Has anyone mounted driving lamps onto the roof rack?

[kcodyjr]

How about a set of the projector-style replacements that IPD sells? These are not HIDs. $365 for the set and look kinda normal.

Solve your pitted reflector problem and give you optimal behavior for the PIAA or SilverStar's in one move, without pissing off every cop you run across, and everyone else oncoming for that matter.

EDIT: I can personally attest to the SilverStar being a huge visibility improvement in the stock fixture, and I can only imagine what they're like with a projector setup. I've got them in both, the SilverStar Ultra in the wagon actually - a little colder, a little brighter, but conspicuously bluer behind the old worn plastic lenses, not so much through the fresh glass.

I've never felt like I was overrunning the NA wagon on Massachusetts woodsy twisties at night since I put in the new bulbs, even before replacing the lenses. The sedan, well, that's got more to do with its engine than with the non-Ultra SilverStar not being bright enough.

I hear what you say about reflector death, my wagon still has a touch of it in the left despite a coat of chrome spray paint. I've never tried the projectors myself, and that's a budget issue. Still, I've got to believe you're better off with them than a set of bolt-ons that are rightfully illegal for the purpose you need them for, especially at comparable money.

[tjts1]

The problem with high mounted headlights is that with any particulates in the air, such as dust, rain or snow, the light will illuminate them and not the road. You used to see rally cars with lights mounted high, but I think they are all top of bumper now.

This is a good point.

I thought about lights in front of the grill but I need all the airflow I can get over the radiator when I'm going up hill and towing around 2900Ibs.

If you're worried about airflow through the grill I would first move the horns that block airflow between the grill and radiator. I tucked mine above the radiator. I don't think driving lights on the bumper are going to be a restriction.

EDIT: I can personally attest to the SilverStar being a huge visibility improvement in the stock fixture, and I can only imagine what they're like with a projector setup. I've got them in both, the SilverStar Ultra in the wagon actually - a little colder, a little brighter, but conspicuously bluer behind the old worn plastic lenses, not so much through the fresh glass.

Blue bulbs in stock reflectors don't even come close to what you can do with a good pair for 100w driving lights.

[zhenya]

This is the best bulb you can buy for the stock 850 low beams - and they are relatively affordable. http://store.candlepower.com/bfcopo90hbpo.html

For high-beams, you can use these HIR bulbs with an extremely simple modification to the mounting tab on the bulb - http://store.candlepower.com/9011.html and you will have all the light you need for desert driving.

You note that your reflectors are pitted - that is a problem. How are the lenses? Can they be shined up? How is the voltage to the bulbs themselves? (This is the NUMBER ONE most important part of having bright lights. A 10% voltage drop equals a 33% loss of light!!)

Don't bother with the aftermarket replacement lights, aftermarket e-code lenses, etc - the optics required for good lighting are extremely specialized, and the aftermarket guys make general reproductions that don't actually get the details right. In general, the more hype promised, the more guarantee you aren't getting what you paid for. (PIAA as much as anyone else).

If you want auxiliary lamps, I'd also recommend the bumper - I don't think you are going to get what you are looking for on the roof - you will see a mpg decrease - even pulling a trailer - and as mentioned, you'll be more likely to be pulled over.

One last thing - driving lamps are intended as high-beam assist only - so you'll still be saddled with your stock low beams, which I suspect is where your major complaint is. Fog lights won't do anything for highway speed driving.

[ojdorson]

I can't afford E-codes right now and I believe a reasonable pair of driving lamps will cost between $60 and $100.

I'm not interested in buying new fancy bulbs with my pitted reflectors unfortunately.

Just for info - FCP sells the Volvo e-code lenses as a pair on eBay for ~$90 and I picked up a pair of PIAA bulbs for ~$15 on eBay, too. It took about 20 minutes to install them and the lighting difference was amazing.

Pitted reflectors... they won't fix that, of course, but I'm sure you'll still see an improvement.

[tjts1]

This is how they do it in Sweden. Volvo even sell a bracket specifically for mounting lights to the bumper of the 850. No blue bulbs or mixing and matching DOT reflectors with Ecode lenses can match this.

[zhenya]

This is how they do it in Sweden. Volvo even sell a bracket specifically for mounting lights to the bumper of the 850. No blue bulbs or mixing and matching DOT reflectors with Ecode lenses can match this.

Not anymore, as far as I can tell. If you know differently, please tell! I've got some Hella Rallye 4000 lamps waiting for me to get around to fabricating a custom bracket.

[kcodyjr]

Sure, looks great off the road and in the pictures. Here in the States, it's illegal to have them on public roads.

Please pay close attention there - it's illegal to HAVE them on public roads without a cover over them.

In my jurisdiction, and I believe this is federal, you will get a ticket if a cop sees you with uncovered additional lamps even if you're not using them, and if you don't have the covers handy, or a wrench to remove the fixtures entirely, your car is getting towed and impounded.

Actually operating the lights on public roads can get you arrested for recklessly endangering others.

I understand wanting the maximum possible amount of light so you can drive at night with your foot sticking out through the grille. I also understand how much more difficult it would be to talk your way out of the speeding ticket.

OP mentioned the inadequate headlights are old and worn out. Fix that first, and you may find your desire for brilliantly glaring dazzle-sparkle-assault-o-beams diminish.

[zhenya]

Sure, looks great off the road and in the pictures. Here in the States, it's illegal to have them on public roads.

Please pay close attention there - it's illegal to HAVE them on public roads without a cover over them.

In my jurisdiction, and I believe this is federal, you will get a ticket if a cop sees you with uncovered additional lamps even if you're not using them, and if you don't have the covers handy, or a wrench to remove the fixtures entirely, your car is getting towed and impounded.

Actually operating the lights on public roads can get you arrested for recklessly endangering others.

Are you sure of this? Generally parts that are illegal are labelled 'for off road only' which most auxiliary lamps are not. Further, it's certainly not illegal to have auxiliary fog lights - many many vehicles have them, and I think the average person would not know the difference. I believe that in some places there are regulations covering how many forward facing lamps you may have, but not whether you can add auxiliary lamps at all.

[tjts1]

Sure, looks great off the road and in the pictures. Here in the States, it's illegal to have them on public roads.

Please pay close attention there - it's illegal to HAVE them on public roads without a cover over them.

This is not true. There are local and state regulations that vary from place to place but as long as you're not blinding oncoming traffic no cop is ever going to waste his time.

Are you sure of this? Generally parts that are illegal are labelled 'for off road only' which most auxiliary lamps are not. Further, it's certainly not illegal to have auxiliary fog lights - many many vehicles have them, and I think the average person would not know the difference. I believe that in some places there are regulations covering how many forward facing lamps you may have, but not whether you can add auxiliary lamps at all.

Correct. If it has a DOT marking its legal to use on the road whenever your high beams are on. If it doesn't, you can only use them off road. I've had Hella 500s (uncovered) on the front of the 960 for 5 years and almost 100k miles. Never had a problem. These were optional on some SUVs from the factory.

[kcodyjr]

This is not true. There are local and state regulations that vary from place to place but as long as you're not blinding oncoming traffic no cop is ever going to waste his time.

OK, we're both right; on the books, if it's not DOT approved, the cop can cite you; whether he cares is another story.

Are you sure of this? Generally parts that are illegal are labelled 'for off road only' which most auxiliary lamps are not. Further, it's certainly not illegal to have auxiliary fog lights - many many vehicles have them, and I think the average person would not know the difference. I believe that in some places there are regulations covering how many forward facing lamps you may have, but not whether you can add auxiliary lamps at all.

Correct. If it has a DOT marking its legal to use on the road whenever your high beams are on. If it doesn't, you can only use them off road. I've had Hella 500s (uncovered) on the front of the 960 for 5 years and almost 100k miles. Never had a problem. These were optional on some SUVs from the factory.

By contrast, OE and DOT approved aftermarket fog lights are meant to run with your low beams, and don't have a whole lot of forward throw. I'm not sure if OE driving lamps are supposed to go with the lows or with the highs, I've never had a car that had them. Throwing large amounts of light forward is another story.

Perhaps the reason you get away with only using them with your highs, is, the oncoming cop expects to see your high beams flick off, and then there's no additional lights for him to see and bother you about. I have known cops to walk up to parked cars around here and give the owner a hard time for the lights even being on the car, even with DOT approval. Perhaps that's additional Massachusetts restrictions in action.

I can definitely believe that MA is among the more uptight jurisdictions about car regulations.