lights in tow hook space

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

cityboy21

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2018
Posts
97
Reaction score
64
Location
NW Indiana
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
I've decided against putting tow hooks on my truck but curious if anyone has put any type of lighting in those spaces instead. I drive at night to work on some back country roads and could use the extra lighting to spot deer and what not. Need something bright. Let me know if anyone knows of what could work for my situation. Thanks.
 

MADDOG

Out Exploring Arizona
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Posts
14,450
Reaction score
9,916
Location
Arizona
There are lots of lighting and LED lightbar threads in this section. I think you'll find the info you are looking for by scrolling through some of the threads here.

I kept my tow hooks and put in a 20" LED lightbar in between them with no problem. It's a kit from PIAA. The brackets bolt in behind the tow hooks and allow me to keep them on the truck.

20170520_2052060_zpsoquqfdaa.jpg

You can fit a 30" bar there but it will require you come up with custom brackets.
 
OP
OP
C

cityboy21

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2018
Posts
97
Reaction score
64
Location
NW Indiana
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
I should have mentioned I have a 2017 Big Horn with fog lights so my bumper doesn't have that opening you have in the center. Only place to put lights would be in the tow hook spots but there doesn't seem to be much available that would be small enough and bright enough. There are driving light options available for those spots but not what I'm looking for.
 

Ramm5.7

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2017
Posts
5,321
Reaction score
7,356
Location
So Cal
Ram Year
2019 Ram 1500 Classic Bighorn
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I've decided against putting tow hooks on my truck but curious if anyone has put any type of lighting in those spaces instead. I drive at night to work on some back country roads and could use the extra lighting to spot deer and what not. Need something bright. Let me know if anyone knows of what could work for my situation. Thanks.

Led bulbs in low beam and fogs, 7 inch pods behind grill and tow hook flush mount...you wanted bright? Lol

20180714_050923.jpg
 

Bill507

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Dec 26, 2014
Posts
326
Reaction score
263
Location
New Orleans
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
/\ /\. What Ramm5.7 said!! I followed his example, as it was an excellent OEM look. Before LEDupgrade to fogs and headlights btw..f2e4bb9b676f7d305df8699357d0f5c2.jpg

Sent from my rotary telephone using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
C

cityboy21

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2018
Posts
97
Reaction score
64
Location
NW Indiana
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Those are nice Ramm5.7 . Do they throw a lot of light ahead of the truck at night or are they just glorified fog lights?
 

Ramm5.7

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2017
Posts
5,321
Reaction score
7,356
Location
So Cal
Ram Year
2019 Ram 1500 Classic Bighorn
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Those are nice Ramm5.7 . Do they throw a lot of light ahead of the truck at night or are they just glorified fog lights?

Well thats a subjective question. I started with mictuning 18watt floods and wasnt happy. Too much side(flood) light so swapped to 40watt. Very bright , much better long range. I couldnt find spots that are flush mount that size to fit tow hook covers without major work to make fit. I then added the 7 inch spot pods behind the grill and they are awsome! I did all this while still using oem halogen headlights and fogs. Since swapping to Vanquish Auto (a vendor here) led fogs and low beams I only use my added lights on really dark roads when driving alone.
Now I light up the night for sure.

Just to clarify for all the lighting police trolling the interweb...
I am a VERY considerate diver and only use my lighting as needed when safe to use!
 

Ramm5.7

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2017
Posts
5,321
Reaction score
7,356
Location
So Cal
Ram Year
2019 Ram 1500 Classic Bighorn
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Those are nice Ramm5.7 . Do they throw a lot of light ahead of the truck at night or are they just glorified fog lights?

These are the only comparison pics I could find

Screenshot_20180715-085311_Photos.jpg

Screenshot_20180715-085319_Photos.jpg
 
OP
OP
C

cityboy21

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2018
Posts
97
Reaction score
64
Location
NW Indiana
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Wow. Big difference in that last pic. Is that with just the tow hook lights or the LEDs in the low beam and fogs too?
 

Ramm5.7

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2017
Posts
5,321
Reaction score
7,356
Location
So Cal
Ram Year
2019 Ram 1500 Classic Bighorn
Engine
5.7 Hemi
That was oem halogen headlights and tow hook only, way before i installed anything else
 
OP
OP
C

cityboy21

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2018
Posts
97
Reaction score
64
Location
NW Indiana
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Think I am going to have to follow your lead on those lights in the tow hook space. Did you order off Ebay? I saw on amazon that you need to order the wiring harness separate but it was only $10 and definitely looked worth that.
 

Ramm5.7

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2017
Posts
5,321
Reaction score
7,356
Location
So Cal
Ram Year
2019 Ram 1500 Classic Bighorn
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Think I am going to have to follow your lead on those lights in the tow hook space. Did you order off Ebay? I saw on amazon that you need to order the wiring harness separate but it was only $10 and definitely looked worth that.


Ordered all off amazon

Screenshot_20180715-095520_Amazon Shopping.jpg

Screenshot_20180715-095542_Amazon Shopping.jpg
 

blackbetty14

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Posts
2,707
Reaction score
1,431
Location
CT
Ram Year
2024
Engine
Hemi 5.7 VVT/Etorque
I did the best and brightest you can fit in the tow hook areas. Rigid SRAs same install as the other guys but I went with a spot beam and they are wicked bright. They have more lumens and distance than diode dynamics and any eBay brand. But they will run you $200 ish. Pic on the deck was just 1 light and trees are over 100ft away. Other pic is with just the rigids on.

AE36F9E5-77B6-4FD4-811F-5A7557261217.jpeg

84167DBE-C29F-43BB-9986-2D3BEB7EF4F4.jpeg

572AF9FD-B797-4512-B66E-1B21BC38AE97.jpeg
 

MidwestJ

Senior Member
Joined
May 15, 2018
Posts
383
Reaction score
185
Location
Illinois
Ram Year
2009
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I kept my tow hooks and put in a 20" LED lightbar in between them with no problem. It's a kit from PIAA. The brackets bolt in behind the tow hooks and allow me to keep them on the truck.

20170520_2052060_zpsoquqfdaa.jpg

You can fit a 30" bar there but it will require you come up with custom brackets.

1) can you please link to the kit you bought?

2)can you please post up moar pics of the brackets and you you secured them in?

Thanks
 

PowerWagonAZ

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Posts
27
Reaction score
12
Location
AZ
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4
I had a 2500 that had Hella 4000s on a lightbar.. The Hella's had a soft glow ring when not on - I was in California and got pulled over 3 times that weekend because I had more then 4 white facing lights.. I don't live in CA thankfully, but check the state laws..

The lower fog lights on the 1500 look pretty cool!
 

MADDOG

Out Exploring Arizona
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Posts
14,450
Reaction score
9,916
Location
Arizona
1) can you please link to the kit you bought?

2)can you please post up moar pics of the brackets and you you secured them in?

Thanks

1. Just google PIAA LED lightbar. You'll find the light, harness and switch easily enough.

2. I didn't take any pics when installing. I had my hands full of tools. But it's not hard. Unbolt the tow hooks, pull them out, put the bracket on the back of the tow hook with the light mounting tab facing inwards towards the center of the truck, slip two bolts back in (one per side of the tow hook), holding on to the tow hook and bracket slide it back into place, then put the nuts on and thread them loosely. Put in the rest of the bolts. The bracket and tow hook will level up as you tighten the nuts. Repeat for the other side.

A second set of hands comes in handy for being able to remove and reinstall the bolts as it's hard to be on both sides of the lower radiator core support at the same time.
 

rick_ca

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Posts
54
Reaction score
8
Location
Ontario Canada
Ram Year
2018
Engine
5.7Hemi
Hello Maddog I just found this post after posting in another area im looking at installing lights also have all the equipment ready to go, but can find a wiring diagram for luv of me can you point me in right direction or tell me how you did them. I would like them to go off when key is off thanks
 
Top