Like many xB owners I'm interested in filling the ugly fog light blanks with something that provides utility and enhances appearance. I just don't want to pay over $200 for the Scion brand kit. I've read most of the threads about aftermarket fog lights and most have mounted them in the grill or below it.

I know many hate Amber and are "clearing" their headlights of the amber reflector. I like amber, both for looks and for safety. I think amber will add some color to my rather bland TCM front.

I found some amber aftermarket Taiwan knock-out lights made to replace OEM Toyota lights. They appear to have the same electrical connector that's taped right inside the xB fog blanks. My local Pep Boys let me test fitment and they fit fairly well. I would need to fabricate custom mounting, but it doesn't look very difficult.

These amber lens are DOT certified, curved similar to the xB and are reasonably good quality.

10.25" x 2.75" Stock xB blank approx. measurement
7.25" x 2.25" Amber light approx. measurement
--------------
3.00" x 0.50" extra to divide up for a mounting face plate.

All that's needed after plugging in the electrical connectors and mounting the light is plugging in a three prong relay and a rocker switch. I already have three rocker switches in place in the center console.

See the following for DIY How-To xB Fog Light installation:

http://overboost.com/print.asp?id=1098

Here's info on web ordering these amber lights:



Product ID: OEM-312-1609L-AS
OEM No: 81520-89134
Description: TOYOTA PICK UP 2/4WD 89-95/4RUNR 90-91 SIDE LAMP ASSEMBLY LEFT HAND
PARTSLINK: TO2520105
Price: $15.41
http://www.autodynamic.com/detail.as...M-312-1609L-AS

OEM No: 81510-89134
Product ID: OEM-312-1609R-AS
Description: TOYOTA PICK UP 2/4WD 89-95/4RUNR 90-91 SIDE LAMP ASSEMBLY RIGHT HAND
PARTSLINK: TO2521107
Price: $15.41
http://www.autodynamic.com/detail.as...M-312-1609R-AS

Another model amber light could be considered. It's 0.5" too long but could be modified. The height and curve are about right. The light is from my 1996 Toyota Camry. I tested fitment; the electrical looks right. Mounting could be fabricated.



Product ID: OEM-312-1606R-AS
OEM No: 81510-06032
Description: TOYOTA CAMRY 95-96 SIDE LAMP ASSEMBLY RIGHT HAND
PARTSLINK: TO2531117
Price: $14.19
http://www.autodynamic.com/detail.as...M-312-1606R-AS

OEM No: 81520-06032
Product ID: OEM-312-1606L-AS
Description: TOYOTA CAMRY 95-96 SIDE LAMP ASSEMBLY LEFT HAND
PARTSLINK: TO2530117
Price: $14.19
http://www.autodynamic.com/detail.as...M-312-1606L-AS

I'm still considering what to do and have not ordered anything yet. Comments? RPM

 

Umm, I like my clear fog lights. But if I did not want to pay $350, I dont see anything wrong with them. It kinda reminds me of the MINI Cooper daylight running lights.

-nt

 

I like amber, but I think that would make them look too much like turn signals.

 

lol. They would, also, I am not sure how well Amber will go with the colors of the xB's. Green and amber, or black and amber, that will work. But white and amber, or blue and amber .

-nt

 

I like the idea of amber fogs too. I bought the factory kit and planned on getting the 100 watt bulbs. The factory 55 watt bulbs are much to dim for me. I work night shift and do all my driving at night. I remember seeing amber colored bulbs for the fogs somewhere. (Just can't remember where) That's an idea for you......get the factory fogs and add the amber bulbs. The best of both worlds. Easy fit and great light.

 

Thanks for the detailed right up and great info.
:D

I've been thinking about fog lights for my Camo xB
because with the the NY weather, they would get a lot of use.

I think yours would look good and be functional and their a great price!

I am still debating using one of my xB's driving light blanks
as a place to put in a ram air intake.

Decisions, decisions...

 

Well, I decided to give this a try... My neighbor has a 1997 Toyota 4Runner and his amber lights looked about the right size. He let me measure them. They're about 9" wide x 2.75" tall... Almost the perfect size! They don't have as much curve as the xB fogs and I'm not sure that the electrical connector is the same (I'm hoping and assuming it is).

So here's what I ordered:

Product ID: OEM-312-1623L-AS
OEM No: 81520-35120
Description: TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 96-98 SIDE LAMP ASSEMBLY LEFT HAND
PARTSLINK: TO2530125
Price: $16.33
http://www.autodynamic.com/detail.as...M-312-1623L-AS

Product ID: OEM-312-1623R-AS
OEM No: 81510-35120
Description: TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 96-98 SIDE LAMP ASSEMBLY RIGHT HAND
PARTSLINK: TO2531125
Price: $16.33
http://www.autodynamic.com/detail.as...M-312-1623R-AS

Total: $42.32 Shipped

I hope they fit and that I can fabricate a mounting system without too much difficulty. :D RPM

 

can we see the end result please?
thanks,
sid

 

I've been on vacation and I'm still catching up with stuff. Here's an update on my project:

The electrical connector is not the same, but this was not a problem; I used a crimping tool and fabricated my own water resistant wiring harness that connects to the existing stock wiring.

The lights fit and look great, IMHO. I'm working on fabricating a mounting system. I'm about half way done. I also purchased a $5 relay and made a custom wiring harness that plugs right into the xB socket. The Toyota/Scion relay would have cost over $50 from the dealer and I was not able to find one at a wrecking yard or other parts supplier. I'm happy with the lights and can't wait to install them permanently.

I'll post pics when I complete the job. :D RPM

 

I cant wait to see..

 

id like to see this, i like my amber corners. but i wouldnt get no fogs period

 

Sorry for the delay in my presentation of my "Cheap Amber Fogs."

I injured my right leg last week and I'm limping around in pain. My cat suddenly developed diabetes, went into diabetic shock, and has been in a critical care animal hospital. My mother-in-law is having serious surgery next Monday. My wife is taking my xB up out of town to help her parents. I'm staying home to rest my leg and care for the sick cat.

Sounds like this would make a great Country Western or Blues song.

I'm still planning on posting how my new Fogs look and work out when I'm able. Later...

RPM

 

I'd get the amber ones, smoke the crap out of them, stick a clear bulb in my headlight corner, and use the fogs as turn signals.

 

hmmm...interesting...

 

That's a great alternative idea and look!

I'm sticking with my original plan, but each to his own individual look and style is good.

You suggest: "smoke the crap out of the amber ones"
What ever... Amber or Smoked Amber.

Your idea of "stick a clear bulb in my headlight corner" will not work... the bulb is clear. You can clear the corners by the "oven method" or the "crack and remove the amber film" method.

Thanks for your alternative suggestion. It will work great for those who want the clear corner style.

RPM

 

Update on my "Cheap Amber Fog Lights"

Inside my house, I've continued to test the Amber Fogs that I purchased using a 12V DC source. Not unexpectedly, the lights get VERY HOT when run continuously for over 5 minutes. I understood that these lights were Toyota 4Runner Turn Signal lights and that they are made to blink off and on for short periods of time and not made to be left on continuously.

The bulb that comes with these lights is a #1156, 12 Volt, 320CP (I assume CP means Candle Power). They are very bright but get too hot to leave on for long periods of time... I'm sure they will melt the plastic socket or housing if left on.

Here's a possible solution: I located on the web, LED white 12 Volt, 27 Watt, #1156 bulbs.

http://www.lightlens.com/coloredbulbs.htm

LED lights are known to be low heat and high light output. This relatively cheap pair of bulbs seems like it would work well with my left/right light assemblies.

Anyone have experience with this San Marino, California vendor? Are they OK?

Anyone care to comment on whether these LED bulbs would be a good match with my Amber Lens light assemblies?

Once again, sorry for my slow progress on getting these "Fogs" or "Driving Lights" mounted and operational. The project is coming together sloooowly... Thanks.

RPM

 

27 watts? that would only work like a flash light. i replaced the 55watts bulb in my fogs with 100watts to be content.
I just check the link, 1156 is for paklight/markers. not enough output for foglight use.

 

Sorry holmes, it's an amber colored bulb. Go outside and check.

 

anyone got a picture of this installed?

 

Watts are not a measure of brightness of a light bulb. Watts are the amount of electrical power the bulb consumes. Brightness is measured in Lumens or Candlepower (CP). LED bulbs consume less power (watts) than most other types of bulbs of the same brightness. For example, a 27 watt LED bulb may be as bright as a 50 watt conventional bulb. I do not know the exact brightness (Lumens or CP) of the LED 1156 bulb I'm considering buying.

http://www.electrical-online.com/how...g/Glossary.htm

The 1156 bulb is a bright (daylight visible) light used in blinking turn signals. The 1157 bulb contains two filaments. One filament is as bright as the 1156 (for blinking turn signals). The other filament is less bright and is used for night parking and marker lights.

My "Amber Fog Lights" maybe should be called "Amber Driving Lights." I intend them to make by xB more visible to other vehicles in fog, rain, snow, sun-down, early mornings, high-speed rural roads, etc. I do not expect my lights to shine as bright as true fog lights. True fogs illuminate the road in front. I do not expect my lights to do that.

RPM