Driving Light Mount Location

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 03 Sep 2020, 18:34

Hey everyone! I've been doing a few upgraded and repairs to my old car, Herman. Anyways I was wondering where the stock mounting location for the stock Volvo driving lights was located. (Not fog lights, the big suckers) I know it's on the front bumper in front of the radiator grille but I wasn't sure if it was an accessory that needed to be ordered or if like for most accessories was preinstalled. The mounting plate not the lights obviously. Also does anyone know of there was an accessory switch for the driving lights? I could install a badass old school toggle switch but a stock Volvo button would look cleaner. Anyways any insight would be appreciated.

Ryan.

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 04 Sep 2020, 12:09

So I'll add a little more info to this thread. Looks like the factory driving lights were Hella 500's. Which makes sense as the original head lights are hella as well. My wife thinks that's hilarious by the way. Volvo did make a switch. Looks like I can pull one from a semi truck. "Volvo Truck 20470609 Auxillary Switch." Hella 500's are around $60 on amazon.

Now to track down the factory mounting location

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 04 Sep 2020, 13:28

Here's the x70 version if it helps:

x70 Spotlights and mount - Option 35612.pdf: (107.16 KiB) Downloaded 370 times

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 04 Sep 2020, 14:31

Open the hood, look down between the core support and the front bumper, you'll see three brackets holding the crash bar onto the frame. It bolts onto the two outer ones of those. Hella Comet 500s were the original items here in the UK and EU, I'm not sure if thats the same as a Hella 500 under a different name for a different market. I would look for something bigger/better personally - by modern standards the 500s are not particularly bright and do not add much in the way of distance.

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 05 Sep 2020, 10:39

Ah great info guys. Very helpful.

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 09 Sep 2020, 06:35

Thought I'd update the thread a little more.

As I'm sure most people have figured out by now the original brackets, switch, relay and wiring from Volvo have long since been discontinued. So looks like I'll be sourcing my own materials locally.

Found a place in sweden that makes a setup I really like but they don't ship to the USA. But it gave me some ideas and inspiration.

Here's a pic of the setup. It uses a mount attached to the bumper, behind the license plate which I think gives it a cool rally inspired look which is what I'm going for.

I think the three light setup is pretty dang cool.

I really like that it's more centered to the bumper as opposed to in front of the grille. Gotta show off that chromy waterfall.

Here's a link to the Sweedish company in case anyone is interested: https://vparts.se/row/volvo-850/tillbeh ... 4-855.html

So I'm going to put together something like that here. I've found a few brackets that would work for two lights, but I really want that third light. I have a local fabrication shop that I love and does good work. I'll probably have them make something that will work.

I'll update this thread as I build but the wife has prioritized my head rebuild over fun lights. How unreasonable

850oldschool · Post by **850oldschool** » 09 Sep 2020, 07:23

Are you wanting to be able to fight back against the scourge of glare created by the new LED headlights? So they can be blinded also?

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 09 Sep 2020, 07:48

If they ship to the UK I don't mind being an intermediary. Failing that I know for a fact Amazon has heaps of brackets exactly like that for sale, as I've considered that approach previously myself.

You should also be able to find premade aftermarket wiring harnesses. Plenty of those floating around in the UK so I'd assume you have the stateside too, given how popular wheeling is over there.

Here's an example of what I mean:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182675870418

These will connect straight up to a factory light switch too.

Bracket wise this one is much thinner than the one I was looking at, but is good as an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-90044B-U ... B0825QQ9DL

I'd personally avoid LED light bars, which you seem to be doing anyway. But they have poor aim and are generally only much use for illuminating everything up close. Useless for distance or speed.

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 09 Sep 2020, 09:46

850oldschool wrote: ↑09 Sep 2020, 07:23 Are you wanting to be able to fight back against the scourge of glare created by the new LED headlights? So they can be blinded also?

Hahaha that's a honorable endeavor in itself. I already have those LED blasting headlights myself. Had to do something with all those brand new SUVs and Trucks around. It's more for look than anything else to be honest.

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 09 Sep 2020, 09:50

Cookeh wrote: ↑09 Sep 2020, 07:48 If they ship to the UK I don't mind being an intermediary. Failing that I know for a fact Amazon has heaps of brackets exactly like that for sale, as I've considered that approach previously myself.

You should also be able to find premade aftermarket wiring harnesses. Plenty of those floating around in the UK so I'd assume you have the stateside too, given how popular wheeling is over there.

Here's an example of what I mean:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182675870418

These will connect straight up to a factory light switch too.

Bracket wise this one is much thinner than the one I was looking at, but is good as an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-90044B-U ... B0825QQ9DL

I'd personally avoid LED light bars, which you seem to be doing anyway. But they have poor aim and are generally only much use for illuminating everything up close. Useless for distance or speed.

Yeah we have tons of cheap off-road brackets available on Amazon. Plus prime shipping is always nice

That bracket you linked to is the one I have been eye balling actually. I bet it would fit three round lights. And you're spot on. That bracket does look exactly like the cheap premade ones available here.

Thanks for the link to the fog light wiring I dunno if I can grab that here but I'll look into it. Worst case scenario I pay for shipping from the UK.

I'm definitely going to go with round lights not the light bars. Light bars are cool, but not for my car.