50" curved light bar is the way to go!

regulator213 · Dec 9, 2015

Finally got around to mounting and wiring up my light bar. I wanted something super bright. I didn't want to spend $150 on brackets for a 42" bar so I decided to go with the 50" and find a way to make my own. I found a metal fabrication shop near me and worked with them for several weeks to find a design that was simple, clean, fairly inexpensive, yet still completely useful.

This is what I came up with...

With them on

Here are some shots of the brackets

I just used some self tapping screws. The brackets line up with the bottom of the overlap in the a pillar you can see on the right of the bracket. This makes them super easy to mount on both sides. They fit great under the weather stripping with no leaks or wind noise.

If anybody is interested in some brackets I can have them made up for you and shipped out. Shoot me a PM.

4runner_dreamer · Dec 10, 2015

Is that moisture building up inside of there?

The brackets look great though!

regulator213 · Dec 10, 2015

There is actually some moisture building up under the lens

The picture up there also has some rain on it from today too though. I'm really bent about that too, I spent the extra money on this one to avoid stuff like that whereas the cheap eBay 32" on the bumper has been on there for much longer and gone through many high pressure car washes with no problem at all.

4runner_dreamer · Dec 10, 2015

If you're up for it, take the front cover off and put a bead of silicone around it. I've done this to a couple of lights that I have purchased over the years and water never finds its way in again.

regulator213 · Dec 10, 2015

Thanks man, I'm definitely going to do that at some point. I'm just not happy that I have to. That thing has a ton of allen fasteners on the front.

Konkordmusk · Dec 10, 2015

Get some method of security on those bolts. All a thief needs is the right size socket and some wire snips and bye-bye light bar.

kolelt · Dec 10, 2015

Konkordmusk said:
Get some method of security on those bolts. All a thief needs is the right size socket and some wire snips and bye-bye light bar.

Security bolts. Or do it like I did. TACK WELD THE BOLT. and no one is taking it.

JeepKiller · Dec 10, 2015

Why curved vs straight?

Mcleod · Dec 10, 2015

Any glare issues w/ the bar being so close to windshield? Glare off windshield or hood? I've got the sport hood and don't wanna be blinded by the cowl or windshield itself hahaha

regulator213 · Dec 10, 2015

kolelt said:
Security bolts. Or do it like I did. TACK WELD THE BOLT. and no one is taking it.

Yeah man, I thought about doing it but then what happens if I need to pull it back down for things like having to reseal the damn light from condensation?

regulator213 · Dec 10, 2015

JeepKiller said:
Why curved vs straight?

I've seen a couple different people with a straight bar and it just looks too wide for the windshield. The curved bar contours to the windshield much better so it doesn't look so out of place. But as far as the bar specs specifically a curved bar will throw light in a much wider patter than a straight bar.

regulator213 · Dec 10, 2015

Mcleod said:
Any glare issues w/ the bar being so close to windshield? Glare off windshield or hood? I've got the sport hood and don't wanna be blinded by the cowl or windshield itself hahaha

Actually to be honest I was expecting some of that to happen but I don't notice any glare at all. Don't get me wrong, I can definitely see the hood better with the light on though haha. I can take some pics if you want.

gamefreakgc · Dec 10, 2015

4runner_dreamer said:
If you're up for it, take the front cover off and put a bead of silicone around it. I've done this to a couple of lights that I have purchased over the years and water never finds its way in again.

The fasterners don't matter much of the gasket they used to seal the lens isn't sealing right. I sealed my bumper light the first day I got it since so many people complain of water damage. Being on the roof you can get moisture in from both ends, unfortunately. The bumper one only gets wet from the front.

But those brackets are very well done.

Mcleod · Dec 10, 2015

regulator213 said:
Actually to be honest I was expecting some of that to happen but I don't notice any glare at all. Don't get me wrong, I can definitely see the hood better with the light on though haha. I can take some pics if you want.

I'll take your word on it, looks great man!!

kolelt · Dec 10, 2015

regulator213 said:
Yeah man, I thought about doing it but then what happens if I need to pull it back down for things like having to reseal the damn light from condensation?

Just fix it properly now and then tac weld it. In case you need to remove it, take a cut of wheel and the tac weld of. But honestly its the only way to have some what thief proof. I've had mine welded for few months and so far so good. But my lights never needed repairs or any moisture in them knock on wood. Got mine of Miami off road.

I made my rear mounts my self out of metal angle. Because all aftermarket light brackets are aluminum. And you can't weld steel to aluminum.

regulator213 · Dec 11, 2015

gamefreakgc said:
The fasterners don't matter much of the gasket they used to seal the lens isn't sealing right. I sealed my bumper light the first day I got it since so many people complain of water damage. Being on the roof you can get moisture in from both ends, unfortunately. The bumper one only gets wet from the front.

But those brackets are very well done.

Yeah I hear you. I am just shocked that my cheap Ebay one on the bumper has been holding up so well yet this one has seen light rain like once and its leaking...But thanks man! I'm happy with the way they turned out.

regulator213 · Dec 11, 2015

kolelt said:
Just fix it properly now and then tac weld it. In case you need to remove it, take a cut of wheel and the tac weld of. But honestly its the only way to have some what thief proof. I've had mine welded for few months and so far so good. But my lights never needed repairs or any moisture in them knock on wood. Got mine of Miami off road.

I made my rear mounts my self out of metal angle. Because all aftermarket light brackets are aluminum. And you can't weld steel to aluminum.

Yep, I'll more than likely do that when I find time to fix the bar. Between being a full time student and employed full time as well as being in the Air Force Reserves free time is pretty hard to come by.

kolelt · Dec 11, 2015

regulator213 said:
Yep, I'll more than likely do that when I find time to fix the bar. Between being a full time student and employed full time as well as being in the Air Force Reserves free time is pretty hard to come by.

The older you get, the more projects come up but the time flys by

Oprah · Dec 11, 2015

can we get some night shots of this wide spread?! curved seems like the way to go!

regulator213 · Dec 14, 2015

Oprah said:
can we get some night shots of this wide spread?! curved seems like the way to go!

Yeah man, Right after I get the new bar mounted.

50" curved light bar is the way to go!

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