Opinions on LED light bar placement & sizes

[mrk5]

Through a barter deal I've ended up with a pair of 6" light bars (http://www.trailworthyfab.com/Trail-Worthy-Fab-6-LED-Light-Bar.html) and a single 12" light bar (http://www.trailworthyfab.com/Trail-Worthy-Fab-12-LED-Light-Bar.html).

I have thought some about putting all 3 on the front bumper with the 12" bar mounted in the center at the top of the grill on a grill guard/stinger type setup. And the 6" bars on each side either in the face of the bumper or just on top of it. The 6" bars would be angle out the sides a little. Does mounting all 3 in the front seem like too much?

I'm wondering if maybe I'd be better served with a pair of HID lights that function more as spot/longer distance lights to mount in the front with the 12" bar. Then I could mount the 6" bars in the back on a roll bar to point behind the truck serving more as work lights.

I haven't ever had auxiliary lights on my trucks with the exception of rock lights. Well I guess I did have a pair of KC Daylighters 20yrs ago when I was young and bought stuff like that just because they looked cool. I don't remember ever actually using them.

Anyway I'm curious to hear some opinions from people that have LED light bars and/or HID lights.

Oh and I should clarify that I don't plan on running high speed. Probably won't be going more than 30mph when I'm using the auxiliary lights. Unless someone cuts me off at night on the highway....

 

[badmix]

check out my thread here;

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311095

I would move them around to see what you like, I would think the hardest thing would be to figure out the wiring and all that. LEDs put out pretty good light. Esp. the 12" one. I like the idea of the 6" for rear cargo/backup lighting.

 

[chevysmithz71]

I agree with the 6" in back. Hid would be best for front needing distance beam. All those LEDs up front wouldnt look good up there anyways. Just my .2

 

[mrk5]

check out my thread here;

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311095

I would move them around to see what you like, I would think the hardest thing would be to figure out the wiring and all that. LEDs put out pretty good light. Esp. the 12" one. I like the idea of the 6" for rear cargo/backup lighting.

I've thought some about doing a roof mount of some type like you did, even a roof rack. I guess my reservation is the truck is so tall already I hate to add to the height. I'm afraid it would get beat to hell by the tree branches.

I agree with the 6" in back. Hid would be best for front needing distance beam. All those LEDs up front wouldnt look good up there anyways. Just my .2

Yeah, all 3 up front might look a little goofy. I would definitely like to have a light pointing behind the truck and also even light up the cargo area. Although it may be a little bright for that.

 

[n4xplay]

hook them to the batery at night and see the paterns and how well they throw, that will give you a better idea of what and where you can best use them

 

[munepit]

Can you mount them in your grill? It fit easy even with all the coolers in there.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I think you need to send them my way so I can build some custom mounts for you.

 

[mrk5]

hook them to the batery at night and see the paterns and how well they throw, that will give you a better idea of what and where you can best use them

I think that is a good idea.

Can you mount them in your grill? It fit easy even with all the coolers in there.

Maybe, but I actually really like the overall appearance of the grill & headlights so I'm not sure I could into it. I was wondering if the 6"ers could fit behind the grill and how badly that would diminish their effectiveness/light output.

I think you need to send them my way so I can build some custom mounts for you.

Yeah, but you already have enough work on your plate!

 

[miniwally]

Scott,

I'm not familiar with these bars but I can say that I like having the 10" stealth bar in the middle and the little Squadron lights lighting up the sides of the world.

I know that's all Baja Designs stuff but I think the theory still applies.

At BB we ran into Jasons Plaque with Geoff Graham after the BBQ and both Stephen and I noted that the light in the Buggy wasn't as good since the Squadrons were removed off the front. This was even with the 32" Onyx bar on the roof, Two HID Fuegos on the front and the 10" stealth bar.

I would mess around with them a bit but honestly I wouldn't worry one bit about installing all of them on the front and playing with the outward aiming. We found that to get the lights lighting up the sides of the world you really point them on about a 30 degree angle facing outward.

In out world HID lights are overrated now that LED is out there. IMO Good LED lights are superior to HID lights. Just look at what the top offroad racers are doing these days. Gone are the 15+ HID lights on a Trophy truck. Now you see 8-10 Various sized LED bars, and the trucks aren't driving slower. In fact there going faster than they used to because LED lights are giving them better light all over not just in beams.

That's my .02

 

[mrk5]

Interesting.

I do wonder a lot about what the true differences are between different LED bars. I know in the sign lighting world a lot has to do with the stuff surrounding the LED. The actual little LED itself is basically the same. I suppose the light bars are all about the reflectors and housings.

 

[miniwally]

Interesting.

I do wonder a lot about what the true differences are between different LED bars. I know in the sign lighting world a lot has to do with the stuff surrounding the LED. The actual little LED itself is basically the same. I suppose the light bars are all about the reflectors and housings.

My understanding is that your correct. There is a bit of difference with the actual quality of the LED, "binning" I believe they call it. Mostly it's in the design of the housing, reflector, electronics and heat sinks.

I know when we were aiming lights last year with Baja Designs before V2R they noted that were weren't getting full LED output because the bars were too hot and they automatically reduce light output to reduce their temp. They said when we were running the race they would be at full output due to the air flow over the light.

With our lights it's a simple 5 minute lens change to go from a spot to flood pattern as well. I don't know what your bars have for lenses but keep that in mind. LED bars put massive amounts of light out that when directed well is awesome.

 

[mrk5]

In regards to the binning, our LED suppliers, the top end guys, brag about only using a certain bin of LEDs. For us they usually boast a consistency of color in that regard.

 

[miniwally]

In regards to the binning, our LED suppliers, the top end guys, brag about only using a certain bin of LEDs. For us they usually boast a consistency of color in that regard.

That's the same thing I've been told. Funny thing is that I have yet to find someone who doesn't boast to use the "top" bin stuff.

Makes me wonder whose lying

 

[mrk5]

Oh I know someone does. We probably get 5 calls a week from some new LED supplier wanting our business.