purchase a product for this?

Setup from the front:

Also planning this for my Raptor with Baja Design. Were you able to remove the 2 Rigid OEM light assembly without taking the bumper off? I’ve had BD lights on a Fab Fours front bumper on my F150 for 8 years. And as others have stated - waterproof connections, have seen plenty of snow mud, zero problems.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

FYI your lights are installed upside down. Not sure what kit you have but you want to flip the lenses/bezels around.

As for no cover on the back... those are Baja Designs lights. They can take tons of abuse without issue. It's actually a good thing they are not covered because any debris that would get into a plastic cover would stay there. This way you can clean the back of the lights when you wash your rig off. Easy.

Any time I wash my trucks I always hit the back with the pressure washer to get rid of any debris/dirt back there. Keeps things clean.

Of course that only matters IF you actually clean your truck. I know some people who don't and well... that's on them

 

[JL8jeff]

Also planning this for my Raptor with Baja Design. Were you able to remove the 2 Rigid OEM light assembly without taking the bumper off?

You shouldn't need to take the bumper off, you would want to remove the splash shields (if you have them) and there are 3 torx (or torx+) bolts (2 on the bottom of the endcap and 1 that goes into the outside of the endcap). You could also take the 5 torx (or torx+) bolts that hold each bumper endcap on and remove the foglight assembly still bolted to the endcap. Then remove the 3 bolts holding the lights to the endcap. If you decide to buy foglights that bolt into the top section of the bumper, you may want to get non-Raptor endcaps and sell your Raptor endcaps with the foglights as an assembly to offset your new light cost.

Here's a picture showing the 3 bolts holding the assembly into the endcap. If you have the airdams, there is a 4th bolt holding the center of the airdam to the endcap so you want to remove that as well.

 

[MGF]

You shouldn't need to take the bumper off, you would want to remove the splash shields (if you have them) and there are 3 torx (or torx+) bolts (2 on the bottom of the endcap and 1 that goes into the outside of the endcap). You could also take the 5 torx (or torx+) bolts that hold each bumper endcap on and remove the foglight assembly still bolted to the endcap. Then remove the 3 bolts holding the lights to the endcap. If you decide to buy foglights that bolt into the top section of the bumper, you may want to get non-Raptor endcaps and sell your Raptor endcaps with the foglights as an assembly to offset your new light cost.

Here's a picture showing the 3 bolts holding the assembly into the endcap. If you have the airdams, there is a 4th bolt holding the center of the airdam to the endcap so you want to remove that as well.

Thanks! Are there 2 OEM plugs that connect to each light since 1 light is on the fog switch and the other on Aux1? Was hopping to do plug and play with the 3 light BD Squadron/S2/S2 setup and put Squadron on Aux1 and S2/S2 on the OEM fog switch.

 

[JL8jeff]

Thanks! Are there 2 OEM plugs that connect to each light since 1 light is on the fog switch and the other on Aux1? Was hopping to do plug and play with the 3 light BD Squadron/S2/S2 setup and put Squadron on Aux1 and S2/S2 on the OEM fog switch.

Yes, there are 2 connectors on each side. In the picture, you can see a 2 pin connector from each light goes into another short harness that combines them into a 4 pin connector. I'm not sure if all years of Braptors have the 2 into 1 harness or if that changed over time.

 

[swamp2]

Were you able to remove the 2 Rigid OEM light assembly without taking the bumper off?

Absolutely, a much larger job than I expected though and some very difficult/frustrating clips/bolts.

 

[swamp2]

Thanks! Are there 2 OEM plugs that connect to each light since 1 light is on the fog switch and the other on Aux1? Was hopping to do plug and play with the 3 light BD Squadron/S2/S2 setup and put Squadron on Aux1 and S2/S2 on the OEM fog switch.

You don't need a harness for the Raptor if you want to maintain the factory button/switch setup with 2 sets of 2 lights, Just these adapters, 2 sets of 2:

https://www.specialtyperformancepar...ns-squadron-s2-s1?_pos=2&_sid=602119b87&_ss=r

For a 3rd set of lights you will need a harness.

 

[swamp2]

FYI your lights are installed upside down. Not sure what kit you have but you want to flip the lenses/bezels around.

Ha, ugh. Are you sure this is necessary? I would guess that the patters are up/down symmetrical. Lights haven't been fully aimed yet but look good.

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