Offroad light bar

I wanted plenty of light and to make use of the height of the truck. All metal construction, aluminum sheet wrapped around 3/4 OD steel tubing with 4 plasma cut discs to define shape of the tube. Uses a geared down 12v window motor on one end to rotate open/closed, with an industrial 12v brake on the other end to hold in position when off, release to rotate when energized. So I have an infinite distance adjustment from the driver seat, and can rotate lights backward so's I don't have to fool with light covers. (CA law). The 4 larger lights are Kragen $100 HID's, (these are inexpensive versions of lights that can go for 400-600 bucks- most all of 'em are made in China- secret's getting out- they sell 'em fast as they get 'em) the other 4 are KC halogens I re-purposed from my old Blazer. Aircraft beacon re-motored from 28v to 12v (to speed it up), wig-wag light off e-bay, and I cut out the metal debossed 'Jeep' logo from an old Jeepster tailgate and put it behind the emergency lights. Two harbor freight utility lights on the sides. Umbilical cord plugs into 6 circuit trailer plug next to windshield, and 3 bolts per side hold unit on- easy to remove for any required servicing. Stock cyclops searchlight still in use. I built the overhead compartment a couple years ago and put in aircraft style switches, anticipating this someday. (old photo highlighting master battery switch) Swapped out the vacuum wipers with some 12v wipers I had bought a year ago while I was at it. Took a couple months of weekends to finish- ready to hit the desert and give it a test run!

Sorry for the jumbo pix- photo editing software's at work!

http://members.cox.net/ebaypix666/D.jpg

http://members.cox.net/ebaypix666/C.JPG


http://members.cox.net/ebaypix666/A.JPG


http://members.cox.net/ebaypix666/panel.jpg

Nice! Now you just need to graft some deuce windshields in there and you'll be all set!

OK, normally I reserve "off-road lightbars" to things used by mall-ninja-wheelers. Sound great in concept, but in reality are just annoying. I have ridiculed many a wheeler who just had to have 1.21 Gigawatts of light to blister my neck and bore into the back of my head.

BUT!!!!

That bar, with that technology (the electric crank and all), on THAT 725 is just BAD... ASS... That's a find implementation of exactly how they ought to be done, sir. My hat is off to you!!!

Awesome in engineering and execution...

unique idea ... very well built

Wow! Just wow! That is a fine piece of engineering for sure. Nice work!

When I read the title of this post, I thought it belonged in big gay truck land, not the zone.

Upon viewing, this may be the coolest thing I have seen recently. Nice work.

Dave

Beeeeeuuuutiful (I'd probebly tear them off with tree limbs)awesome work.Call me if u wanna wire up my lights someday
ALL HAIL THE LIGHT KING

This is just about exactly what I have always envisioned for a good light bar!!! Protected and hidden when you want, bright and shining when you need.

When are they going up for sale? Lol jk. But seriously, very nice.

How did you gear down the window motor? And where do you find the 12V brake you speak of? I've always pondered how I would get a lightbar to rotate with the push of a button but never had any good answers...

Thanks, all. The rotation motor is actually 24 volt and geared down already. By running it at 12 volts it's slowed down even more and enough to be finely adjusted. I'll probably swap out a more powerful one at some point as it's barely strong enough to rotate what ended up to be a more heavy unit than I thought starting out. Uses a 20 amp 3-way momentary toggle that reverses polarity to the motor to change direction. Once the brake's energized it can also be rotated by hand-out-window (if the motor shaft is removed). Got the brake for free from a friend who's an electrical engineer- $300 new! The rig's not intended to be water-tight, just able to protect the lights from direct weather, UV and branches and be legal. The smaller lights are for closer up flood, the HID's are far more 'driving light' horizontally focused for distance. Probably more useful out here in desert country than in the woods where some of you live.
I saw the windshield graft awhile back- seems to me like a lot of work for the little extra fresh air and loss of some visibility- I like the commanding view of stock. Respect the ambition though...

Yeah, I use my truck mostly for "wheeling", At the slow speeds, I HAD to have more air flow. I would cook in that truck. It works well for me.