Hella 500 or 700 lights??

[NYH1]

I have a '07 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4x4.  I have a few questions about these types of lights.  I want to put 2 to 4 extra lights on my truck.  I'll use them during hunting season getting in and out of hunting spots.  Then I'll use them to go off roading from time to time, mostly in the fall and winter months.  These lights are in my price range.  Which of the two lights are better, the 500 or 700 lights?  I know the 700 lights are bigger, does that make them better? 
 
I'm not sure where I'm going to mount them.  I've thought about mounting them behind the grill like others have.  I've thought about mounting them above the bumper in front of the grill like on a Bull Bar or another type of mount.  I've also thought about mounting them on top of a light bar behind and above the cab.  Also, where is the best place to splice into the electrical system to get the power to run these extra lights?  My truck has factory fog lights.
 
How much extra light will 2 or 4 of these lights really give me?  I noticed they come with 55 watt bulbs.  Can I put 100 watt bulbs in them?  Will the 100 watt bulbs make much of a difference over the 55 watt bulbs? 
 
Pro's and Con's of the three ways of mounting my lights-
1-  How much will mounting them behind the grill cut down on the amount of light that'll come through the grill?  Is it worth mounting them there?
 
2- Mounting them above the bumper in front of the grill.  This seems like one of the best ways to get the most out of the lights.  Any reason not to mount them here?  I have no problem using covers when the lights are not in use.
 
3- A light bar above and behind the cab seems like another good place to mount them.  A light or roll bar will be required.  I could also mount a light or two facing backwards which would really be a big help.  Any reason not to mount them here?
 
Any other advice will be greatly appreciated.  I've never used these types of lights.
 
Thanks NYH1!       
 

[Old Syko]

First and foremost, Do Not splice into the existing wiring as you have stated for such accessories.  Run a separate protected circuit including all wiring. switches. relays. etc.  Most lighting will come with such instructions.  Do not use bulbs not recommended by the manufacturer of your choice.  Increased wattage demands will increase draw and therefore heat produced throughout the system.  Always a bad result.


The larger the reflector or refractor the more usable light available.  Putting lights behind the grill is reminiscent of leaving the light on in your refrigerator.  Kind of defeats the purpose.


HIDs are great for average use but expensive.  Halogen produces serious heat so think accordingly.  I see a lot of melted covers.  Why cover them?  Again, think of the refrigerator.

Look into some off road lighting rather than the fog lights or auxiliary driving lights you've been looking at.  Major difference.

[NYH1]

Old Syko, thanks for the info. I'll have to look into the different lights. I'm going to mount them in front of the grill above the bumper on a light bar of some sort. I mentioned the cover because when I'm not using them, I might as well cover them to protect them and help keep them clean, they won't  on. Just a thought, one of many I come up with. I've read on other sights they some guys mention replacing the 55 watt bulbs with 100 watt bulbs. Not saying I'm going to do that, I was asking about that.

Thanks again, NYH1!

[Lloyd Smale]

not much advice to give. Im still stuck in the daylighter era but i watched a off road tv show the other day and they were talking that the big thing in off road lighting is led lights. Much brighter and alot less draw on your electrical system. Another adavantage is theres mulitple bulbs with a much longer life and if one burns out you still have 10 or so more to keep you going till you can replace it. Only thing i cant tell you about them is cost. Im sure there going to run more then a conventional light though.