Exterior 2nd Gen DIY Driving Lights Project

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by Metalman, Mar 9, 2013.

  1. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Sooooo, I have a ton of MINI mod projects sitting on the back burner all waiting in line for their opportunity to move forward.... There is method to my madness.... My biggest issue is time to work on them...

    I soon will be installing my genuine Challenge splitter which will require removal of the front bumper.... Which will force me to finally finish my install of the Hell-yeah horns (yeah, I know... They still aren't installed yet)....

    Sooooo, with all this in the works... I've always had the desire to add a set of driving lights.... For the most part, I enjoy making my own mods....

    Here's my latest.... And would like some input from the MINI community....

    My lights will not be in the "normal" OEM location but integrated into the lower grill....
    I've always liked the old Ford Mustang "Eleanor" setup.... But am not liking the idea of blocking the IC air flow....

    Now a little about my search for what I think is a "pretty good" set of really cheap lights.....

    These babies are 4-1/2" sealed beam 110,000 candle power bulbs each with an internal element shield that creates the look of the "Black Magic" Hella series... The light pattern of the current bulbs are of the "pencil beam" shape (other patterns are readily available).....

    The bulbs themselves are less than $10.00 each.... The light holder assembly is made from heavy duty black rubber (no paint chipping from errant stones and pebbles). The bulbs actually just push into the holder with no screws (the rubber just expands and grabs the rim of the bulb). My plan is to inset the two units into the grill with only a small portion of about an inch sticking out beyond the grill.....

    Here they are..... And yeah.... $15.00 each ($25.00 per assembly with the bulb) if I remember correctly....:Thumbsup:

    [​IMG]

    Here are some quick light positions.... So start throwing out your thoughts....:D
    Once I remove the front bumper, I'll be constructing a solid mounting bar behind the grill....

    This position doesn't block the brake vents or the IC....
    [​IMG]

    Eleanor-ish look
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I applaud your inventiveness. Couple of thoughts since you asked. Being a pencil beam being mounted low will not take advantage of the lights output. How many amps will those draw? Mounted in the lower grill seems the best solution as shown in the first picture, non-Eleanor.

    What is the plan for wiring those flame throwers up?
     
  3. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    I agree with Crash, the first position looks much better. Great idea Chuck!
     
  4. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    :cornut: Looks very nice to me. To me, lateral mounting looks better than central mounting.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  5. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Of my four lights, the two inside are switched separably from the two outside. The center two (Eleanor set up) punch a beam down the center of the road, where the outside two cover the shoulders. I tend to use the center two alone. most of the time. I like you second set up.

    Jim
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Second setup blocks a fair bit of intercooler. Jim are you trying to have Chuck lose power? :ihih:
     
  7. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #7 Metalman, Mar 9, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2013
    Thanks guy's...
    I kind of knew I would go with the two outside mounts which place them right in front of the end tanks on the IC, thereby not affecting the cooling air....

    I wanted a set of lights that can "reach out" and I'll be interested in how this 8 - 12 degree pencil beam works. There are several other patterns available all under $10.00 each. The factory fogs work fine with the wide pattern. I was wanting something that had a little more distance...

    Chuck, 100 watts each and will be switched through a separate relay connected to the factory optional fog light switch...
    Sooo if my math is correct something like 8-1/3 amps....
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I think hooking them up using the high beams as the trigger for the lights would work great. That is how I have mine hooked up. There is a separate switch so I can disable the high beams turning them on. With the switch on they come on & off with the high beams. with it off no driving lights, easy peasy lemon squeezey. :D

    I've never liked pencil beams. Too narrow of a beam for me. Driving lights have a long enough reach for a slow guy like me. The fogs on the R56 are decent, unlike the ones on an R53 that are little more thank automotive jewelry. Heck for $10 each you can experiment a bit.

    Remind me & I'll bring a copy of the wiring diagram I used to wire up my lights to breakfast.
     
  9. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    If ya already knew what you were going to do, then why did ya ask? :D

    Jim
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    The first look was the best IMHO.
     
  11. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Because IC airflow blockage...
    Because not a Justa..........Jim.:D
    Because overwhelming recommendation of one over the other...
    And because...... I kinda knew but wasn't positive....
     
  12. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Well, if ya put it that way. :lol::lol:

    Jim
     
  13. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    But.... I still appreciate your input Justa Jim...:D
     
  14. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    I think a single one in the center. Start a new trend cyclopes mini
     
  15. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Appreciate your input........








    Not so much....:D
     
  16. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    :cornut: Steve McQueen's Mini Cooper had a single amber fog/driving light set on the bumper half way between center and lateral and he was the King of Cool. They did a write up and showed a picture in MC2 Magazine.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  17. Herleman

    Herleman New Member

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    Will they loosen in the black housing when they get cold?
     
  18. Crashton

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    Shrinkage factor. :)
     
  19. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Housing will shrink.... Will grab the bulb and pull it tight like a frightened turtle....:eek:

    The shrinkage factor will be in play here....:D

    [ame=http://youtu.be/BEnKLhi83J8]Seinfeld - The Shrinkage - YouTube[/ame]
     
  20. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    I also think having the lights so low will impact the pattern and what you will be able to see negatively. Being so low they will have to be almost parallel with the ground to be able to light up the road in front of you and not the tree tops.
     

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