Advice on mounting a LED Light Bar

Ducatiguy · Post by **Ducatiguy** » 20 Oct 2020, 19:25

2004 XC70. I live in northern VT. Nights are dark and the roads are empty. I want to be able to see farther down the road at night than the stock high beams provide for. Recently purchased this Osram LED light bar designed to be driving lamps. Got my advice from Daniel Stern Lighting. If you don't know who he is and want ANY advice on automotive lighting he is THE MAN.

I am trying to figure out the mounting of the light bar. I am thinking of using the two bumper bolts behind the caps that are under the headlamps. Would mount an L shaped bracket to each one that would extend out over the top of the bumper. Then attach a flat bar to each one across the front bumper in front of the grill. Then mount the light bar to the flat bar.

My question is, can I cut through the top of the bumper where I am pointing on top of the bumper just behind the plug in the front of the bumper in the photos to insert the L bracket down through the cut so it can then be bolted in place with the bumper bolt.

The cut would be small, just big enough to insert and end of the L bracket through it. More like an incision.

Post by **darrylrobert** » 20 Oct 2020, 20:03

Ive installed my Hella light bar in the grill (cant find a pic) by cutting the grille and used the horn mounts and made a bracket. I first installed it down in the mouth (pic), i liked the performance of the light but didnt like it down there. EDIT strict laws in my state in regards to things sticking out infront of your car.

In regards to your question i think it would be possible, i assume you want extra stability?. i visited a car store while i was in Sweden and was thinking of buying the bracket that was popular for attaching additional lights but i picked it up was heavy, made from steel Not aluminum, that would put me over my baggage limit ..im surprised the bumper can hold that much weight.

Has someone changed you bumper, it looks pre facelift like 2001 2002.
the previous owner updated my 2001 to the 2004 bumper.

: LED light bar mounting

Ducatiguy · Post by **Ducatiguy** » 20 Oct 2020, 21:11

Thanks for the reply. Interesting idea about the horn mounts. Might have to take a peek in there. Yes, stability is important. The light bar is fairly heavy and I do not want it to shake etc. That is why i am looking for a really solid mounting arrangement. As you can see by the holes, I had previously mounted some basic driving lights on the grill. That did not work well. These are driving lights and they work best as close to level with the headlamps as possible. So down in the mouth would limit their function.

No clue about a possible bumper swap before I bought the car.

Post by **- Pete -** » 20 Oct 2020, 21:58

I would make a bar that mounts to the actual bumper cover mounts that are hidden behind these plastic plugs (one on either side).

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I made a mounting bar for dual light bars & mount it here. I’d need to measure, but I think my bars are 24” long each, something like that. I stripped out the one hole but the other is still good so it doesn’t shake much unless I’m on washboard gravel roads.

I’ll try to find a picture.

Ducatiguy · Post by **Ducatiguy** » 21 Oct 2020, 06:45

a photo would be helpful. Thanks

Post by **- Pete -** » 21 Oct 2020, 08:29

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Post by **BlackBart** » 21 Oct 2020, 11:40

Are these fog pattern or blasters that blind people? (I obviously have a chip on my shoulder about that, and trucks and jeeps with blinding blasters on the hood and roof)

Also, there's nothing worse than bright lights coming at you that jitter and vibrate.

Just a thought here - the euro fog light mounting bracket mounts behind the license plate, sticks out left and right, with uprights for the lamps. Maybe that could be adapted. You want aux lights to be as low as practical. Unless of course you're a race truck in Baja.

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PS - Daniel Stern is the lighting guru.

Ducatiguy · Post by **Ducatiguy** » 21 Oct 2020, 20:26

Pete, How did you make that set up? And how is it secured to the mounting bolts?

BlackBart, Any idea where to buy that bracket that mounts behind the license plate. Also, I thought of doing something with the license plate bracket but mine is too flimsy. It wobbles. BTW, fog lamps should be mounted as low as possible. But driving lamps should be at headlamp height. Per Daniel Stern.........The Guru!!! My light bar are driving lamps.

And i agree with the bright lights coming at you. I have been driving since the late 60's. Back when we were taught to dim the high beams for oncoming traffic. As well as use turn signals!!! I would not put these lights on if I did not live where I do. Dark, empty roads and the switch mounted where they can quickly be turned off.

Post by **darrylrobert** » 21 Oct 2020, 21:31

we call this a nudge bar, looks good on this Swedish xc70 i spotted as a light bar.

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Ducatiguy · Post by **Ducatiguy** » 21 Oct 2020, 21:34

Interesting. Where can i buy one?