LED light bars - used how often and when?
- Thread starter delloro
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
jimster716
New member
Infrequently. Used only for night offroading excursions maybe two or three times a year. But on those excursions, the lightbar adds safety with the added visibility in areas that have zero ambient light.
mbumpus11
Member
I'm in Texas, so maybe some additional opportunities for me exist that you don't have.
However, my LED bar gets used at the ranch, any backroad that isn't lit, long straight stretches of divided highway (when no cars are coming..yes, I know highway driving with an offroad light is technically illegal), my alley at night...
Also for construction sites as I am in commercial real estate.
However, my LED bar gets used at the ranch, any backroad that isn't lit, long straight stretches of divided highway (when no cars are coming..yes, I know highway driving with an offroad light is technically illegal), my alley at night...
Also for construction sites as I am in commercial real estate.
sn0wrunner
New member
The coolest people make sure they turn them on in daylight.
ECUDrummer
New member
I've got 3 different lights - 20" in the grille, cubes on the a pillars, and 2-7" single rows on the back of my rack.
cubes get used primarily on backroads, gives me the ability to see into the ditch (and spot deer before I normally could). I don't run them if there's alot of traffic, though.
20" is on only when the roads are empty or if it's pouring rain (or in the rare event, snow). Way too bright and directly in the line of sight for oncoming traffic. It does serve as my "hey *******, check your brights" light.
the lights on the back are only used when I'm backing up at night or when someone is tailgating me. I've got them wired up to a switch and plan on adding some flush-mount cubes to the bumper that'll be hardwired into the reverse lights. I think of my current lights as an auxiliary more than anything.
cubes get used primarily on backroads, gives me the ability to see into the ditch (and spot deer before I normally could). I don't run them if there's alot of traffic, though.
20" is on only when the roads are empty or if it's pouring rain (or in the rare event, snow). Way too bright and directly in the line of sight for oncoming traffic. It does serve as my "hey *******, check your brights" light.
the lights on the back are only used when I'm backing up at night or when someone is tailgating me. I've got them wired up to a switch and plan on adding some flush-mount cubes to the bumper that'll be hardwired into the reverse lights. I think of my current lights as an auxiliary more than anything.
I've been seeing a few of those cool people around my area lately. Drives me nuts.
Watchdogg
New member
Yeah. I see a couple of cool people in NY myself.
MeefZah
New member
Safety first!
t-rex grrr
Member
I have a 40" Rigid E Combo on my roof rack, and a 20" E2 driving on my bumper.
The 20" on my bumper is amazing and I only use it off roading at night, or if it's really dark on a road that has no oncoming traffic.
The 40" is a pain in the ass. There's so much glare that I actually find it useless at night, especially if my windshield has dust on it. I recently put amber covers on it which helped to reduce the glare, but it also takes away the brightness.
If you have a bumper, a bar on that will be plenty.
The 20" on my bumper is amazing and I only use it off roading at night, or if it's really dark on a road that has no oncoming traffic.
The 40" is a pain in the ass. There's so much glare that I actually find it useless at night, especially if my windshield has dust on it. I recently put amber covers on it which helped to reduce the glare, but it also takes away the brightness.
If you have a bumper, a bar on that will be plenty.
AdmiralAugbar
New member
I use mine on night trails, when camping, and on deserted roads.
The Waco Kid
New member
That's a Houston thing as well... but with a lifted F-250 from the early 2000's
Engineer
New member
I don't have issues with glare but I would not recommend a rigid for normal use....I got a great deal with a group buy and still paid easily 2-3x what a decent quality "knock off"* costs. I still smile when I turn it on but also hold back tears , trying to get my on/off costs to <$50 an actual use will be a struggle.....aka light bars are "cool" but no one really needs them if you are off road dessert running I would rather have dedicated ditch lights pointed more towards...well the ditch and then deep spot lights
*I say knock off like Rigid invented these things, maybe they did but its a light bar not an air bag
Of all the things I have bought "name brand"/"high end"
ARB Fridge - worth every penny, wish I had bought it before the 4runner
Radflo Shocks/Camburg UCA - on the fence, like the products and have good results but the reality is 5100's would have been fine/perfect
RIGID lights - ha, love them and like having them but have never been in a spot where had the light not worked it would have really mattered would go a cheaper route
Tires - along with the fridge love em (BFG KM2)
Gobi Rack - nothing against it, more the concept of a roof rack in general and for my use I think a rear bumper would prove more utilitarian. Wanted an outside location for storing Traction mats and fuel cans
*I say knock off like Rigid invented these things, maybe they did but its a light bar not an air bag
Of all the things I have bought "name brand"/"high end"
ARB Fridge - worth every penny, wish I had bought it before the 4runner
Radflo Shocks/Camburg UCA - on the fence, like the products and have good results but the reality is 5100's would have been fine/perfect
RIGID lights - ha, love them and like having them but have never been in a spot where had the light not worked it would have really mattered would go a cheaper route
Tires - along with the fridge love em (BFG KM2)
Gobi Rack - nothing against it, more the concept of a roof rack in general and for my use I think a rear bumper would prove more utilitarian. Wanted an outside location for storing Traction mats and fuel cans
1engineer
Moderator
Once upon a time, when I was a mere lad, I learned a valuable lesson regarding aftermarket lighting.
I had skimped and saved up money for the better part of four months, enough to equal two whole week's pay, so I could buy my dream lights. "These lights would help me immeasurably off road!" I said. "These lights are a must for seeing deer further away!" I said. "These lights will make driving the dark back roads safer!" I said. Basically, I justified and convinced myself I just couldn't live without six, count 'em, SIX, top of the line KC HiLighters. Remember, this was early '80's lol. Four on the roll bar and two on the push bar! All those smiley faces! A whole family!
I remember tears came to my eyes when, after toiling away for hours installing the lights and switches, darkness came and I could try out my new lights! BOOM! I swear I heard angels sing when I flipped the switches! Night turned into day in front of my truck! I hurriedly scurried around, making minute adjustments to get the beams aimed correctly. I then climbed up into the bed, leaned over the roll bar and basked in the goodness of light badass-ery.
I stayed like that for about five minutes. I then turned off the lights and, after giving them time to cool down, I put those precious smiley face covers on my new lights.
...and I think I turned them on twice (one week's pay each time) over the next three years.
I have not bought aftermarket lights since. Lesson learned.
...and I probably am off road more than the majority of you. Factory lights are fine.
My first JK came with a pair of Hella halogens mounted at the base of the windscreen. They glared so much off the hood i didn't want to use them.
2nd JK came with an awesome pair of Warn HIDs mounted on the bumper. Super bright, but they required the few seconds to "warm up". I used them occasionally, but with being on a separate switch than the highbeams meant i had two sets of lights to turn off when cars approached. Kinda a PITA.
The OEM 4runner lights are actually pretty damn good with some better bulbs in them. Even though i live out in the sticks where i'd be able to use them pretty regularly, i haven't found much of a need yet.
2nd JK came with an awesome pair of Warn HIDs mounted on the bumper. Super bright, but they required the few seconds to "warm up". I used them occasionally, but with being on a separate switch than the highbeams meant i had two sets of lights to turn off when cars approached. Kinda a PITA.
The OEM 4runner lights are actually pretty damn good with some better bulbs in them. Even though i live out in the sticks where i'd be able to use them pretty regularly, i haven't found much of a need yet.
Bumbo
New member
I dont like to drive around at night either, and that's why I have light bars...
Its happened more than once, but sometimes I've gotten to camp or been delayed at a new place and had a night time arrival.
Both times I had to navigate a new place myself... lighting helps for those times you need it.
For $100... I rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
