Invisible / Hidden 30" Light Bar

[fedrlbiker]

Double post from my build thread to make it more search friendly.

I finally got it all worked out to hide my light bar behind the satoshi grill. I love the stealth look! The mount is kinda ghetto, but it's all I could come up with to get it in the right spot.

Also, the lens it held on by a strip of electrical tape up top and 3 zip ties. One at each end and one in the middle. That way I can remove it if I ever need just a little more light output and put it back on later.

The mount

Before the smoked lens

After the smoked lens

Let there be light!

 

[Alex T4R]

Double post from my build thread to make it more search friendly.

I finally got it all worked out to hide my light bar behind the satoshi grill. I love the stealth look! The mount is kinda ghetto, but it's all I could come up with to get it in the right spot.

Also, the lens it held on by a strip of electrical tape up top and 3 zip ties. One at each end and one in the middle. That way I can remove it if I ever need just a little more light output and put it back on later.

The mount

Before the smoked lens

After the smoked lens

Let there be light!

You beat me too it, looks awesome, can you write up what did you use to install it. Can't wait to get mine install

 

[treklights]

That looks really good!

How's that mesh holding up?

 

[gaterose]

Looks great!

I've been debating on doing the same thing, thanks for inspiration for the mounts!

 

[fedrlbiker]

You beat me too it, looks awesome, can you write up what did you use to install it. Can't wait to get mine install

Do you meant the mounts? I just bought some pre-drilled angle iron at Home Depot and used an angle grinder to cut it down to 4 even sections. The holes are drilled just right to fit the available holes on the headlight flanges. Then I just used some 5/16" hardware to mount it in an "S" fashion.

From there, they had to be bent out to fit the light bar mounts correctly. That is just a little trial and error. I had to loosen the mount hardware to get it just right and retighten once I got it all lined up. Trust me when I say it is snug...

 

[fedrlbiker]

That looks really good!

How's that mesh holding up?

So far so good. Obviously if I hit something that flies up on the road with any speed it's going to cave in, but I have yet to experience that. I have had to pick bugs and paper out of it quite a few times, but it's still holding the right shape. I do need to touch up the paint at some point though.

 

[1fast_e]

Looks great. Like the stealth look

 

[calikev]

Looks GREAT! Tip: That same metal diamond mesh you bought at Home Depot is what I used to do the lower portion under the Satoshi grille mod on my truck. The part where the lic plate tabs are. I cut it to size and them painted it in several coats of flat black. I attached it using metal twist ties at all four corners and used a couple in the center too. After painting the metal wire ties black you can't see them and it finishes off the Satoshi mod well by having the lower portion done too.

It will look like 3 tiers---the lower portion w/lic tabs is widest, then the Satoshi is shorter, then the hood scoop mesh area it is like a pyramid look from the front and matches perfectly. You should be able to notice it in my pics. If not, I will take better ones.. Try it

 

[HOJeepster]

Did you test how the smoke lenses dim the light output or not? I've been considering doing a lense to prevent so much diamond bling.

 

[fedrlbiker]

Looks GREAT! Tip: That same metal diamond mesh you bought at Home Depot is what I used to do the lower portion under the Satoshi grille mod on my truck. The part where the lic plate tabs are. I cut it to size and them painted it in several coats of flat black. I attached it using metal twist ties at all four corners and used a couple in the center too. After painting the metal wire ties black you can't see them and it finishes off the Satoshi mod well by having the lower portion done too.

It will look like 3 tiers---the lower portion w/lic tabs is widest, then the Satoshi is shorter, then the hood scoop mesh area it is like a pyramid look from the front and matches perfectly. You should be able to notice it in my pics. If not, I will take better ones.. Try it

I've got a shrockworks bumper on order so it's moot.

 

[treklights]

So far so good. Obviously if I hit something that flies up on the road with any speed it's going to cave in, but I have yet to experience that. I have had to pick bugs and paper out of it quite a few times, but it's still holding the right shape. I do need to touch up the paint at some point though.

Expanded metal also looks great if you have access to an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to get it into the shape you need.

 

[fedrlbiker]

can you write up what did you use to install it. Can't wait to get mine install

I described it in a follow up post above.

 

[YotaDriver]

Do you think your engine might run hotter with the light bar somewhat restricting the airflow to the radiator?

 

[got556]

Badass!!!! I like it. The more lo pro the better when it comes to certain things and that definitely looks clean.

Ordering a bumper most likely next month but if I don't then I'm definitely "borrowing" this idea for my 4R.

 

[AleksV]

Looks great, this is what I want to do as well. I like the idea of the mounts s well. What did you do to smoke the glass? And did you lose any light output?

 

[AleksV]

Also interested to see what you did with the hood latch

 

[Yeager_22]

That looks great man!!!! I was considering installing my light bar inside my stock bull bar, but I might have to try this out!!!

I've been looking all over the the mesh grille, do you recommend any brand?
Thanks in advance

 

[AleksV]

That looks great man!!!! I was considering installing my light bar inside my stock bull bar, but I might have to try this out!!!

I've been looking all over the the mesh grille, do you recommend any brand?
Thanks in advance

The grille is called a "satoshi" mod, its fully customized

 

[TRDCal]

Looks great...might even be room for one more behind that grille

Hows the light output?

 

[fedrlbiker]

Do you think your engine might run hotter with the light bar somewhat restricting the airflow to the radiator?

With the satoshi it should get more air flow than stock anyway so I don't think it's an issue.