A-Pillar Lights for the Cummins-Powered Ram Trucks

So, hear us out on this one: A-Pillar Lights are NOT just for the overlanding and offroading cliques. In fact, adding A-pillars to your Ram truck's lighting setup is not just about aesthetics—it's about safety, functionality, and getting the job done right. One of the most effective upgrades you can make is adding A-pillar lights, also known as ditch lights. These auxiliary lights are mounted near the base of your windshield on the A-pillars, providing enhanced illumination that standard headlights can't offer. At Alligator Performance, we understand the unique needs of Cummins-powered Ram truck owners and offer a range of A-pillar light options to suit your requirements.

Why Install A-Pillar Lights on a 2500 or 3500 Truck?

A-pillar lights are not just for off-road enthusiasts; they offer practical benefits for various applications, and when your think about it, they make a LOT of sense:

• Enhanced Peripheral Visibility: Illuminate the sides of roads and trails, making it easier to spot wildlife, pedestrians, or obstacles that standard headlights might miss. If you’re hauling heavy in the middle of nowhere, extra light WHERE YOU NEED IT can be the difference between stopping safely and trouble.
• Improved Worksite Lighting: For those using their Ram trucks on farms, ranches, or construction sites, A-pillar lights provide additional illumination, making tasks safer and more efficient during low-light conditions. This is where they can really shine, as they give you some flexibility in aiming when you need it.
• Better Towing and Hauling: When towing trailers or heavy loads, these lights help in navigating tight spaces and ensuring the path is clear, especially during nighttime operations. How many times have you been trying to back up a trailer or thread the needle trying to hot shot a delivery and thought, “I really don’t need more light!” Having those extra lumens is ALWAYS a great idea.

Top A-Pillar Light Options for Cummins-Powered Ram Trucks

At Alligator Performance, we offer a selection of high-quality A-pillar lights and mounting brackets designed specifically for Ram trucks:

1. Baja Designs A-Pillar Light Kits:

• Features: Baja Designs offers comprehensive A-pillar light kits that include both the lights and mounting brackets. These kits are designed for durability and high performance, ensuring reliable illumination in various conditions.
• Benefits: With a focus on quality and innovation, Baja Designs provides lighting solutions that enhance visibility and safety for Ram truck owners.
• Compatibility: These kits are compatible with various Ram truck models, offering a tailored fit and easy installation.
• Learn More: Baja Designs A-Pillar Light Kits

2. Rigid Industries A-Pillar Light Mounts (2019-2023 Ram 2500/3500 6.7L Cummins):

• Features: Made from stainless steel with a UV and abrasion-resistant powder coat, these mounts are designed for durability and longevity.
• Benefits: Specifically designed to hold Rigid's high-output LED lights, they offer a clean and seamless installation.
• Compatibility: Fits Rigid's 4-Inch 360-Series, D-Series, or Radiance Pods, providing flexibility in lighting options.
• Learn More: Rigid Industries A-Pillar Light Mounts

Installation Considerations

Installing A-pillar lights is a straightforward process, especially with mounts designed for specific truck models:

• No Drilling Required: Most mounts, like those from Baja Designs and Rigid Industries, utilize existing factory mounting points, eliminating the need for drilling or permanent modifications.
• Vibration Dampening: Quality mounts include features like rubber vibration isolators to ensure the lights remain stable and to prolong their lifespan.
• Professional Appearance: These mounts are designed to complement the truck's aesthetics, providing a factory-like appearance once installed.
• Ease of Wiring: Most A-pillar light kits come with plug-and-play wiring harnesses and relays, making installation simple even for those unfamiliar with wiring auxiliary lights.

Choosing the Right Lights

Selecting the appropriate lights to pair with your A-pillar mounts is crucial:

• Beam Pattern: Consider whether you need a flood beam for wide-area illumination or a spot beam for long-distance visibility.
• Light Size: Ensure the lights fit within the specifications of the mounts.
• Brand Compatibility: While many mounts are versatile, some are optimized for specific brands like Baja Designs or Rigid Industries.
• Weather Resistance: Choosing lights with IP67 or higher water resistance ratings ensures long-lasting performance in extreme weather conditions.

Legal and Safety Considerations

Before installing A-pillar lights, it's essential to be aware of local regulations:

• Street Legality: In some regions, auxiliary lights must be covered when driving on public roads. Always check local laws to ensure compliance.
• Proper Aiming: To avoid blinding other drivers, ensure your A-pillar lights are correctly aimed and used appropriately. Plenty of folks already don’t like us since we’re diesel powered, don’t give them more incentive because you were too lazy to aim your lights properly.
• Switch Control: Many kits include a dedicated switch, allowing you to turn the lights on or off separately from your primary headlights to maintain control over brightness levels. We recommend using a premade harness with the proper relays and plugs built in, but savvy DIY-ers have been building their own harnesses for decades.

Upgrading your Cummins-powered Ram Truck with A-pillar lights enhances visibility, safety, and functionality, whether you're navigating rural roads, working on a job site, or towing heavy loads. At Alligator Performance, we offer a range of high-quality A-pillar light mounts and lighting options tailored to meet the demands of Ram truck owners. Explore our selection to find the perfect fit for your vehicle and lighting needs.

FAQs About A-Pillar Lights for Diesel Trucks

What are A-pillar lights?

A-pillar lights, also known as ditch lights, are auxiliary lights mounted near the base of the windshield on the A-pillar of a vehicle. They provide additional side and forward illumination, making them particularly useful for towing, worksite visibility, and rural road driving—common scenarios for diesel truck owners.

Why should I install A-pillar lights on my Cummins, Duramax, or Power Stroke truck?

A-pillar lights are a valuable upgrade for diesel trucks, especially those used for towing, ranch work, or industrial job sites. They enhance visibility by illuminating the sides of roads, fields, or worksites, where standard headlights fall short. They also provide additional lighting when navigating dark highways or hooking up a trailer at night.

Are A-pillar lights street legal?

Legality varies by state and country. Some areas allow A-pillar lights if they are used only off-road or have covers when driving on public roads. Always check local laws before installation, particularly if you use your diesel truck for commercial or fleet work.

What beam pattern should I choose for A-pillar lights?

• Flood Beam – Broad light spread, ideal for illuminating worksites, fields, and side roads.
• Spot Beam – Focused, long-distance beam for rural highway driving and towing at night.
• Combo Beam – A mix of flood and spot for balanced coverage—great for general-purpose truck lighting.

Do A-pillar lights cause glare or reflection on the hood?

Depending on the angle and brightness, some A-pillar lights may cause slight glare on lighter-colored hoods. This can be minimized by adjusting the mounting angle or using hood blackout decals. Diesel truck owners who tow heavy loads or drive long distances should position lights carefully to avoid excessive glare.

How are A-pillar lights mounted

In the past, installing A-pillar lights meant drilling into those A pillars, but modern mounting kits eliminate this need. Nearly every popular diesel truck—Ram 2500/3500 Cummins, Ford Super Duty Power Stroke, and Chevy/GMC Duramax models—has bolt-on kits available. Most of these kits use brackets that attach to hood hinge bolts or cowl areas, requiring no drilling, making installation quick and easy.

Do A-pillar lights work with other auxiliary lighting?

Yes! A-pillar lights complement light bars, fog lights, and rear chase lights to create a well-rounded lighting system. Diesel truck owners who use their vehicles for off-road work, plowing, or hauling in low-visibility conditions can benefit from layering different lighting solutions for maximum coverage.

Will A-pillar lights interfere with my hood opening?

No, properly installed A-pillar lights do not obstruct hood operation. Hood hinge-mounted brackets allow full hood access, so you can still easily check fluids or perform engine maintenance on your Cummins, Duramax, or Power Stroke truck.

What brands offer the best A-pillar light kits for diesel trucks?

Top brands include Baja Designs, Grimm OffRoad, Morimoto, and Rigid Industries, all known for their durability and high-performance lighting solutions that are built to handle the harsh conditions diesel truck owners face.

Can I install A-pillar lights myself?

Yes! Most A-pillar light kits are DIY-friendly, requiring only basic tools. A simple bolt-on installation typically takes under an hour. If wiring is required, many kits include plug-and-play wiring harnesses to simplify the process.

How should A-pillar lights be wired?

For safety and reliability, A-pillar lights should be wired using a relay and a fuse-protected wiring harness to ensure proper power distribution and prevent electrical damage. Using a dedicated switch also allows for easy control without interfering with factory wiring. Alligator Performance offers complete wiring solutions for A-pillar lights, including plug-and-play harnesses for all major diesel truck brands.

Will A-pillar lights drain my battery?

When properly installed and wired to a switch or relay, A-pillar lights will not drain your battery when turned off. Even when operating, LED lights are energy-efficient, drawing minimal power compared to older halogen or HID lights. Your diesel truck’s alternator should have no issue maintaining battery charge while running A-pillar lights during normal use.

Where can I buy A-pillar light kits for my diesel truck?

You can find high-quality A-pillar light kits and mounting brackets for Cummins, Duramax, and Power Stroke trucks under the “Lighting” category for your make and model, right here at Alligator Performance.