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Diode Dynamic SS3 lights

18K views 71 replies 14 participants last post by  Sheetmetalfab  
#1 ·
Whats up everyone, Hope Christmas treated you all well. I was doing some research on the SS3 lights and I might pull the trigger on them. My question is, has anybody purchased the lights in the SAE driving option as opposed to the fogs? I know both have a different output but was curious about the SAE driving pattern. Im assuming both fit where the factory fog lights go. Looking to supplement with more light at night. Im aware of the Katanas but will purchace those once the current bulbs burn out.
 
#4 ·
They are pretty killer in the SAE driving pattern.

Before I purchased an offroad bumper this was my setup with the driving beams tucked away in the lower opening. They were originally yellow lights, so they had the 4000k emitters with a clear lens with gives a nice soft white color.
Were they blinding to oncoming traffic? I also assume that there is an adjustment to correctly set them in place?
 
#7 · (Edited)
I just purchased 2 sets of the SS3 sport last night. I got two Combos & two Spots. I'll be installing them on my nudge bar that arrives this week. I was between those and the Baja XL sport. The SS3's beat them out in value even after adding the extra money for each harness. They are hands down the best bang for the buck on USA made lights. I got each pair for $153.
Can't beat that!
I'll be buying another set for hood ditch lights as soon as Nissan comes out with the factory ditch mounts for the '22 Frontier.
 
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#9 ·
the fogs hands down are THE WIDEST lights I've ever seen! If you live in a rural area with deers or an area with no street lights, these will work out great for you!
 
#12 ·
I can’t speak to the SAE driving pattern. I bought their max fogs and while the light output was impressive, I had to return them. They had crazy radio interference issues that for $520, was unacceptable. Turns out all their other bulbs I was running were the reason I had crazy alternator whine at the time too. Went back to my trusty Rigid fogs and bulbs from other brands and no issues at all.

the problems they were causing me was the radio interference would make it to where I couldn’t lock the truck from even 10 feet away. I leave the fogs on with the headlights and the delay-off function keeps them on for a minute after shutdown. As long as those lights were on, remote range was horrible. As soon as they go off, remote worked fine. In the truck, anytime the lights were on, the radio didn’t work. If you don’t have auto headlights and don’t use the radio, then I guess it’s not an issue but for me, I’m not giving up features for lights.

DD’s suggestion was use ferrite beads/chokes on the wires to kill the interference. 1) shouldn’t have to buy them on my dime when I spent $520, 2) ferrite beads are usually rather thick and would be loose on the wires and not fit in the loom and 3) I had no ideas which ones to buy and lastly 4) mixed results of other people having successful results with them anyways (on the same DD lights with same interference complaints).

Personally, I’d skip anything from them. They have the illusion of quality with their marketing and price level but to me they are nowhere near worth it when you dig deeper than surface level.
 
#18 ·
I don’t have a CB but my Rigid SRQs and D fogs have had no issues on regular radio or my key remotes…never heard of complaints with rigid.

To add to that, I had the DD 921 XPR white backup bulbs and they made my rigids to make a squealing noise when I was in reverse. Took those out and the rigids went back to no noise interference at all. The DD’s were the problem on that one.
 
#21 ·
Recently I was actively shopping for a new set of LED lights for my truck, and the SS3's were at the top of the list... but the fact that @Diode Dynamics just deleted the entire thread in their vendor section that they made for the SS3's because some members (@AndysLog and someone else) were giving feedback about fitment issues (for their Frontier-specific kit) just made me decide to not buy the SS3's anymore. I was really interested in them and was close to placing an order, but not if they're going to be shady like that.

The original thread link is below (no longer works, they deleted it):
NEW!đź’Ą SS3 Fog Light Kit for the 2009-2021 Nissan Frontier! | Diode Dynamics

To be honest I am really disappointed this happened (within the last few hours too), as I was excited to go shopping.

Would be interesting to see their explanation why they deleted that thread. IMO feedback is feedback, good and bad. If a vendor can't take criticism or actual user feedback to improve any issues with their products or mistakes they made, then that tells you how much they actually value their customers (and sponsored forums) vs. just making money.
 
#22 ·
Recently I was actively shopping for a new set of LED lights for my truck, and the SS3's were at the top of the list... but the fact that @Diode Dynamics just deleted the entire thread in their vendor section that they made for the SS3's because some members (@AndysLog and someone else) were giving feedback about fitment issues (for their Frontier-specific kit) just made me decide to not buy the SS3's anymore. I was really interested in them and was close to placing an order, but not if they're going to be shady like that.

The original thread link is below (no longer works, they deleted it):
NEW!đź’Ą SS3 Fog Light Kit for the 2009-2021 Nissan Frontier! | Diode Dynamics

To be honest I am really disappointed this happened (within the last few hours too), as I was excited to go shopping.

Would be interesting to see their explanation why they deleted that thread. IMO feedback is feedback, good and bad. If a vendor can't take criticism or actual user feedback to improve any issues with their products or mistakes they made, then that tells you how much they actually value their customers (and sponsored forums) vs. just making money.
Think im gonna hold off myself. Just gotta live with subpar lighting at the moment lol. Wish I had headlights like my wife's Forester, those things are nice!
 
#26 ·
daaaaang.

my bad.
Dude I was literally reading your post in that other thread earlier this morning, kept that tab open, then a few hours later went back to refresh it before replying and it was deleted.
 
#33 · (Edited)
I've installed 4 SS3 pods on my truck and they perform as advertised. Zero issues, excellent quality and super bright. I was really surprised with this thread. First time I read of anyone having issues with Diode Dynamics. I've even ordered a set of SS2's for ditch lights. I would recommend Diode Dynamics without hesitation. I'd personally never "hold off" on buying something because of one or two complaints. Their are thousands of satisfied users! I compared Diode, Vision-x, Baja & Rigid and Diode is by far the best bang for the buck out of the four! One separate thing to note about the Nismo OEM lights that were mentioned. I don't know about the old ones but the new ones are actually rebranded Rigid lights. They are made by Rigid and they slap the Nismo name on them and then charge an arm and a leg because they call them OEM.
 
#34 ·
I've installed 4 SS3 pods on my truck and they perform as advertised. Zero issues, excellent quality and super bright. I was surprised with this thread. First time I read of anyone having issues with Diode Dynamics. I've even ordered a set of SS2's for ditch lights. I would recommend Diode Dynamics without hesitation. I'd never "hold off" on buying something because of one or two complaints. I'd rather stick by the thousands of satisfied buyers. I compared Diode, Vision-x, Baja & Rigid and Diode is by far the best bang for the buck out of the four! One separate thing to note about the Nismo OEM lights that were mentioned. I don't know about the old ones but the new ones are actually rebranded Rigid lights. They are made by Rigid and they slap the Nismo name on them and then charge an arm and a leg because they call them OEM.
I’m glad you like what you bought; it is a bummer to be unsatisfied. As to the 1 or 2 complaints comment, most people don’t realize the lights even have issues. Majority of frontier owners don’t have automatic headlights so they’ll never get interference in their remote range. Same for static in the radio, most use Bluetooth or USB. And I won’t say it’s often, but between here and the Facebook, there have definitely been dead sports, pros, and max’s I’ve seen people need to have replaced. Of course the warranty is good so that’s no issue but the failures are there. Not saying the other brands are perfect either but personally I’ve never ever seen someone need to replace a rigid light under warranty. I don’t follow the other two much but I haven’t seen anything from Baja need warranty either. I’m sure they exist.

At the end of the day if you’re happy, great. But if the flaws exist, in my mind people should at least be aware of them so they can decide what their money is worth spending on. That’s my only point, I gain or lose nothing either way. On the other forums (tacomas and F150s specifically) I saw lots more complaints (after I started searching to see if I was the only one) and DD told them all the same thing they told me, install ferrite chokes. Problem is that rarely if ever fixes them so there is no real solution.
 
#40 · (Edited)
no, i'm not disputing that DD may cause them. I'm saying that I'm not convinced that they bear sole responsibility to resolve the side effects of EMI. I have Rigid, I have Morimoto, I have another Morimoto, I have DD SS3 Max... and I experience zero EMI radio interference with my OE radio system as well as Kenwood VHF/UHF tx installation.

People frequently throw shade to the notion that their tablets, cellular phone, laptops induce interference to avionics...yet they do. It depends on the convergence of devices at a given time. Who bears responsibility for resolving this ?...was the point of my imprecise typing earlier. Ham radio geeks encounter similar issues regularly and they pool resources to offer countermeasures and techniques.
 
#41 ·
no, i'm not disputing that DD may cause them. I'm saying that I'm not convinced that they bear sole responsibility to resolve the side effects of EMI. I have Rigid, I have Morimoto, I have another Morimoto, I have DD SS3 Max... and I experience zero EMI radio interference with my OE radio system as well as Kenwood VHF/UHF tx installation.

People frequently throw shade to the notion that their tablets, cellular phone, laptops induce interference to avionics...yet they do. It depends on the convergence of devices at a given time. Who bears responsibility for resolving this ?...was the point in my imprecise typing earlier. Ham radio geeks encounter similar issues regularly and they pool resources to offer countermeasures and techniques.
All I can say is I had no issues without their products and had plentiful issues with. I’m sure plenty of other things could potentially cause interference. However, if DD wants to be a top dog competitor and charge the prices they do, then they should at least be keeping up with the other brands that all were problem free.

Or in other words, they shouldn’t be making
the existing interference in the vehicle worse. The other brands didn’t, so clearly it’s possible. They just don’t seem to care to fix it. Maybe some people are luckier than others but I found plenty from other forums to say that I’m not the only one.
 
#42 ·
my lights havent given off any interference that i can tell of.
it wasnt a hard install and they are nice and bright, but i could have spent 40$ on a nice set of bulbs and been done with the whole thing.

i like the look of the pod in the bumper over the round shinny bubble, i got the look and the performance is ok. just annoyed it wasnt made clear before i purchased that the lights are adjusted and held tight using the pressure of the bumper and bending of the supplied plastic bracket.

the radio silence is odd. assuming they know its designed like that and have no intention of updating the bracket to make it fit properly and thats why the thread was deleted and no one on their end is willing to comment on it.
 
#49 ·
yeah, my metal bumper mounting setup is enough of a difference that it doesn't apply. I screwed the SS3 into a circular plastic surround. the surround has a threaded fastener at 12 o'clock and a 'post' at 6 o'clock. i then drop the post into a stirrup in the bumper ....while tipping in the 12 o'clock fastener into a matching tab. one bolt into each and I was done.
 
#50 ·
not sure if you are running into the problem I had but I ended up installing some spacers which pulls the light assembly back just enough so that when installed the light is jammed up against the back of the bumper.

Image


I got the spacers at Lowe's. Just make sure the diameter of the hole a little smaller than the screw so you have to thread it... keeps the spacers in place when installing the light. Here are the ones I used.

Image


hope this helps.
 
#51 ·
Interesting!!! Thanks for the idea. Just updated this thread before I went out to unplug the lights. I still have to unplug them for now so they don’t fall out but I will give this a try, as I think the issue you described is the one I’m having. I think. It does seem like my issue is the face of the fog light is pushed up against the bumper so I can’t get the metal clip to fully click on the back of the housing.

because intially I had the 2 screws that attach the light to the DD bracket too tight so there was no play and I really couldn’t get the thing to sit at all. I loosened those up as others have mentioned and it gave me more room to get the light seated. Just not enough room to fully seat it.

hooefully I’ll get to try this weekend. I’ll update here.
 
#53 ·
Idk y’all. I got the exact washers (great idea btw JetBlack), installed them, yet the lights are still not “locked in”. Admittedly I’ve never tried to pop out the oem fog lights from the front, and they never did fall out, but I have 0 confidence in how secure they are held down now.

I’m thinking maybe this is not a diode dynamic issue, but a Nissan fog light mounting issue? I mean clearly not a real issue as no one’s complaining of oem fog lights falling out on the road. But I even tried installing just the oem fog light plastic ring with no light, that attaches with the 10mm bolt and 2 clips, and I can’t even get that to stay in confidently tight. I’m gonna reinstall the oem fog light into that ring next and see how secure it is. I did email DD last week and they got back to me but it was Friday so I’m not expecting another response until Monday hopefully.

never thought fog lights would be such an issue for me:LOL:
 
#56 ·
Image
Hopefully this helps highlight where I think the fault is. 10mm bolt is fine (top right), I think the plastic clip is secure enough if everything else is (bottom right, not visible in pic), but it seems like the metal clip is too weak. The plastic ring that’s installed in this pic where you mount the fog lights into is not fully secure as pictured, although it should be, unless I’m missing something obvious (I hope is the case). The plastic ring will come out very easily as it’s pictured, and even easier with the SS3 installed. I can take a video if that would be helpful also.

Fwiw when I removed the stock oem fog lights, it took some work to get the plastic ring off of that metal clip, now it just falls out with the lightest push.
 
#57 ·
update.. finally got them installed. Thank you all for the help and especially JetBlack for the nylon washers idea, wouldn’t have got them in without those.

As far as DD. I can say their customer service was great a year ago when I was emailing questions about the lights before I even bought them and still great today as they were staying in touch with me about the issue.

Also for anyone in the future trying to install them, take a look at that metal clip (oem Nissan part) thay I have circled to the left in the pic above. There are 2 little tabs left and right that might need to be pryed back outwards, so that they will “catch” the oem plastic ring when reinstalling. That was a big hang up for me. Once I added the washers and gave that metal clip some new life, I was able to get the lights locked in. Though it was Still a pain.

In email with DD they did note that on their website they have a note about fitment issues on pro4x king cabs… I have an SV king cab. maybe they can look further into that issue, as there may be something there. Only got to drive with the lights on for a couple mins so far so no review, but plenty online.
 
#62 ·
I know, I know, zombie thread...

So I had these in mind forever and finally bought them thinking how great they'll be, but reading some of the stuff on here I'm thinking I should have just bought some of the Katana H11s and some Lumin-x to see if I like yellow, after all.

I've got Katanas in stock headlights, and I'm wondering if anyone knows if the Sports will be brighter than my headlights, all other possible issues notwithstanding.
 
#63 ·
Katana's in the fog lights aren't even CLOSE to being anything like the SS3 Max's.... I ran a few bulbs in the stock housing and the SS3's sh*t on everything I've seen in person for an aftermarket fog light... the widest and brightest while still being street legal!