Anyone done a Hella FF1000 install before? I got a pair for Christmas, but the instructions are vague, and I don't see a clear way to attach these to the car (06 MCS). Should I get a bracket similar to this (http://www.minicarparts.net/Parts/87217.cfm).

Thanks for any and all hints

 

What's a FF1000?

 

Whoops, Hella FF1000 lights...::chagrin::

 

There are several brackets available (Out Motoring, MINI Madness, etc) that allow you to install driving lights. I have the FF200's fog lights on Out Motoring lower grill brackets. I assume Hella uses the same wiring setup and relay on all their lights so your install should be similar to mine.

The install isn't that bad but might take some time. The brackets should be much easier to mount on the upper grill than my lower ones. Once you mount the brackets and lights, you will have to wire them. There are quite a few write-ups on this subject. You will grab power from the + terminal going into the fuse box and ground on any bolt going into the chassis. The turn-on lead will then have to be hooked up to your high beams (or low beams if your careful about when you turn them on).

Take a look at the link in my sig. Go into the MINI section and 'FF200 fog light install.' This should help you a little with figuring out where to tap the power for the lights.

 

Thanks Kapps. Good to see another mac user! I'm going to get the bonnet mounting brackets because I likes the look of them higher up...but if I get another 2

 

The FF1000s are frigging HUGE! Way bigger than the FF200s

Even if these are driving lights, I would not put these on the normal bonnet points ... I think may be too heavy ... especially closing the bonnet

Try the outmotoring brackets. MUCH stronger and bolted to the bumper like kapps and I had too.

Use the LOWEST setting on the outmotoring brackets, you might not clear the plastic bumper covering on the highest setting

Freaking monster setup up ... pics when your done!

 

I have to agree with chows on this. Too much mass for a bonnet mounted light. They will be bouncing all over the place. I ran a set of FF1000's on my 2000 Forester. Great lights, but a truly crappy mounting. I replaced the plastic mount with a metal one from rallylights.com & it was better. To get a stable light with no bounce I had to use a set of lamp steadies running from the top of the lamp to the radiator core support, not doable on the MINI.

chows if you think FF1000's are big take a gander at a set of Rally 3000's.

 

Friggin monsters!!!

I want some Rally 4000s in Xenon for my RAV4 but WAY too much money and way to big

The mounting thing is VERY important.

 

Just to clarify:
http://outmotoring.com/mini_cooper_b..._brackets.html

these are the brackets I was referring to.

When I get them up and mounted, pics will be posted

 

Wrong brackets.

You want these http://outmotoring.com/mini_cooper_d..._brackets.html

IMO ... much stronger and bolted to the bumper

 

I have a set of those sitting on the work bench. Too me it looks like the FF1000's have too much depth to fit. They will most likely hit the bumper cover. I will try the FF1000's, but I also have some Hella 500's which I know will fit.

 

Oh yeah, that might be true. Even the FF200s were pretty close to the bumper cover. Hmm.

If you go here http://www.rallylights.com/hella/ISO...ms_Driving.asp

you can see the light intensity between the 1000 and 200 is not that much different. 1000s a little bit longer.

I might consider returning the 1000s and going for the FF200s

 

Of all the rally lights I've sat behind the FF1000's have been the best. That being said if that chart is acurate the FF200's look very good indeed.

 

I had them as fogs and they were excellent. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat and they are pretty cheap. I'd really like the FF200 xenons but there is a HUGE difference in price ... sigh.

 

Well, can't return the 1000's, they were an EBay store purchase with only a 14 day return window >< and they were bought before that window...if only I'd known...oh well, plan b. If the OM brackets don't work out (as I realllllly want them grille mounted) then I'll try Rallylights.com's system (they guarantee that the grille mounts will support everything but the 4000's). Either way, I'll get them mounted, and pics will be posted


Thanks all

 

I have the FF1000's mounted in the standard grill location. And yes, they are freaking huge. I love them. More Pics in my gallery.



I have them hooked to my highbeams and they work VERY well. Well enough that it doesn't even seem like the high beams are on when I am driving my wife's 05 MCS....I would buy them again today.

I used the PIAA bracket, which seems to be very similar to the OEM MINI bracket. However, the mounting brackets on the lights are too deep for the PIAA mounts - i had to make an "extention" out of 1/8" steel to make room for the light hardware. Few hours and 2 jigsaw blades....no biggie. The wiring is just like any other aftermarket light.

I talked to Rallylights.com (where I bought my lights) and they mentioned that thier bracket would work. I was just stubborn and chea....FRUGAL....and didn't want to lay out the cash for it! Those guys know thier stuff...

Here is the trick for "no bounce" lights. (Stolen from Ottos' MINI!!!) Go to your dealer and buy two of the rubber snubbbers for the hatch of a MINI coupe. They are about 2" long and have a hole in the center that you can "Screw" over the bolt that you attach your lights with. THis bumper will sit against your bumper and give your lights a little pre-load, taking out most of the bounce. THey are still a big light, but it fixes 95% of the issue. Any time i can use my high beams, they are on. Be courteous - they WILL blind people.

I just got a new DSLR and hope to add more detailed shots to my gallery to make the above words actually make sense.

 

Thanks fishbulb. Now I have an excuse to go up to Otto's (my closest) and obtain 2 of those rubber snubbers. I'll try and document the process with my DSLR (20 D) .

Cheers!

 

Otto's as well? you sound local! Drop me a line, you can stop by and take a look at my brackets, I work about 5 minutes from there....

EDIT: Damn! A Mac user as well! You are in as far as I an concerned!!!

 

Local as in just outside of Yorklyn, Delaware (Home of coast to coast performance). I can make it up to Otto's in 25-30 minutes depending on conditions and amount of spirit (no, not the 120 proof variety!)

My life with Macs started with a Powerbook G4, and there has been no going back. I'm looking at putting a Mac MINI in my MINI...for what I don't know, but it'd be fun