Baja Designs Squadron Fog Lights – Install & Review on 5th Gen 4Runner

Squadron-R Pros Fog Light Install with Flush Brackets: Rounded Bezel Fog Pocket Kit

There are plenty of options when it comes to squadrons. But, these squadrons might not be the best option for your fog lights as they are a little too bright. We recently wrote an article on the LED fog lights and they were pretty impressive. This is another good option to consider for your fog light housing.

Off-Road LEDs or LED Bulb?

The Squadron-R Pros and Sports are going to be much brighter than an aftermarket H16 LED bulb, but this also might be a problem. The Pros are too bright to run on-road in every day driving conditions.

These lights are not street legal and not DOT (Department of Transportation) approved for on-road use. This means you run the risk of being flashed by oncoming drivers.

If you want to use your fog lights as daily driving fog lights, then you should probably look at a set of H16 bulbs. We installed a great set of Philips LED H16 bulbs in our other 4Runner and they work as advertised. Even with the stock halogens headlights, the H16 bulb washed out most of the orange/yellow hue that the halogens project.

H16 Bulbs

• Philips H16 Bulb: Check Today’s Price

The bulbs above are a universal option for fog lights, many most drivers would want to install H16 LEDs for fogs. They are incredibly bright compared to the stock bulbs and you can use them as every day driving lights. You will not get flashed by oncoming traffic with these bulbs. The bulbs are also very affordable compared to off-road lights. Really, a solid choice.

Squadron-R Pros – Overview

If on the other hand, you don’t care about getting flashed or have plans of wheeling often, then keep reading. LED lights by Baja Designs are truly the way to go when it comes to off-road lighting. These lights can be mounted as ditch lights, fog lights, and many other areas.

Enjoy 4,900 lumens utilizing 4 Cree LEDs. The Squadron-R Pro’s lightweight and powerful capabilities make it the ideal companion for all of your late-night off-roading adventures. Relish high-performance and durability with nearly 50,000 hours of auxiliary light. As always, Baja Designs offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee & a limited lifetime Warranty.

Baja Squadron Options

Black/ White Face options, Flush Mount options, with Amber Light options as well. They also come in multiple pattern options; including Driving/ Combo, Wide Cornering, Spot, and Flood. 

• Squadron Sport
• Squadron Pro
• Squadron SAE (Street Legal)
• DONT FORGET THE FOG LIGHT KIT!:  Check Price

Squadron Lineup

• Squadron SAE (Street Legal Fog Light Kit): Check Price
• Squadron Sport (1,800 Lumens at 20 watts)
• Squadron-R Sport (1,800 Lumens at 20 watts): Check Price
• Squadron Pro (4,900 Lumens at 40 watts)
• Squadron-R Pro (4,900 Lumens at 40 watts): Check Price
• Squadron-R Pro AMBER (4,300 Lumens at 40 watts): Check Price

Diode Dynamics SS3s:

• Fog Lights White (SAE/DOT)
• Fog Lights Amber (SAE/DOT)

These new Diode Dynamics are about 50% less than the Baja Squadrons and are SAE (Street Legal) safe.

Step #1 – Getting Organized

The first thing you should do is get familiar with the kit. If you ordered the fog light bracket kit, it comes with the conversion wiring kit and the brackets. What you are looking at here is all you need for this install. All you need is what is pictured above. If you are doing a ditch light install, then you will need the other wires that the kit comes with.

Step #2 – Allen Down Brackets

Step #3 – Bracket Positions

Step #4 – Connect First Section of Wire

Step #5 – Connecting Conversion Wires

Step #6 – Assembly Almost Complete

Step #7 – Remove Squadron Plate for Bezel

Step #8 – Allen Down Rounded Bezel

Step #9 – Ready to Install Baja Fog Light Assembly

Step #10 – Remove Fender Liner

Step #11 – Push Fender Liner Out of the Way

Step #12 – Remove Factory Fog Light Assembly

Step #13 – Install New Fog Light Assembly

Step #14 – Test Lights

Step #15 – Ziptie Loose Wires

(PASSENGER) Note – Splash Guard Housing

You will not be able to use this splash guard again. You should save your OEM fog light housing and this splash guard just in case. This splash guard will not fit back into place with the new Squadron brackets.

Pros or Sports – What is the Best Option for Fogs?

The Pros are bright. Extremely bright. They are so bright that we will probably take them out of the fog light assembly and order a pair of Sports cornering lens. The Baja Design Pro’s are not meant for on-road use. The Sports are going to be bright as well so it is on you to use your best judgment in what to buy.

The difference between the driving/combo and the wide cornering is how much light they throw off. The driving/combo lights will send a wider light (both laterally and vertically), causing people to think we are running high beams. The cornering lens will send wider light, more laterally over vertically, but you will still see up/down increased performance from the Sports over the factory fogs.

We are going to grab a pair of the Sports (this set here) and then use the Pros as the ditch lights.

Xenon Depot HID Low Beams

Xenon Depot LED High Beams

Factory Fogs with Xenon Depot LED Low Beams

Baja Squadron-R Pros with Xenon Depot Low Beam HIDs