Member Since: 10 Dec 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 165
How do you mount spot lights without a bullbar?
G'day everybody,
I hope this question has not been asked elsewhere in the forum - I did do a search but came out with hundreds of threads but none with the right info.
I would like to install a set of spotlights - specifically the Nite Stalker 180's which I have converted to HID
I have no bullbar in front and I find that the front bumper is too narrow to properly bolt the spotties on.
I am not even sure if the top surface of the bumper is strong enough to mount a pair of spotlights as I think it is just thin plastic.
I did investigate the LR spot light mount but am not sure if it works with non-LR spot lights. I was amazed at how involved it was just to install the mount - wheel arch covers and the whole bumper had to be removed, holes had to be drilled, support tubes bolted in etc etc
I don't want to put in a bull bar just to have a place to bolt on a pair of spotlights.
Any suggestions?
I also have a pair of Lightforce 240's but these will make the Disco3 look like Kermit the Frog with his bulging eyes. They are staying in the garage for the moment ......
Cheers.
25th Jul 2008 1:37 am
wopac5
Member Since: 20 May 2007
Location: Karratha
Posts: 146
Have you had a look at the Aunger light bar available just about anywhere, that fits where the numberplate holder is, and supports the plate and provides mounting holes for lights...you often see these on sedans with shallow bumbers.
25th Jul 2008 2:32 am
Neil Pettersen
Member Since: 23 Nov 2007
Location: Cutting the grass
Posts: 1254
Would you consider a rack ?
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
CFB Gallery
Nice in Silver
25th Jul 2008 3:11 am
eran48
Member Since: 10 Dec 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 165
Thanks Wopac5 and Neil.
Good suggestions, both.
Actually, I did buy the Aunger Light Bar. Unfortunately, because the spotties are relatively large and the bar is not very wide, both end up side by side and are almost touching. The licence plate area is also a bit too low down on the bumper. The Disco3 looks cross-eyed with the bar and the two spotties mounted on. I haven't discarded this option yet - it is my last ditch, tried everything else fall back
I do have the Rhino platform rack. Because the Disco3 is a daily use vehicle, I need to be able to get into buildings. The rack stops me from doing this. I only put the rack on for trips away (I'm also considering mounting the Lightforce 240's on the rack).
I was considering knocking up some mounting brackets using aluminium strips bolted to the chassis behind the front grill but given my complete lack of metal working skills (read cutting and bending), this will probalby end up looking extremely, errr, homemade
Any more suggestions, people?
Cheers
25th Jul 2008 3:46 am
Neil Pettersen
Member Since: 23 Nov 2007
Location: Cutting the grass
Posts: 1254
.........er......cataract op ? .........
25th Jul 2008 4:06 am
wopac5
Member Since: 20 May 2007
Location: Karratha
Posts: 146
Consider using the light bar, and run a piece of angle or "C" section across the top, bolted into the light bar holes, and drill holes into the angle / section where you want to space the lights. The angle / section could be chrome plated or made from ally to give a clean match and finish??
25th Jul 2008 6:15 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Like This
25th Jul 2008 6:48 am
eran48
Member Since: 10 Dec 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 165
Cataracts? Funny, SWMBO had been insisting on a brain transplant
Hey Ken, that setup looks mighty interesting. Is that your car? Any chances of getting closer shots of the way the lights are mounted? Some explanation to what needs to be done to get that setup? The Nite Stalkers are Lightforce clones so your picture of that setup should work.
A rather interesting observation with the Lightforce 240's is that they look like two DDDXL bra cups facing inwards. This is especially true when the pair are close together side by side. Take a look at Ken's spotties if you don't believe me
Remove the plastic lens and bulb and Lightforce can sign up Madonna to be their marketing ambassador......
Cheers
26th Jul 2008 10:33 am
Herbie
Member Since: 03 Feb 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22
eran48, how about a nudge bar instead? Still an expensive option perhaps but without the weight of a full bullbar. I've recently had an ECB 76mm polished alloy nudge bar fitted by Van Extras in North Parramatta. It was $635 plus $120 for fitting (although I think there may have been a price rise since then ). It has light mounts that are nicely spaced and the top of the bar is about half way up the face of the grill. 8)
One negative is that the bottom of the nudge bar goes under the front of the vehicle, so it reduces the approach angle and clearance. So if you were using your Disco for a lot of off road work this might be a consideration.
No pics yet in my gallery but I think if you go to simon arch1's gallery he has one fitted to his vehicle too .Neil Herbert
___________________________________________
2007 TDV6 S Stornoway Grey/Alpaca. LR roof rails & side steps; Cooper ST's; Autosafe cargo barrier; Kaymar rear bar; Mitchell Bros tow bar; King Springs heavy duty coils; GME UHF; Polaris rear vision camera.
30th Jul 2008 11:12 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Eran, Ken's are mounted on the bumper using the brackets LR sell, they're intended for use with the LR driving lamps but with minor modification they should work with any lamps. Going to do the same myself when I get time but with 4 x LF170'S rather than 2 x LF240's. If you take a look on the LR OwnerInfo site you can see the fitting instructionsThe End
30th Jul 2008 11:29 am
eran48
Member Since: 10 Dec 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 165
Thanks Ken and Slimer
As far as I can tell, this seems to be the most elegant method to mount non-LR lights without requiring a bull-bar or nudge bar.
Hi Herbie, Yes, I did consider this but rejected it due to price and also the fact that the approach angle is compromised. I do go off-road a bit - at least once a month, more if possible.
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