Bars for mounting lights - whatcha got?

[Bobcat Sig]

I'll say that I'm finding the ZR2 headlights to be better than expected. However, when you're well off the beaten path and at night, som extra exterior illumination is welcome. So I'm searching for some solutions to mount up some front-facing lights for off-road night driving.

I have a ten-inch Baja Designs light bar and two pair of S4 Pros that I'd like to put to use. I know there are several suppliers for for ditch light mounts; something on the front of the truck would be preferable and I haven't found much.

I'd love to hear or see ideas on how to mount up these lights. Or, if there's some aftermarket bars that I can bolt up to hold the lights. Whatcha got?

 

[GATORB8]

I'll say that I'm finding the ZR2 headlights to be better than expected. However, when you're well off the beaten path and at night, som extra exterior illumination is welcome. So I'm searching for some solutions to mount up some front-facing lights for off-road night driving.

I have a ten-inch Baja Designs light bar and two pair of S4 Pros that I'd like to put to use. I know there are several suppliers for for ditch light mounts; something on the front of the truck would be preferable and I haven't found much.

I'd love to hear or see ideas on how to mount up these lights. Or, if there's some aftermarket bars that I can bolt up to hold the lights. Whatcha got?

Good luck, I’ve found one for the HD from Westcott Designs, but they want a kidney for it. Pretty much decided it’s going to take custom fab at this point.

 

[amateurhour]

I’ve only seen the Westcott: https://www.chevyzr2.com/threads/baja-designs-light-bar.2767/#post-39462

And one that @Almurr had custom made: https://www.chevyzr2.com/threads/silverado-zr2-overland-build.1324/#post-19538

Although @ZR2EDDYB did promise us a prototype by the end of the year

A few of the Dirt King builds have what look like custom built bars attached to the bumper with some baja designs lights on them.

On edit I added pictures because pictures are more gooder

 

[GATORB8]

I’ve only seen the Westcott: https://www.chevyzr2.com/threads/baja-designs-light-bar.2767/#post-39496

And one that @Almurr had custom made: https://www.chevyzr2.com/threads/silverado-zr2-overland-build.1324/#post-19538

Although @ZR2EDDYB did promise us a prototype by the end of the year

A few of the Dirt King builds have what look like custom built bars attached to the bumper with some baja designs lights on them.

The one they fabbed for this video looks pretty slick.

 

[ZR2EDDYB]

I am still working through prototyping my piece. My plan is to closely follow the design Almurr had made.

I am toying with the idea of two designs: behind grille and in front of grille with a camera relocation tab.

This is a hobby not my job so progress is slow.

 

[GATORB8]

I’ve only seen the Westcott: https://www.chevyzr2.com/threads/baja-designs-light-bar.2767/#post-39462
View attachment 18543

And one that @Almurr had custom made: https://www.chevyzr2.com/threads/silverado-zr2-overland-build.1324/#post-19538
View attachment 18542

Although @ZR2EDDYB did promise us a prototype by the end of the year

A few of the Dirt King builds have what look like custom built bars attached to the bumper with some baja designs lights on them.

View attachment 18541
On edit I added pictures because pictures are more gooder

One other iron in the fire. One of the Nacho lighting guys mentioned a company called LM1 was doing one for his RST 1500. I just emailed them to see if they had plans to produce. They have a couple options for other makes: https://www.lm1.biz/shop/category/light-mount-2

@amateurhour I'm glad you posted the link to @Almurr 's thread, didn't realize at first that he had shared the fabrication pictures.

Besides the price (and $115 shipping on top of it), my biggest aesthetic issue with the Wescott one is that the bar is in front of the lights and sticks out so far. Both the Dirt King approach and Almurr's look way better to me, and I love the bolt on setup Almurr did.

I picked up a pair of Nacho Grandes during black Friday, so that's what I'm working on mounting on the HD. I'm not sure exactly what I'll end up doing (bar or just mounts).

 

[Bobcat Sig]

I like where this is going and I'm glad to hear there are others with the same thoughts.

Put me in the in-front-of-the-grill camp. Of the other behind-the-grill solutions I've seen; it's requires a proprietary light bar and possible modification to the louvres, neither of which I am interested in.

 

[amateurhour]

I am still working through prototyping my piece. My plan is to closely follow the design Almurr had made.

I am toying with the idea of two designs: behind grille and in front of grille with a camera relocation tab.

This is a hobby not my job so progress is slow.

I’m glad you didn’t abandon it, thanks for the update. Looking forward to seeing what you can come up with!

 

[MrScottly]

I'll add this...I just put an M&R lightbar behind the grill. Before mounting it, I hooked power up to it to take a look....And I'll attest: I've owned Baja Designs lights, Rough Country lights, and others. Whoever says these M&R lightbars are bright, have never seen a high quality, bright light bar. For $320, you're getting M&Rs brackets and a cheapo light bar. I'll stick with it because there aren't many options for my 2500. What I really miss are the Baja Designs light pods I had mounted in the fog light holes in my RAM. THOSE lights were bright...worth every penny.

 

[GATORB8]

I'll add this...I just put an M&R lightbar behind the grill. Before mounting it, I hooked power up to it to take a look....And I'll attest: I've owned Baja Designs lights, Rough Country lights, and others. Whoever says these M&R lightbars are bright, have never seen a high quality, bright light bar. For $320, you're getting M&Rs brackets and a cheapo light bar. I'll stick with it because there aren't many options for my 2500. What I really miss are the Baja Designs light pods I had mounted in the fog light holes in my RAM. THOSE lights were bright...worth every penny.

Any chance you took pictures of everything with the grill off?

 

[AXE]

I'll add this...I just put an M&R lightbar behind the grill. Before mounting it, I hooked power up to it to take a look....And I'll attest: I've owned Baja Designs lights, Rough Country lights, and others. Whoever says these M&R lightbars are bright, have never seen a high quality, bright light bar. For $320, you're getting M&Rs brackets and a cheapo light bar. I'll stick with it because there aren't many options for my 2500. What I really miss are the Baja Designs light pods I had mounted in the fog light holes in my RAM. THOSE lights were bright...worth every penny.

I've got Baja Designs in my front bumper. The duals put out just enough light to fill in the high beams and cover the ditches. It's not massive power, but that's not needed anyway. If you want more light out front go with the spots. I got a detailed thread on it. You could do the same thing I did with a 1500 or 2500HD bumper, Bison or standard.

 

[AXE]

Any chance you took pictures of everything with the grill off?

Look at YouTube for the Come Up winch install on the 2500HD.

 

[MrScottly]

Any chance you took pictures of everything with the grill off?

 

[AXE]

I think it was this video for a Warn winch install on GMC AT4X Bison that I was referring to in my previous comment.

 

[MrScottly]

Any chance you took pictures of everything with the grill off?

More pics of the M & R lightbar. Couple things: What you get in the kit is a cheap light bar with his brackets. The brackets work as intended...But don't inspire confidence. Time will tell on that one.

To get the brackets in, you have to remove some trim...airdam trim, that directs airflow toward the coolers and keeps it from going sideways. So far, so good on that, but I will keep alert for any whistling issues from mis-directed air. The factory put that trim there for a reason...The reason remains to be seen.

The light bar wire comes out the back, dangerously close to the shutters. Keep in mind, ANY interference with these shutters and they will throw a code. Be sure to wire tie the wire away from the shutter system when routing it.
Also note that you cannot get lightbar to align with lowest openings in grill...brackets won't allow it to go that low. Mine is aligned with row that camera sits in. There's enough room below camera to do this.

I'd also strongly encourage you to find some videos of how to wire this...Nothing against the guy, but his install videos are kinda bo-bo, with him routing the switch through the door seals...um....no.
Use a level from side to side on the light, and plumb the front so you're not lighting the ground or the stars above.

Pics below show lightbar, and proximity of shutters to brackets.

 

[Los Angeles PI]

I'll say that I'm finding the ZR2 headlights to be better than expected. However, when you're well off the beaten path and at night, som extra exterior illumination is welcome. So I'm searching for some solutions to mount up some front-facing lights for off-road night driving.

I have a ten-inch Baja Designs light bar and two pair of S4 Pros that I'd like to put to use. I know there are several suppliers for for ditch light mounts; something on the front of the truck would be preferable and I haven't found much.

I'd love to hear or see ideas on how to mount up these lights. Or, if there's some aftermarket bars that I can bolt up to hold the lights. Whatcha got?

Here is an idea I have been toying with. Use a light set for a sidexside (can am, etc.) Modify hood riser to accept the light assembly. Thoughts ?

 

[Los Angeles PI]

I have been toying of modifying hood riser or install behind grill, a set up designed for a side x side (can am)

Thoughts ?

 

[MrScottly]

Here is an idea I have been toying with. Use a light set for a sidexside (can am, etc.) Modify hood riser to accept the light assembly. Thoughts ?
View attachment 18655

It's a trailblazing idea...You first.

 

[GATORB8]

Here is an idea I have been toying with. Use a light set for a sidexside (can am, etc.) Modify hood riser to accept the light assembly. Thoughts ?
View attachment 18655

While I'm definitely down with breaking out the sawzall, I'd recommend the opposite approach. Pick a light and location, then see what the downsides are and what the best manufactured (or fabricated) piece is to accomplish it.

Specifically in the hood, you'll need to think about noise and water getting into the engine compartment. For any functional light, you'll need to get the lens mounted reasonably vertically, so you'll want your trim and mounting hardware to accommodate that.

 

[Bobcat Sig]

Here is an idea I have been toying with. Use a light set for a sidexside (can am, etc.) Modify hood riser to accept the light assembly. Thoughts ?
View attachment 18655

It's an option, though not one I'm exploring right now. My ideal solution would be to have the lights outside the truck, up front, and unobstructed from anything. Not only does that make aiming the lights easier, I can also remove and service them as needed.

Really what needs to come to market is the same light mount bar available for the HD trucks. It's mostly reversible and the lights are out front, where they should be, all while not being a whole-bumper solution.