Rola Roof rack lighting options

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

oops,, i meant to quoted ASR

My rola rack with extension mounted to the OEM crossbars using supplied hardware held loads fine, but the light bar on the front had a good bit of movement when driving. The rack was solid, it was the OEM crossbars that caused most if not all the vibration. If you've got the ATO lowering brackets, I don't think there would be any issues.

I'm not trying to say don't mount lights to the Rola, but rather just make sure you have enough info and a plan to make it work. I bought the rola mainly for mounting lights. Due to several issues (mounting the light bar, wind noise, vibration, etc) I decided to ditch the idea and go with the bumper mount.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

sure do here you go!

Thanks thats great that helps a lot!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

[MENTION=79132]Nyc-Runner[/MENTION] here are some pics comparing a 30" double row (left) to a 30" single row (right). The double row is behind the grille of my 4runner, which does block some light. Also, the double row is a combo spot/flood and the single is a flood. All things to take into consideration.

These pics are 5 feet from the door:






I tried to get roughly the same angle, but at 20 feet from the door.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

[MENTION=79132]Nyc-Runner[/MENTION] here are some pics comparing a 30" double row (left) to a 30" single row (right). The double row is behind the grille of my 4runner, which does block some light. Also, the double row is a combo spot/flood and the single is a flood. All things to take into consideration.

These pics are 5 feet from the door:






I tried to get roughly the same angle, but at 20 feet from the door.

Ok great thanks ! That helps to see differences, I think im gonna keep it simple and do 40'' single row spot/flood combo in the front, 20'' or 30'' single row in the rear not sure if i should do spot/flood combo or just flood for the rear? Also i think i'm going to do two 7'' double row spot/floods down in the lower grill one on each side of the licensee plate

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Ok great thanks ! That helps to see differences, I think im gonna keep it simple and do 40'' single row spot/flood combo in the front, 20'' or 30'' single row in the rear not sure if i should do spot/flood combo or just flood for the rear? Also i think i'm going to do two 7'' double row spot/floods down in the lower grill one on each side of the licensee plate

I prefer the spot personally. Better throw down range, and enough stray light to light up around you as well. I would do flood on the read though, don't see a need for a spot there.

I tried two 6" bars on the back of my rola, but the spoiler blocks a ton of light. They hit 15-20 feet behind the 4runner. I ended up mounting them underneath the 4runner, works much better as reverse lights. Not sure which you're after, but just my experience.

 

[ddnww]

My rola rack with extension mounted to the OEM crossbars using supplied hardware held loads fine, but the light bar on the front had a good bit of movement when driving. The rack was solid, it was the OEM crossbars that caused most if not all the vibration. If you've got the ATO lowering brackets, I don't think there would be any issues.

I'm not trying to say don't mount lights to the Rola, but rather just make sure you have enough info and a plan to make it work. I bought the rola mainly for mounting lights. Due to several issues (mounting the light bar, wind noise, vibration, etc) I decided to ditch the idea and go with the bumper mount.

hmm, i guess im lucky.. i originally tried the stealth install but got crazy vibrations and couldnt find a solid install for cheap. So i decided if Im going to spend money, might as well get a roof rack out of it. i welded brackets to the rola rack so as to be very solid. i also tightened up the crossbars very good. i get no vibration, just a minimal buzz from the interior plastics on the dome lights etc at speeds over 70, the wind noise aint bad imo.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

I prefer the spot personally. Better throw down range, and enough stray light to light up around you as well. I would do flood on the read though, don't see a need for a spot there.

I tried two 6" bars on the back of my rola, but the spoiler blocks a ton of light. They hit 15-20 feet behind the 4runner. I ended up mounting them underneath the 4runner, works much better as reverse lights. Not sure which you're after, but just my experience.

Ok i'll definitely consider that for the front i just thought the combo would be the best of both but again i have no experience with any of these set ups,and yeah i just planned on doing a flood in the rear.

I am going to put two 6" singles underneath the rear bumper specifically for the reverse lights because i can't see sh** with mine right now! As far as the one for the rear of the roof rack i just figured if i ever needed extra light in the rear might as well have it, but yeah i was wondering if spoiler was going to be a issue especially now since i just mounted my rack a little lower.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

hmm, i guess im lucky.. i originally tried the stealth install but got crazy vibrations and couldnt find a solid install for cheap. So i decided if Im going to spend money, might as well get a roof rack out of it. i welded brackets to the rola rack so as to be very solid. i also tightened up the crossbars very good. i get no vibration, just a minimal buzz from the interior plastics on the dome lights etc at speeds over 70, the wind noise aint bad imo.

I originally ordered the brackets from armor tech off road when I first ordered my rack but of course I got my rack first so I threw it on and I liked it sitting up mounted on the cross bars.

I just got the brackets last week and put them on the other day and I really like the way the rack sits now nice and flush and it's as solid as solid will get! I also noticed less wind noise on the highway. I guess it's just personal preference , either way I think it's a awesome rack for the price!!

Couple pics with the brackets

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

[MENTION=79132]Nyc-Runner[/MENTION] I just got an email on these new light bars made by Hanna. They are a curved double row, that might be the perfect fit for the Rola. Currently they only have 41.5" and 50" versions, but I'd expect smaller ones are coming.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

[MENTION=79132]Nyc-Runner[/MENTION] I just got an email on these new light bars made by Hanna. They are a curved double row, that might be the perfect fit for the Rola. Currently they only have 41.5" and 50" versions, but I'd expect smaller ones are coming.

Oh wow those are really cool! I'll have to look into them, i wonder if there going to make single rows as well that would be awesome! It's going to take me a little more time to get the whole project going after the holidays and nye. but soon :nod: Thanks for posting these

 

[oljedi11950]

Great looking nyc !! Nice tight fit isn't it with the urban rack ? I shoulda painted my brackets 1st like you , got pretty rusted up .

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Oh wow those are really cool! I'll have to look into them, i wonder if there going to make single rows as well that would be awesome! It's going to take me a little more time to get the whole project going after the holidays and nye. but soon :nod: Thanks for posting these

Not sure, just got those two in an e-mail from their sales rep I usually deal with. I can check with them on other sizes and the possibility of a single row if you'd like.

 

[zopperman]

Not sure, just got those two in an e-mail from their sales rep I usually deal with. I can check with them on other sizes and the possibility of a single row if you'd like.

Is it Sam Yao?

Those curved bars are really cool.... must resist...

OP, why do you want a single row so much?

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Great looking nyc !! Nice tight fit isn't it with the urban rack ? I shoulda painted my brackets 1st like you , got pretty rusted up .

Thanks ! Yeah i love it it's a great set up for the $$$ yeah that was the first thing i thought when i saw the bare steel especially at this time of year in the east coast with winter and all the salt on the roads.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Not sure, just got those two in an e-mail from their sales rep I usually deal with. I can check with them on other sizes and the possibility of a single row if you'd like.

Yeah that would be awesome if you could thanks appreciate it! I checked on there site and theres not too much info on them yet but i'm sure there gonna be good $$$

Is it Sam Yao?

Those curved bars are really cool.... must resist...

OP, why do you want a single row so much?

Idk i just thought a double would be sitting up too high on the top of the rola rack i want to keep it as low pro as possible, Ark was saying he had his up there and was getting a significant amount of wind noise etc,, idk maybe i'm over thinking it i just want it to be clean and flush as i use it as a DD and drive on the highway a'lot ...

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yeah that would be awesome if you could thanks appreciate it! I checked on there site and theres not too much info on them yet but i'm sure there gonna be good $$$



Idk i just thought a double would be sitting up too high on the top of the rola rack i want to keep it as low pro as possible, Ark was saying he had his up there and was getting a significant amount of wind noise etc,, idk maybe i'm over thinking it i just want it to be clean and flush as i use it as a DD and drive on the highway a'lot ...

I'll check on it and let you know what I find. Unfortunately their website hasn't been updated in quite while.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yeah that would be awesome if you could thanks appreciate it! I checked on there site and theres not too much info on them yet but i'm sure there gonna be good $$$

They will be releasing additional sizes in February/March according to their rep, but no specific details on exactly what these will be (single or double row), other than saying there will be some smaller ones coming. Price wise, they are ~$50 more than the normal BC series double row.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

They will be releasing additional sizes in February/March according to their rep, but no specific details on exactly what these will be (single or double row), other than saying there will be some smaller ones coming. Price wise, they are ~$50 more than the normal BC series double row.

Thanks ARK i really appreciate it! I wish they where coming out sooner..

On another note i just purchased a 40" single row spot/flood combo from exploration outfitters! Now i just have to figure out what other lights i want for the sides and read and order them. I think i might get a bunch of those 6" leds flood lights that you used for underneath and use them for the sides/rear and also underneath for back up purposes as well? They seem to throw out a good amount of light and think thats all i would need for the sides and rear, probably 2 on each side and 2 on the rear rack and 2 underneath.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks ARK i really appreciate it! I wish they where coming out sooner..

On another note i just purchased a 40" single row spot/flood combo from exploration outfitters! Now i just have to figure out what other lights i want for the sides and read and order them. I think i might get a bunch of those 6" leds flood lights that you used for underneath and use them for the sides/rear and also underneath for back up purposes as well? They seem to throw out a good amount of light and think thats all i would need for the sides and rear, probably 2 on each side and 2 on the rear rack and 2 underneath.

Sounds like a great plan! I love those 6" bars, best bang for the buck I've found. I'm running them on my 4runner and truck, two floods would be plenty for perimeter lighting.

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Just got my 40" single row spot flood combo from Exploration outfitters really happy with it ! Man it got here quick just ordered it earlier in the week.

Now just have to get the rest of the 6" lights and bring my rack to my buddy's shop so he can weld up mounts for all the lights.