Discreet 40" LED Lightbar on Factory Roof Rack

[ceb]

LEDs useless for driving off-road? I really have to disagree.

I mountain bike at night with 5600 lumens worth of LEDs, and they are absolutely AMAZING for very rough, off-road, rocky trails.
Visibility is INCREDIBLE. -I would argue that I can actually see the contour of the trails **better than I can see in sunlight for even high-speed rides in the dirt/rocks.** Properly used, LED's can be fantastic for visibility. I do wonder about the rearward placement on his roof, since the roof will limit the light's ability to hit nearer ground...but I strongly contend that LEDs make fantastic off-road driving lights.

Perhaps I mis-spoke. Bikes are far different. I have LEDs on my Montague as well and it does a great job. Equally, for slow off-roading in the dead of night, then properly placed LED's will work nicely as you want to see stuff directly in front of your car - but - and this is what I meant - for on road use (regardless of oncoming traffic) LED bars are a poor choice. Unfortunately, there are too many people out there who feel that more light is always better.

 

[Markuson]

Perhaps I mis-spoke. Bikes are far different. I have LEDs on my Montague as well and it does a great job. Equally, for slow off-roading in the dead of night, then properly placed LED's will work nicely as you want to see stuff directly in front of your car - but - and this is what I meant - for on road use (regardless of oncoming traffic) LED bars are a poor choice. Unfortunately, there are too many people out there who feel that more light is always better.

These light bars are *illegal* to use on-road...so the assumption is they are intended for off-road use.

 

[Willy beamin]

Agreed. Offroad use 99% time.
1% of the time is on dark back roads to help see deer.
To each their own on this subject.
Those who have invested in light bars are not going to be persuade.
Perception is reality, so anything more than a headlight is **** McGee when the darkness is an issue (whatever the application is).

 

[Markuson]

Agreed. Offroad use 99% time.
1% of the time is on dark back roads to help see deer.
To each their own on this subject.
Those who have invested in light bars are not going to be persuade.
Perception is reality, so anything more than a headlight is **** McGee when the darkness is an issue (whatever the application is).

Off road, LEDs are amazing. I look forward to outfitting my LC eventually. They're behind about 4 other major upgrades...but eventually.

 

[ceb]

These light bars are *illegal* to use on-road...so the assumption is they are intended for off-road use.

The law does not have an exemption for "off road use only". If a part can fit on an otherwise street legal car, then that part must meet all of the regulation - in this case Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Specification 108 (lighting). Technically this means that the parts need to be removed (or the lights covered) when driven on-road.

While we here may be smart enough to not use them on-road but you would be surprised as to what some people will do; so yeah, we're on the same page here - well designed LEDs are good for off-road use.

 

[WildYoats]

Looks like some interesting LED discussion over the last few days!

So, I suppose I should have disclosed, that my rig isn't running any baja races or alike (at least anytime soon, ha ha). I wanted a little extra light in a discreet manner to hit some dark trails, camping spots, etc. Not necessarily looking to light up the world with these. I might have opted for the premium ($$$) Rigid/Baja designs bars if that was the case. I do plan on an additional set of HID's on the front bumper bar (tba) that should fill that long-throw void.

In regards to LED technology, I think it is safe to say that LED's have come a LONG way over the last 4 or 5 years. If you've attended SEMA you certainly can see the number of companies present pushing their products. I know that a majority of them may not stand the test of time, but there are some decent products out there.

My friends that race the Baja 1000 (Canguro) have their 200 set-up with the latest and greatest ARB LED lights. Haven't heard any complaints from them. As a collateral duty at work, I am the fleet manager to a fleet of about 40 police vehicles. Any guess what all the lighting is on police cars these days?

But anyway, I digress....back to the show.......

Not sure if I am up in the night in my thinking of the placement of this lightbar, but I theorized if maybe the light bar was low, and further back, the roof would act somewhat as a sunvisor to assist with the reflection on the hood. Again, didn't spend a lot of time on this because it's not a race-car, but it was a thought my tiny head (example)

I spend this morning installing my BlueSea fuse block and the circuit breaker (made a little bracket out of aluminum), as well as running the needed wiring back to the constant 12V outlet I mounted in the back for my ARB refrigerator, and another line for these lights.

And we have light! (i'll get some night shots hopefully tonight or tomorrow and report back!)

 

[Desert Nomad]

Looks like some interesting LED discussion over the last few days!

So, I suppose I should have disclosed, that my rig isn't running any baja races or alike (at least anytime soon, ha ha). I wanted a little extra light in a discreet manner to hit some dark trails, camping spots, etc. Not necessarily looking to light up the world with these. I might have opted for the premium ($$$) Rigid/Baja designs bars if that was the case. I do plan on an additional set of HID's on the front bumper bar (tba) that should fill that long-throw void.

In regards to LED technology, I think it is safe to say that LED's have come a LONG way over the last 4 or 5 years. If you've attended SEMA you certainly can see the number of companies present pushing their products. I know that a majority of them may not stand the test of time, but there are some decent products out there.

My friends that race the Baja 1000 (Canguro) have their 200 set-up with the latest and greatest ARB LED lights. Haven't heard any complaints from them. As a collateral duty at work, I am the fleet manager to a fleet of about 40 police vehicles. Any guess what all the lighting is on police cars these days?

But anyway, I digress....back to the show.......

Not sure if I am up in the night in my thinking of the placement of this lightbar, but I theorized if maybe the light bar was low, and further back, the roof would act somewhat as a sunvisor to assist with the reflection on the hood. Again, didn't spend a lot of time on this because it's not a race-car, but it was in my head anyway (example)

View attachment 1281238

Anyway.....

I spend this morning installing my BlueSea fuse block and the circuit breaker (made a little bracket out of aluminum), as well as running the needed wiring back to the constant 12V outlet I mounted in the back for my ARB refrigerator, and another line for these lights.

View attachment 1281244

View attachment 1281245


And we have light! (i'll get some night shots hopefully tonight or tomorrow and report back!)


View attachment 1281246

I had four spotlights mounted in the same location but they sat higher, zero glare on the bonnet.

Also with led the biggest problem with light output is due to the design of the reflector and minimise wasted light, I read up a couple of articles on how different bulbs (halogen, xenon, led) need different ways of controlling the light output if I find it I'll link it up here.

My current setup is with 3 light bars on the roof and halogen spots on the bumper. The spotlights give medium forward illumination while the light bars light up close range and off to the sides.

Your light bar looks like it'll give you good forward illumination for the trails and whatever light your roof blocks out will be filled in by the headlights

 

[WildYoats]

Night shots!

Super happy with the results. The Black Oak Single-row light bar is VERY impressive. I didn't expect this much of light! And, it appears that my theory above was correct as well as there is NO glare off the hood or anywhere else (moonroof shade closed). I'll let the pics speak for themselves, DSLR camera kept on the same settings in all the shots.

Headlights only (low beam):

Headlights (low beam) and Black Oak Led Lightbar:

 

[WildYoats]

More.....

Cabin area with roof light bar on (no glare, no noise) (moonroof shade is closed:

Hood area (roof LED lightbar ON):

Street shot. Headlights (low beam):

Street shot, headlights (low beam) AND Black Oak LED lightbar:

Interesting to see in both "after shots" with the light bar on, you can literally see the point in the road/parking lot where the LED lightbar light pattern starts (on the ground, about 15 feet from the front of my vehicle).

 

[dukmon]

That's pretty damn suhweeeeeeet........

I like it. The entire set up.

 

[r3run33]

very nice!! excellent light output and very low profile etc hey would you be able to make the brakets for people to buy??

 

[ceb]

More.....

Cabin area with roof light bar on (no glare, no noise) (moonroof shade is closed:

View attachment 1281546

Hood area (roof LED lightbar ON):

View attachment 1281547



Street shot. Headlights (low beam):

View attachment 1281548



Street shot, headlights (low beam) AND Black Oak LED lightbar:

View attachment 1281549


Interesting to see in both "after shots" with the light bar on, you can literally see the point in the road/parking lot where the LED lightbar light pattern starts (on the ground, about 15 feet from the front of my vehicle).

Thanks. It is good to know that you're not getting reflections off the hood or into your cabin. The first diagram is a bit misleading because is shows a narrower beam for the light farther back. In reality, the beams would be the same but the roof will scatter them - as evidenced by the photos you added.

While you've gotten a lot more light, much of that light is only really useable off-road at very low speeds. Look at the photo where your eyes are drawn - the tree, the street sign, the camper and the area right in front of the intersection. A few seconds of that and your night vision is shot - please use these lights off road only and at low speeds. More is not always better.

It is, however, a very nice install.

 

[ceb]

...Also with led the biggest problem with light output is due to the design of the reflector and minimise wasted light, I read up a couple of articles on how different bulbs (halogen, xenon, led) need different ways of controlling the light output if I find it I'll link it up here.

You mean this?

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

 

[WildYoats]

very nice!! excellent light output and very low profile etc hey would you be able to make the brakets for people to buy??

Thank you! I am planning on having a laser shop cut some out for me in stainless, I will inquire as to additional sets (since its usually less money to have a few done).

 

[Billfish]

One of the primary features of those wing profiled racks is the minimization of noise generated by drag. Does the light bar change that characteristic noticeably? Slick install. I assume you considered routing the power circuit down the A pillar under the wind screen clip-off trim and directly into the engine bay rather than to the back hatch? Any problems with that?

 

[WildYoats]

One of the primary features of those wing profiled racks is the minimization of noise generated by drag. Does the light bar change that characteristic noticeably? Slick install. I assume you considered routing the power circuit down the A pillar under the wind screen clip-off trim and directly into the engine bay rather than to the back hatch? Any problems with that?

Thanks. I Haven't noticed any significant drag noise myself and no reports of such from my better half.

Regarding the routing, honestly i pondered that initially but i didnt see a easy way to remove that windshield channel and the filler plate that is on the roof, in the channel, between the windshield and the first stanchion of the rack. If it's easy it would be a great option indeed!

 

[Angelo1]

It looks pretty cool on the roof but I think I'll have a light bar attached on top of my bull bar and have the winch control box installed in the engine bay. The best purpose for these lights is when someone won't move over

 

[mark71]

Your design and craftsmanship is excellent, WildYoats.

Your wiring under the hood is very Cruiser-worthy.

 

[WildYoats]

It's look pretty cool on the roof but I think I'll have a light bar attached on top of my bull bar and have the winch control box installed in the engine bay. The best purpose for these lights is when someone won't move over

For sure! Made my wife promise me she wouldn't blast anyone off the road with them!

Your design and craftsmanship is excellent, WildYoats.
Your wiring under the hood is very Cruiser-worthy.

Thanks kindly!

 

[rhllc]

Thanks. It is good to know that you're not getting reflections off the hood or into your cabin. The first diagram is a bit misleading because is shows a narrower beam for the light farther back. In reality, the beams would be the same but the roof will scatter them - as evidenced by the photos you added.

While you've gotten a lot more light, much of that light is only really useable off-road at very low speeds. Look at the photo where your eyes are drawn - the tree, the street sign, the camper and the area right in front of the intersection. A few seconds of that and your night vision is shot - please use these lights off road only and at low speeds. More is not always better.

It is, however, a very nice install.

I'm having trouble grasping your arguments, is it that high powered aftermarket LED lights, regularly used in night time offload racing, are inherently flawed because they are aftermarket and not OEM?

One's night vision is shot with anything brighter than a filtered parking light turned on. Are you suggesting we drive without headlights?

Arguably production OEM headlights of any technology are much inferior. They are designed to (limited by) antiquated laws from the incandescent era. They just meet a minimal standard needed for driving at the posted speed limit on well maintained roads. They can't exceed that standard as the writers of the law envisioned no mechanism other than a fixed light output and hard cutoffs to deal with issues like blinding oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

Brighter and wider lights give you more choices. See the deer, avoid the deer, make the turn and set up for the next. Mentally, drive further ahead of your vehicle as you go faster. If your brain can't decide what you should be focusing on before you run in to it, the right answer is to slow down, not turn the lights down until you can't see it.