Ok...so I bought a set of "K3" ( I think) lights.....projector style, square "super brite"..........$59.99 at Pep Boys........

They LOOK like PIAA "super whites"......in fact, they even say "55 watt bulbs performs like an 85 watt" on them........

Nice housing, etc.......chrome bezel....composite case that LOOKS like aluminum, like the PIAAs..........

Problem is, they just aint bright at all.......I have them temporarily mounted with 3M on my front bumper, underhung....Look ok, I guess...just not useful at all on the road.........If I turn my headlights off, its like I have nothing on at all, really...........

I am spoiled, I guess....my 92 Dakota has two 9 inch KCs on a grill guard that light up the night great.....my old truck had two 10" 100+ watters KCs on the roll bar........WOW!

But I am getting very disgruntled over my Explorer....

I wanted to get a chrome push bar/grill guard, but apparantly, no one makes em for my rig (according to a local vendor).........If I could find a good looking chrome bar at a reasonable price, or a safari bar even better yet, I'd be set........I could just mount some offroad lights on em and I'd be set, at least for offroad........

I was hoping that these lights would work at least as well as the PIAA projector lights I put on my wife's car....and serve as driving lights that could help on an offroad trip coming up..NOT! Just got back from a tes-n-tweak session with them and they just arent brite at all.....

Looking for a driving light that packs a real punch at a reasonable price.........OR, an offroad setup that looks good and doesnt cost a second mortgage.......

I have an offroad/beach trip coming up in Septemeber and I need to figure out something by then........

Cost looks and performace are all issues.......(what's new!)

Any ideas, guys/gals?

Thanks in advance!