There are a few things you need to know about 4wd lighting before making your first purchase. Lighting improvements are often overlooked when a vehicle is modified for increased performance, yet the role your lighting system plays in passenger safety is critical. After all, without an effective lighting system, your vehicle is rendered virtually useless in all but ideal conditions. Foul weather, night driving and the impending hazard of stray animals all demand the need for a clear view of the road. There are two general types of lighting available; fog lights for driving in thick, heavy fog, and driving lights for increased long-range visibility at night. 4x4 Connection carries three major lighting lines: Hella, IPF, and PIAA, each with unique pros and cons.
IPF is our premiere line of lighting. These heavy-duty fog and driving lights are manufactured by ARB, the foremost Australian 4wd outfitter. Most IPF lights are made of stainless steel, powder-coated steel, or aluminum with high quality lenses. The IPF line includes both driving and fog lights for a range of applications, and exclusive Magic Bulbs that feature a unique phosphorescent glow ring. Special stabilizing light stays are also available for mounting support in high vibration applications. IPF lighting comes complete with a simple to install wiring harness, and is a great choice for the all-out off-roader.
The PIAA line of fog and driving lights is very good quality; we feel this is a good high-end light, but just a notch down from the IPF system as far as component quality. The wiring harness is complete and easy to install, but the switch is not the best when compared to IPF. Although, lighting quality, beam pattern, and vision with this system is second to none. PIAA is a good choice for a solid built light with superb beam pattern and vision.
Hella has been around for a long time and is the most prevalent light on the market. They offer a wide range of quality and applications. Hella is among the top 100 German industrial companies, and employs 22,500 people in 58 manufacturing facilities. The bottom line with Hella is that you get what you pay for. The quality of lights range from extremely basic to absolutely superb, and the price varies accordingly.