DennisT

My 1997 has round driving lights in their respective round, in-bumper holes. Mechanic said they appeared to be factory or factory-accessory items. However, they are connected to nothing. The backs have a factory-type oval, two pin connector.

Did 1997's have driving lights in the first place?

Or, were they an option that model year?

Or, did the previous owner add them from a later truck's model year accessories?

Lastly, under any circumstances, was there a typical wiring scheme? I don't need them coming on with ignition or with headlights. I'll probably just power them, install a switch on the dash somewhere, and switch them on when I want them. OTH, are they good for anything in the first place?

Did Dodge have any in-dash switches for accessories? Where were they placed?

Dennis

Buckshotram

If your talking about the lights in the bumper they are fog lights. The factory swich is next to the 0/D off button.

DennisT

OK, fog lights. That's OK too; probably better. I have manual trans so don't have O/D off button. Factory switch maybe same dash level as 4WD light, but right side of steering wheel?

Must be a knock out there.

Thanks for the help,

Dennis

ScottN

The switch is just to the left of the cupholder.

In my experience, they are next to useless.

DennisT

Ahhh. Thanks. So exactly, "what," would be, "useful???"

Dennis

ScottN

Lights that give you a chance to see something. :P

In my experience, they were probably close to the change of flipping to the hi-beam. You can run them with the low beams (and the stock wiring prevents them being used during hi-beam operation), but I never really found any occasion that I found them useful - including fog.

*shrug* I think people just like the look of more lights on the front of a truck.

Personally, I intend to put sport lights on, with four bulbs, and a custom harness to get full voltage to the bulbs.

DennisT

Scott, where are you going to mount your Sport Lights? On my, "unhooked," in-bumper lights, there is NO evidence of any factory wiring near it. I have no idea how they had been hooked up, ..... indeed, if they ever were.

OTH, when I retired from the 'phone company, my Company truck was a 2000 3/4 ton 4WD Dodge gas 360. I put 40K miles on it and always thought the headlights were very poor at night. I always wondered how that could be improved.

FWIW, that Company truck sucked an intake gasket and ran all the oil out, plus cracked a head, all in the first year or so. I shut her down before any damage from lack of oil, but I was not impressed with the engine.

It also had the bum fuel gauge very early too. And 11 mpg.

Dennis