Light Bars, do I really need an extra battery?

[marioandthezoo]

I am running stock electrical and want to get some light bars, a 40" on front, a couple of 20" for the sides and floods for the rear. Do I really need an extra battery to run them all? or I should be fine as long as I use them while the vehicle is on? :sorry::nerd:
I am not electrical savvy. Also, I am looking for some switches that would fit the OEM empty slots on the dash, any recommendations?

Thank you all, this place is awesome!

 

[850lifeguard]

I'm interested in these answers as well.. Can anyone help us out, please?

Thanks

 

[Ron4RNevada]

You don't really need light bars. I built some for one of my early off roaders (about 20 years ago), so I do have some experience with them.

1) If you are with a group driving at night you will be blinding each other.
2) If alone and off road you will find that you don' really need to see 500 yards down the trail.
3) You will find that your regular headlights on low beam light up those dry washes crossing the trail best at night.

There really isn't much use for spot lights, work lights or any other lighting things bolted to trucks.

Your best lights are portable that can be plugged into cigarette lighter/outlets and can be pointed to wherever needed: Changing a wheel, doing a recovery, airing down or up, getting at cargo, whatever.

 

[Socco]

Do I really need an extra battery to run them all? or I should be fine as long as I use them while the vehicle is on?

Also, I am looking for some switches that would fit the OEM empty slots on the dash, any recommendations?

No need for another battery. But I wouldn't leave them all on without the truck running for very long!

You didn't mention which year of T4R you have, but I got my switches from OTRATTW.com They fit with minor trimming and look great.

 

[marioandthezoo]

Thank you, I have a '14 TE, thanks alot for the switch info, I will see what I can find in that site.

 

[marioandthezoo]

Thank you for all the tips and info. I do most of my off roading by myself, most times there are other vehicles out there but not part of a group. I tend to venture out on unknown places and most times I run into the night without an idea or what direction to head, so I just tend to camp out till morning. I figure it would help being able to seeing my surroundings to make a more educated decision on bearings.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Thank you for all the tips and info. I do most of my off roading by myself, most times there are other vehicles out there but not part of a group. I tend to venture out on unknown places and most times I run into the night without an idea or what direction to head, so I just tend to camp out till morning. I figure it would help being able to seeing my surroundings to make a more educated decision on bearings.

Get yourself some good topos (USGS, DeLorme, Nat. Geo, etc) of the area you're traveling in and a hand held GPS. The Garmin GPS 72H is the handiest one I've owned over the years.

I also do most of my off roading alone. Before you leave let someone know beforehand where you are going and when you are expecting to be back -> CALL THEM WHEN YOU RETURN so they don't send out search parties.

 

[marioandthezoo]

Get yourself some good topos (USGS, DeLorme, Nat. Geo, etc) of the area you're traveling in and a hand held GPS. The Garmin GPS 72H is the handiest one I've owned over the years.

I also do most of my off roading alone. Before you leave let someone know beforehand where you are going and when you are expecting to be back -> CALL THEM WHEN YOU RETURN so they don't send out search parties.

Thanks alot Ron, sure does make sense to be safe, and I tend to let people know where Im going. Military training does come in handy at times lol ainkiller: