Mounting PIAA Fog Lamps on '06 Path

customvq · Aug 24th, 2006, 11:47 AM

Hi,
I have a 2006 Pathfinder LE and recently purchased a Westin Ultimate Bull Bar and PIAA 540 lamps. Mounting them together was no problem (the 540 is probably the biggest round lamp that will fit) but I am not sure how I want to do the wiring. Here are my questions:
Could I cut the wires from my factory fog lights and wire my PIAA lamps into that?

I am not sure if I should use the PIAA wiring because I can't figure out a way to get the switch inside the cabin without drilling a hole (don't want to drill any holes). Has anyone mounted these on their truck yet???

Thanks.

Xeno · Aug 24th, 2006, 06:10 PM

I think the stock bulbs are 55watts and can only be used as it is now (low beams on). Do not exceed this rating. As for running wire though the fire wall, there should be plenty of entry points, look for them.

customvq · Aug 25th, 2006, 06:22 AM

Thanks for the reply.
The PIAA lights are 55w so I figured it would be fine...and I don't need to use the high beams and PIAA lights. Does anyone have pics of how they wired them?

madrabbitt · Sep 15th, 2006, 01:00 PM

i'd reccommend you find the existing stock fog light relay (follow the harness up) and find the trigger wire for it (this is the one that when the switch is turned on, it triggers the relay) and use that to trigger the relay in your PIAA harness.
I'd use the PIAA harness for everything else though, its probably more rugged and thicker then the OEM stuff.

Thats how i do most fog/driving light installs when the vehicle was already equipped... its a cleaner install since the stock switch is still used, but at the same time the better aftermarket harness is used with the lights.

**88pathoffroad** · Sep 15th, 2006, 11:41 PM

There are plenty of plugs on the firewall to push a single wire through. Get in there and take a look.

rodg9220 · Sep 25th, 2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by customvq

Hi,
I have a 2006 Pathfinder LE and recently purchased a Westin Ultimate Bull Bar and PIAA 540 lamps. Mounting them together was no problem (the 540 is probably the biggest round lamp that will fit) but I am not sure how I want to do the wiring. Here are my questions:
Could I cut the wires from my factory fog lights and wire my PIAA lamps into that?

I am not sure if I should use the PIAA wiring because I can't figure out a way to get the switch inside the cabin without drilling a hole (don't want to drill any holes). Has anyone mounted these on their truck yet???

Thanks.

customvq....were you able to wire your PIAA lamps? If so, how'd you do it? I am about to install mine and would like have tips on running the wires through the firewall. Also, is it easy trimming the air dam? Thanks

customvq · Sep 25th, 2006, 07:41 PM

Yeah, I wired them a few weeks ago. I didn't need to trim the airdam though. I ran the wires through the firewall no problem. I used the hole that the ECM (or is it the ECU) came through.

boogyman · Sep 26th, 2006, 08:05 AM

here is the nissan layout. fog-layout on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I have the directions on there too, from the manual.

rodg9220 · Sep 26th, 2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by customvq

Yeah, I wired them a few weeks ago. I didn't need to trim the airdam though. I ran the wires through the firewall no problem. I used the hole that the ECM (or is it the ECU) came through.

Thanks for the reply. I recieved by bull bar yesterday and will be installing it this weekend with the PIAA foglights. I bought the chrome stainless steel. I like your Pathy.....looks exactly like mine (storm gray with graphite interior).

rodg9220 · Sep 26th, 2006, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogyman

here is the nissan layout. fog-layout on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I have the directions on there too, from the manual.

boogyman....thanks for the link.

mpbclutch33 · Sep 26th, 2006, 09:59 AM

Here is mine. I went to Radio Shack and picked up a Red rocker switch and mounted it in the extra speace next to the rear cab light swithc on the lower left of the dash.....
RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Component parts: Switches: Lighted SPST Rocker Switch

rodg9220 · Sep 26th, 2006, 10:12 AM

mpbclutch33.....that is a nice set-up. i like it. can't wait to install mine. did you upgrade your headlight and foglight bulbs? they look so white compared to stock. looking good

mpbclutch33 · Sep 26th, 2006, 10:48 AM

Yup I installed the Sylvania Silverstars in the headlights and adjusted them up a little bit, and I installed H9 Bulbs in the fog lights instead of the H11's. They are a bit brighter and whiter in color. You do have to modify the bulbs a little bit to make them fit, but it is worth it. I just did the Fog light mod to be able to have the fog lights come on with the Parking lights and the high beams.

rodg9220 · Sep 26th, 2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpbclutch33

Yup I installed the Sylvania Silverstars in the headlights and adjusted them up a little bit, and I installed H9 Bulbs in the fog lights instead of the H11's. They are a bit brighter and whiter in color. You do have to modify the bulbs a little bit to make them fit, but it is worth it. I just did the Fog light mod to be able to have the fog lights come on with the Parking lights and the high beams.

sweet..... i guess i will be on my way to buy the 9007 silverstars. how come you used the H9s instead of the H11s? you want to share how you did the foglight mod?

mpbclutch33 · Sep 26th, 2006, 12:23 PM

As for the forlight by-pass.... I used this link
fog light by-pass - Nissan Frontier Forum

As for the putting the H9's in the fog lights, I read that this below.. I basically bought them and had to use really small cutters and a small sharp chizel. The connector on the H9 bulb has extra plastic on the inside that needs to be trimmed and will snap into place.

H9 bulbs
These new single-filament 65w bulbs are rapidly gaining popularity amongst automakers for use primarily in high-beam headlamps, often in conjunction with H11 bulbs for the low beams. H9 is an extremely high output design (2100 lumens) with an extremely white light color.
H9 bulbs are not physically interchangeable with any 9000-series bulb. As with H8 and H11, these are currently tough to find in the aftermarket.

65w Narva: $12

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

H11 bulbs
These new single-filament 55w bulbs are quickly supplanting HB4/9006 in new low-beam headlamp and fog lamp designs. (They are not physically interchangeable with any 9000-series bulb!) As is the case with other bulb families—such as 9004/9007, 9005/9006, etc.—the H11 has different base keys than its H9 high-beam and H8 fog lamp counterparts. Somebody goofed on the spec, though, for the difference between H11 and H9 base keys is insufficient; it's too easy to install an H9 bulb where an H11 belongs. The difference in light output between these two designs is enormous (1350 lumens from the H11, 2100 from the H9), so putting an H9 in place of an H11 will obviously cause the lamp to produce a lot more light. Some lamps are designed such that the optics would handle the extra light well, without creating excessive glare for other road users. Many, however, are not. As with H8 and H9, H11 bulbs are not widely available in the aftermarket.

55w Narva: $13.50