1st gen led light bar ideas

That design was pretty legit. I wonder if something similar could be made out of plexiglass...

 

Probably but idk how much plexi glass will deflect the light, because its clear.

 

(paint)

 

Then why not just use aluminum, dont gotta worry about paint chipping, or you can get it powder coated. Also plexi glass maybe be kinda flimsy and might warp in the heat

 

More than one way to skin a cat. Working with plexiglass may be easier for a few people - it's easier to come by and won't dent as easily. Using good painting technique and materials wouldn't make painting it an issue... Interesting to see about the heat... kind of why I asked. Nothing wrong with aluminum.

 

True, you can goto a place like tap plastic (plastic shop near me) and have then just cut stuff for you to what ever spec you want. Just i see you needing like 1/4” plexiglass vs needing like .120 steel or aluminum. Thiner design will help reduce drag, also idk if the glare guard will cause whistling.

 

If you're concerned about drag, time for a new vehicle lol. Whistling will probably vary based on application.

This is interesting:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/electrical-wiring/1299201-led-light-bar-behind-windshield.html

 

Thats cool, but as stated in there best suited for a full size rig, are cabs are small to start with. No need to fill it up with a big bar.

 

He mentioned getting a single row for smaller vehicles. I'm thinking of making a roof rack eventually so I can mount one further back. Idea I plan on *ahem* adapting...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rail-rig-and-bs.159436/page-629#post-13103925

 

@Sperrunner Wow that looks great! I have a light bar on my bumper, but seeing this makes me want to get one on top as well. Thanks for the info, David.

 

Couldn't you just mount the bar further back on the roof by the same amount as the glare shield?

 

Another thing that helps, is a windshield visor tint strip, for those that don't already have one.. I have a 5% strip that sits pretty low and covers a lot. And helps block out quite a bit I'm sure, vs not having anything. You could even go full blackout on the strip if you really wanted to. But I dont recommend that. Would make it difficult to see intersection lights when at a stop.

 

I suppose you could but i don’t think my mounts will allow it seeing as how they are “low pro” style

 

Blinding hood glare? Final answer.

 

I've seen people do that. Some even mount them to their racks on their toppers behind the cab. That's pretty far back IMO, but some people like it.

This is probably why most (all?) light bars don't come with a shielding baffle like that.

If you make a baffle, though, I would make sure there's a gap between the baffle and the bottom of the bar so that air can get by.

But as others said, if you're worried about mpgs, aerodynamics and wind noise, the light bar is NOT for you, but neither is a 1st gen Tacoma, lol...

 

I wonder if running a shield is a wind obstruction that could cause a blockage to the cooling fins? Like you said, if there’s a gap for wind probably not but I suppose it’s possible.

 

Bad mpg, poor areo dynamic, wind noise but i get to look cool with a light bar is exactly why i got a first gen lol

 

If you read this sorry for making fun of your truck but i saw this while searching light bars, this is why you should always get the proper size for your truck. Looks like he is running a 50” up top, really all you need is a 42”. Also not a tacoma but this mount on this tundra is ugly imo

 

Looks like the first guy is over compensating for his fogged headlights, lol...

2nd one is ugly the way it's set up, but it looks like it's adjustable so you can set it farther back above the roof (to reduce glare). Is that thing like a foot from the glass? lol...

 

Yeah first guy might be over compensating for more then just his fogged head lights...
That tundra almost looks like he screwed 2 diffrent mounts together. Ive never seen anything that crazy, all the ones ive seen to set the led bar back some look like the first half of that mount.