Mount “ditch spots” on tow hooks? / legality / clamps?

[85_Ranger4x4]

Those are illegal in every state and province since the 1960s. They have to be covered on the highway and can only be used off road..... legally.... jusy cuz the law is rarely enforced does not make them legal.

I wonder how they sell all the old cop cars with the spotlights still mounted...

 

[Todd n Natalie]

I wonder how they sell all the old cop cars with the spotlights still mounted...

You mean like this?

 

[Bayou Boy]

I think that up high like this would illuminate the hood, and I'd find that distracting. Just my 2c.

It doesn’t. Ditch lights should be angled to the sides to light up the ditch anyway.


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[DaveInDenver]

It doesn’t. Ditch lights should be angled to the sides to light up the ditch anyway.

He may be thinking of this.

 

[Bayou Boy]

He may be thinking of this.

View attachment 564177

Probably so. Driving lights have no place on the hood. That’s where the glare come from.


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[DaveInDenver]

Probably so. Driving lights have no place on the hood. That’s where the glare come from.

Same with those light bars that span the top of the windshield. They have to be terrible with dust in the air.

 

[NoDak]

Those are illegal in every state and province since the 1960s. They have to be covered on the highway and can only be used off road..... legally.... jusy cuz the law is rarely enforced does not make them legal.

In BC driving on public roads without covers is a $186 fine. Driving with lights on is another $81..... ask me how I know.

In BC the law states no auxillary lights can be mounted above the centerline of the factory headlamps. The only exception is on a vehicle with a snow plow attached.... during the winter season.

ND STATE
39-21-17. Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps. 1. Spot lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps and every lighted spot lamp must be so aimed and used so that no part of the high-intensity portion will strike the windshield, or any windows, mirror, or occupant of another vehicle in use.

Every state?

 

[billiebob]

every lighted spot lamp must be so aimed and used so that no part of the high-intensity portion will strike the windshield, or any windows, mirror, or occupant of another vehicle in use.

sounds like it to me..... good luck winning in court if that oncoming vehicle claims your lights blinded him.

But we are talking about lamps mounted above the hood too. If you have a pillar or hood mounted or roof mounted LEDs... impossible to aim them and pass that Indiana law. So yes, even in Indiana lights mounted above the stock headlights are illegal.

 

[NoDak]

That was pulled straight from ND DOT Vehicle code. No need for interpretation or talk of defending anything in court. Its legal here.

 

[billiebob]

That was pulled straight from ND DOT Vehicle code. No need for interpretation or talk of defending anything in court. Its legal here.

good luck with that
of course no one is enforcing the law yet... anywhere
sort of like tires extending past the fenders... illegal everywhere too

you realize this was started by the a pillar post/picture, not commenting on spot/fog/driving lights mounted on the bumper
if you have a pillar lights on a lifted 4x4 obviously they will blind the oncoming Miata driver .... and you get charged

 

[NoDak]

Enforcing what law? those lights are legal here. The law allows them even if you dont want them to be.

Edit: Yes I know as the law omits a height requirement for spots unlike the driving or fogs. Which is why I can have cowl mounted ditch lights on my truck.

 

[billiebob]

Enforcing what law? those lights are legal here. The law allows them even if you dont want them to be.

I wish I did not have to cover mine but you are not reading your own states law. You are the one who wants them to be legal.

 

[NoDak]

Where I live they are legal. I'm not about to let someone from another country tell me otherwise. Stop trying.

 

[Boz]

You could put a light bar between the tow hooks so you don't have to worry about removing the lights to use your hooks. https://8lugtruckgear.com/Lighting/...250-350-20-Inch-Light-Bar-Brackets-p2432.html

 

[Martinjmpr]

good luck with that
of course no one is enforcing the law yet... anywhere
sort of like tires extending past the fenders... illegal everywhere too

you realize this was started by the a pillar post/picture, not commenting on spot/fog/driving lights mounted on the bumper
if you have a pillar lights on a lifted 4x4 obviously they will blind the oncoming Miata driver .... and you get charged

Not true in Colorado.

No requirement that fenders cover wheels. You won't find it anywhere in the vehicle code.

Auxiliary lights are permitted as long as they are less than 42" above the ground. Source: CRS 42-4-212.

(Not that the law is ever enforced.)

Canadian law may be much more uniform as to vehicle requirements but in the US there are wide variations.