Looking for a way to add bright off-road lighting to your Ford Bronco for cheap? Here’s my solution to this problem, utilizing the Ford Bronco fog light location on the modular bumper.
When purchasing my Ford Bronco, off-road lights were one of my first desires to add. I was looking for a solution that would flood the trail with light. I wasn’t interested in a major light bar, however. I was looking for a more subtle option. So, I began looking for solutions utilizing the Ford Bronco fog light location on the modular bumper.
These “gaps” found at the ends of the Bronco modular bumper are perfectly designed for LED lighting. I assume that was Ford’s intent with the design. There are a ton of aftermarket options to fill up this space with lights. However, most options come at a premium. Prices range from $300 to $1300 for a complete set of Ford Bronco fog lights. Options below that price were for running lights and actual fog lights. Not off-road lights mounted in a fog location.
This had me settling for a DIY option that cost me under $150 after it was all said and done. While it was a more labor-intensive route, it got me some BRIGHT light and I got more money for more accessories now! Check out below for my build breakdown of these Ford Bronco fog lights.
Quick Note Before Moving Along
These Ford Bronco fog lights are intended for off-road use only. These lights are not street legal. Some jurisdictions may also require coverings of these lights during on-road operation of the vehicle. Make sure to review your local laws before making any modifications to your Ford Bronco.
The Fog Light Build
The Mounting Bracket
First things first was to find the right mounting bracket for my fog lights. I knew I wanted to do a three-light setup for each side of the Bronco fog lights. So, I had to shop around for lights and brackets that would fit in the limited space. I landed upon this mounting bracket that utilized the three bolts on each side of the fog light location.
Given the price of around $35 when writing this, it made for an economical option. The major drawback was the lack of flexibility with the three lighting mounts in the fog light bracket. There is little wiggle room when positioning the off-road lights.
The Off-Road Lights
I went with a larger light from Nilight in the spot furthest from the center vehicle. Then I selected two bright and mini off-road light cubes towards the outer spots. The combination of off-road lights produces several thousand lumens all together. This setup of off-road lights only draws roughly 5.5 amps in operation. This makes it perfect for the 10-amp limit that my aux switches 3-6 had in the Ford Bronco. The Ford Bronco Badlands trim I have also offered 15- and 30-amp aux switches, but I wanted to reserve those for bigger applications in the future.
Overall, the lights cost me ~$75 when writing this. Not bad for 6 off-road light cubes on my Bronco! With this cheaper option, I did feel the need to add extra waterproofing. Maybe it’s not required, but given this mounting location, I thought it was needed. I applied this clear Lexel silicone sealant around the off-road light lens housing and wiring. Definitely the biggest PITA for this job! But worth it for the long haul. This cost me ~$10 at the time of writing this.
The Wiring
I utilized some basic low-voltage wire I had lying around for the Ford Bronco fog lights. I soldered each fog light pair together and sealed it with marine adhesive and electrical tape. I could have also used the Lexel silicone, but the adhesive felt better for the situation.
In the engine bay, I used wire loom and zip ties to run the wiring along the outer edges of the bay. This keeps it looking professional and adds an additional layer of protection. To connect the wires to the aux switch location, I used these neat solder-based wire crimps and sealers. Using a heat gun (or lighter if you’re careful), these melt the seal and then the solder around the wire. So, not only do you securely join the wires, but you also waterproof them.
I only had to spend ~$30 here, given I had the wire left over from another project. But the wiring would run you an extra ~$20. So, maybe a bit above $150 for everything on these Ford Bronco fog lights. But still not bad given the amount of light you get from this setup. Also, this gives you the ability to select the light cube that works for you. As long as it fits, the options are endless.
Installing the Ford Bronco Fog Light Setup
The entire installation process was straightforward. The off-road light cube size allowed me to assemble the lights and wiring to the bracket before having to install the bracket on the Ford Bronco modular bumper. This made most of the work happen on the bench, where I could take breaks between working on various elements of the off-road lights.
Once everything was wired up for the two pairs of fog lights, mounting and wiring on the Bronco took about 1.5 hours. I’d recommend disconnecting the battery before beginning the job for safety. The first step was to remove the Bronco modular bumper bolts with a T40 Tork Drive Bit. You’ll need some leverage, so use a 3/8-inch ratchet. But be careful, as Tork drive bolts can be prone to stripping.
Once mounted to the modular bumper, run the wiring as you see fit up and in the engine bay towards the top right, where the aux switch connection ends can be found. Make sure to avoid direct contact of the wires with anything that would get hot. Additionally, take care to not block anything that might be worked on during maintenance (such as battery replacements).
I ran two pairs of wires, one for each fog light, up to a single pair of wires before connecting to the aux switch and common ground. The hardest part was getting the wires up from the Ford Bronco fog light location on the modular bumper. The wire crimps took some finesse. But once all was installed, the job looked clean, and the lights worked as intended!
Time for Some Off-Roading with your Ford Bronco Fog Lights!
Now you are ready to light up the night with your Ford Bronco fog lights! Plus, you just did it for cheap!
Beyond the functionality, these off-road lights were a fun first project for the Bronco. It adds some style too that looks awesome heading down the road. I’m glad that Ford has this mounting location possible, as I’m never a fan of big light bars.
Hopefully you get the chance to add this to your Bronco (or any other vehicle that has the spot). It’s an easy project to get your hands a little dirty with aftermarket modifications. Once you’re done, don’t forget to go out there and get outside!
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