Going to add 4 spot lights to my roof rack, should I ditch the lightbar?

[Deleted member 65986]

So, I currently have a 50" curved lightbar above my windshield. I also have 2 7'' spot lights on my front bumper. (First picture) I have become interested in the idea of adding 4 spots to my roof rack ever since I got it. However, I'm not sure if it would look weird with the spots AND the lightbar. Debating whether or not I should leave it alone, add the spots and remove the lightbar, or add the spots and keep the lightbar. I made a quick image (second picture) with some black circles representing the spot lights and did my best to mask them behind the lightbar so you can get a good feel of how it would look. I could sell the lightbar on craigslist for $100, it's an ebay-special that has worked through all conditions beautifully.

 

[Toyotadirtdevil]

If you're going to run the spots get rid of the bar. The spots give it that classic look.

OB 1643

 

[F4T XJ]

Have them all, I like the look. I opted for 2 spotlights either side of a smaller light bar and also have 2 LED lights facing the rear wired to the reverse with a manual over ride.

 

[seb]

Looks good with all of them!


Sent from my iPad using OB Talk

 

[Daniel Etter]

You could always move the light bar to the rear of the rack for extra back up light

 

[Glenn]

Im of the mind that if it aint broke, don't fix it. Its not like you need more light in front...I like it just the way it is. If you already bought the lights maybe a side/rear mount?

 

[Glenn]

LMAO! Just saw the "poll" and it reminded me of something the wife would say... STOP SPENDING...lol

 

[scubasteve2002]

I had led floods on the front of the Jeep. It was nice light but I really missed the simplicity and amber hue of halogen. Plus the pure whit seemed to mess with my night vision. Where the halogen seems to ease my eye fatigue at night. But that's just me lol. So my opinion is ditch the bar and use that as a backup light. Put the spots up front.

 

[Don Smith Jr]

I run spots on my rack because I like the old school look. Get hassled a lot until it's dark on the trail lol.

Don Smith OB #2559

 

[[DO]Ron]

Im of the mind that if it aint broke, don't fix it. Its not like you need more light in front...I like it just the way it is. If you already bought the lights maybe a side/rear mount?

This :P

 

[mase001]

Light bar looks great. Leave as is!

 

[WJ - Firefly]

I started with a lightbar, then added two 10 degree spots that throw light about a half mile down the road. The combo works well.

 

[NetDep]

Well, opinions are like -- well you know the rest. My opinion, and the way I voted, were to keep the lightbar and get the spots. That second picture looks AWESOME. The thing with lights is - if you have them you can turn them on but if you don't you can't!! That makes sense to those of us with a bit of a light "thing." I had a similar thought with my situation but then I was talking to my brilliant wife the other day and I mentioned my dilemma. She said, "Well, the way I look at it, lights are like black pants and who can EVER have enough pairs of black pants." She made a great point -- ditch lights installed!!!

Let your conscience and your wallet be your guide but remember to have fun!!

 

[utspoolup]

As much as I hate to say it being I am also a member on candle power forums and have way too much money invested into flashlights. There is such thing as too much of a good thing. But looking at this abortion of an Xterra, I would say lose the bar if going with spots....

 

[Captain Josh]

They missed a spot on the roof

 

[NetDep]

They missed a spot on the roof

"Missed a spot..." LOL - I see what you did there!!!

 

[4xFar Adventures]

Ditch the lightbar and move your two bumper lights to the roof rack, then you only need to buy 2 more of them. How often do you use them and what kind of terrain you usually travel in? The Euro beam pattern is a good all around style. Floods can wash too much out pointed directly in front, but are handy on the outside of the rack, pointed a few degrees outward. Pencil beams are really only good if your doing open desert running at 80 mph and need to see 1000' down range.

 

[Overlanding Downunder]

G’Day zachtyler

If I was doing this, these are some of the questions I would ask myself. You may already have.

My questions are ...
1a. When overlanding would the extra height of the spot lights cause you any problems with tree branch clearance? The light bar looks to be nicely tucked under the roof basket.

1b. Would the spot lights be tough enough if you did hit that tree branch?

2. Would the spot lights cause you more wind drag then the light bar? I know how much my rhino platform with solar panel and maxtrax change my fuel economy.

3. Will you be updating the wiring for the spot lights? I cannot see one wire for the light bar running the four spot lights. May be an extra cost to the budget.

4. Are looks everything? I am a person of functionality. Don’t get me wrong I am very fastidious when it comes to looks. All my wiring, switches and accessories are mount neatly and cleanly.

5. Extra light refection off the bonnet/hood, bulbar/bumper, antenna and mount. This maybe no difference between light bar and spot lights. But I would be checking on some else’s 4X4 with spot lights.

Colin

 

[TheMcCalls]

LMAO! Just saw the "poll" and it reminded me of something the wife would say... STOP SPENDING...lol

Hahahaha same here!

 

[Overlanding Downunder]

Howdy, Colin! Love these questions. You know why? Because they are the types of questions that race through my head every time I am about to click "complete purchase" for another mod on my rig!

G'Day zachtyler
It is great you are a person that does ask YOURSELF the questions.

From my own personal experience, I did not ask MYSELF the questions about some of my accessories. I ask coworkers with 4X4s, and the 4X4 accessories re-sellers and of course you need everything, and of course it has to be this brand and nothing else. I assume we have all been there? But I did not question myself, "did I need them?" We all learn from experience/hindsight. I will not air my dirty laundry hear.

I wish I found the Overland Bound Forums before my setup, this is a great place to see and hear of other peoples thoughts, setups and failures.

Colin