DIY: Offroad Roof Light Bar

[MrSmithsTB]

12ga is more than sufficient. You can get by with 18, I used 14 for the same setup.

[foosh]

I have12 ga set up for my 4 baja lights, I had 16 before and wasn't that happy with it.

[Trail X]

I'm not really happy with the baja lights, period.

It's definitely on the list of upgrades... all in due time.

[KE7WOX]

Hey James, where did you get the aluminum sheet? is it available at like Home Depot or Lowes?

[janesy86]

Hey James, where did you get the aluminum sheet? is it available at like Home Depot or Lowes?

Yea all the alluminum stuff can be found in the hardware aisle at either place... bunch of different sizes etc..

[janesy86]

I took some free time I had at today at work to get these lights working....

and JD you were right! My previous ground was not sufficient...so needless to say I got them workin' but one of the lights has a blown bulb so I got to replace that and I'll have four lights. Haha obviously something else has to go wrong.

But thanks JD. Man did I feel like a getting these to work.

[Philberto]

Out of curiosity JD, why aren't you satisfied with the lights? I was planning on getting about 6 of them and mounting them 2 on each side and 2 in the rear as floods. Front is going to get something brighter, and maybe even an LED Xmitter... not sure yet.

-edit: No, wait, forget that. Just looked at the price of a 42" bar, and there's no way I can push a $1600 light past even myself.

[Trail X]

I used to think they were decent, until I got my Hella 4000s and my Hella micro DEs. Those two lights are incredible...

The light output of the Blazers suck, and the beams are not really useful at all. They're a cross between a pencil and a flood... and doesn't hit the mark for either. I've found in my searching that it really is worth it to purchase a quality light if you want it for more than looks.

If you want flood lights for the sides and back of your truck, don't make the mistake of purchasing blazer baja lights. Get something like below:

Hella Ultrabeam FF worklamp:


Hella Double worklamp:


Hella spotting lamp:


As you can tell, I'm a big proponent of Hella. But seriously, if you plan to use it, get something good.

For a good revew of these lights, check out http://www.ExpeditionExchange.com/hella and scroll down.

[Trail X]

Finally had some time to mount and wire up the upgrades... Hella 550 driving lights:



Kept the same mounting bar, but redid the wiring... looks better + larger gauge:

[geneelder]

Let's see a night comparison shot between the 550s and the Blazers.

[Trail X]

Hm... I can get you a night shot of the Hellas soon, but it won't be an apples-to-apples comparison since my Bajas are now dismantled and sitting in my parts box.

But I'll at least try to get a few shots of the different beam options I have.

[Gordinho80]

NICE! Lights look good, JD. I can't wait to get mine now!!!

[Trail X]

Well, I took a couple quick beam shots last night, but I think I need to work on their aiming a bit... they are really bright, but they feel more like spot lights. I kinda wish I had gotten 2 fogs and 2 driving lights instead of 4 driving lights. Hmm.

[cbbryan]

Looks good James; about how much did you spend on the re-wiring and new lighting?

[Trail X]

Well, I took a couple quick beam shots last night, but I think I need to work on their aiming a bit... they are really bright, but they feel more like spot lights. I kinda wish I had gotten 2 fogs and 2 driving lights instead of 4 driving lights. Hmm.

Well, I replaced two of the driving lights with fog lights and was able to take some pictures at TECORE. These were all taken at the same camera shutter speed and F stop. No moon, no ambient light.

Stock (L) vs. Stock + Hella Micro DE fog lights (R):
(great low light, perfect for road driving when you don't want to blind oncoming traffic)


Stock (L) vs. Stock + Hella 4000 Rallye Cornering Beams (R):
(wider, longer, higher)


Stock (L) vs. Stock + Hella 550s on Roof (R):
(distance spots (needs to be raised even more I think) and low very wide (much more than the camera captured) lighting combined)


I should have taken a picture with everything on... oh well, I have video.

Looks good James; about how much did you spend on the re-wiring and new lighting?

Lets see... prob $150 on lighting and $0 on rewiring because I re-purposed some of the wiring looms I had laying around from other projects.

[lil_freak_66]

Did mine today,only two driving lights that were 20 bucks,on sale for 10 at autozone.

Mounted them with existing screws through the first screw that holds in the roof rack on each side.
grounded to the latch for the rear gate.

They suck on light output,arent yet aimed,and look ugly...but for 10 bucks i couldnt say no.





That interior pic is with the lights on,i do not remember if it was just the roof lights on,or a combination of the roof lights and/or low/high beams.

[Trail X]

Looks like Micky Mouse.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Looks like Micky Mouse.

It's Mickey Mouse.

[Anatnom4]

Hey JD. Can you post a link of the 4 hella lights you have? I want exactly what you have! )

[Trail X]

I purchased my 550s from Expedition Exchange.

They are on this page:
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/hella/