Offroad light mounting locations/options

[jimbo486]

I've got a pair of Dually D2 lights from Rigid Industries and I'm trying to find a good place to mount them. So far, I've come up with an idea to mount them behind the upper grill inserts, just inward of the headlights, for a subtle, "looks like they belong there but didn't notice them" install. The inserts would need some very minor modifications if I go that route. Although it's hard to tell where exactly they would need the modifications but I suppose it would only be a matter of mounting the lights, putting the grill in place and marking the inserts. Luckily, I have spare inserts that I could practice on. However, the vertical positioning is the only obstacle I've run into so far. If I'm able to do so, I can place the light with one of the horizontal bars of the grill insert directly between the 2 rows of lights. Although, since the bars are angled slightly, I don't know if it would affect the lights output at all. You'll see what I'm trying to describe in the attached pictures.

The only other way I can think to make them work there would be to cut out one or two of the horizontal bars and let them protrude through the insert a bit.

The other location that had cross my mind was to maybe build a small, subtle light bar that would have mounts that are bolted to the bumper brackets and come up from behind the bumper and put the lights just above and on top of the bumper. I don't know that I'd particularly want the lights to be exposed that much though but it's just another option.

Any thoughts or other ideas for light mounting options?

 

[joefarmer]

do it. I'm fabbing my own lights so they fit.

 

[Red Sleeper]

I'd say put them behind the grill like your original plan. What little bit of light the grill inserts will block, you won't even notice being you're adding additional light.

 

[jimbo486]

Here's where I ended up today. Not bad at all if I might say so myself! :rockwoot:

 

[joefarmer]

Please tell me those are insanely bright.

 

[jimbo486]

I haven't wired them just yet. I spent a couple of hours yesterday getting them mounted and a couple today modifying the grill inserts. I'm trying to decide whether to piggyback the relay trigger onto the high beam circuit or just dedicate the circuit to activate the relay for the D2's. The D2's, as a pair, only draw 15 amps but I think I should err on the side of safety and dedicate the circuit as the relay trigger for now until I can wire the headlights through relays.

 

[jimbo486]

Flipped the switch at dusk after arriving at work....

Damn, these are bright! I'll see if I can get a picture of them later on tonight.

 

[D45]

How many amps do these draw?

 

[jimbo486]

15amps as a pair.

 

[jimbo486]

Here's a better shot of both.

From off to the side and directly in front from about 15-20ft. away.

I'm trying to find a really dark location in order to see just how well the lights project. As soon as I can, I'll have some pictures of that.