Need advice on driving lights please

RosieW · Guru

Need advice on driving lights please

macka17 · Guru

Hi.
You can buy the best most exxy spots on the market.
But seriously. As long as you can see a coupla hundred yds ahead you'll be fine in actual driving.
With a decent Light Bar.

I've tried a few, But find the clear WHITE. light bars are better than most for dirt travelling.
I use a 20inch and it does me fine at "dirt" road speeds.
wide view and plenty up the middle.
Took spots off to fit it.

Have a 30inch on front of bars on roof. but yet to use it in necessity.
the 20in does it all.
The difference in price bought me a Wholesale Auto's Converter lock up for ute. ($450)

A lot of us reckon they look better,
neater than a couple of big round air stoppers to cooling system radiator too.

PS. You need a cat to keep the lorikeet company too hey...... Chuckle.
and a snorkel. Decent exhaust. and chip or computer tune.
with decent set of shockers will make it a different vehicle.
Specially the shocks and exhaust.
You Towing?.

RosieW · Guru

macka17 wrote:
PS. You need a cat to keep the lorikeet company too hey...... Chuckle.
and a snorkel. Decent exhaust. and chip or computer tune.
with decent set of shockers will make it a different vehicle.
Specially the shocks and exhaust.
You Towing?.

Lorikeet would eat the cat......... she terrorises the dogs.

If I ever get into water deep enough to need a snorkel, I'll just swim out, bugger the car. As for the rest, meh. It gets me where I need to go, so it'll do. Although better shocks would be nice, Warrego highway is a bit bouncy......... We were thinking a light bar, seen a few on cars, and they seem better than spots for what we do.

Not towing, we have the bus, I drive behind with the dogs in the tray. Lorikeet rides in the bus and offers 'advice'.

Did I mention this is a madhouse biggrin

-- Edited by RosieW on Wednesday 31st of August 2016 03:39:05 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I suggest.,fitting an LED centre light ? I find we don't drive fast . We need good short lighting . Then adjust main beams to suit .. An LED bar is under $100 ., I have spot lights and vertually usless at RV speeds . Flood light better choice .bi fitted spots on side of grill . plenty room for cooling .,

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Wednesday 31st of August 2016 04:37:09 PM

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

I have a 24inch light bar - spot in the middle and wide beam at both ends. Found the HIDs were too bright and the reflection back at you from the highway signs just too blinding.

The light bar is not to be mounted above the bonnet height!

Ger08 · Senior Member

I'm really interested in this topic as we are looking for some extra lighting up front and decide on a light bar or set of hid's

Jenko1 · Veteran Member

Have a look here www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue019/
Don't buy cheap light bars as they are false economy, also if the lightbar is of any quality it will have a 5 year warranty, cheap ones have 1 year usually.
There are quite a few sites that explain the diffences between cheap and better lights.
www.brightlightautoparts.com
www.stedi.com.au/

Jenko1 · Veteran Member

Have a look here www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue019/
Don't buy cheap light bars as they are false economy, also if the lightbar is of any quality it will have a 5 year warranty, cheap ones have 1 year usually.
There are quite a few sites that explain the diffences between cheap and better lights.
www.brightlightautoparts.com
www.stedi.com.au/

RosieW · Guru

Treecrest14 wrote:
The light bar is not to be mounted above the bonnet height!

Why is that Treecrest? We were contemplating one for the roll bar behind the cab.

Ta.

macka17 · Guru

Pedestrian damage........
same as rod holders.

Any attachments must be iNSIDE outer profile of all parts of vehicle basically.

Be careful about cheap lightbars too. My 20in was $220 del
with a guaranteed 12 mth warranty.He replaced a 6 in without question.
Just a coupla photo's of. and based in Sidney.

Get the clear white. and also.
go the SINGLE row of LED's over the doubles.
Double rows fine for spread beams. Single row better for the longer. stronger throw of light.
I've got both.

Reason being the double (3a) give a broader shorter spread of light.
The single row (5 or 10a) give a longer. stronger throw of light.
Larger Dia reflectors to each LED.
And they all give light right round to side doors.

I've passed spot fitted veh's in dark. and as I draw level turn on bar.
it dims most spots to a dull glow in relation to.
Brilliant white throw of light off into the distance.

Only detriment I find.
is the reflective road signs really blind you at times.

Just buy one that fits inside the arch of front bar. and fit upside down if necessary.
Couple of 4/5/6in on rear. wired to rev lights with isolating sw on dash is great too.
gives daylight vision for 20/25 yds behind.
Just switch them off when rev in traffic.

RosieW · Guru

Never mind - apparently fitting lights to the roll bar is illegal in Qld - although people do it.

macka17 · Guru

Outside the bar, ANY bar. Illegal.

INside the bars radius.
Legal.
But there are height restrictions with them
up and down ,same as tow balls.

RosieW · Guru

Thanks for your input everyone - it did clarify a bit for me. The weird thing with the 'no lights above the bar' is we see them everywhere, especially out here....

There is so much info out there - I got a headache doing research! I *think* we have decided on 10" rounds, fitted to the bullbar. 513w of light from LEDs. 1 will be set to flood, the other to spot. I *think*.............

Of course, we still have to get the bullbar fitted.......... at least we know what we want there!

Thanks again :)

-- Edited by RosieW on Thursday 1st of September 2016 01:56:31 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes that's what I should have done one of each . Above the bonnet is lose of vision too . Although I see many above . The lights look the goods though . Find yellow lights don't reflect back as bad as white lights in the rain . Not that we get much rain ? Well until recently !! Ahh ., budget if I would start with LED 20" or so first . I guess you want dress the bar up ? All good .

Cupie · Guru

My Patrol has a spot & a flood fitted to the bull bar. May have only used them once or twice in 20 years.

Not focused properly after I ran up the back of a Micro a couple of years ago.

Obviously we don't drive in the bush at night, or around town for that matter.

macka17 · Guru

Had the round ones for 45yrs.

These bars are sooo much better.
For both fitment and usage.
For the normal driver. Beyond MY eyesight range.

in middle of front. elevation to suit. side to side equal.
Once. and that's it.

White beam goes forever clean and even.
with wide lights both sides almost to side of wings.
cover all of your view and more.

"I" Really am wrapped with them compared to spots.

Just do yourself a favour and find somebody with both.
Try them first.