TESTED: EFS LED VIVIDMAX
THE HILUX SCORES SOME EFS 4X4 GOODIES UP FRONT.
SOME OF the first accessories to go on my Hilux build included an EFS bullbar, LED driving lights and R10 Recon 10,000lb winch. I opted for an EFS Stockman bullbar as the 63mm steel-tube construction and lower bash plates make for a strong and aesthetically pleasing design, and it’s a very affordable bit of frontal protection. Of course, the bullbar is also a great platform for mounting LEDS and a winch.
EFS has offered LED driving light and winch options for a couple of years and it made sense to fit these on the EFS bullbar. Each nine-inch round Vividmax driving light (also available in seven-inch) features a tough die-cast aluminium housing and a polycarbonate protective lens cover, and has 18 10W Cree LEDS with a total of 180W and 15,480 lumens. The nine-inch driving light draws 10.4amp at 12V and has a lifespan of 50,000 hours, so you could in theory run them constantly for 5.7 years.
EFS offers a range of LED light bars and I opted to fit the 21-inch/90w unit which, when combined with the nine-inch driving lights, will offer more than enough light for the trips I have planned in the Hilux. The light bar also features top-notch Cree LEDS and it comes with waterproof connectors as well as tough stainless steel mounts and hardware. It incorporates a spread and spot beam, and has a durable aluminium casing that also provides optimum heat dissipation.
The nine-inch driving lights produce a bright and concentrated spot beam at a good distance, and good short- to mid-distance illumination. The 21-inch light bar casts a good wide beam at short- to mid-distance. The driving lights are great when driving at road speeds, while the light bar suits slower track speeds.
Combined, the EFS LED driving light and light bar package ticks all the boxes, and it’s all covered by a two-year warranty and comes at an affordable price. I might add a roof-mounted light bar once I’ve fitted a Yakima Locknload roof rack system.
While I still haven’t needed to use the EFS R10 Recon 10,000lb winch at this stage, it’s reassuring to know it’s there for when I take the Hilux on some more challenging trips in the not-toodistant future.