I have only 3 mods on my 14 rubicon, winchplate, 10k X2O gen2 winch, and a 24" lightbar right above the fairlead. the lightbar is only tool for night wheeling, it has a multi color row of leds witch comes in handy for fog (orange), white out snow (yellow).
I'm old and immune to peer pressure. Some of my peers are, ah...elsewhere. Do you want a light bar? Then do it! If you don't, same answer! My jeep my choice! I pay the Bills. Screw 'm.
Yup, I think like you Ken....Now that i'm 60 I finally bought my first wrangler. To me, there is nothing more cool looking than a light bar. ROUND ONEs!
I live in the sticks of southern Illinois, so it's actually my most used upgrade. I see deer before they even think of crossing the road, but you have to be vigilant about watching for on coming traffic
I'm fine with light bars if they get used My personal view is that everything that is put on a jeep should have a function and be used appropriately not just cosmetic
Everything that is put on your jeep maybe. You don't get to decide what other people do with their stuff. How often does a light bar have to get used for you to approve of someone buying one?
@@birish21 Ben asked for our views on light bars so I gave mine, I wasn't trying to make a decision for anyone. I made sure to specify that that is my personal view, everyone makes their own decisions and builds their own jeep. I dont have a need for one so I don't have one, but I have nothing directly against them.
There are many off-road vehicles but Jeeps are so popular because of the aesthetic look and customization options so I strangle disagree that EVERYTHING has to have a functional purpose. But light bars are lights so even if it’s for cosmetic purposes you can always use them in emergencies. You never know when you may need to use them
I use my light bar alot when off-roading on my ranch, the whistling drove me nuts but 6 bucks in window weather stripping worked great and no more whistling
I don't use a 50" like that but I do use my Pod floods and a 20" on my front bumper on the beach at night. It's freakin' dark and you don't want to hit a hole where someone dug for a bonfire, extra lighting is a must
I run off in the woods solo alot...I love my 50 inch light bar. Never really had anyone say anything negative about it...but like someone else said...why would I care what someone else thinks about what I pay for? Oh and for the noise...just a slight tilt forward stopped that. Reach out and rock it back a notch when using it off road.
My lightbar comes in very handy out on the farm at night. I went with a cheap amazon one and found that if you install it upside down it makes almost no noise. I’ve had it up to 85mph but can’t hear a thing. No other modifications added other than flip it upside down.
I like the look of light bars personally. They can be useful on dark back roads, which there are no shortage of here in Ohio. But, even if you are not going to use them, so what, it's your jeep, you can do whatever you want to it. If someone has something to say, they can pay your jeep payments and pay for all the mods themselves.
I'm buying a light bar so I can see empty spots in dark parking lots, specifically at auto zone when I go to buy wax and tire shine for my jeep. #DetailedNotDirty
I live in a VERY rural area and use my 50" bar and rigid duallies a lot and love them. I also wheel the Hell out of my JKUR so it's no mall crawler. I think people are insane though that spend $1,600 in a rigid light bar.
All I can say to all the Mall Crawlers out there is "Thank you!". If it we're not for you and your generous purchases to upgrade the look of your rig, all the folks that fancy themselves as hardcore off-roaders would not be enjoying the economic benefits of ECONOMY OF SCALE...We all are better off when Tens of thousands of Mall Crawlers drive the cost down and drive the markets to provide a variety of products with which we can choose between a $10 pod light or $1200 light bar. Cheers from South Central Pennsylvania!
Been on many trips with high end crawler rigs, jeeps, etc. Seeing a trail light up at what appears like miles away on the top of a mountain is awesome.
Even though my (wj) is primarily for trail riding and is trailered most of the time, it is however insured and registered just in case I need it to be on public road ways. (My wj IS NOT a mall crawler). With that being said, I have light bars all over this weekend trail basher. I have found myself in the past, down in a holler at some far away off-road park at night with just headlights. So I started adding light bars and l.e.d. flood lights. In all I have 3 forward facing light bars, (in various sizes) and eight 4 inch by 4 inch flood lights attached to the cargo rack placed in specific spots where I can see clearly in 360 degrees (if needed). I know the importance of high powered lights on the trail. I use mine for safety of myself, my riders, and others that might be on the trails at night. I don't however think that light bars should be used on public roads. OFF ROAD USE ONLY.......
In non-dusty environments I'm sure they are fine. I had a light bar on my 66 Bronco back in the 80's and turned it on once. I lit up the trail dust so bad I couldn't see past the hood. Took them off the very next day. I can only imagine in snow conditions overhead light bars have a similar effect. Now almost 40 years later (wholly crap) I am finally getting back to wheeling and have a JLU, and am looking at various lighting options. I'm curious to read others' serious comments/insight to light bars before going that direction as there are some nice ones out there that thrown down some serious illumination for a clear dark night condition. I'm thinking a combination of front driving lights, A-Pillar lights, and an overhead light bar all supplementing each other is the way to go. If you can only choose one, I'd go with front mounted driving lights since they won't blind you in dusty conditions.
Check out my video I did on “why people hate Lightbars” Before you make a final decision. I would look at a good set of amber lights. I will be installing some on my jeeps in a month or so.
As someone who got a Jeep used with light bars I love them. Adds a nice touch to the Jeep. Personally I don’t use mine on road cause I’m not trying to blind others let me know what y’all thing
I have one because i like to go out from time to time at night. It works great on those back roads. Night rides give a whole new feel even if you have been on that trail before.
I have a light bar, and got rid of the wind noise by rotating the light bar down a few degrees. When off road, readjust, takes about 20 seconds, carry your allen wrench.
I have one and I use it for those country roads at night so I can see the deer or hogs in the road. I really don't care if others don't like them because it's my jeep and that's the great thing about owning a jeep you can fix it up like you want it. Down here there isn't that many places you can go trailing. im not a hard core wheeler also.
I have a light bar on my 2012 JKU, here in Florida if you are jeep at night in the woods the light bar is the best and gives you the light you need to see like that low hang branch!
I'm actually ditching my windshield mounted 50" and going with a 20" mounted to my fairlead. I get a ton of glare off the hood (white JKUR), and it's unusable without perfect conditions.
I like the light bars because I go into the woods a lot at night with mine or off roading and it helps me see what’s ahead. It’s also nice if I’m camping or hanging out off the grid to get some extra visibility
new jeep owner here, please be nice: can someone tell me how lightbars affect battery when the jeep is turned off? My lightbar can still turn on even when the jeep is off, should i be concerned?
My jeep came with the light bar on it, and i love it. It was not very loud until 65 or 70 and driving into the wind, but i added a couple strips or door trim to it and i have no issues. I dont like the look of the lids, and for a piece of plastic a hundred bucks is stiff. Cya
My stock Rubicon had a light bar installed when I bought it. I don't like it for the noise and glare off my white hood and plan to take it off. But.... one thing I do like is using it when stationary to light a campsite or work area.
I have a 4runner. I posted in a 4runner Facebook group whether or not I should mount the lightbar I have or sell it. The overwhelming majority told me to sell it and get a 32" lightbar for the grille.
I know this is 2 years old but I just installed a light bar on my Jeep I live in the country it's a great thing to have you can see deer before they run into you
Use ditch lights, pods in my bumper, and rock lights that's plenty good for night wheeling. I think having smaller more compact lights for night wheeling is ideal. Now if you were out west in wide open areas and traveling at speed I could see them being more useful. Personal preference is all it is for most.
Personally I just prefer lights mounted on the bumper (no glare that way) and in most situations smaller lights there are still plenty for back road and trail cruises at night. Had a 50 in on a cherokee years ago and almost never actually used it due to the crazy glare. My jk has pods on the bumper and I use them at least every week or so.
I just purchased my Jeep. Its winter and I live in the mojave desert. That being said, a light bar is essential to just visiting a friend that lives in a remote area. Here they are not a "mall crawler" upgrade; they are an essential for safety. Gonna put one on my wifes Kona as well lol
I’m a proud Mall Crawler lol. My Jeep is my daily driver and I don’t have money to get it fixed (nor do I like seeing scratches and dents on it). I love it and appreciate that it’s built to be off road but I’m not at the point in my life where I feel comfortable risking any damage to it
I work the oilfields and drive all different shifts and weather and I am telling you that they are life savers! The 100s of miles of dirt roads that are unnamed and not maintained I drive each week are difficult to maneuver in daylight! In the dark there’s no reflector poles and none of the intersections are marked and you can’t even see your corner or turn even though you know it’s coming! They are as important to my crews as headlights!
I drive a GMC Yukon and plan on putting some on just because it gets pretty dark down here in South Texas and for when I'm on the beach in South Padre Island .
I confess, some time ago I moved my pod lights from the windshield down to the bumper because I didn't like the glare on the hood. Still haven't wired them up.
I like the bar on my TJ and I assure you it's not mall certified. I added some additional "rock lights" under the Jeep, two additional "pod" lights on the front for up close illumination and one on the back. Im happy, I like how it looks and I can see! (Mall crawler smoothly worn tires--NOT mall crawler, cuts and chunks missing.)
Had one on my wrangler for about a year and used it off road for night rides quite a bit. I just had too much high pitched squealing going on around 50 mph and now it sits in the basement. I still run pods which is plenty of light for the trails. Rock lights are even better so you can see your lines. I’m guessing you won’t keep it on very long 😏. Great video Ben
I live out in the country away from any cities (closest major city is almost 1 hour away) and most of the driving I do is on dark 2 lane blacktops and gravel roads. I use mine to help me see any animals on the road (usually a 2000 lb cow) that would possibly total my rig. As others have said if they are not paying my note then they have no say it what mods I do.
Hi from Australia. Jeeps are not so common here but, the jeep's I see out on the trails and tracks are usually, very modified, 2-3 inch lifted suspension, bar work(front steel bulbar with winch, brush guard's/rock slider's/side steps and a steel rear bar with two spare tires or a spare and a fuel can) So cool looking, LED lightbar's are legal here but not above the height of the hood, so, not mounted of roof rack or above the wind shield. A friend in need sold me his mint condition 3.7 petrol 2003 Jeep Cherokee limited for a very small amount of money. Please, don't hate on me for owning a diesel powered HZJ 75 series Toyota Landcruiser already. I had no idea what I was going to do with it. The fellow living a few houses down from me asked me why I had it when I already have the HZJ. I explained. He said his daughter was looking for a vehicle. so... I offered it to him for the same money I paid for it. He nearly fainted when I told him the price. In American money, $2,500. The new owner of the Jeep has made some changes. Better suspension, all terrain tires, transmission oil cooler, and so on. The Jeep gets used off road often. Thank you for posting this.
I have Morimoto headlights which has extremely bright high beams so I don't really need a light bar. I did install ditch lights but these are pointing 45 degree away from the center and they're also pointing downwards.
i think lightbars can be useful and worth your money for whatever use you use it for.they only thing i hate is when im driving and i see other jeeps driving w their lightbars on it annoying cos you can barely see.
New Jeep owner here less then a year....I have been on the fence about a light bar for for a little while now and I have to say it’s a hard pass from me and here’s why...The noise, the look, am I really going to use this?.. the first mods I wanted to do were lighting because I don’t like the stock lights. But after doing my research I’m going to go with two KCs maybe. If you are hunting these would actually be very useful for you on trucks. With my upgraded headlights that should be enough light for me. Plus my mods that I want to do are actually going to be useful to me and my needs. Next is a step bar cause being 5’3 trying to get into a lifted Jeep every day is tough Lol. Thanks for the video. I love your channel.
I looks great 👍🏼 I will take your advice in my 98’ TJ, I just got a month ago, and I’m fixing oil and maintenance first, then I’ll put some good headlights, and later a light bar too. I’ve just joined in that group, Jeep Wrangler Enthusiasts 🤘🏼
I do make fun of all the mall crawlers in nashville. But I did put one on my jeep being that I run my trap lines at night and it really does light up a area
Never owned a Jeep before. I know this video is a few years old now but i just bought a 2012 jk sport unlimited 4dr RHD. Im a USPS rual route carrier in the middle of Oklahoma & it gets dark out there during the winter seasons. Need to see them address. Plus if i ever get stuck when it's dark im going to want to light up that situation as much as possible. So, a mall crawler my rig won't be. Great information on this video. Thank you👍
IMHO, I like them on y rig. I have small spots under bumper in front (switched) and small floods in the back (under bumper) for aux back ups. (wired into back ups with a relay. Both sets are for visibility. Future plans for a roof mount light bar, but other things first. Just added 31"s on my mostly stock 95 Cherokee Sport. Now it's getting a 3" lift. As always, great content and thumbs up!
In the old days we ran 4 or 5 inch aircraft landing lights, my eyes couldn't focus that far down the road, but you have to do 30 mph or more or they would overheat. Big draw, so heavy wire and relay. Great video.
There is a way around the glare, if you install the lightbar further back on the roof of your Jeep or truck, about like 6 inches, it gets rid of the glare and still lights up everything else.
Ben, I love my light bar. I do a lot of night trail crawling and speed is not the reason for the light. My jeep is called nightcrawler 50" above the windshield 2- 3" cubes on the A pillars pointed to the ditches 2 more 3" cubes and a 6" rectangle on the bull bar spread left right and center with 2 - 3" cubes mounted above the rear window hinges for backing up. Wind noise is an issue on road above 60 mph but other than that it is not noticeable. Some of the methods to quiet the whistle work others do not. Aerolidz are cool but I would scratch the heck out of it in no time. I can light up the night on those dark overgrown forest trails, wouldn't be the same without them. As far as accessories not used, I have a winch mounted and as of yet have not needed it for recovery but I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I wheel most of the time with my wife on board and not in a group so the boy scout in me says be prepared. I enjoy the channel and whatever you decide to bring is good with me. Thanks Mike
Light bars are practical like them or not ,. Saved my fenders on a night trail.So If you do night runs , snow runs at night,. you will be thankful that you have it...Its a valuable upgrade and if you don't like it keep hitting those trees at night ... Judge not but to be Judged.
I love my rigid e2 hyper sport bar. I actually do a lot of night wheeling. And like to play in the hay Pastures at night. It sounds like a damn jet engine when going down the road. It’s a must to have those rubber “silencers” that goes on the fins of the back of the bar.
I love mine, I own a Nissan frontier and I live outside the city limits so I use it sometimes to spot deer before they run in front of me. It also looks mean on my truck.
I have a 21” light bar on my hood with 2 led cubes on each end of windshield. Also have a 16” led light bar on rear bumper. Use them off road and when on a dark road with no other cars because the jk headlights are horrible. Also have a 9” bar on front bumper.
I almost have the same design layout with light bars like you got, that's strange lol.. I got one on my hood, with 2 cube LEDs, 2 cube LEDs by my winch, and 2 inside my rear solid metal bumper(got a solid mode and flicker mode(use that in case of tailgating)). All are from ZuesLighting. Follow me on Instagram, eugenehobza
I live in Massachusetts where you have white out snowy conditions and the fog can get pretty bad so I went with one.It helps when you can’t see anything.I don’t really care what anyone says
we do have cowl lights on the JK but i have not yet found the need for anything on our JL with the LED option, im feeling cowl lights would be what id lean towards again, and i have thought possibly some front bumper cubes. oh wait, i forgot about my lights that JCR put in my sliders, not a light bar but kinda mall crawlish right??
I don't know why anyone would dislike light bars, my son and I put them on our RZR's, we take them in crazy places in SD, they turn night into day, and when you are driving around places with 100' washouts that's a good thing. I have a Humvee with one, just got a Jeep and was considering one on it as well. We live in the country and want to be able to go where and when we want.
I like my light bars I got a 20" going across the hood aimed up for a going through tunnels are at night shining up dizzy up hills and I got my 52" across the windshield and I love having the option of having the extra light lot of people complain about the whistle I don't have a problem with that
I don't have one my YJ,I do have a curved one on my 05 silverado.i use it for cutting grass in the late evening,it lights up the whole pasture which I stripe.they have multiple uses.mine is noisey.ive tried everything to get it to be less noisey.they don't make curved lense covers.another down fall to a light bar is limbs and other things(buzzard) can hit them and bend the brackets
I'm in the category of not caring if dudes have or don't have light bars on their jeep. They probably get used once in a while. What cracks me up though are these clowns that run around town with pickups that are 4 feet off the ground sportin low profile mud terrains. You just know the most dirt those trucks will ever see is the dirt on the floor of the local car wash stall! Anyway, long time watcher, first time subscriber. Thanks for you content! I refer to your infotaiment channel often!
On your hood, what brand are those windshield bump stops? They appear to be ribbed and taller than stock, which would help the folded windshield from contacting the hood hinges.
I had a light bar on my Jeep for all about about 2 days. The wind noise and whistle was just terrible. I took it off, sold it, and put some A pillar cube lights on, and a 10" light bar on the bumper. Way better looking in my opinion and you don't have the wind noise.
Anytime you put metal on top of metal you promote moisture. I like the pillar covers you got because they have foam preinstalled. I wonder if you could put some thick double sided tape on the panels that don't have the foam preinstalled. It helps with scratches, like you said, but I wonder if you could use it to create a little air gap to mitigate moisture buildup. To anyone running something like this, are you seeing any moisture?
A light bar will be one of my next purchases, living in the Pacific Northwest there have been several times when I’m up in the mountains and it gets dark pretty quick. Up there there’s absolutely zero ambient lighting, there animals that WILL jump out in front of you and many roads where one side is a straight drop. For me? The more lighting (within reason) the better.
Im a newbie. Next month my JK will be 1 yr old. I've been on two Offroad parks (Chaos and AOAA), and 1 Jeep trail badge. I research alot, so I have no need for a 50" light bar since Im not living near the desert. The high quality bars cost as much as lift kits! For now I have light pods, and a 14" bumper light bar with amber running lights. If $$$$ were no issue, I'd buy the backlit designs from Rigid. My JK is pretty BUT trail functional.
I hated the noise on my light bar as well but bought this light bar damper on amazon. Very cheap and even if its not the same brand it still worked. Just jams right in the fins behind the light bar. Hidden and looks way better than that bulky plastic cover
I found, at autozone, light bar wind/noise canceling inserts.for the fins on the back of the light. I havent tried them. But its something to look into.
How reliable are this light bars vs spot lights? If one spot light brokes i just have to replace one, if one of the leds in the light bar brokes i have to replace the entire bar.
They are definitely plenty of pros and cons to this. Living in Kentucky the trails are covered in limbs and brush plus with the usually muddy trails I am known for bouncing off of a few trees 😂
So my 2017 Wrangler JK came with a lightbar. It hummed/whistled. So I got that Aerolidz clear plastic cover. It doesn’t hum/whistle anymore however now the light is diffused……… any help out there? Do KC Hilites hum or whistle?
i believe light bars serve a purpose if used properly. to blast alot of light on old dirt roads. (not when on coming traffic is facing you) also useful for wheeling at night
I love the function of them! My work trucks got a legal hella out front, and the jeeps got a legal nightrider out front, they're great for night driving, which I find myself doing a lot. As long as someone's not coming at me with a roof mounted one on then rock on 👍
Just put my lift on... after bumpers, sliders, and hood led bar. I beat the crap out of my TJ on the rocks when I was stock height. Especially night rock crawling with my buddies who were lifted before me. So even though my a light bar was one of my first mods.. my fuel tank, steering box, tcase skid plate and oil pan say I’m not a mall crawler haha. But I suppose I could have just upgraded my factory Tj headlights and got the same results ...
I live on the North shore of Lake Erie. About every year youre bound to see the deer,hopefully. I didn't see my last one. But I haven't hit one since. I installed the roof pillar lights and hood, and yes mine whistled as well. Aerolidz makes the solution
What is your opinion on Lightbars?? Let me know in the comments!
Route66mods Bolts: www.route66mods.com/product-category/delete-kits/jeep/
Light bars are fantastic for skiing what I do, lots of driving at night on mountain roads.
Helps me drive to the mall at night
I have only 3 mods on my 14 rubicon, winchplate, 10k X2O gen2 winch, and a 24" lightbar right above the fairlead. the lightbar is only tool for night wheeling, it has a multi color row of leds witch comes in handy for fog (orange), white out snow (yellow).
put door trim on the cooling fins on the back. The noise will stop
In Canada it is ILLEGAL to run these on road, regardless of weather, not sure about the states. Off-road they are nice.
I'm old and immune to peer pressure. Some of my peers are, ah...elsewhere. Do you want a light bar? Then do it! If you don't, same answer! My jeep my choice! I pay the Bills. Screw 'm.
Yup, I think like you Ken....Now that i'm 60 I finally bought my first wrangler. To me, there is nothing more cool looking than a light bar. ROUND ONEs!
I live in the sticks of southern Illinois, so it's actually my most used upgrade. I see deer before they even think of crossing the road, but you have to be vigilant about watching for on coming traffic
Im from Southern Illinois also...them white tails can ruin your day!
It serves a purpose so I am fine with light bars. Angry eyes are another story though. Especially the ones with lashes.
Light bars are for queers
I'm fine with light bars if they get used
My personal view is that everything that is put on a jeep should have a function and be used appropriately not just cosmetic
Everything that is put on your jeep maybe. You don't get to decide what other people do with their stuff. How often does a light bar have to get used for you to approve of someone buying one?
@@birish21 Ben asked for our views on light bars so I gave mine, I wasn't trying to make a decision for anyone. I made sure to specify that that is my personal view, everyone makes their own decisions and builds their own jeep. I dont have a need for one so I don't have one, but I have nothing directly against them.
@@birish21 @ least a dozen times or no more jeep wave for them.
There are many off-road vehicles but Jeeps are so popular because of the aesthetic look and customization options so I strangle disagree that EVERYTHING has to have a functional purpose. But light bars are lights so even if it’s for cosmetic purposes you can always use them in emergencies. You never know when you may need to use them
Strongly *
I use my light bar alot when off-roading on my ranch, the whistling drove me nuts but 6 bucks in window weather stripping worked great and no more whistling
I just prefer the old school look of the round lights on a jeep.
Thank you for this comment
They just don't look good, I would do Baja design round lights..
Plant-Based MD KC for me!
Also the round lights with the stock grill not those cheesy ones
Same here. Went with KCs with yellow smiley covers for the extra old school. 😁
I hunt in very remote areas and my lightbar helps illuminate the road to make sure i can see all the deer crossing the road
I don't use a 50" like that but I do use my Pod floods and a 20" on my front bumper on the beach at night. It's freakin' dark and you don't want to hit a hole where someone dug for a bonfire, extra lighting is a must
Light bars are a necessity for navigating those darkened parking lots. 5 out of 5 stars.
Makes Mall Crawling at night a breeze!
Said the people that are to scared to OFFROAD at night
@@JeffLenneyYou sound like you are a expert on mall crawling
I run off in the woods solo alot...I love my 50 inch light bar. Never really had anyone say anything negative about it...but like someone else said...why would I care what someone else thinks about what I pay for?
Oh and for the noise...just a slight tilt forward stopped that. Reach out and rock it back a notch when using it off road.
My lightbar comes in very handy out on the farm at night. I went with a cheap amazon one and found that if you install it upside down it makes almost no noise. I’ve had it up to 85mph but can’t hear a thing. No other modifications added other than flip it upside down.
I like the look of light bars personally. They can be useful on dark back roads, which there are no shortage of here in Ohio. But, even if you are not going to use them, so what, it's your jeep, you can do whatever you want to it. If someone has something to say, they can pay your jeep payments and pay for all the mods themselves.
I wouldn’t mind that I get a modded jeep and they get to mod a jeep lol
It's the fact their blinding people retard
I’m in Ohio. Got any good trails you can share?
I'm buying a light bar so I can see empty spots in dark parking lots, specifically at auto zone when I go to buy wax and tire shine for my jeep. #DetailedNotDirty
😆
Ahhaha
I need my light bar so I can easily find Macy's and Dillards
Noting wrong with keeping the jeep looking good in between holes n hill's
I live in a VERY rural area and use my 50" bar and rigid duallies a lot and love them. I also wheel the Hell out of my JKUR so it's no mall crawler. I think people are insane though that spend $1,600 in a rigid light bar.
All I can say to all the Mall Crawlers out there is "Thank you!". If it we're not for you and your generous purchases to upgrade the look of your rig, all the folks that fancy themselves as hardcore off-roaders would not be enjoying the economic benefits of ECONOMY OF SCALE...We all are better off when Tens of thousands of Mall Crawlers drive the cost down and drive the markets to provide a variety of products with which we can choose between a $10 pod light or $1200 light bar. Cheers from South Central Pennsylvania!
Been on many trips with high end crawler rigs, jeeps, etc. Seeing a trail light up at what appears like miles away on the top of a mountain is awesome.
Even though my (wj) is primarily for trail riding and is trailered most of the time, it is however insured and registered just in case I need it to be on public road ways. (My wj IS NOT a mall crawler). With that being said, I have light bars all over this weekend trail basher. I have found myself in the past, down in a holler at some far away off-road park at night with just headlights. So I started adding light bars and l.e.d. flood lights. In all I have 3 forward facing light bars, (in various sizes) and eight 4 inch by 4 inch flood lights attached to the cargo rack placed in specific spots where I can see clearly in 360 degrees (if needed). I know the importance of high powered lights on the trail. I use mine for safety of myself, my riders, and others that might be on the trails at night. I don't however think that light bars should be used on public roads. OFF ROAD USE ONLY.......
In non-dusty environments I'm sure they are fine. I had a light bar on my 66 Bronco back in the 80's and turned it on once. I lit up the trail dust so bad I couldn't see past the hood. Took them off the very next day. I can only imagine in snow conditions overhead light bars have a similar effect. Now almost 40 years later (wholly crap) I am finally getting back to wheeling and have a JLU, and am looking at various lighting options. I'm curious to read others' serious comments/insight to light bars before going that direction as there are some nice ones out there that thrown down some serious illumination for a clear dark night condition. I'm thinking a combination of front driving lights, A-Pillar lights, and an overhead light bar all supplementing each other is the way to go. If you can only choose one, I'd go with front mounted driving lights since they won't blind you in dusty conditions.
Check out my video I did on “why people hate Lightbars”
Before you make a final decision. I would look at a good set of amber lights. I will be installing some on my jeeps in a month or so.
Love our KC Gravity Pro6 light bar. Nothing else compares. We use it as often as we can.
I am in the function group when it comes to light bars. Yet again another great video Ben. have a great day.
Just installed a 50" LED on my wrangler. Has amber lights that can be used on road also. Super bright in the trails at night. Love it!!!
As someone who got a Jeep used with light bars I love them. Adds a nice touch to the Jeep. Personally I don’t use mine on road cause I’m not trying to blind others let me know what y’all thing
I have one because i like to go out from time to time at night. It works great on those back roads. Night rides give a whole new feel even if you have been on that trail before.
I have a light bar, and got rid of the wind noise by rotating the light bar down a few degrees. When off road, readjust, takes about 20 seconds, carry your allen wrench.
I have one and I use it for those country roads at night so I can see the deer or hogs in the road. I really don't care if others don't like them because it's my jeep and that's the great thing about owning a jeep you can fix it up like you want it. Down here there isn't that many places you can go trailing. im not a hard core wheeler also.
Right on!
I have a light bar on my 2012 JKU, here in Florida if you are jeep at night in the woods the light bar is the best and gives you the light you need to see like that low hang branch!
I'm actually ditching my windshield mounted 50" and going with a 20" mounted to my fairlead. I get a ton of glare off the hood (white JKUR), and it's unusable without perfect conditions.
You just talked me out of a roof set up. I've got ditch and bull bar lights and wanted top lights but that glare will be ridiculous.
I like the light bars because I go into the woods a lot at night with mine or off roading and it helps me see what’s ahead. It’s also nice if I’m camping or hanging out off the grid to get some extra visibility
new jeep owner here, please be nice: can someone tell me how lightbars affect battery when the jeep is turned off? My lightbar can still turn on even when the jeep is off, should i be concerned?
My jeep came with the light bar on it, and i love it. It was not very loud until 65 or 70 and driving into the wind, but i added a couple strips or door trim to it and i have no issues. I dont like the look of the lids, and for a piece of plastic a hundred bucks is stiff. Cya
perfect accessory for spotlighting deer rolling down the road
My stock Rubicon had a light bar installed when I bought it. I don't like it for the noise and glare off my white hood and plan to take it off. But.... one thing I do like is using it when stationary to light a campsite or work area.
I have a 4runner. I posted in a 4runner Facebook group whether or not I should mount the lightbar I have or sell it. The overwhelming majority told me to sell it and get a 32" lightbar for the grille.
I know this is 2 years old but I just installed a light bar on my Jeep I live in the country it's a great thing to have you can see deer before they run into you
Use ditch lights, pods in my bumper, and rock lights that's plenty good for night wheeling. I think having smaller more compact lights for night wheeling is ideal. Now if you were out west in wide open areas and traveling at speed I could see them being more useful. Personal preference is all it is for most.
Personally I just prefer lights mounted on the bumper (no glare that way) and in most situations smaller lights there are still plenty for back road and trail cruises at night. Had a 50 in on a cherokee years ago and almost never actually used it due to the crazy glare. My jk has pods on the bumper and I use them at least every week or so.
I just purchased my Jeep. Its winter and I live in the mojave desert. That being said, a light bar is essential to just visiting a friend that lives in a remote area. Here they are not a "mall crawler" upgrade; they are an essential for safety. Gonna put one on my wifes Kona as well lol
I’m a proud Mall Crawler lol. My Jeep is my daily driver and I don’t have money to get it fixed (nor do I like seeing scratches and dents on it). I love it and appreciate that it’s built to be off road but I’m not at the point in my life where I feel comfortable risking any damage to it
I have one because I'm blind.
And it's an outlet mall crawler.
I don't have a light bar since I don't off-road at night, but I wouldn't judge anyone who has a light at, whether for off-road or just for looks.
I used the car door edge guards on the upper and lower fins on mine. Stops the whistle pretty well.
I work the oilfields and drive all different shifts and weather and I am telling you that they are life savers! The 100s of miles of dirt roads that are unnamed and not maintained I drive each week are difficult to maneuver in daylight! In the dark there’s no reflector poles and none of the intersections are marked and you can’t even see your corner or turn even though you know it’s coming! They are as important to my crews as headlights!
Ive never had one before so I’ll let you know after the install. I have the a pillar brackets and a 52” Nilight.
I drive a GMC Yukon and plan on putting some on just because it gets pretty dark down here in South Texas and for when I'm on the beach in South Padre Island .
I confess, some time ago I moved my pod lights from the windshield down to the bumper because I didn't like the glare on the hood. Still haven't wired them up.
Light bars rock!! Looks awesome on your jeep
I like the bar on my TJ and I assure you it's not mall certified. I added some additional "rock lights" under the Jeep, two additional "pod" lights on the front for up close illumination and one on the back. Im happy, I like how it looks and I can see! (Mall crawler smoothly worn tires--NOT mall crawler, cuts and chunks missing.)
Had one on my wrangler for about a year and used it off road for night rides quite a bit. I just had too much high pitched squealing going on around 50 mph and now it sits in the basement. I still run pods which is plenty of light for the trails. Rock lights are even better so you can see your lines. I’m guessing you won’t keep it on very long 😏. Great video Ben
Where I live in SE Texas by the time I get anywhere that is not flat I am setting camp in the dark light bar comes in real handy
I live out in the country away from any cities (closest major city is almost 1 hour away) and most of the driving I do is on dark 2 lane blacktops and gravel roads. I use mine to help me see any animals on the road (usually a 2000 lb cow) that would possibly total my rig. As others have said if they are not paying my note then they have no say it what mods I do.
Hi from Australia. Jeeps are not so common here but, the jeep's I see out on the trails and tracks are usually, very modified, 2-3 inch lifted suspension, bar work(front steel bulbar with winch, brush guard's/rock slider's/side steps and a steel rear bar with two spare tires or a spare and a fuel can) So cool looking, LED lightbar's are legal here but not above the height of the hood, so, not mounted of roof rack or above the wind shield. A friend in need sold me his mint condition 3.7 petrol 2003 Jeep Cherokee limited for a very small amount of money. Please, don't hate on me for owning a diesel powered HZJ 75 series Toyota Landcruiser already. I had no idea what I was going to do with it. The fellow living a few houses down from me asked me why I had it when I already have the HZJ. I explained. He said his daughter was looking for a vehicle. so... I offered it to him for the same money I paid for it. He nearly fainted when I told him the price. In American money, $2,500. The new owner of the Jeep has made some changes. Better suspension, all terrain tires, transmission oil cooler, and so on. The Jeep gets used off road often. Thank you for posting this.
I have Morimoto headlights which has extremely bright high beams so I don't really need a light bar. I did install ditch lights but these are pointing 45 degree away from the center and they're also pointing downwards.
i think lightbars can be useful and worth your money for whatever use you use it for.they only thing i hate is when im driving and i see other jeeps driving w their lightbars on it annoying cos you can barely see.
New Jeep owner here less then a year....I have been on the fence about a light bar for for a little while now and I have to say it’s a hard pass from me and here’s why...The noise, the look, am I really going to use this?.. the first mods I wanted to do were lighting because I don’t like the stock lights. But after doing my research I’m going to go with two KCs maybe. If you are hunting these would actually be very useful for you on trucks. With my upgraded headlights that should be enough light for me. Plus my mods that I want to do are actually going to be useful to me and my needs. Next is a step bar cause being 5’3 trying to get into a lifted Jeep every day is tough Lol. Thanks for the video. I love your channel.
I looks great 👍🏼
I will take your advice in my 98’ TJ, I just got a month ago, and I’m fixing oil and maintenance first, then I’ll put some good headlights, and later a light bar too. I’ve just joined in that group, Jeep Wrangler Enthusiasts 🤘🏼
I do make fun of all the mall crawlers in nashville. But I did put one on my jeep being that I run my trap lines at night and it really does light up a area
Never owned a Jeep before. I know this video is a few years old now but i just bought a 2012 jk sport unlimited 4dr RHD. Im a USPS rual route carrier in the middle of Oklahoma & it gets dark out there during the winter seasons. Need to see them address. Plus if i ever get stuck when it's dark im going to want to light up that situation as much as possible. So, a mall crawler my rig won't be. Great information on this video. Thank you👍
IMHO, I like them on y rig. I have small spots under bumper in front (switched) and small floods in the back (under bumper) for aux back ups. (wired into back ups with a relay. Both sets are for visibility. Future plans for a roof mount light bar, but other things first. Just added 31"s on my mostly stock 95 Cherokee Sport. Now it's getting a 3" lift. As always, great content and thumbs up!
In the old days we ran 4 or 5 inch aircraft landing lights, my eyes couldn't focus that far down the road, but you have to do 30 mph or more or they would overheat. Big draw, so heavy wire and relay. Great video.
I have a 50" lightbar now but im taking it off soon and replacing it with the KC Hilites Pro 6.
I am installing a pair of KC pro6s on my bumper rather than installing a 50” light bar
Same idea... so I guess those are for mall crawlers too right?... lol...
@@anywhereoverlander416 I don't know and I don't care lol. People who claim we have mall crawlers probably don't have any rigs lol
I put my light bar on the roof directly behind the windshield. I have never suffered any glare or wind noise.
Where you get your light bar. I was thinking the same thing
There is a way around the glare, if you install the lightbar further back on the roof of your Jeep or truck, about like 6 inches, it gets rid of the glare and still lights up everything else.
Love your video “old Jeep road”. It’s the best cover of old town road I’ve seen. Mall crawlers love their light bars.
I think light bars look so badass and I want to instal one on my Jeep when I buy it
That's why I'm just going for a 20" bumper light bar with A pillar pods. Simple, inexpensive, and it'll work without the noise, laws, or stigma
Haha indeed, its all you need 👌
I love my lightbars. I go in the woods pretty often at night and I can see everything
Ben, I love my light bar. I do a lot of night trail crawling and speed is not the reason for the light. My jeep is called nightcrawler 50" above the windshield 2- 3" cubes on the A pillars pointed to the ditches 2 more 3" cubes and a 6" rectangle on the bull bar spread left right and center with 2 - 3" cubes mounted above the rear window hinges for backing up. Wind noise is an issue on road above 60 mph but other than that it is not noticeable. Some of the methods to quiet the whistle work others do not. Aerolidz are cool but I would scratch the heck out of it in no time. I can light up the night on those dark overgrown forest trails, wouldn't be the same without them. As far as accessories not used, I have a winch mounted and as of yet have not needed it for recovery but I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I wheel most of the time with my wife on board and not in a group so the boy scout in me says be prepared. I enjoy the channel and whatever you decide to bring is good with me. Thanks Mike
Light bars are practical like them or not ,. Saved my fenders on a night trail.So If you do night runs , snow runs at night,. you will be thankful that you have it...Its a valuable upgrade and if you don't like it keep hitting those trees at night ... Judge not but to be Judged.
I love my rigid e2 hyper sport bar. I actually do a lot of night wheeling. And like to play in the hay Pastures at night. It sounds like a damn jet engine when going down the road. It’s a must to have those rubber “silencers” that goes on the fins of the back of the bar.
I love mine, I own a Nissan frontier and I live outside the city limits so I use it sometimes to spot deer before they run in front of me. It also looks mean on my truck.
I have a 21” light bar on my hood with 2 led cubes on each end of windshield. Also have a 16” led light bar on rear bumper. Use them off road and when on a dark road with no other cars because the jk headlights are horrible. Also have a 9” bar on front bumper.
I almost have the same design layout with light bars like you got, that's strange lol.. I got one on my hood, with 2 cube LEDs, 2 cube LEDs by my winch, and 2 inside my rear solid metal bumper(got a solid mode and flicker mode(use that in case of tailgating)). All are from ZuesLighting. Follow me on Instagram, eugenehobza
I live in Massachusetts where you have white out snowy conditions and the fog can get pretty bad so I went with one.It helps when you can’t see anything.I don’t really care what anyone says
we do have cowl lights on the JK but i have not yet found the need for anything on our JL with the LED option, im feeling cowl lights would be what id lean towards again, and i have thought possibly some front bumper cubes. oh wait, i forgot about my lights that JCR put in my sliders, not a light bar but kinda mall crawlish right??
I don't know why anyone would dislike light bars, my son and I put them on our RZR's, we take them in crazy places in SD, they turn night into day, and when you are driving around places with 100' washouts that's a good thing.
I have a Humvee with one, just got a Jeep and was considering one on it as well.
We live in the country and want to be able to go where and when we want.
Honestly they come in handy at times if you're wheeling at night or if you're doing a recovery at night.
I like taking pics in the snow and rain while driving with the light bar on.
I like my light bars I got a 20" going across the hood aimed up for a going through tunnels are at night shining up dizzy up hills and I got my 52" across the windshield and I love having the option of having the extra light lot of people complain about the whistle I don't have a problem with that
i went with baja designs squadron sports instead of a lightbar/cheaper light set up and couldn’t be happier with it. worth the extra money
I don't have one my YJ,I do have a curved one on my 05 silverado.i use it for cutting grass in the late evening,it lights up the whole pasture which I stripe.they have multiple uses.mine is noisey.ive tried everything to get it to be less noisey.they don't make curved lense covers.another down fall to a light bar is limbs and other things(buzzard) can hit them and bend the brackets
I'm in the category of not caring if dudes have or don't have light bars on their jeep. They probably get used once in a while. What cracks me up though are these clowns that run around town with pickups that are 4 feet off the ground sportin low profile mud terrains. You just know the most dirt those trucks will ever see is the dirt on the floor of the local car wash stall! Anyway, long time watcher, first time subscriber. Thanks for you content! I refer to your infotaiment channel often!
This is funny timing. I just won a 30” Auxbeam light bar that I will be putting on the ZJ truck from Muddy Beards 4x4.
On your hood, what brand are those windshield bump stops? They appear to be ribbed and taller than stock, which would help the folded windshield from contacting the hood hinges.
I had a light bar on my Jeep for all about about 2 days. The wind noise and whistle was just terrible. I took it off, sold it, and put some A pillar cube lights on, and a 10" light bar on the bumper. Way better looking in my opinion and you don't have the wind noise.
Anytime you put metal on top of metal you promote moisture. I like the pillar covers you got because they have foam preinstalled. I wonder if you could put some thick double sided tape on the panels that don't have the foam preinstalled. It helps with scratches, like you said, but I wonder if you could use it to create a little air gap to mitigate moisture buildup. To anyone running something like this, are you seeing any moisture?
A light bar will be one of my next purchases, living in the Pacific Northwest there have been several times when I’m up in the mountains and it gets dark pretty quick. Up there there’s absolutely zero ambient lighting, there animals that WILL jump out in front of you and many roads where one side is a straight drop. For me? The more lighting (within reason) the better.
Im a newbie. Next month my JK will be 1 yr old. I've been on two Offroad parks (Chaos and AOAA), and 1 Jeep trail badge. I research alot, so I have no need for a 50" light bar since Im not living near the desert. The high quality bars cost as much as lift kits! For now I have light pods, and a 14" bumper light bar with amber running lights. If $$$$ were no issue, I'd buy the backlit designs from Rigid. My JK is pretty BUT trail functional.
Put silencers on the back fins. Rough country light bars come with them and they work! You can easily make them
I hated the noise on my light bar as well but bought this light bar damper on amazon. Very cheap and even if its not the same brand it still worked. Just jams right in the fins behind the light bar. Hidden and looks way better than that bulky plastic cover
It’s called a damper ?
I found, at autozone, light bar wind/noise canceling inserts.for the fins on the back of the light.
I havent tried them. But its something to look into.
Illegal On Road in most states, unless mounted lower than the stock headlights.
You can mount them anywhere you want, you just can't turn them on.
How reliable are this light bars vs spot lights? If one spot light brokes i just have to replace one, if one of the leds in the light bar brokes i have to replace the entire bar.
They are definitely plenty of pros and cons to this. Living in Kentucky the trails are covered in limbs and brush plus with the usually muddy trails I am known for bouncing off of a few trees 😂
So my 2017 Wrangler JK came with a lightbar. It hummed/whistled. So I got that Aerolidz clear plastic cover. It doesn’t hum/whistle anymore however now the light is diffused……… any help out there? Do KC Hilites hum or whistle?
i believe light bars serve a purpose if used properly. to blast alot of light on old dirt roads. (not when on coming traffic is facing you) also useful for wheeling at night
BTW, great video Ben!! Not boring at all.
I love the function of them! My work trucks got a legal hella out front, and the jeeps got a legal nightrider out front, they're great for night driving, which I find myself doing a lot. As long as someone's not coming at me with a roof mounted one on then rock on 👍
Just put my lift on... after bumpers, sliders, and hood led bar. I beat the crap out of my TJ on the rocks when I was stock height. Especially night rock crawling with my buddies who were lifted before me. So even though my a light bar was one of my first mods.. my fuel tank, steering box, tcase skid plate and oil pan say I’m not a mall crawler haha. But I suppose I could have just upgraded my factory Tj headlights and got the same results ...
I live on the North shore of Lake Erie. About every year youre bound to see the deer,hopefully. I didn't see my last one. But I haven't hit one since. I installed the roof pillar lights and hood, and yes mine whistled as well. Aerolidz makes the solution
what are the after market fenders you have on this jeep? Exactly the look I am trying to put on my JL.