How to align aftermarket fog lights

Updated Sep 18, 2023
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Installing fog and/or driving lights on your pickup can be a safer supplement to factory lamps that are often more cosmetic than functional.

However, if the lights aren’t properly aimed, you’ll not reap their benefits.

Fog lights work best mounted in, on or below the bumper – 10 to 24 inches above the road surface – or anywhere below the center of the headlights.

When fog lights are positioned that way the  beams can cut just under that of the low-beam headlights.

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Fog lights should also be positioned approximately 24 inches apart and aimed so the cut-off line of the beams is about the middle of the low-beam headlights’ pattern.

The best way to aim the lights is to park the truck on a level surface 25 feet from a wall.

Measure the distance between the center of the fog light and the ground. Then place a horizontal mark on the wall at that height. (See illustration.)

Now adjust the lights so the top of the fog beam pattern is about 4 inches below the lamp center at 25 feet with the lamp facing straight forward.

Another tip: You can adjust driving lights much the same way by using the light’s â€śhot spot” as the alignment point. The driving light’s hot spot should be adjusted so it’s about 1.5 inches below the light’s centerline mark on the wall.