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Ultimate Lightbar/Pod Thread!

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Tundra2, Apr 27, 2021.

  1. May 3, 2021 at 3:59 AM
    #31
    Tundra2

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  2. May 3, 2021 at 6:08 AM
    #32
    Cfincke

    Cfincke Mall Crawler but capable

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    2014 Tundra 1794 CM 5.7 4x4 sunset bronze
    5.29s, Auburn LSD, 37x12.50R18, Icon coilovers and shocks, SPC UCA's, Tech 12 Volts sound system, Enve Grill
    I have been running Rigid flush mount work/scene lights in my rear bumper for 4 years now. The lenses are still clear with no yellowing. The lights were $220 or so, but figured I would go with a quality brand since I was cutting into the bumper.
    20170319_161339.jpg
    20170327_070701.jpg
    20170327_070716.jpg
     
  3. May 3, 2021 at 12:58 PM
    #33
    Tundra2

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    Those look great!
     
  4. May 3, 2021 at 1:02 PM
    #34
    Tundra2

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    First post list is updated as of now!
     
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  5. May 4, 2021 at 5:10 AM
    #35
    Tundra2

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    Circling back to this. Hoping to get some feedback on amber side shooters.

    All the ones I've found say strobe, and that's not necessarily what I'm looking for it. I know I plan on tying the amber into the turn signals, but I want to make sure all is kosher before placing an order for any.
     
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  6. May 4, 2021 at 7:29 AM
    #36
    NWPirate

    NWPirate Tesla kool-aid connoisseur

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    :headbang:
     
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  7. May 8, 2021 at 11:20 PM
    #37
    Tundra2

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    Super satisfied with these 6" VLEDs strip lights.
    20210509_010523.jpg
    20210509_010606.jpg
    20210509_005441.jpg
    Link.

    Each light came with custom cut 3M stickies, but I'm going to use the tapped holes in the back side of it, because why not?
    20210509_011138.jpg
    20210509_011232.jpg
    Also, they've gotta be tapped to an M3 or smaller. My M4×0.7 thread checker is too big.
    20210509_011735.jpg

    These will get mounted to two pieces of painted angle iron that will hang off my trailer hitch about a hair or two below my bumper. I'll tie these into the reverse lights, and a switch using two parking light diodes like this.
    20210509_015013.jpg

    Link.

    Using the diodes, I should be able to turn the rear lights on without the reverse lights, and the reverse lights should be able to turn on the light bars without incident.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2021
  8. May 8, 2021 at 11:38 PM
    #38
    Tundra2

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    Circling back to these.

    Much more spot light type than I was expecting, but still a decent value at $5 a light.
    20210509_013440.jpg
    20210509_013406.jpg

    The light shines out into a circle which I'm not that thrilled about.
    20210509_013807.jpg
    20210509_014047.jpg
     
  9. May 9, 2021 at 7:09 AM
    #39
    NWPirate

    NWPirate Tesla kool-aid connoisseur

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    Awesome idea with the diode switch.
    Looking forward to this, you're mounting a switch up front then?
     
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  10. May 9, 2021 at 4:01 PM
    #40
    Tundra2

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    Yes, let me wake up more, and then I can explain more effectively. Currently :yawn: :oops:
     
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  11. May 18, 2021 at 7:17 AM
    #41
    Tundra2

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    Okay, now that I've had time to breathe...

    I'll take those diodes, and tie one into the hot wire coming from the switch. That will stop the flow of electricity from the reverse lights to the switch when they come on with the reverse lights.

    I'll tie the other one into the hot wire from the reverse lights. This will allow me to turn the lights on at the switch without turning the reverse lights on.

    The diodes act like a check valve. They let the flow of electricity flow one way. Which is why I need two. One for between the reverse lights, and the VLEDs bar lights, and one for between the switch and VLEDs.

    VLEDS has these splitters which means I don't have to splice into the lights harness. I can cut these up. They also have longer wiring, and whatnot..

    https://www.vleds.com/accessories/2-wp-y-adapter-3-output.html

    https://www.vleds.com/parts-accessories/2-waterproof-hardwire-y-adapter-kit.html

    Hope that helps clear it up. I'm sure I explained that as clear as mud.
     
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  12. May 18, 2021 at 10:11 AM
    #42
    APalmTree

    APalmTree 4x4 SKEPTIC

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    1 or 2... I lost count
    I took a camping trip this weekend and got to finally use my lights for their intended offroad purpose and not just on county backroads. I will stand by what I said originally, at the low speeds that I was going on the trails that I was on I could see everything! My brother and I found a camping spot in a stand of trees a little way off the trail. The spot was roughly a square that was about 150ft x 150ft that I parked in the corner of and left the lights on to set up camp in the dark. These pictures were taken from the driver seat with the headlights off and the ditch lights and light bar on.
    IMG_2128.jpg IMG_2125.jpg IMG_2127.jpg
     
  13. May 18, 2021 at 10:59 AM
    #43
    NWPirate

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    That's cool, those splitters are reasonably priced :thumbsup:
     
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  14. May 23, 2021 at 12:36 PM
    #44
    Tundra2

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    Madre is following me in the Tundra. I had her hit the light bar for me. A single LED is burnt out on the bar. Not sure how long it's been out.

    Amazon says I purchased it on January 23rd, 2020. Still a good value for $40.
     
  15. Jun 7, 2021 at 5:22 PM
    #45
    Tundra2

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    So, I need some help mainly with ease of install. My 42" Bar I ordered is a little big for my corolla, and I can totally make a magnet mount for it, but would it be easier to get a shorter single row bar instead of this monster double row bar I have?

    20210605_102820.jpg 20210605_103251.jpg

    I'm not 100% what direction I want to go with this. Any thoughts welcome.

    I dry fitted this bar on the Sequoia, and my truck. I'll make an individual post for each.
     
  16. Jun 7, 2021 at 5:23 PM
    #46
    Tundra2

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  17. Jun 7, 2021 at 5:24 PM
    #47
    Tundra2

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    20210605_104126.jpg 20210605_104101.jpg
     
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  18. Jun 7, 2021 at 5:26 PM
    #48
    Tundra2

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    A roof light bar is happening for the corolla, but I'm not sure if I want to send this one back, or make a mount for it that requires Zero drilling (magnets) or if I want to add this bar to one of the other two vehicles.

    Any thoughts welcome.

    Edit: the purpose of the roof bar on the corolla is this. Grass on the side of the highway. My headlights sit way below the grass, and the KY road department only mows my roads twice a year. My head sits just above the grass, but I can add some lighting up there to see deer coming through the grass. My headlights are simply too low for seeing threats before they walk right out in front of me.
     
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  19. Jun 7, 2021 at 6:35 PM
    #49
    NWPirate

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    Lookin' BA on the Sequoia :thumbsup:
     
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  20. Jun 7, 2021 at 6:42 PM
    #50
    APalmTree

    APalmTree 4x4 SKEPTIC

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    I'm not really a fan of the roof light bars, but, that being said, it does look the best on the sequoia. It could be the camera angle but it also looks like you might be able to fit the 42" in the center of the brush guard on the sequoia just like yours. I think a single row lightbar, or at least pulling the lightbar as tight as you can to the roof, so that it is not the highest point on the car would look the best.
     
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  21. Jun 7, 2021 at 7:38 PM
    #51
    Tundra2

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    For the record, I'm not a fan of roof light bars either so I'm completely out of my element, and taste. The situation calls for light up high unfortunately, and the highest point here is the roof. I'm just trying to protect my investment as much as possible.

    I agree with you, and @NWPirate. It does look better on the Sequoia than on either of the other two. I think the bull bar centers are 30" apart. I've got a bar for it somewhere in all my lights.

    I also have a single bar laying around somewhere, but it's not curved. I'll just have to try em all I guess.
     
  22. Jun 7, 2021 at 7:52 PM
    #52
    NWPirate

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    Yeah, you gotta throw that light out there somehow.
    Dang ol' suicidal deer.
     
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  23. Jun 7, 2021 at 8:02 PM
    #53
    Tundra2

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    Yall have seen my videos. Lol
     
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  24. Jun 7, 2021 at 8:07 PM
    #54
    Tundra2

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  25. Jun 7, 2021 at 8:09 PM
    #55
    NWPirate

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    20210607_200859.jpg
     
  26. Jun 7, 2021 at 8:18 PM
    #56
    Tundra2

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  27. Jun 7, 2021 at 8:38 PM
    #57
    Tundra2

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    So I fabbed up a shitty temporary mount. Light Bar is about 2 inches above the roof.

    Here's an output shot. There isn't a switch tied in so I have it touched off to the battery.
    20210607_223513.jpg

    Low Beams reach the nearest edge of the playground. 45 feet away.

    Tree line is 300 feet away, and even my high beams can't touch that.
     
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  28. Jun 7, 2021 at 9:07 PM
    #58
    Tundra2

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    Low Beams
    20210607_230417.jpg
    High Beams
    20210607_230423.jpg
    Light bar
    20210607_230430.jpg

    I can see over the grass! My quick mounts I made need some revisions, but that will come to pass soon.
     
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  29. Jun 7, 2021 at 9:15 PM
    #59
    NWPirate

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    Yes! So much better :fistbump:
     
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  30. Jun 7, 2021 at 9:52 PM
    #60
    Tundra2

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    Happy to report that I only need to reinforce the magnet thing I made because the light jiggles up and down when going over bumps. Otherwise, no extra wind noise.

    I hit 90 on a closed track here in the secret hollers of the underground shine operation. Those super duty magnets I used are superb, and rubberized.
     
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