Baja Design 40" S8 & SDHQ Hood Bulge Mounting Bracket clearance question.

I'm installing a Baja Design 40" S8, using the SDHQ hood bulge bracket kit. I've cut the sheet metal supports & cut the require 5/8" on the outer of the hood bulge opening. I'm ready to drill the two 1/4" holes using the provided template, the directions really tell you how to line it up. After reading some posts about installing this, people are having the a hard time getting the hood bulge to snap tight to the hood some are stating that they have had there hood bulge crack. Some are saying to elongate the holes, really don't want to do that, would like to lay it out correctly the first time. Wanted to know if I need to put drill the holes back further than the instructions says? Anybody that has done this, can you please give some advice before I drill the holes. Really don't want to make swiss cheese out of my hood. I read somewhere to use the factory holes then mark for the second one, will this be enough for clearance? SDHQ directions for laying out is horrible. Did you guys drill out the three 3-1/4" per directions to install the bolts? Going to wait till somebody chimes in before I drill. Any suggestion for those of you that have installed this help would greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

I installed this and some issue ocurred including hood struts to light to handle the weight and the bulge pulling up on freeway but fixed with some tie down washers.

 

I know this post is over a month old, but I just did this mod a few days ago.
When I had the bar mounted and sitting as high as it could in the bar mounts, I had slight issues with the bulge not wanting to seat all the on the far edges where you actually use the factory snaps. So, I adjusted the bar to sit a little farther down, about halfway or so, and the bulge fit perfect.

Also, on one side, I actually drilled two holes for the mounting brackets before I got to the other side and realized I was probably supposed to use the hole that was already there, and one that I drilled. Still worked just fine even with one side not totally correct.

I did do the three 3-1/4 holes. That part was the hardest part of the whole project. Mostly because of the holesaw jerking, and of course sawing upwards is tiring and difficult. Use both hands and don't apply much pressure. Just let the holesaw do it's cutting slowly. Buy a brand new holesaw bit, it'll help. I used a Milwaukee one.

 

Had the same issue with my hood struts not being able to handle the weight ,albeit I installed a rigid light bar, as socal said too. My bulge also would pop out at highway speeds 60 mph+. I glued in the plastic things and had no issue going forward. Was tired of both issues and eventually removed the light bar and bought a brand new color matched bulge. I do have a dual 40 inch in my bumper so I didn’t need another one in the hood. I also didn’t think the 40 rigid gave off that much light neither compared. Should’ve went Baja designs to begin with. Maybe I’d have a different opinion.

If I had a brand new 2.5 gen I would’ve never done it to begin with. It’s a cool idea, just not for me when you can fit a 30 inch in the bumper and throw on some small ditch lights.

i had a RIGID Industries SR-SERIES PRO 40" SPOT MIDNIGHT 940214BLK fwiw. My curved 40 inch dual row in my bumper is a black oak led.

good luck!

 

I installed mine a couple of years ago. It definitely takes patience. I had alot of bulge on and off until I had the bar where I wanted it. I also have the screen on mine as I did not like the open area and gap between the bulge and the bar.

 

That's a bummer. I love the mod. It compliments my lower lights very, very nice.

 

Asked a lot and have had zero luck… seems doing a lightbar in the bumper is a no go with bumper shims. The brackets don’t work. Don’t want to remove the shims due to my tire plans. This is the only other thing I can think of trying zroadz light bracket. Seems id also have to modify it a bit to make it fit. I’d put some pods I want on it. Or just say F*** it and get the Ironman 4x4 bumper with the lightbar. Don’t really want to spend that at the moment.

 

Maybe have some brackets made?

 

That would be great. No clue who could do that for me in my area. I’ll have to start researching.