Light bar mounted between (to) roof rails?

[MSkinner]

I know I can't be the first person to have thought of this. It seems like too perfect a spot to fit a longer light bar, especially with the curved ones becoming more common and dropping in price. The wiring could easily be run down a snorkel so as not to be drilling holes in the roof. Mounting it back slightly from the top of the windscreen would prevent glare off the bonnet. With the lower profile, single-row units, the look would almost be factory. Utilizing a weatherproof plug of sorts, it could be removed relatively easily too (anti-theft nuts used in this situation obviously).

Has anyone fitted one as per my terrible Photoshop job below? Got any photos of your handy work?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/221.jpg (http://s1267.photobucket.com/user/mattgskinner/media/disco_lightbar.jpg.html)

[twr7cx]

My understanding of the LED Light Bars is that they are generally not a distance orientated light source - they offer bright light out to a fairly short range and in a wide spread. Designed for low speed driving.

If that is right, then a roof mounting is a terrible idea, as you have cost yourself of approximately 2 meters of light output for it to travel over the bonnet - not to mention potential glare issues off the bonnet and windscreen.

Roof lights should be distance lights. LED bars up the front - mounted forward.

[discorevy]

i know a couple of people have roof mounted bars , when raining at night thats about all you can see , due to the glare, not sure what you have in the way of bullbar but if it is the same as mine then 20 or 24 inch single row will fit between my modified genuine bar. They cant steal it without opening bonnet either . Dont buy anything more than 30 degree spread on light bar , the spots are 10 degrees and this combo works very well
have a good christmas all ......... for a photo of my setup you will have to have a look at my thread on alternative intercoolers as it wont let me reload that pic on to this thread . To do that click on my user name , then view all posts ...... dont have many, so shouldnt take long to find that one
cheers

[MSkinner]

My understanding of the LED Light Bars is that they are generally not a distance orientated light source - they offer bright light out to a fairly short range and in a wide spread. Designed for low speed driving.

If that is right, then a roof mounting is a terrible idea, as you have cost yourself of approximately 2 meters of light output for it to travel over the bonnet - not to mention potential glare issues off the bonnet and windscreen.

Roof lights should be distance lights. LED bars up the front - mounted forward.

Fair enough, I see your point. However, I've seen 50" light bars mounted to roof racks that were lighting up everything within 100-150m like it was midday.


i know a couple of people have roof mounted bars , when raining at night thats about all you can see , due to the glare, not sure what you have in the way of bullbar but if it is the same as mine then 20 or 24 inch single row will fit between my modified genuine bar. They cant steal it without opening bonnet either . Dont buy anything more than 30 degree spread on light bar , the spots are 10 degrees and this combo works very well
have a good christmas all ......... for a photo of my setup you will have to have a look at my thread on alternative intercoolers as it wont let me reload that pic on to this thread . To do that click on my user name , then view all posts ...... dont have many, so shouldnt take long to find that one
cheers

Don't currently have a bar, but do plan on fitting one without hoops to retain factory look and purely for the purpose of fitting the winch sitting in the garage. Bonnet glare I know will be an issue. This I will hopefully reduce by mounting the bar slightly rear of the windscreen, deflecting the light off the roof from hitting the bonnet. I'd also considered the idea of a matte black wrap for the bonnet.

I'll see if I can dig up some photos of my mates roof-mounted 30" light bar.

[snowbound]

My understanding of the LED Light Bars is that they are generally not a distance orientated light source - they offer bright light out to a fairly short range and in a wide spread. Designed for low speed driving.

If that is right, then a roof mounting is a terrible idea, as you have cost yourself of approximately 2 meters of light output for it to travel over the bonnet - not to mention potential glare issues off the bonnet and windscreen.

Roof lights should be distance lights. LED bars up the front - mounted forward.

Not sure about anywhere else, but roof mounted bars are now illegal in the ACT

[Werdenfelser]

Hello together!

I have the same Lightbar and want also Mount it on the Roof. Had four Led Spots but want more light! While working with the Winch or slowly crawling the Lights on the Roof are much better and give a better Illumination than Lights on the Bumper.
I have no RoofRails and dont want to drill holes in my Roof so i decided to build a Mount for the Gutters. They just look a little bi bit like the regular RoofMounts you can buy.
Just cut and bended the metalsheet and grinded the tube. Now i wait for welding.
When interessant i can Take pictures when i am back at my home After Christmas.

Bye!

[MSkinner]

Hello together!

I have the same Lightbar and want also Mount it on the Roof. Had four Led Spots but want more light! While working with the Winch or slowly crawling the Lights on the Roof are much better and give a better Illumination than Lights on the Bumper.
I have no RoofRails and dont want to drill holes in my Roof so i decided to build a Mount for the Gutters. They just look a little bi bit like the regular RoofMounts you can buy.
Just cut and bended the metalsheet and grinded the tube. Now i wait for welding.
When interessant i can Take pictures when i am back at my home After Christmas.

Bye!

I'd love to see photos of this. Thanks for sharing.

[Jazzman]

Not sure about anywhere else, but roof mounted bars are now illegal in the ACT

Same in Vic. Must not be above the bonnet or sticking out forward of the front bar.

[twr7cx]

Fair enough, I see your point. However, I've seen 50" light bars mounted to roof racks that were lighting up everything within 100-150m like it was midday.

That's exactly my point - only 100m of light! At 100km/h, 100m takes less than 4 seconds to travel. 150m takes about 5.5 seconds. LED light bars have very little distance.

As a comparison for you, my roof rack mounted halogen lights illuminate out to 600m - that's illuminating the area that is almost 22 seconds away at 100km/h.

[supacooptony]

G, day all, im running a 31in twin row 180w lightbar mounted on my roof rack, it's a combo bar ( ie: 24 spread, 36 spot beam led,s) this light has done nothing but impress me, it doesn't lack distance, there is no reflection on my windscreen and has really great usable light, so much in fact that I removed my hid driving lights as this thing is in another ball park all together, I will definitely not hesitate to buy them again, and they don't have to heat up like the hid,s

Sent from my SM-T315T using AULRO mobile app

[Roverlord off road spares]

That's exactly my point - only 100m of light! At 100km/h, 100m takes less than 4 seconds to travel. 150m takes about 5.5 seconds. LED light bars have very little distance.

As a comparison for you, my roof rack mounted halogen lights illuminate out to 600m - that's illuminating the area that is almost 22 seconds away at 100km/h.
Are you legally allowed to drive on Tasmanian highways with roof mounted lights? I don't think it is the case on the mainland

[ramblingboy42]

I'm interested in this one but a few figures put me off.

The spread of the racks on the D2...internal measure is approx 1180 mm or 46.5".

That is a weird size for a light bar.

I'm just wondering what width light bar you were considering and how you were thinking of mounting it.

The profile of the racks from the roofline to first 200m is kind of parabolic and has no flat or consistent profile to mount too.

Love to hear more.

[MSkinner]

That's exactly my point - only 100m of light! At 100km/h, 100m takes less than 4 seconds to travel. 150m takes about 5.5 seconds. LED light bars have very little distance.

As a comparison for you, my roof rack mounted halogen lights illuminate out to 600m - that's illuminating the area that is almost 22 seconds away at 100km/h.

In my opinion, a large led light bar provides the biggest amount of light for the lowest cost, with the longest life while retaining factory look. Obviously the ideal setup is an led light bar for flood + halogen/hid driving lights for spot. The winch bar I intend to purchase has recesses to accommodate one pair of lights (fog/small driving light). If I can find driving lights to fit, I may go this route.


I'm interested in this one but a few figures put me off.

The spread of the racks on the D2...internal measure is approx 1180 mm or 46.5".

That is a weird size for a light bar.

I'm just wondering what width light bar you were considering and how you were thinking of mounting it.

The profile of the racks from the roofline to first 200m is kind of parabolic and has no flat or consistent profile to mount too.

Love to hear more.

I haven't got so far as to measure it up and figure out the mounting (partly the reason for my original post!), but I imagine that if I cannot mount the 'feet' of the light bar directly to the roof rails, then I would go with something similar to this but running the wiring down the snorkel:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/86.jpg (http://s1267.photobucket.com/user/mattgskinner/media/lightbar.jpg.html)

[ramblingboy42]

do you know what width that bar is?

[that_kid]

I've made a mount up and am fitting a 50" curved light bar to mine I'll post when it's done

[MSkinner]

do you know what width that bar is?

No sorry. Random photo from the internet.


I've made a mount up and am fitting a 50" curved light bar to mine I'll post when it's done

This is what I would like to fit also. Looking forward to these photos. :)

[supacooptony]

G, day guy's, can someone please tell me what the advantages of a curved lightbar is as apposed to a straight one, or is this just another gimmick, regarding HID driving lights you really have to spend the extra money on them, I purchased a combo set of 7 inch lights off ebay for $100 and they were bright but had a terrible beam pattern, full if dark spots and trying to adjust them was a massive headache, so people are right when they say that you get what you pay for, lesson learned, cheers Tony.

Sent from my SM-T315T using AULRO mobile app

[shamirj]

Mounted on rhino roof bar, not fully wired yet, but will prob run wires down side of snorkle, widest i could fit between roof rails, cheers

[Jeff]

Mounted on rhino roof bar, not fully wired yet, but will prob run wires down side of snorkle, widest i could fit between roof rails, cheers

Is it awkward driving like that?

Jeff

:rocket:

[ramblingboy42]

turn it round, turn it round, turn it round, revolve it.......

[ramblingboy42]

these pics are all good , but what is the clamping arrangement on the roof rails?.....it's an odd shape and needs to made secure from ******* who think your property is theirs.

[MSkinner]

these pics are all good , but what is the clamping arrangement on the roof rails?.....it's an odd shape and needs to made secure from ******* who think your property is theirs.

Anti-theft hardware?

[Werdenfelser]

Here are the pictures as promised for my mounting:

This was my First idea, like a Standard RoofMount, but the tube in the middle become replaced by the LightBar:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/34.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/35.jpg

Not welded now but i think it gives an idea.

This one is pretty far away from the roof, i want the LightBar more narrow at the Roof, so i made a second draft, also simpler and without welding:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/36.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/37.jpg


Difference between straight and curved LED Bars: a LED has always a fixes angel of Light-Output. But lots of LED's with lots overlap don't multiply the Lumens. When you spread the angel of the overall-Output you will see more.

And i don't want LED-Lights as Driving-Lights or Full-Beams. I want them for slow Offroading and Worklights.

I hope it is understandable what i try to tell you in my poor Kraut-English.. :p

[MSkinner]

Here are the pictures as promised for my mounting:...

...I hope it is understandable what i try to tell you in my poor Kraut-English.. :p

Perfectly understandable :) Thanks for posting. Would you keep us up to date with your progress? Very interested to see your finished product.

[discorevy]

this may be an option for those wanting to fit to the front ( theif proof unless they get the bonnet open) , this combo works very well.88981

88982

[MSkinner]

this may be an option for those wanting to fit to the front ( theif proof unless they get the bonnet open) , this combo works very well.88981

88982

That looks as though it replaces the top bar of the grille. Can you post up a larger photo? (you linked to a thumbnail, perhaps by accident)

[discorevy]

sorry , won't let me upload again . it is as you say in the top bar of the grill, just cut to size , has been on the car for over a year now with no problems.

[worane]

I think I will stick to my two Ciebe Super Oscars. both pencil beams. They seem to get out front pretty well.

[Tins]

Same in Vic. Must not be above the bonnet or sticking out forward of the front bar.

Interesting. Does that cover the installation, or is it just for when the light is lit? I want to fit one to my roof rack, to be used off road only.

[Tins]

sorry , won't let me upload again . it is as you say in the top bar of the grill, just cut to size , has been on the car for over a year now with no problems.

Just click on the image and it opens in a new window.

Discorevy, where did you get the mesh grille? Did you make it?

[discorevy]

Discorevy, where did you get the mesh grille? Did you make it?[/QUOTE]

Was on another disco 2 that I was wrecking , just cut it to fit light bar and painted, it looked like it may have been a genuine accessory

[Tins]

OP, scroll down and have a look at Aleksander's blue Disco. The second photo seems to show what you mean.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/80040-show-us-your-d2-pics-only-11.html

[CU55TM Disco]

This aftermarket rack from rockyroad may be an idea, and assist with mounting options?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/1227.jpg

[Tins]

That's exactly my point - only 100m of light! At 100km/h, 100m takes less than 4 seconds to travel. 150m takes about 5.5 seconds. LED light bars have very little distance.

As a comparison for you, my roof rack mounted halogen lights illuminate out to 600m - that's illuminating the area that is almost 22 seconds away at 100km/h.

I can't get a pic up, but I have a very cheap bar ( it leaks, but I was experimenting: got a Cree 27" to go on ) and two decent driving lights on my D2. At any legal speed the driving lights are basically redundant. I don't notice if I turn them off.

One thing I do notice, though. It becomes very hard to see the glow of oncoming lights, thus causing me not to dip as the other poor bloke comes over a crest. So, I don't use the LED's for highway driving. It's just not fair on everyone else.

[Roberto]

Someone said they may be illegal to fit them to the vehicle roof in Victoria. This is an extract from the Vicroads website. It says they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle. I guess it turns on whether you regard the front of the roof as being part of the front of the vehicle:

As Victoria's in-service vehicle standards mirror the Australian Design Rule requirements this decision means that LED light bars can be fitted to vehicles in Victoria. Constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars, so any LED light bar that is fitted must be installed in alignment with the following requirements:
The lamps should, as far as is possible, be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle.
If lamps are not fitted as pairs (e.g. one, three etc), they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle, symmetrically about the centre.
A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehicle's main beam headlamps.
The lamp/s must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection.
The lamp/s must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used, and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off.
The lamps must not obstruct the driver's view of the road.

[iPom]

Here's mine - 2 X 9800LM mounted on brackets I fabbed up to the G4 cross bar. They are mounted just far enough back to eliminate any glare of the bonnet. Very happy with outcome and luminance.

Plenty of light for slow, off road driving. I have two Lightforce 140's on the bull bar for the road.

http://https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/505.jpg (http://s370.photobucket.com/user/3Broons/media/Land%20Rover%20Discovery%202%20TD5/_DSC0495_zps2ec79b7a.jpg.html)


http://https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/506.jpg (http://s370.photobucket.com/user/3Broons/media/Land%20Rover%20Discovery%202%20TD5/_DSC0494_zpsc265ad2d.jpg.html)


http://https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/507.jpg (http://s370.photobucket.com/user/3Broons/media/Land%20Rover%20Discovery%202%20TD5/_DSC0493_zps14f136ee.jpg.html)


http://https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/508.jpg (http://s370.photobucket.com/user/3Broons/media/Land%20Rover%20Discovery%202%20TD5/IMG_3013_zps3c856310.jpg.html)


http://https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/509.jpg (http://s370.photobucket.com/user/3Broons/media/Land%20Rover%20Discovery%202%20TD5/IMG_3015_zpscb5d7c60.jpg.html)


PS - UNI FILTER Sticker is from the previous owner - Not me ... I only use gen filters
Cheers Dave

[that_kid]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/470.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/the_fallin/media/IMAG1320_zpspx1hshso.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/471.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/the_fallin/media/IMAG1321_zps0kaei6oj.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/472.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/the_fallin/media/IMAG1318_zpstku19adu.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/469.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/the_fallin/media/IMAG1350_zpshqu0pivo.jpg.html)

I made up a cross member out of some rectangular aluminium box and a couple of stainless U-bolts. Im not 100% happy with how high it sits but its on there pretty solid. I had enough ally to make two cross members so when i get my solar panel it will mount between them nicely

[iPom]

Looks good Toby ... Even better with some G4 roof rails ... I got mine from Bundalene :D

[that_kid]

Looks good Toby ... Even better with some G4 roof rails ... I got mine from Bundalene :D

I've been contemplating going the Rocky Road rails route. They are cheap enough and they have a good range of bolt ons to suit them.

[ramblingboy42]

did you drill through the existing rails to mount the ally rhs?

[ramblingboy42]

Second look....I see...you have u-bolted over the rails through the rhs.

I have been trying to work out what others have done for their brackets.

I hadn't thought of u-bolts like that. Might try it.

[PSI250]

Just bumping this up.
How are people going with mounting light bars to the rails or gutters?

I don't want to go a roof rack so looking for something simple.
I see uneek4x4 does a semi-generic gutter mount for light bars which may work, or mounting directly to the rails could also work. Just after any recent pics / ideas.

[laney]

From my dealings with main roads in Queensland roof mounted lights are illegal as are rear mounted white colour lights. A copper in Toowoomba told me white light at the front of your car and red at the back and driving lights must not interfere with a drivers view or distract other drivers the copper told me roof mounted lights would be considered a distinction to other drivers there for illegal.

[PSI250]

If there on a seperate switch you should be right. But regardless, just chasing pics and ideas for mounts.

[Homestar]

From my dealings with main roads in Queensland roof mounted lights are illegal as are rear mounted white colour lights. A copper in Toowoomba told me white light at the front of your car and red at the back and driving lights must not interfere with a drivers view or distract other drivers the copper told me roof mounted lights would be considered a distinction to other drivers there for illegal.

So are 33" tyres (on most vehicles) and a lot of other stuff, but lots are happy to run those without the worry of what may happen in the event of a serious accident and the vehcile being looked at. Although technically illegal, I am happy to run roof mounted lights - never been booked for it and it would be a long stretch if I stacked the car and it was looked over to say roof mounted lights caused the accident. ;)

Horses for courses - it's just what you are happy to live with I suppose. :)

[laney]

As said roof mounted lights are technically illegal they don't have to be the cause of an accident as said they are illegal this in an insurance companies get out of paying for repairs as they will deem the vehicle unread worthy. All insurance companies state the vehicle must be in a road worthy condition.

[Roverlord off road spares]

I don't know what light bars you guys are using, but mine throws out a lot of light for distance driving, I was quite impressed how far it lights into the distance. I used my upgraded wiring kit I made running thick power cables to a relay direct from the battery. A mate was with me as a passenger and he couldn't believe how far the light went. It's one of those 24inch ones that came with a subscription of 4X4 Action mag. I don't really need driving lights.
Cheers, Mario

[ozscott]

As said roof mounted lights are technically illegal they don't have to be the cause of an accident as said they are illegal this in an insurance companies get out of paying for repairs as they will deem the vehicle unread worthy. All insurance companies state the vehicle must be in a road worthy condition.
Have a look a s54 of the Insurance Contracts Act (Cwlth).

Cheers

[Bonzaman]

My idea to fit a light bar to factory rails without roof rack would be, to use a 6mm thick ali flat bar between rails. Can either screw in or use scroll bender to make a clamp style end. Then fit led light bar to this. I have roof mount light bars but they are attached to rhino rack. My lights are controlled by dash switch and triggered off high beam wire , so are they illegal if switched off when on road? Also love the spread of light outwards although i don't think i have gained much more distance than my high beams. The color of the light does make it like daylight so get a better view. No bonnet glare at all. 2x110w crees flood/spot combo but more of a flood than spot.