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View Full Version : Offroad lights on roof racks.



Matt
04-22-2011, 05:48 AM
Wanted to see what kind of lights you guys are running on your roof racks. I'm having trouble deciding between 8" or 9" lights.

Pics help! Thanks.

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 05:53 AM
I'm running baja design, soltek lights. On the roof rack 2 8" lapaz floods on the outside, middle 2 8" spots. On my bumper 2 4" fuego spots, and below 2 6" amber Hid's. I don't have any online albums set up as of yet to pull pics.

NeilSmith
04-22-2011, 06:01 AM
4 - 6" KC Daylighters
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/0052-1.jpg

Matt
04-22-2011, 06:11 AM
Photobucket <-------- use it. :)

Matt
04-22-2011, 06:13 AM
Looking good Neil!

I'm planning on mounting mine lower in front of the rack.

NeilSmith
04-22-2011, 06:16 AM
Ive thought of moving mine down lower. They get a lot of tree branches up that high. I would have to fab some mounting bracketry to do it.

cico7
04-22-2011, 06:39 AM
Lights add extra weight to the rack. I prefer the bar. I made mine from an extra cross bar. I included some pics of others for
reference/ideas.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/IMG00824201012040828-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/IMG00202201001311903-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSCI0037-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/Bar-1.jpg

Light bars.......

cico7
04-22-2011, 06:43 AM
Saturn:

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/Saturn-1.jpg


Vaporized Saturn:

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/VaporizedSaturn-1.jpg

Matt
04-22-2011, 07:13 AM
Lol I love the vaporized Saturn!

I'm going to be using light tabs on whichever roof rack I get. Not concerned about weight, its a bit cleaner IMO and I don't have any crossbars anyway. I'm getting a rack that doesn't utilize OEM crossbars for carrying capacity either.

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 07:19 AM
Photobucket <-------- use it. :)uploaded to photobucket, how do you transfer photos

Matt
04-22-2011, 07:27 AM
uploaded to photobucket, how do you transfer photos

Under the photo there's a list of links you can copy. Copy the link that's surrounded by IMG tags; they look like {IMG}link{/IMG} except with [ ] instead of { }. Then just paste that link in the reply and the image will show.

Sal-XK
04-22-2011, 07:33 AM
HOW TO POST A PICTURE

http://www.xk-forum.com/showthread.php/622-How-to-post-a-Picture

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 07:33 AM
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/24inchfuegos-1.jpghttps://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/26inchprerunnerHIDs-1.jpghttps://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/48inchlapazlights-1.jpg Hopefully you can view these images. there is a description on each light with pic

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 07:34 AM
HOW TO POST A PICTURE

http://www.xk-forum.com/showthread.php/622-How-to-post-a-Picture Thanks I got it. I'm a little slow..

Matt
04-22-2011, 07:41 AM
Those pics look great! Exactly the look I'm going for.

Have any shots a bit further back to see what the whole package looks like from the front and side?

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 07:46 AM
Those pics look great! Exactly the look I'm going for.

Have any shots a bit further back to see what the whole package looks like from the front and side? here's a front and sidehttps://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/jp43-1.jpghttps://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/jp59-1.jpg

Matt
04-22-2011, 08:05 AM
Awesome..... definitely leaning towards the 8" lights.

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 08:08 AM
at first I thought they might be to big. but they grow on you

LWM
04-22-2011, 10:27 AM
I saw my old rack in a photo above, these are what I was running and they are currently in the garage waiting to see what I come up with next:

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSCI00015-1.jpg

They are the 6" KC HiKights

cico7
04-22-2011, 10:29 AM
at first I thought they might be to big. but they grow on you
Yeah but, can you vaporize a Saturn? I like the yellow lights. Do they keep the bugs off? Are they
yellow bulbs or a cover? Just kidding about the bug thing I really do like the yellow lights.

What are the roof lights? The mount is interesting. Phunkey Dude had a nice system on his XK.
I like the idea of being able to change the angle of the lights. I enjoy the Baja1000 and they have
some wild lighting systems. I saw one with a motorized bar that would tilt the lights.

txbaja..do you have a higher amp alternator? I would like to know about your install and wiring.
Wire gauges etc. I have burnt up 2 relays and use only 2 lights per relay. The first was a 30 amp,
2nd was a 40. I switched to heavier wire after the 2nd relay melted. (from 12 to 10)

Matt
04-22-2011, 11:13 AM
Wow if you're burning up relays that quick something is wrong with the wiring. 12awg should be plenty for those KCs. Try running 5 pin relays and a power feed to each light. Also make sure you have good grounds all around.

Adondo
04-22-2011, 11:56 AM
I have a few lights up on top. :)

The forward lights are 5x7 driving lights. (About 1.5 times larger than the typical driving light)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSCF3969JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/DSCF3970JPG-1.jpg

The half round pipe is black 4'' ABS split lengthwise, and is a wind breaker for the rack. It helps get rid of the ''banshee screams'' at highway speeds.

The rest are a set of rear facing 4'' floods for backing up, a set of sideways facing alley lights, and a set of amber flashing lights on the back. Those alternate flash. People tend to slow down when they come up on those because the alternating flashing lights look like a cop car. With standard hazards only, people whiz past at 75 MPH.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSCF3895JPG-1.jpg

On edit: Wow that's an old photo! It still has the OEM spoke wheels and little tires! :)

Adondo
04-22-2011, 12:03 PM
txbaja..do you have a higher amp alternator? I would like to know about your install and wiring. Wire gauges
etc. I have burnt up 2 relays and use only 2 lights per relay. The first was a 30 amp, 2nd was a 40. I switched
to heavier wire after the 2nd relay melted. (from 12 to 10)

What you need are the large relays (solenoids) like we use in cop car builds. Here's an example:
http://www.oznium.com/relay80
The material is bakelite and doesn't melt.

Another reason for massive relays beyond what you think are needed is high wattage bulbs have a huge start up current. Otherwise known as "cold filament surge." Your 100 watt lights may draw about 8 amps (each) while running, but it will briefly take about 40 to 50 amps to get that cold filament heated up. Such is life for incandescent bulbs. Running a 100 watt light with the usual Bosch relay is the contacts will weld themselves due to the starting surge.

cico7
04-22-2011, 01:26 PM
I have 4 sets of lights. 1st shorted and the second one just did't like me I guess.

What you need are the large relays (solenoids) like we use in cop car builds. Here's an example:
http://www.oznium.com/relay80
The material is bakelite and doesn't melt.

Another reason for massive relays beyond what you think are needed is high wattage bulbs have a huge start up current. Otherwise known as "cold filament surge." Your 100 watt lights may draw about 8 amps ..... Running a 100 watt light with the usual Bosch relay is the contacts will weld themselves due to the starting surge.

I have 4 150 watt lights on top.They are split into 2 sets.
Adondo, Thanks for link on the heavier relay...I will look into this.

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 02:55 PM
Yeah but, can you vaporize a Saturn? I like the yellow lights. Do they keep the bugs off? Are they yellow
bulbs or a cover? Just kidding about the bug thing I really do like the yellow lights.

What are the roof lights? The mount is interesting. Phunkey Dude had a nice system on his XK. I like the
idea of being able to change the angle of the lights. I enjoy the Baja1000 and they have some wild lighting
systems. I saw one with a motorized bar that would tilt the lights.

txbaja..do you have a higher amp alternator? I would like to know about your install and wiring. Wire gauges
etc. I have burnt up 2 relays and use only 2 lights per relay. The first was a 30 amp, 2nd was a 40. I switched
to heavier wire after the 2nd relay melted. (from 12 to 10) The 4 lights on top are wired up with baja designs wiring harnesses. they have a relay and inline fuse. I'll have to check on the amps of the relay and wire gage,(i'm guessing 10 or 12) the 4 lights on top are 100watt. the 2 4" fuegos (100 watt) are wired in to my old fog lights, I just changed the plug. The 2 6" HID's are wired with a baja designs harness. I don't have a higher amp alt. as of yet, but have an Optima red top battery. The lights have a l to r and up and down adj. wich is cool. no motorized unit here. Baja Designs is a supplier to a lot of SCORE teams. I'll check on my harness specs. and post up. Also the 6" HID's are just an amber lens, I can switch back to clear. the amber in off-road racing is good for dust. since I don't race mine is just for looks. Although they are still bright.

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 02:57 PM
Oh, BTW I'll check and see if I can vaporize another vehicle tonite!!

Matt
04-22-2011, 04:46 PM
Thanks for all the replies guys! These setups are looking great!

I'm planning 4 on the front, at least one or two square lights on each side and then two square lights on the back. I want the side & back lights to somewhat blend in to the rack. Going to do a 3 switch setup with that as well.

I really like those Baja Design lights. I'll probably run 4 of the 8" Soltek 100w driving lights up front.. Or put two of the 100w spot lights on the ends and the driving lights in the middle (hmmm, then run them on 2 switches... that might work best)

txbajacommander
04-22-2011, 07:00 PM
Thanks for all the replies guys! These setups are looking great!

I'm planning 4 on the front, at least one or two square lights on each side and then two square lights on the back. I want the side & back lights to somewhat blend in to the rack. Going to do a 3 switch setup with that as well.

I really like those Baja Design lights. I'll probably run 4 of the 8" Soltek 100w driving lights up front.. Or put two of the 100w spot lights on the ends and the driving lights in the middle (hmmm, then run them on 2 switches... that might work best) Hmmm, that sounds like a good set up to me. I have the halogens, are you going with those or the HID's .......

Matt
04-22-2011, 07:08 PM
Definitely the Halogens. The HID's are waaaaaaaaay too expensive to even blink at.

Brandon1024
04-22-2011, 08:29 PM
Hey right now I have 6 lights 4 up top an 2 on my bumper but they are the garbage pilot lights from autozone. Eventually I plan on getting rid of the roof rack and I am not sure what i'll do up there so I need to find 4 for the bumper. I like the look of the 2 yellow and 2 clear. My question is whether anyone has used the hella black magic and how good they are. I want something extremely bright but price is definitely an issue. So just looking for recommendations.

Matt
04-23-2011, 06:38 AM
Brandon, post up some pics of your rack with the lights... thats what this thread is all about :)

Why are you taking the roof rack off?

As far as the Hella Black Magic lights; i ran them years ago and was not impressed with their light output. If you want extremely bright, i'd look at a different model. I think those are a good niche light for people going more for looks than performance (they do look pretty good)

Brandon1024
04-23-2011, 12:41 PM
Brandon, post up some pics of your rack with the lights... thats what this thread is all about :)

Why are you taking the roof rack off?

As far as the Hella Black Magic lights; i ran them years ago and was not impressed with their light output. If you want extremely bright, i'd look at a different model. I think those are a good niche light for people going more for looks than performance (they do look pretty good)

Ill try to get some today but its a homemade roof rack so its nothing nice at all which is one reason I wasnt to get rid of it and also because i'm having a tire/jerry can/hi-lift carrier made to go into the hitch and ill have no reason for the roof rack. If I do decide to keep lights up there ill just attach them to the cross bars. Were the black magic you tried the 500 or the rallye 1000? You dont happen to still have them and possibly want to sell do you?

Matt
04-23-2011, 02:54 PM
They were the 500s and loooooong gone.

Brandon1024
04-23-2011, 03:38 PM
alright thought it was worth a try. And the roof rack is official gone as of this week. I washed my car to find a nail in my tire so I had to put my spare on and no need for it now but I got a few pictures I'm uploading now.

Brandon1024
04-23-2011, 07:43 PM
Brandon, post up some pics of your rack with the lights... thats what this thread is all about :)

Why are you taking the roof rack off?

As far as the Hella Black Magic lights; i ran them years ago and was not impressed with their light output. If you want extremely bright, i'd look at a different model. I think those are a good niche light for people going more for looks than performance (they do look pretty good) https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSC_0564JPG-1.jpg https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSC_0566JPG-1.jpg https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSC_0568JPG-1.jpg https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSC_0567JPG-1.jpg https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/DSC_0565JPG-1.jpg

txbajacommander
04-24-2011, 06:45 AM
That doesn't look as bad as you led on. I think you came up with a great idea. My only thought is maybe a little lower profile. Other than that I'd say pretty cool.

IamJEEP
04-24-2011, 09:32 AM
Doesn't look bad at all. I agree tho, a lower profile would help the look of it.

NeilSmith
04-24-2011, 12:20 PM
I like it. It would be awesome to have mounted a water spigot on there somewhere. Would make for a nice conversation piece. :) LOL ! JK

Adondo
04-25-2011, 02:52 PM
Is your plumbers & pipe fitters local 562 union card current? :)

That's quite the serious looking roof rack.

Matt
04-30-2011, 05:51 AM
How did all you guys run your wiring through?

NeilSmith
04-30-2011, 06:44 AM
How did all you guys run your wiring through?

Oh, wouldn't you like to know ? LOL ! I have to run but I will be back later to ntell you how I did it.

LWM
04-30-2011, 09:56 AM
How did all you guys run your wiring through?

I removed the front cap from the side rails and drilled a hole into the roof, I them installed a rubber grommet to protect the wires and ran the wires through that hole including a CB antenna wire, I then used silicon sealer to keep the water out and reinstalled the end cap.

I nice thing about doing it this way was that now that I have temporarily removed my lights and antenna I can lay the wire down the side rail and no one can see them and they are not in the way.

NeilSmith
04-30-2011, 02:34 PM
I ran all wiring in behind dash, behind drivers side kick panel, under carpet toward the back of the Jeep, behind the rear interior trim where the rear ac controls are. The wiring exits thru a factory hole located below the tailights then goes up behind the tailight, behind the rear grab handle or black plastic trim ( whichever you have ) , then underneath the plastic finishing trim piece at the rear of the roof rack rail. I then have plugs so that I can remove my basket and lights. When the basket is removed I lay the plugs down inside the roof rack rail. All connections are soldered and shrink wrapped. The in-line fuses and relays are behind drivers kick panel. The grounds are attached under the dash and the hot wires are routed thru the factory grommet beside the steering column and attached directly to the battery. Sorry, I don't have the pics handy, my Photobucket page went tits-up.

Brandon1024
04-30-2011, 10:26 PM
While everyone else was doing theres the clean and nice way I just have mine run under the weather stripping in the back door behind driver then behind the weather stripping into where the seat best comes out. From there I took it down along the bottom of the door and under the plastic that runs along the door with the step piece (cant think of way to describe it) then just up through the firewall and to the battery.

cico7
05-01-2011, 06:35 AM
IamJeep = This is essentially what I did.


I removed the front cap from the side rails and drilled a hole into the roof,
I them installed a rubber grommet to protect the wires and ran the wires through that hole including
a CB antenna wire, I then used silicon sealer to keep the water out and reinstalled the end cap.

I nice thing about doing it this way was that now that I have temporarily removed my lights and
antenna I can lay the wire down the side rail and no one can see them and they are not in the way.

IamJEEP
05-01-2011, 04:13 PM
IamJeep = This is essentially what I did.

Thanks Don, you've been a lot of help.....I appretiate it.

Matt
05-04-2011, 06:59 AM
defender rack guys
What's the height of the rack above the roof? From top of rack to top of roof. Trying to get a garage measurement.

txbajacommander
05-04-2011, 10:37 AM
From the roof, right next to the side rail my rack is 8 3/4" tall. with the lights about 17". also I ran my roof lights wiring behind the weather stripping back into the vehicle. My front lights I ran though a rubber grommet on the drivers side floor. I couldn't find anywhere in the fire wall. I post up pics later.

Adondo
05-04-2011, 12:06 PM
I made a ''relay farm'' in the trim area in the back end, on the driver's side. The relay wiring to the front is just a small data cable with a dozen #20 AWG wires for the relay controls, and a #6 AWG to feed the relay's. All my dash switches are connected to the small control wiring, and carry almost no current. There's also a few #16's to feed the RV light wiring setup. (For being towed behind the motorcoach)

I used an 80 amp circuit breaker on the #6 up front, and that big wire feeds a fuse block that powers the relays. Everything in the back is mounted on a piece of plywood, and it can be pulled up and out of the trim area by removing the cup holder on top.

I followed the OEM wiring loom up the rear pillar on the driver's side. I drilled a 3/4" hole in the roof and set in a grommet. My bundle terminates in a 15 pin Molex connector, so I can remove the roof rack if needed.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/05/DSCF3909JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/05/DSCF3917JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/05/DSCF3923JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/05/DSCF3924JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/05/DSCF3899JPG-1.jpg

txbajacommander
05-05-2011, 10:27 AM
That's a nice set up. I don't have the electrical knowledge to figure something like that out.

Adondo
05-05-2011, 11:44 AM
It's not as bad as it looks.

To do what I did... you run a data cable to the switches. In this case, it's #20 AWG stranded wire. (Never use solid core in a vehicle, it will fatigue and break)

Power and ground to the switches is run through the same cable. Ground is needed for the switch's indicator lights. Loop the power and ground to all the switches. The other colored wires go from the switch's on side (Goes live when the switch is on) to your relay coils, in the case of the usual Bosch relay, that would be terminal #86.

If you use a fuse block like I did, then your individual fused power feeds will go to each relay's terminal #30. You can also tie all the power wires together at the end of a large wire, and ''fan out'' smaller ones (Like #12AWG) for all the relays. We've done that in many cop car builds.

Ground all the relay terminals #85. (#85 and #86 is the relay coil, and a lot have internal polarity diodes, so you need to make sure power is to #86)

The only thing left is each relay's #87 terminal, which powers your lights and whatever.

The main advantage of relays is your accessory switches only power on relay coils at about 0.1 amp each. Your switches will last forever. The relay can carry the heavy loads, and you only need one big wire to power everything.

carlosshane1477
07-23-2011, 04:17 AM
Saturn:

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/Saturn-1.jpg

Saturn repair (http://www.automd.com/repair/saturn_m40/)
Vaporized Saturn:

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/04/VaporizedSaturn-1.jpg

looking good. But do you have a clearer picture of this one. kinda blurry though. But I love the saturn

Doc in AZ
07-23-2011, 08:34 PM
http://www.rigidindustries.com/ or nothing at all!

But I also really like visionX lights and the KC slimlights