LED light bar quest

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/apex-cali-raised-led-and-mount-group-buy.435029/ Can't be the deal on this group buy, mounts and bar included

 

Just installed a 22" Auxbeam behind the grill and a 32" Auxbeam behind the valance. I had to build a bracket for the upper light but for the bottom I just tapped and bolted directly to the crush box. I ordered a Mictuning harness with two leads and ran the switch wires through the firewall via the nipple for the brake booster on the main rubber grommet on the drivers side. The switch is designed to fit the taller switches like on the left side of the steering wheel but I don't have any empty so I installed it in the change drawer until I figure out what I want to do with it. Everything works great. The lights are bright though I haven't tested just how bright yet. All I can really measure is lux with a lux meter so it won't indicate how much total light is coming out but I should be able to figure out how much more intense they are at a certain point than my headlights. My goal was not to cut ANYTHING in terms of plastic and I achieved that goal.

I've been tracking the engine coolant temp with Torque and I've been hovering around 186 degrees under almost all conditions (in LA) but I don't know what it was before the install so I don't know to what extent I'm blocking airflow into the radiator. I'm headed to the desert for some wheeling this weekend so I suppose I'll test the limits.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281954024566

 

Actually yes. I've seen this on someone's '15 here somewhere and it looked super clean.

Just a side note on these bars though.. Most of the older versions only come with bottom leg mounts and not end cap mounts. Some of the newer versions do have the inserts for the end cap mounts though. But the one listed above looks like the older version like mine. You can see in this pic that it just has a rubber cap covering a blank hole.





So with these If end cap mounting is necessary, you have two options depending on the internals for the bottom mounting rod that is inside the bar. You can either remove the internal rod completely to install bolts. Or you can use 1/4" threaded rod inserted through the bar and cut off the extra, and use nuts on the end... If that makes any sense. I've got more pics of the rod if anyone needs to see what I'm talking about..

Some of the newer versions have the notched threaded inserts along with end cap leg mounts to use that or the bottom mounts as options. And even newer ones have even different end caps that have two holes each side with leg mounts provided, as well as the bottom leg mounts that have a small insert that slides in to the underside of the bar. Hard to explain without seeing it. But just wanted to throw that out there. Because you may find it hard to figure out how to mount if the end cap mounting is necessary. Otherwise all have the bottom mounts if that will work for you. Which on the 2nd gens it should if you are putting a support beam across the crash bars and mounting it on that.

 

Found my pics. Here's that rod I was talking about. I had to party disassemble my 20" just to get this rod out to put bolts in the end caps. My 42" I didn't even bother as I really didn't want to take that one all apart. So on the roof bar I have a loooooooong ass threaded rod fished through the bar, which goes through that rod, cut the ends off, and put nylocks on the end. Ha.





My newer xpr clone, as well as some of the evo prime clones, actually use tiny sections of this rod with the bottom mounts. And is inserted into the underside of the bar via a cutout. You slip in each mount and slide it to the desired spot. Then it clamps in place as you tighten it down. Each mount will have a notched slide that can be pivoted for angle. But these ones should also have the end cap inserts from what I've seen. I'll try and get a pic so you guys know what to expect when getting these. Just trying to help because again, they can be tricky depending on which style you receive.

 

Another new light bar find.
Hexagon reflectors with '6d' lenses.... Not sure what to think about this one. Seems like they're trying to say it doesn't produce glare on the hood. But they don't show any pics of that. Interesting light pattern. Wonder if it really works and doesn't cause any glare.. Not that I'd buy one for that reason alone because I'd be willing to bet the performance wouldn't outweigh a superior design even with a bit of glare. Might be better than 5d though. And not sure what the light sensor is all about..
"Anti-dazzle hood"...... Wut?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/401175714916

 

Another 6d variation

 

ANY Rigid Dealers Here? My old TW Rigid dealer isn't here anymore and looking for a new one. Hit me up.

 

Annnnnd.. Now comes 7D. Lol. Just found this. Will have to look more into it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351829714267

 

No way it's really 560w.

Doubt it's much better really.

Those 5" pods I got are nice btw. I'll post output shots later. Work nice.

 

The ones with the 10watt led's!? Nice! Yass I wanna see

 

Opt7 4 lyfe

 

1080w and 100,800 lumens.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/262625407232

 

Thats high definition lighting

 

Seems like a pretty cool design, tempted to try it out

 

Anyone have experience with these? http://www.roughcountry.com/lighting-and-accessories/lights.html

 

Hm. Arsenal offroad has some interesting items. For one, full size 5d bars with 10watt leds, with halos for each led. Make em without too for cheaper. Wonder how they perform being curved and a lot of flood optics on the ends.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/122032870718

 

I bought one of there older 20". filled with water immediately