Hitting the dirt road in your 4x4 is something many Aussie campers and off-road tragics hold dear. Our countryside is designed for it, with an abundance of tracks spanning from coast to coast. Things can get tricky however when the sun sinks below the horizon and you're forced to rely on your vehicle's lighting to get you through in one piece.
Light bars have become an increasingly popular addition to many 4x4s, and for good reason. With a slim profile and varying size options, these beasts can be mounted just about anywhere. Light bars provide an immense amount of light that can practically turn night into day.
The BCFing experts have put together a step-by-step guide to setting up light bars on your vehicle so your next 4x4 adventure is a ripper – whether it's during the day or at night.
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Check the positioning of your light bar
Whether you're installing a light bar or even spotties, deciding where they'll be mounted and ensuring they're positioned correctly are the first steps you should take. A bull bar, roof cage, roof rack, or any other suitable sturdy location are all perfect mounting solutions. It's important to check the relevant laws in your local area regarding the placement of auxiliary lighting on your vehicle.
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Mark out mounting holes
Once you have measured the distance between both mounting holes, it's time to start the installation process. Begin by dividing the overall length of your light bar by 2 and measuring out from the middle of your rig. You can also mark the locations of your mounting holes ready for drilling. "Measure twice, drill once" is a solid piece of advice.
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Ensure everything is lined up
Next, check your light bar and mounting bracket are lined up perfectly with your pre-measured drilling marks and everything is centered correctly.
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Drill holes in mounting point
Once you're confident that everything is flush, you can pre-drill each side of the mounting bracket so that it's prepared to take the light bar mounting bolts. These will attach to your bull bar or roof racks and help to secure the light bar.
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Check position and angle of light bar
After the mounting bracket has been secured firmly in place with mounting bolts, check the angle and position of your light bar. For maximum performance, you want your lights to be pointing perpendicular to the front of your rig and parallel to the ground.
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Connect wiring by using a wiring harness
Now that the light bar is in place, it's time to look at wiring it together with a wiring harness (sold separately). A wiring harness is a convenient tool that makes the installation process easier. Equipped with a toggle switch, relay, and fuse holder, the wiring harness houses all the terminals needed to connect the light to your battery.
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Test it out!
After the toggle switch has been positioned in the 4x4's cabin and the wiring has been attached to your battery, you should be ready to hit the road.