Cali Raised Ditch Lights on 5th Gen 4Runner – Full Overview & Review

Cali Raised Ditch Lights & Ditch Light Brackets: Full Review & Overview on 5th Gen 4Runner

If you are looking for a set of ditch lights, consider Cali Raised. The Cali Raised Ditch Lights are among some of the most popular ditch lights on the market next to Baja Designs and Rigid Industries.

The Cali Raised lights are a bit more affordable and not as high of quality as Baja Designs and Rigid Industries, but they do pack a punch for the price.

Similar to an aftermarket fog light, ditch lights come in pod-style LED lights. There are a few better options out there for ditch lights, like the Baja Designs Squadron Sports and the Baja Design Squadron Pros.

Also, the pod lights by Rigid Industries kick ass as well. But, Cali Raised LED does make a good product and if you are modding on a budget (which we all are), you should consider them.

Find it online: 

• Cali Raised Ditch Lights + Brackets: Check Price

Pros

• Much cheaper than Rigid lights
• Build quality is acceptable
• Metal Casing and Cree LED’s
• Easy to install
• Plenty of wire to cross into firewall
• Sold as a pair

Cons

• The rocker switch that came with the LED’s is rubbish. Broke after one use.
• Does not come with pod mounts

Features

• Up to 50,000+ hour life span
• IP68 Rated
• Polycarbonate Lens
• Mounting brackets included
• GORE Anti-moisture vent system

Cali Raised Ditch Lights – Specs

• 2 Amp draw
• 9 LED’s
• 2,500 Lumens

Price: I was looking for some ditch lights for my 4Runner and comparing the choices between Rigid, Cali Raised, and Rhino LED. In the end, I settled for Cali Raised since it was only $105.00 per pair compared to the name brands which can easily cost over $400.00 per pair.

Customer Service: As far as customer service goes, Cali Raised has a great response time. I messaged the sales rep online asking questions and comparisons between their brand and the others. They answered my questions in an acceptable manner which led me to make my choice of lights with them. The lights were ordered and received after 3 business days on the West Coast.

Shipping and Packaging: Upon receiving the box and opening it, I inspected the lights. The pods were of good quality and the led was encased in metal. The wiring that was used was of good material and they were wrapped in insulation tape.

Installing the Lights: It took me around 1.5 hours to install the lights with the wiring. There was no installation instruction so I had to look online which was easy. The only part that took a while was getting the wires through the firewall, luckily there was a lot of wire with the kit. I ended up having to zip tie the excess wires.

Downsides and Areas of Improvement: My only gripe is the rocker switch which came with the light broke after using it once, I had to replace it with another aftermarket switch. The casing seems to be well closed, I ran it through a couple car washes with no condensation in the lights. I only field-tested a few times on and off road, and the lights held up quite well both.

They Don’t come with Pod Mounts

I had to purchase that separately. They sell a decently priced one on their site or you could also purchase it from Rago Fabrication or Rigid Industries.

Also, do not purchase the aftermarket switches from the Cali Raised site. The switch they sold did not fit into the blanks slot on the dash.

I got my replacement from Air Onboard (aironboard.com) and it fit perfectly.

What Ditch Lights should you buy?

Overall, I am pretty happy with the lights given the price range. They look better than eBay lights but not on the same level as the top brands. I would prefer Rigid Industries LED lights or the Baja Designs LED lights, but I just can’t justify spending that kind of money on lights that are rarely used.

These lights gave me a better peace of mind that they won’t be stolen since they aren’t anywhere as expensive as the name brands.

If you are looking for the best light on the market, it is probably the Baja Designs Squadron Pros. This is known in the off-road world as one of the best fog lights and ditch lights. The other best light on the market is made by Rigid Industries.

Rigid Industries has a reputation for stellar performance and high-quality lights. But, Baja Designs is just a level above Rigid Industries in terms of quality, company size and customer service.

If you are looking for a budget light, Cali Raised LED is a good option. They make a moderately decent LED light for many off-road applications.

Other Products by Cali Raised LED

• LED Pod Replacement
• 32″ Light Bar Hidden Bumper Brackets
• 32″ Light Bar Hidden Bumper Brackets
• Ditch Light Brackets
• Relay Holder
• 52″ Curved Brackets
• 52″ Curved LED Bar Brackets
• 32″ Stealth Lower Bumper Brackets
• 32″ Flush Lower Bumper Brackets
• Bluetooth LED Rock Light Kit
• Bluetooth Controlled LED Rock Light Kit
• Ditch Light Bracket Extensions

At the end of the day, Cali Raised LED does supply a good product. But, just note the return policy and warranty on their products. This is similar to most other companies out there, but always something to think about when buying lights.

Lights are one of the most important mods on your truck and if they go out, you are screwed. Lights are a pain to install and return to any company. Being left without your LEDs is no fun.

What items are returnable?

• Within 30 days of receipt of your shipment
• In the original and unused condition

Are there any charges for return?

• Subject to 15% restocking fee
• Original shipping charges are non-refundable
• You are responsible for return shipping charges