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Best location for overhead lighting?

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Donner

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01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion
Can someone tell me please, what is the best location for overhead lighting?

I plan to have 4 series 26 kc (rectangle 2"x 6") installed under the front cross bar... The side rails will be stretched forward about 6-8 inches, and lights will be bolted up under the first cross bar there.

Questions: 1. What's the best location for the lights? Remain in the factory roof rack location or brought forward?

Problems: 1. They have to drill new holes to lock in the extended roof rack - not sure if that's a good idea or not.

(In CA, is it legal to have these lights turned on on public roads? I've never seen one with lights on.)

Thanks!
 



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...search for a thread by bkennedy, it will give you cal laws...the lights must have a cover on them and not be used on highway, public roads...the more forward you bring the lights the better chance of not shining on your vehicle, but on the areas you want the light to shine on...i hope this helps...:D
 






Thank you!

It does help, I've never seen anyone with them on just casually driving down the street... It must be a seriously enforced law. I will research, and thanks to bkennedy :thumbsup:
 






...i think his thread also covers light switching...i say this because i believe the code reads that they should be switched as so not to be activated while driving...:scratch:
...i beleive it also spells it out what type of switch...the reasoning behind this i am guessing, people can't turn on their hi powered off road lights to blind people and such ...iknow it will make sense in his thread...:D
 












Nice!

Good thing I wasn't talking about overhead lighting laws, that would be embarrassing. :D
 






...rofl, i've done that...:D
 






That sounds like most of the choices will be aesthetic. The front cross bar looks to be within 40" of the front seat, but measure that. The location should come down to what you like best. If the look of the lights attached to the cross bar is what you want, do that. I'd consider mounting them to the roof, though the bar may be more than sturdy enough.

For the holes, the biggest issue will be the headliner, that one part is a big job to remove. With it out you can easily mark, drill and fill holes in the roof. Wait until the headliner is out before drilling, the reinforcement bars may be where you want to drill to start with. Try to use those if possible, the lights will be more stable there. I'd use Ultra Black RTV for sealing the holes or threads, etc. That stuff is the best for any conditions, it will not age/crack/fail.

Use relays to power the lights, you can then use any signal, large or small, to trigger the lights. I prefer OEM relays, because you can swap them with others at any time, for testing or repairs. Good luck,
 






Exactly...

95% of this is for aesthetics... It just doesn't seem worth paying so much to have this done (labor) if it's not really in use but maybe twice a year or for taking pics. And I dread the interior lining coming down and then never looking right again.

Is it possible (safe) to even think of extending the roof rack out, but use another method, like an adhesive to hold down the front end? Froader did a great photoshop of the rack... let me post the link here real quick.


I'm adding the lights, but extending the roof rack is just a preference.
 












...that link and the info in it lead you right to your answers...if that rack and rail were extended you would resolve a lot of questions and could mount them to the rack...say you move the rack all the way to the front and mount your lights on it....get another sliding bar and you still have a workable luggage area with the weight centered in it's original area of use...:thumbsup:
 






Well, it's the drilling holes in the roof that scare me. Since the center bracket and the rear bracket are bolted in, and the front bracket will be moved forward - leaving the existing front brackets open for an additional support bracket (like the pic), the front could be held down just by angling it so that it grips the roof and add an apoxy rather than drilling. (this all seemed so simple just thinking about it)
 






...welcome to the world of modifying your ride...:D

...i personally want to see you do this...i think it would be a one of a kind and great thing to do...the decision to continue is all yours...if it was easy, everyone would have one...;)
 






I'll do it, I shoulda asked these questions earlier... good grief.
 






...the only question you have to honestly ask is, is it worth it???...btw, you may also loose some mpg when this is done...;)
 






Thanks! Cost wise, it's not worth it... but I've had this image in my mind for so long that if I don't get it done, I'll feel like I never completed the project. I'm not worried about the mileage, gas prices are spanking us all... and those tires and rims have me down to about 5mpg right now (jk) It should be done on Thursday, pics if I like, pics if I don't...
 






...you can have it designed to be removable...this could be a plus ...good luck with your project and i can't wait to see the results...:D
 






tbars4 said:
...the only question you have to honestly ask is, is it worth it???...btw, you may also loose some mpg when this is done...;)
Click to expand...

i am about ready to ditch my rack and light combo hoping to get some MPG's back and maybe lighten the load a little too.....
 



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????

tbars4 said:
...you can have it designed to be removable...this could be a plus ...good luck with your project and i can't wait to see the results...:D
Click to expand...

cybergasm said:
i am about ready to ditch my rack and light combo hoping to get some MPG's back and maybe lighten the load a little too.....
Click to expand...

Removable? Someone stole a lug nut from one tire, and left a greasy paw print on the rim. :shifty_ey Gotta keep on your toes in CA or :eek: You know how it is, lock it or lose it.

I gotta look for pics of CBGs rack and light combo... Garage? Don't mind the traffic in the garage, it'll be me snooping around.
 






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