Allpro Light Hoop Modification

Well, as much as I like my Allpro front bumper, perhaps the only complaint I have about it is the front light hoop. I did not like how it far forward it is angled, more like a stinger than a hoop. And I also do not like how the light mounts hang lights very high and very far forward:



….so, I decided fix it.

First thing was to cut the original base plates off. I could have made new ones, but it was easy enough to just cut them, then use a mill to machine the left over “welds” off. One I got the plates cut off, I re-cut the angle at the bottom of the tube so it would mount in a more vertical position, as apposed to sticking out forward.

I had already bought a set of Lightforce 170, and the original hangers hung them too high up and off the bumper, whereas if I mounted them directly to the bumper, they sat too low:



so I decided to add my own light bar to mount them where I wanted.

I took a piece of 1.25” (Chromoly was the only scrap I had around, so now my light bar is the strongest pipe on my truck) and bent it out so that the lights would clear my front grille. Then figured out a good height by mocking the lights up.

After that I threw on some Light tabs for the lights:





Gave her a quick shot of rustoleum:


And voila, here is the new light hoop that no longer sticks out to far:



And the lights sit centered, right where I want them:





(Write-up on the lights to come shortly..I have to finish the wiring diagram)

And this is nothing against all pro..I love my bumper, the hoop just wasnt my style.

 

Nice work!

 

Looks good!

 

I like it! Kind of wish I did something similar. Maybe I can do some mods to the second All Pro bumper sitting in my garage before my brother picks it up and just keep that one.

 

looks sweet! Are those tig welds?

 

Great work! Impressive welds

 

Looks good man.

 

Nice job man!

I also noticed how far forward the light hoop was angled after seeing a few pics of this truck.

 

looks good, except by moving the hoop backwards you take away protection for your lights if you mount them from the bottom, unlike Cliff's truck

 

True, but a 1.5" tube that is cantilevered (only constrained on the lower portion) is not much protection. If I hit anything, that will bend right away, as its a large lever from it's mounting point. Besides, I think my lightforces can handle anything I throw (or shoot) at them :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_R2JLs0I5E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrRv-WcFeNA

 

It looks really good, nice job on the welds. But why have a light hoop if you're not using the hoop part of it? Why not just build your own, seems like you have the ability.

 

Good question. I will eventually be adding hoops out the sides as well (like ARB) for the headlights. I have always planned on doing that and when I bought it, I thought the stock hoop would be the easiest starting place, as I want to retain the modular (bolt on) design rather than welding it. This kept me from having to make base plates, etc....just seemed the easiest route when I bought it back then. Guess the lesser of two evils..haha

Besides, the original bend radius flows well with the 170 size lights

 

Robert how much is Chromo going these days per foot? Lets say 1.75" with a .120 wall.

Awesome work by the way

 

You better not! How could you do that to someone that is in Iraq fighting the war!

 

This was a peice of scrap essentially, but I beleive 4130 going for about $8 or $8.50 a foot...but .120 in chomo is a LOT of metal..haha I used 1.25" with .065 wall I beleive

 

I ask because it would be for a roll cage. haha I have my steel guy looking at prices now. He said it wasn't much more then DOM

 

Resl nice.

 

I meant real nice

 

How did you fit the PIAA light covers into the All Pro fog light holes? I wanted to add those and they came in too big...

 

Take a look in my build thread. the writeup is in there on how to fit the covers..essentially, just sandand push real hard