So I've decided I want to add DRLs to my Focus mk2.5 and thought this might be the best place for asking for any possible recommendations for the best options currently available, (Must be a few of us still running an old Focus mk2.5).

I seen the thread by Pidu on adding a relay and resistor lead into the fuse box to activate factory DRL's but unfortunately my fuse box didn't have the connections in place to link with the lead. Can only imagine its possibly because its a late model (61plate) and maybe ford altered the fuse box late in the model run, possibly to stop users activating the DRL feature, who knows.

Anyway with that off the cards i'm looking for another option. The popular option seems to have been the fog light surrounds with the led strip. This is what I'm thinking of now and wondered if anyone can recommend a good up to date version/seller? 

I seen a guide by Preee recommending thespeedline.com for these but wondered if years later this is still the best place to get them? I've seen it mentioned that should look for a version 'Emarked'? The ones on the speedline do mention this but wondered if anyone had recent experiences using that seller or can recommend something else from experience?

The ones i'm looking at https://www.thespeedline.com/08-ford-focus-drl-led-fog-lamp-cover-kit-light/

I cannot help you with a seller but.....You should really fit E marked lamps as it is a legal requirement, the thing is DRLs are not legal on cars of your age so I can't see non e marked ones being an MOT failure. If the MOT checker is a bit of a jobsworth just pull the fuse before the test! I bought some el cheapo Ebay DRLs  (without E markings) for my old Punto and it passed the 2 MOTs it went through with them fitted.

I used one of these controllers to turn them on and off.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRL-12V-Car-LED-Daytime-Running-Light-Lamp-Bulb-Relay-Harness-On-Off-Controller/253242409275

Dead easy to fit as they just need to connect direct to the battery and then to the DRLs, they don't even need to be wired to any existing lights as they'll come on when you start the car and go off about 10 seconds after you turn the ignition off. The yellow wire will dim the DRLs if you connect it to the sidelight / headlight / indicator feed. I didn't do that as I wanted them full all the time. The only time DRLs need to be dimmed is if they are physically close to the indicators. That's why on some cars you see the DRL go off when the indicator is on.

 

23 hours ago, Frowma said:

The only time DRLs need to be dimmed is if they are physically close to the indicators

No. DRLs are extremely bright to allow them to be seen in daylight. They need to be dimmed when the headlights are on to prevent them from dazzling oncoming drivers at night. Not to do so is extremely inconsiderate.

23 hours ago, Frowma said:

.....You should really fit E marked lamps as it is a legal requirement, the thing is DRLs are not legal on cars of your age so I can't see non e marked ones being an MOT failure.

 

Surely you mean, 'they are not a legal requirement on cars of your age'', your phrasing implies they are illegal, which they are not!

I had DRLs retro fitted to a 2001 Merc C class, and also a 1995 Toyota Celica GT4. Both regularly passed MOTs without any question on the DRLs.

My own 2005 Mk2 LX has also got them retro fitted, and have passed MOT with no query.

I installed LEDs on the front 'fog light' grills, with a built in 'halo'. They come on automatically with my ignition, and I also have the facility to switch either the central LED or halo off independently (because I can LOL)

4 hours ago, mjt said:

No. DRLs are extremely bright to allow them to be seen in daylight. They need to be dimmed when the headlights are on to prevent them from dazzling oncoming drivers at night. Not to do so is extremely inconsiderate.

I did not know that DRLs had to dim with the headlights, I know if they are close to indicators they have to dim or go off so the indicator can be seen.

I didn't phrase the E-Marking bit right, regardless of DRLS (or any other lights) being a legal requirement, all lighting fitted should be E marked, MOT checkers are not going to look for the little symbol though unless they are really picky.

Here is all the legal guff:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/daytime-running-lights/daytime-running-lights

I've got something similar to these

https://autobeam.co.uk/collections/focus-mk2-0-2004-2008/products/led-drl-fog-light-kit

16 minutes ago, Gymfocused said:

I've got something similar to these

https://autobeam.co.uk/collections/focus-mk2-0-2004-2008/products/led-drl-fog-light-kit

Wow, you rich folk kill me LOL 🤣 (Mine - £15!)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-3-5-Car-LED-Angel-Eyes-Fog-Light-Halo-Ring-Lamp-DRL-COB-Bulb-Projector-UK/283985772497?epid=15040261732&hash=item421edeffd1:g:TsEAAOSw0glfP4Id

Autobeam really take the mick with prices.  They must be making a huge profit as there's no way they cost anywhere near that to manufacture!

Wouldn't mind so much if they were actually reliable...  I know they get replaced under warranty but that's hardly the point!

 

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

.  I know they get replaced under warranty but that's hardly the point!

 

Tom, I got a set of really cheap DRLs (about £20) for my GT4, one did fail after about 8 months, but I took a chance and emailed the Ebay seller, got a replacement sent out the same week. I know, it shocked me too LOL

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Autobeam really take the mick with prices.  They must be making a huge profit as there's no way they cost anywhere near that to manufacture!

Wouldn't mind so much if they were actually reliable...  I know they get replaced under warranty but that's hardly the point!

 

Your paying for the replacement as part of payment for the initial purchase. 

Also important to have an auto dimmer relay fitted; if the DRL's don't already dim when you turn on your parking lights, 

Very easy item to install; I've fitted them to gauges and lights in the past. 

3 hours ago, StephenFord said:

Wow, you rich folk kill me LOL 🤣 (Mine - £15!)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-3-5-Car-LED-Angel-Eyes-Fog-Light-Halo-Ring-Lamp-DRL-COB-Bulb-Projector-UK/283985772497?epid=15040261732&hash=item421edeffd1:g:TsEAAOSw0glfP4Id

That's exactly what I had on my old mk2 they lasted a couple of years only had to replace one and they are nice and bright. 

 

 

Lots of good ideas here, interesting that no one seems to use the fog light surround with LED strip. My only concern really with some of the options mentioned here is whether would be likely to get other drivers flashing lights all the time thinking I've just got front fogs on in daylight.

Wouldn't be using at night with other lights,intend to wire the trip off wire such that as soon as the auto headlights kick in the DRLs trip off.

I've seen aftermarket headlight units that have integrated DRL LED strips too but not cheap.

Still giving it all thought. Known to be indecisive!

1 hour ago, paul321 said:

... My only concern really with some of the options mentioned here is whether would be likely to get other drivers flashing lights all the time thinking I've just got front fogs on in daylight...

 

You really are overthinking this, unless you have your DRLs aimed upwards to direct themselves into an on comers eyes, no one is gong to think anything other than they are DRLs!

I fitted some of the foglight surrounds with LED strips as above. Wired them into a spare ignition-live slot in the engine bay fusebox, with a tap into the parking light feed to dim them with the headlights. Fairly straightforward to do and doesn't look too much like an add-on. 

Previously I had the "dipped beam as DRL" option activated. I brewed my own resistor wire by using a 0.33R resistor, lengths of wire and a couple of terminals I had lying around in my toolbox. I mounted the resistor in the engine bay. It does work but dedicated DRLs are better.