LED Light Bar Questions

[Krayziekid]

Hey guys! So I'm a huge fan of "stealth"/factory looking installations of accessories on my 4runner. One thing I have been looking to add is a light bar behind my lower grill in order to give me a decent low fog light with some nice coverage/output.

I ended up picking up some stealth brackets from MojaveMadMan's most recent manufacturing, but now I am in need of an LED Light bar. Being a broke-ass college kid, I don't really have the money or justification for a Rigid or Baja bar, so I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for cheaper bars that still work well?

Also, with the light bar being that low, and primarily used as a fog light (most likely), should I go with a flood or a combo? And then finally, should I go with the usual white LEDs or try to find myself a bar with amber LEDs? Sorry for all the questions but I am a huge newbie when it comes to LED Light Bars as I've never worked with one before! Thanks!

 

[Range]

Exactly how much can you spend? I have a pair of 6" spot/floods from ProComp that I got from the 4Wheel parts site at half off. $190 for two and they are very nice. These will only be used for back up lights. 4Wheel parts is still having a 1/2 off sale on light bars so you might want to check them out. Otherwise knowing exactly how much you want/can spend will help us out.

If you're going to be using them to drive on the highway and/or roads with traffic maybe look at driving lights instead of spot/flood. I have a pair of DOT/SAE approved driving lights by KC that I use to drive at night. Rather than doing an LED upgrade to my existing low beams I bought these for $200 and they really work well. The site says $400 but I got them on sale through Truck Lights.

http://www.kchilites.com/light-type...-led-pair-pack-system-kc-711-spread-beam.html

I have a Shrockworks bumper with the PIAA super white driving lights and I'm planning on replacing the housing lens with an amber lens for winter driving out here. I have LED driving bumper lights, Phillips extra white driving light low beams and PIAA extra white driving fogs and the system is incredible. Lots of crisp output front and sides, nobody has flashed me either.

 

[Krayziekid]

Exactly how much can you spend? I have a pair of 6" spot/floods from ProComp that I got from the 4Wheel parts site at half off. $190 for two and they are very nice. 4Wheel parts is still having a 1/2 off sale on light bars so you might want to check them out. Otherwise knowing exactly how much you want/can spend will help us out.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll check it out. I would love to keep it sub $200, but in reality I could probably spring for $300 if it is really worth it. In addition, I totally should have mentioned that I am looking for a 31.5" bar. That's the size I need to fit the brackets.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

theres a really highly reviewed 30" on amazon for like $60. if i was buying a bar for auxiliary lights i would do that first

 

[tommyg55]

I'm a broke ass college kid myself and I recently bought a 30" combo bar off eBay from seller toysforthebigboys and I love it. I bought the epistar version instead of the cree but I can't tell a difference and its bright as hell and the range is spectacular. I bought the wiring harness from the same seller and it was a very simple install.

 

[T4RVB]

just get a lightbar from amazon and make sure you seal the corners with silicone and your done. Most have stated that some moisture gets in them if you dont seal the edges with silicone. That is what i did, and they are super bright.

 

[Net4n6]

theres a really highly reviewed 30" on amazon for like $60. if i was buying a bar for auxiliary lights i would do that first

Do you have link for the bar from amazon?

 

[T4RVB]

This is the bar I got from amazon. Has held up during many storms and still works perfect.

 

[wadle5]

AVEC Products

I would go with AVEC on TacomaWorld and PM him directly. It's what I did and besides a solid product his forum pricing is significantly lower than listed on their website. . . it is who I went with and they are great supplier. They make a bunch of different bars and sizes.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll check it out. I would love to keep it sub $200, but in reality I could probably spring for $300 if it is really worth it. In addition, I totally should have mentioned that I am looking for a 31.5" bar. That's the size I need to fit the brackets.

I bought the exact one that MojaveMadMan recommended and used to build the brackets, and I love it. It was very affordable, and works great.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N48REAE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

Price dropped about 50 bucks from when I bought it back in March too

Here's a pic of it

 

[cpark_12]

I bought the exact one that MojaveMadMan recommended and used to build the brackets, and I love it. It was very affordable, and works great.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N48REAE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

Price dropped about 50 bucks from when I bought it back in March too

Here's a pic of it

I have the same lightbar mounted on my bumper and I have zero complaints with it. Plenty bright enough and throws a good distance too. It was also more expensive when I bought it, so that's another plus for it!

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Do you have link for the bar from amazon?

Amazon.com: Xprite 30" Led Off Road Led Light Bar Flood/Spot Combo Beam- 3W Led-180W-11,250 Lumen: Automotive

 

[Krayziekid]

I bought the exact one that MojaveMadMan recommended and used to build the brackets, and I love it. It was very affordable, and works great.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N48REAE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

Price dropped about 50 bucks from when I bought it back in March too

Here's a pic of it

Well that looks like the winner then. Guaranteed to fit, overall good reviews, and well within the price range. Definitely going to take a good look at this.

I have a quick question or two though:
1. Does that bar come with the proper wiring harness/relays ready to go out of the box? I have a switch I am already planning on using, and pre-packaged wiring would be a huge plus in my mind.

2. Is there a way to easily change to an amber lens on that light bar? I am seriously toying with it as an amber light bar for fog/weather penetration. Any thoughts on that one?

Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[cpark_12]

That bar does come with a harness, relay, and switch.

 

[Krayziekid]

That bar does come with a harness, relay, and switch.

And it's all pre-wired?! Awesome! That should make things easy One last thing. Is it worth getting the C2 version of the bar over the C1?

Edit: With the pre-wired harness, can I use my own switch?

 

[Wingman707]

Check out FCKlightbars

I saw a guy in Truckee CA with a double row on the brow of his windshield. FCKlightbars. They look legit. I personally went with Rigid for all of the opposite reasons you have. It seems like people have had great success with less expensive light bars. Very evident they are out there.

 

[cpark_12]

And it's all pre-wired?! Awesome! That should make things easy One last thing. Is it worth getting the C2 version of the bar over the C1?

Edit: With the pre-wired harness, can I use my own switch?

It is pretty much plug and play. You can use your own switch. I think the C2 version has better cooling, but I don't think the optics are any better. I personally wouldn't pay more for the C2 version

 

[Krayziekid]

It is pretty much plug and play. You can use your own switch. I think the C2 version has better cooling, but I don't think the optics are any better. I personally wouldn't pay more for the C2 version

Ok thanks for the advice. Seems like I can get either bar for under $150, so I as well save some cash money and just go with the C1. Gonna definitely order later this week when my bracket comes in. Thanks for everything!

 

[antemeridian]

I think the Opt7 C2 series are CREE LEDs and the C1 series are, something else. Seems like the CREE model puts out more light, at least numerically.

Per specs it's 10,700 lumens for C1 and 14,200 lm for the C2. Not sure whether this would be a real-world visible difference.

I've also got MojaveMadMan stealth brackets on the way and I'm probably going to spring for the newer C2 model. It's a little more, but it's redesigned, possibly weather-sealed better, and maybe the little bit of extra light output will help make up for the bar being tucked behind the 4R air intake/bumper bits.

 

[Krayziekid]

I think the Opt7 C2 series are CREE LEDs and the C1 series are, something else. Seems like the CREE model puts out more light, at least numerically.

Per specs it's 10,700 lumens for C1 and 14,200 lm for the C2. Not sure whether this would be a real-world visible difference.

I've also got MojaveMadMan stealth brackets on the way and I'm probably going to spring for the newer C2 model. It's a little more, but it's redesigned, possibly weather-sealed better, and maybe the little bit of extra light output will help make up for the bar being tucked behind the 4R air intake/bumper bits.

All good points. Thanks for the input.