Light bar location on d4 roof platform

[wombathole]

For best function and look, should I mount the light bar above, in front or below the pioneer platform?
I’m thinking in front. Platform and light bar are both 40mm high.
Thanks for your opinions.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180914/47b7da6ac48790c42eccf376baa1dbbf.jpg

[DiscoJeffster]

So there’s some pictures of them mounted hard under the platform that looks good. What I can’t say is what wind noise that may generate, if any.

[Jkwark]

Hello all, first post.

For me, I much prefer the look and practicality of mounting the light bar under the rack. If my picture works, you'll see my setup on the Rhino rack, albeit with a double row LED bar.

I mounted the light just behind the front crossbar as the double row light sat very close to the roof. This allows the fram of the light to sit slightly higher while not interfering with light spread. Also, my supplied mounts were too long to fit under the rack in any position so I fashioned some custom mounts out of alloy angle that I shaped to suit - these bolt through the front crossbar and next crossbar which utilises the sliding rhino track plates to bolt into.

This position, whilst noisy in a strong headwind at freeway speeds provides the following benefits for me:
1) Good light throw
2) Being lower and close to roof causes the front edge of the roof to cast a shadow over my bonnet and bull bar, reducing glare and reflection when using the light
3) The light, and mounts, cause little impediment on using the rack to it's potential. (I often carry large fibreglass boards/ surfskis on the rack that would be damaged easily by a lightbar jutting up). Even less of a problem when my barrel bolts arrive with flat heads to replace the ugly nyloc arrangement i currently have.
4) Saved me $90 on the original Rhino mounts that sit the light ahead of the rack (and taller than in my case). The Rhino mount also bolts above the rack so point 3 applies to some degree. My mounts cost me about $35.
5) My light bar is also protected to some degree from branches etc be the rack above and the backbone mounts either side which sit forward of the light.
6) I think it looks neater.

Whichever way you go should work well. Hope my 5c helps in some way[bigsmile1].

Jkwark

[wombathole]

Firstly, welcome Jkwark.
Picture looks good and points all make sense. Nice job with the custom mounts. If my lights were double row, I’d definitely follow your lead.

I’ve decided I’ll start with mine out front using the rhino mounts (pricey as they are, for what they are).

With the single row light bar;
1. I think it will look great (something like omadaadventure seen on instagram)
2. Being thinner profile than yours , I think it won’t impede loads on the rack. TBC.
3. I rarely do bush bashing any more where I’ll be hitting branches etc.
4. Minimising the wind noise is a common use case I’d like to avoid as much as possible.
5. If I don’t like it or it’s not functional out front, I believe I will be able to slide the mounts backward and invert the light bar, achieving a position very similar to yours.

Much appreciated.

[shanegtr]

Light bar on the rack would be cop bait in WA

[drivesafe]

:welcome:



2) Being lower and close to roof causes the front edge of the roof to cast a shadow over my bonnet and bull bar, reducing glare and reflection when using the light

Hi Jkwark and welcome to the forum.

All good points raised and your second point is the most important.

I've been running roof lights for more than 30 years now and I learnt very early that allowing roof mounted lights to light up a bonnet just about defeats the very purpose of having them in the first place.

If the bonnet is lite up, because of the distraction it causes, it DRAMATICALLY reduces your long range vision.



Hi shanegtr, roof mount lights are now legal in all east coast states, not sure about SA.

[kelvo]

Light bar on the rack would be cop bait in WA

I don’t know why, as it is perfectly legal to mount on a roofrack in WA.

See page three https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/licensing/LBU_VS_IB_132.pdf

[shanegtr]

I don’t know why, as it is perfectly legal to mount on a roofrack in WA.

See page three https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/licensing/LBU_VS_IB_132.pdf
Well Im sure thats changed since the last time I seen it. I was sure that anything above the bonnet height was a no go a while ago (last time I looked was before the august 2017 update thats on that link)

[wombathole]

Noted re glare. Will ensure the beams clear the bonnet. Great advice.

[DiscoJeffster]

Well Im sure thats changed since the last time I seen it. I was sure that anything above the bonnet height was a no go a while ago (last time I looked was before the august 2017 update thats on that link)

As the sun rises, the world moves on. WA has adopted standard from other states for once in its life.

[Hugh Jars]

Where do you guys run the power from? I thinking of doing similar on my Frontrunner.

[BMKal]

Light bar on the rack would be cop bait in WA

They're legal in WA now - but even when they weren't, the cops never bothered unless they were really looking for a reason to give you some grief. I've had one of these mounted under the rack for almost as long as I've owned the vehicle (since 2011). Have been pulled over many times for a variety of reasons, and never even a mention of the light bar.

144316

[twr7cx]

Above or below likely increases the size of accessories causing drag/resistance. In front might reduce the profile size and might therefore have less negative effect on fuel consumption and wind noise. Would be interesting to test.

[cjc_td5]

I have a 40" light bar that I have been trialling mounted between the full length roof rails. I have found that mounted anywhere in front of the roof step generates horrid wind noise such that I may end up ditching the idea all together....

[Eric SDV6SE]

Hello all, first post.

For me, I much prefer the look and practicality of mounting the light bar under the rack. If my picture works, you'll see my setup on the Rhino rack, albeit with a double row LED bar.

Hi, welcome.

I like the idea and look of the LB tucked under and in behind the front leading edge of the roof rack. The shadow line on the bonnet caused by the roof line is an added bonus...

would like to see how you've run the power.

Second option would be directly in front, this is where the single row LB looks better as its nearly the same height as the Roof rack leading edge is thick.

My understanding is that (regardless of the brand), this style of rack does create some wind noise. A friend of mine has the Front Runner (South African brand) and that design whistles, as the load bars run side to side, not front to back as per the Rhino version, and the side plates are not perforated, but a solid plate.

Cheers,

Eric

[rocket rod]

If everything else worked out (noise, reflections etc), I would be putting it either in front or below the platform so it allows you to load long objects like sheets of ply, poles etc that may jut forward of the rack.

[wombathole]

Where do you guys run the power from? I thinking of doing similar on my Frontrunner.
Im thinking of running the cabling down the A pillar under the black plastic cover, next to the snorkel. TBC how easy / successful this will be.

[Ean Austral]

Im thinking of running the cabling down the A pillar under the black plastic cover, next to the snorkel. TBC how easy / successful this will be.

That's where mine will run, but on the passenger side.

On a separate note , what type of on/off switch / where are people putting their switch for the lights.

Cheers Ean

[rocket rod]

Im thinking of running the cabling down the A pillar under the black plastic cover, next to the snorkel. TBC how easy / successful this will be.
Buy some new plugs to replace the ones you will most likely break when taking the cover off.

[cjc_td5]

Buy some new plugs to replace the ones you will most likely break when taking the cover off.You shouldn't need to take the A pillar cover off. I could lever up the edge next to the windscreen enough to slip the flex in underneath.

[DirtDigger]

Last time I read the Regs and ADR's few months back its legal to mount BUT not to actually used them on open roads at night. Ok maybe in the Bush off road!
I would check with the licensing people before installing if you intend to use at night on open road, also your insurance company! For compliance.

[drivesafe]

Hi digger a sorry mate, the ADRs were changed quite a few years ago and we can thank Jeep for getting them changed.

BUT!

ADRs are nothing but recommenbations and are NOT laws unless a specific State makes them the legal requirement in that specific state.

Again, ADRs are not manditory but the NSW and Vic have aborted them, and roof mounted lights were never at any time, illegal in Queensland.

[Homestar]

Yeah, quite legal now to mount and use pretty much anywhere in Australia. The powers that be moved onto other things to annoy us a while ago now.

There are requirements about making sure they don't interfere with the drivers line of sight (hence not allowed on the top of a bull bar - this is also due to pedestrian impact), must not cause the driver discomfort including glare (so as discussed, not having roof mounted light shining into the bonnet), must only come on with the high beam and a max of 4 additional lights other than the vehicle was delivered with.

Certainly in Vic and I think in all other states, the wording about them having to be mounted to the front of the vehicle of below bonnet height has been deleted, so as long as you comply with the above few stipulations, you can stick 'em where you like.

Even before all this happened I never copped any grief with my roof mounted lights on my RRC, even when pulled up for a random breath test - only time a Policeman ever mentioned them he said 'They look good'... :)