LED bar mounting options

[LoveB]

Ok...

So I'm looking into buying a 50' LED bar for the deefer. Main issue I have is I dont have a roof rack to mount it on to. I was thinking of getting the 50' side mounted one from SAledlighting. I had a bit of a measure and the defender roof is wider than that I believe. I'm trying to avoid having to buy a roof rack/cross bar just to fit it...

Anyone have any ideas as to how I can get it on?? was hoping I could mount on gutters but i dont think the bar itself is long enough?

[roverrescue]

drill, M8 bolt, silastic

straight through the lid

S

[LoveB]

I'm not keen on drilling too!!!

if I have to get a crossbar maybe a low profile one? I dont really want the bar sticking out too high

[rijidij]

You can buy Rhino Rack 'legs' as a separate item. If you got two legs, you might be able to make up brackets to connect directly to the light bar, ie the light bar becomes the cross bar.

Cheers, Murray

[LoveB]

You can buy Rhino Rack 'legs' as a separate item. If you got two legs, you might be able to make up brackets to connect directly to the light bar, ie the light bar becomes the cross bar.

Cheers, Murray

thanks thats what I was thinking.. Just putting the leg pack onto the gutter and somehow making an extension to get to the bar. I'll probably just bite the bullet and order the side mount 50' one anyway. worst case is a roof rack lol

[noogie]

Mate that is going to be one serious light bar you are putting on.
I have a 42 inch 240 watt light bar and it is awesome.
Great for night drives.
Got mine mounted to a purpose built rovacraft light cross bar that bolts into the gutters. I ended having to reinforce the supports as I nearly lost mine one night driving home. The side supports are only thin and started to tear.

You will need something fairly strong as they do weigh a bit. I wouldn't put it on rhino bars as it will end up being too high to get into garage. The light cross bar I have sits very close to the roof and has a low profile.

There are bars you can get but they are bloody dear. I think terrafirma make one for the deefers.

The other option is to mount it to a roof rack.

[Blade74]

"Mate that is going to be one serious light bar you are putting on." - Noogie
That's what I was thinking as well.
I have a 120w 20" light bar and am happy with the amount of light it puts out.
Plus mines only down on the bumper bar...

[MLD]

Rhino commercial bar with 150mm legs. The light bar will (should) hang on the underside and clear the roof line if mounted closer to the windscreen. You'll have to modify by drilling the bar to accommodate the mounting points of the bar. Or go the extra mile and buy the Rhino light mounts ($40 each) to add to the commercial bar. Mount it back as far as clearance permits, the light spread will reflect off the bonnet and be a distraction. I have a white UHF aerial and it's a major distraction when the light bar is on (mounted off a rhino platform rack).

You won't get defender rhino legs at 150mm, shortest is 210mm. You won't need the defender legs (have a cut out for the roof shape) because it's mounted forward of the rolled roof.

Keep a look out on Ebay for old Hiace or equivalent rhino racks.

IMO using legs alone and using the light bar as a substitute cross bar is likely to end up with a flimsy setup prone to being torn off by stray branches.

As an aside, you have undoubtedly spent $400 + on the light bar. Don't cheap out on how it's mounted. Could be the difference between enjoying a night drive or stuffing around in the dark patching up a half arsed effort.

For those that suggest that a light bar is a substitute for driving lights on the highway, they are not. Don't hold that expectation you will be found wanting. Otherwise great for slower than highway speed driving when illuminating distance is not required.

MLD

[noogie]

For those that suggest that a light bar is a substitute for driving lights on the highway, they are not. Don't hold that expectation you will be found wanting. Otherwise great for slower than highway speed driving when illuminating distance is not required.

MLD

That depends which light bar you use.

I use mine all the time on the highway at highway speed. Absolutely great and outshine my spread & pencil beam. The forward throw is at least 70metres and the saturation is excellent. How far do you need to see down the road?

One thing to remember is I don't think they are road legal. I'm tipping you might get a defective notice by the boys in blue.

I have mine wired into a three way toggle switch.
On when high beams are on.
Off position and the third position is on independent of the high beams. I select this when doing a night drive on the tracks.

[noogie]

"Mate that is going to be one serious light bar you are putting on." - Noogie
That's what I was thinking as well.
I have a 120w 20" light bar and am happy with the amount of light it puts out.
Plus mines only down on the bumper bar...

Hi Blade

Have a look at this link for the post I did a while ago for my 42" lightbar.
It gives you a good idea of how good they are.

I plan to do another review of it in different situations, ie. offroad and highway driving. I'll whack another youtube clip together and post it.

Cheers
Mick

Led light bar on Defender 110