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Lock/Security for LED Light Bars

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Annolino122, Nov 10, 2014.

  1. Nov 10, 2014 at 12:35 PM
    #1
    Annolino122

    Annolino122 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys I was wondering what you are using to secure your light bar so someone can't just simple unbolt it, detach the plug, and walk away with your light bar.

    I've been looking up 1 way nuts but that doesn't seem too smart seeing you can't adjust or remove the light bar if you want to clean it or put it somewhere else.

    Any ideas how to secure it?
     
  2. Nov 10, 2014 at 1:49 PM
    #2
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Well, there's security nuts/bolts. You could weld on the bolts. You could weld a cap to go over the bolt, then just drill/grind off the tip of the cap when you need to get to it. There's a few options. I'm sure someone will chime in with links. But I'll also say that I was wondering about adjusting mine too and being able to take them off. But I found that mine don't need any adjusting at all. So eventually when I get time to make some better mounts, I'm gonna drill an extra hole and put a 2nd small bolt in the side of the mount to lock the bar in place and make it permanent. Then I'll probably weld a small metal cap over the bigger bolt.

    Or I might even use some carriage bolts actually. And just put the square notch in my mount for the bolt to lock in place. But my bar is different than most I think. A lot of bars just have a single bolt on the outside with no nut needed. Mine just has a hole on the end cap so I have to use a bolt and nut. And the nut is extremely difficult to get to on the inside.
     
  3. Nov 10, 2014 at 1:50 PM
    #3
    geekhouse23

    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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  4. Nov 10, 2014 at 3:49 PM
    #4
    Annolino122

    Annolino122 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    thanks for all the options, ill definitely look into that, may just weld a corner of the bolt to make it fool proof, but if i need to i have just shave off the weld

    my brackets and bar are a bolt made within the bar, that goes through the whole in the bracket and a nut holds it on. so on the left and right side of my bar there is a nut on a bolt that could easily be unscrewed then unmounted and taken
     
  5. Nov 10, 2014 at 7:38 PM
    #5
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Yeah that's basically how my roof bar is set up right now. The other bumper bar I have is with nuts and bolts like i said. But it has a shaft inside the bar that i was able to take out of the shorter bumper one. But I couldnt for the life of me get the long one out of the roof bar so I used a long ass threaded rod through it with nuts on the outside. So that one is pretty susceptible to being stolen, but I live in the boonies so I'm not worried about it. I may attempt to disassemble my 42" roof bar to get that shaft out so I can install proper bolts with nuts on the inside. But I'm afraid to. It's the only way I'm gonna get that shaft out though:(
     
  6. Nov 10, 2014 at 7:40 PM
    #6
    TuckGraham

    TuckGraham Keep it straight

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    Im just about to put my light bar on and was wondering the same..
     
  7. Nov 10, 2014 at 10:53 PM
    #7
    Annolino122

    Annolino122 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That post to the thread above would be a great idea if the key could fit in the space

    I'm still exploring ideas other than a weld
     
  8. Nov 10, 2014 at 10:54 PM
    #8
    Annolino122

    Annolino122 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking get a tab welded to the back of the light bar where no one can see and have a hole for a lock and chain, basically chain jt to my truck
     
  9. Nov 13, 2014 at 8:22 PM
    #9
    Annolino122

    Annolino122 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I finally came to a solution to securing my light bar, it's not 100% secure, but is fool proof and should be adequate.

    I bought a thin high quality bike lock, then undid the end plates on the light bar. Once undone, I threaded the lock through the end plate and between the grates on the back of the light bar. Did this on both sides.

    C90AA513-5DE6-4964-897D-43D13CCC7CA9_zps_773fdfebcc72d5bcf807fd5cc73a150b8e306ca3.jpg

    I haven't mounted it back up yet, but with the lock/chain being taught behind it, even if someone wanted to pull the light bar out they wouldn't get anywhere with the locks being be there. And the small space would make it hard to get bolt cutters inside and undo the chains. And by the time that happens, my viper alarm would be going off so they'd be gone

    Its fo proof and theoretically makes sense, so hopefully it works well!

    I'll get pictures up when I mount it
     
  10. Nov 14, 2014 at 5:57 AM
    #10
    TuckGraham

    TuckGraham Keep it straight

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    I like it i was thinking the same thing and maybe tab welding the bolt once i like where its all placed
     
  11. Nov 14, 2014 at 9:55 PM
    #11
    Annolino122

    Annolino122 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I thought about that too but come snow time the light bar will have to be aimed higher due to the reflection of the snow. But when the snow melts (we have mild winters) I'll wanna aim it back down and I feel like re welding every time would be a pain
     
  12. Nov 20, 2014 at 10:52 AM
    #12
    SRNae

    SRNae Something or other

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  13. Nov 21, 2014 at 6:27 AM
    #13
    Annolino122

    Annolino122 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I saw these and they're great! Only downside I have is that the bolt on the end of my light bar needs to be longer, and the spacewnd tool wouldn't allow me to properly lock the bolt down. I'm sure I could replace some bolts and figure it out, but I'll use this type of lock when it's exterior application like a roof or front bumper (when I get one)

    Thanks though!! They're great products
     

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