BobboZR2
Full Access Member
Thanks largely in part to this thread: http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f81/cheap-cheap-light-bar-32948/, I pulled the trigger the other day (Wednesday 4/10) on a 40" Tuff Stuff LED light bar on Amazon for $239 with free Amazon Prime shipping. The reason I went this route was that if it turned out to be garbage or if I didn't like it, I could just return it to Amazon and a full refund. I must admit that I'm an Amazon Prime junkie, but that's only because I want to get my money's worth. It came yesterday afternoon and I couldn't wait to install it today.
Going into it, I didn't know what kind of brackets it would come with. It came with two but they were unable to mount to any factory bolt locations. I went to Home Depot and bought all types of metal brackets to try. However, after a little playing around, I realized that I could utilize the brackets it came with. All I had to do was drill two holes and secure the brackets with the supplied bolts and nuts:
I forgot to snap pics of the actual holes and hardware, but it was beyond simple. The natural slant in that part of the engine compartment allowed me to angle the brackets forward. The brackets also come with rubber "feet" that allowed it to conform to the angle as well. Bolted down, the brackets are extremely sturdy.
I then had to use the sanding bit in my Dremmel to remove some of the plastic around the transmission cooler:
This placed the light right up against the tranny cooler which was a snug fit (they touch). I don't believe the heat is going to be a problem, but only time will tell I suppose.
However, by utilizing the included brackets the way I did, it actually positioned the light dead on to the larger openings of the grill below the FORD. I'd be lying if I said I planned it that way, but boy did I luck out:
I maintained the quick disconnect portion of the wiring that came with the light so I could always remove the light without interfering with the wiring and service and/or replace the light if needed. I didn't get a picture of this because it was getting dark. Here was the finished product all wired up to upfitter 1:
I took her out for a spin down a dark road by my house that has no lights at night:
Factory HID low beams:
Factory HID high beams:
LED bar & low beams:
LED bar & high beams:
The pictures don't do it justice. This mother is bright! They are angled 3 degrees up but I think I'm going to angle them up a bit more tomorrow so they can throw a little further out.
Overall I'm very satisfied. I hardly drive at night so the price was certainly right for me and the bar and hardware feel very well built. Not bad for an afternoon's work.
Going into it, I didn't know what kind of brackets it would come with. It came with two but they were unable to mount to any factory bolt locations. I went to Home Depot and bought all types of metal brackets to try. However, after a little playing around, I realized that I could utilize the brackets it came with. All I had to do was drill two holes and secure the brackets with the supplied bolts and nuts:
I forgot to snap pics of the actual holes and hardware, but it was beyond simple. The natural slant in that part of the engine compartment allowed me to angle the brackets forward. The brackets also come with rubber "feet" that allowed it to conform to the angle as well. Bolted down, the brackets are extremely sturdy.
I then had to use the sanding bit in my Dremmel to remove some of the plastic around the transmission cooler:
This placed the light right up against the tranny cooler which was a snug fit (they touch). I don't believe the heat is going to be a problem, but only time will tell I suppose.
However, by utilizing the included brackets the way I did, it actually positioned the light dead on to the larger openings of the grill below the FORD. I'd be lying if I said I planned it that way, but boy did I luck out:
I maintained the quick disconnect portion of the wiring that came with the light so I could always remove the light without interfering with the wiring and service and/or replace the light if needed. I didn't get a picture of this because it was getting dark. Here was the finished product all wired up to upfitter 1:
I took her out for a spin down a dark road by my house that has no lights at night:
Factory HID low beams:
Factory HID high beams:
LED bar & low beams:
LED bar & high beams:
The pictures don't do it justice. This mother is bright! They are angled 3 degrees up but I think I'm going to angle them up a bit more tomorrow so they can throw a little further out.
Overall I'm very satisfied. I hardly drive at night so the price was certainly right for me and the bar and hardware feel very well built. Not bad for an afternoon's work.
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