Fogs with brights, 2005

[gyates]

I have seen a project for the 2005 ST that involves cutting a wire at the main relay box and grounding it to let the fogs work with the brights. Has anyone else done this mod and did it work well with no issues? And is this the only way to accomplish this? I hate the thought of cutting into my wiring!!

 

[Travis Stevens]

If you look under the projects board there is a mod where you cut a tab off of a relay that will allow the fogs to stay on with your hi beams

 

[Richard L]

gyrates,

I have not done the mod, but I recall that someone posted that you can simply cut off one of the prongs on the headlight/foglight relay so that it does not cause any permanent damage to your Sport Trac. If you even wanted or need to go back, you just install a new relay and everything goes back to normal.



Also, be aware that running foglights with you high beams on is illegal in all states. I know that few police are enforcing that law. But, with so many cities and towns needing more revenue the police are looking harder for any reason to write you a ticket and insure that in the future, they will have a job and a paycheck.



...Rich

 

[gyates]

Richard, thanks for the response. In TN our laws states that no more then 2 beams of light at the same time. On our ST's I believe when we are using the hi's that the low beam element turns off. If this is the case then use of hi's and fogs would be legal in TN. Do I misunderstand how the headlamp bulbs function in our trucks? if the low and hi element is on at the same time, then fogs are illegal with hi's. But I suspect since we have a single bulb it is an either/or situation. Anyone know for sure? I will add that on my wife's '04 Explorer when using the hi's the low beams, hi beams, and fogs all function. It was this way when I purchased it pre-owned several years ago. I rarely use hi's anyway on either vehicle since adding the Silverstar Ultras, but when I do use the hi's having the fogs lighting the road directly in front of me makes a huge difference on my wife's Expl.

 

[EddieS'04]

I have done this to my '04. Been running for over 2 yrs. No problems.

Be sure and select the prodject for '04-'05.



The procedure is diferent for earlier models. See the link.



The one thing I wish I had done. Was to feed the other cut wire outside the box also. And tape it up.

That way I wont have to tear the box apart. To go back oem.

 

[gyates]

Thanks Eddie. I had seen that project. I was just hopeful there was another way to do this to avoid cutting my OE wiring.

 

[Richard L]

gyrates,

The number of beams is not the issue. Most states (if not all), and most foreign countries do not allow High beams on with Fog or Driving lights. That's why the auto makers have fog lights wired so that they shut off when the high beams are on.



I know that most states don't enforce those laws, but with the current state of the economy, many police departments are being pushed to increase revenue (write more tickets). And you may be giving them a good excuse to pull you over.



In Europe it is a much bigger issue and the police are more intune to looking for high beams with auxillary lights.... they will stop you in a NY minute.



Another issue is that when it is foggy, you don't want to use high beams anyway since the reflected glare of high beams on the fog will blind you much worse than the fog.



...Rich

 

[gyates]

Hey Richard. In foggy conditions I NEVER use the hi's anyway for the reason you stated. But on a dark back road late at night when using the brights you gain distance vision obviously but lose vision directly in front of the truck. I do understand that many states do make it illegal to use both, but in TN law it is clear that a driver is allowed up to 4 total beams of light at the same time, so lows with fogs or hi's with fogs will be legal in TN unless your hi's and lows run at the same time, then fogs will have to go off with hi's.. I will add that some cities in TN, like Nashville, have local ordinances that do not allow fogs at all unless conditions warrant it. Bascially in Nashville it is used as an excuse to pull people over to look for any other potential issue to be honest.



So back to my original question, is there any other way to get fogs and hi's without cutting OE wiring? I know the '01-'03 you can cut a blade off of a relay but I ma wondering if there is anything similar in our trucks.

 

[EddieS'04]

I know the '01-'03 you can cut a blade off of a relay but I ma wondering if there is anything similar in our trucks.

Nope, only the project. That is posted for '04/'05.

The hardest part is poping the tabs on the power box. That is why I said, bring both wire ends to the outside. So it will be easy to go back stock.

My mistake not too. The multiple tabs are a pain.

If I go back in. I will use a SPDT switch. One direction oem. The other to make ground. For fogs with brights.

I have passed inpection here in Texas every year.

But on a dark back road late at night when using the brights you gain distance vision obviously but lose vision directly in front of the truck.

The exact reason I did it. 15mile trek through the piney woods to my moms. Very dark...

 

[gyates]

Thanks Eddie. I am still contemplating doing this mod, though again, I hate the thought of cutting the OE wiring.



Unrelated to my question but one thing I did do to improve vision is go to the SilverStar Ultras in the headlamps and the Silverstars in the fogs. Major difference, though I am not so sure the claimed 50% increase is exactly accurate. lol!! I believe that our ST's headlamp housings just do not reflect light well. My wifes Explorer has much better headlamps with regular halogens, and upgrading to the Silverstars has really increased the output in it.

 

[EddieS'04]

Yep 9007 ultra's for headlights. 9005 St's for fogs.