Well, finished all the wiring now, and the project is done. There are a few things I will need to address, like the fender brackets, and how I mounted relays.

The day started off, driving to Harbor freight in the rain. I picked up a new drill press, and a benchtop grinder... As it turned out, I didn't even use the stinkin grinder... was soo used to attaching my hand grinder in the bench vise, lol.


Anyway, I installed 4, 6" 130Watt lights... 2 on the bumper, and 2 on the fenders. The fender brackets I fabbed up are going to be Version 1.0, lol... they are going to need some changes, but I will work that out as I go. Also, I installed 4 55Watt 3" lights for the rock lights... 2 are attached to my body mounts, and 2 more are tucked up above the sliders pointing towards the rear. Made a custom switch panel in the dash to hold 5 switches in the truck... one master, one for each pair of 6" lights, one for the rocklights, and last one for the reverse lights (I want to manually turn those on even when not in reverse). I plan on redoing this. Some of the holes drilled crooked, and it already bothers me.

Now for the fun part:

Looks cool, should do a great job when you need them. The fender mounted units kinda make me wonder about a couple things though. Did you back the mounts up with big washers or a backing plate? Because I think there is a possibility that they will vibrate and become either loose, or distort the sheet metal. Also you are gonna hit them when you go through tight stuff. Bushes won't matter, but rocks will crush them.

Yeah, that is true... I may end up locating them to the bumper, but I dunno. I am going to modify the brackets some more to spread the load around the fender better.

Right on, and BTW, that is a nice drill press. I have a simular one but it's a bench mount unit. Drill presses are so cool, now if only I had a plasma cutter

BUMP.

I am going to work on em more tomorrow. I have figured out how I am going to stabalize the mounts, and I am finishing the shims I had to make to help align the lights.

Just thought I would share

quote:

Originally posted by Sand Bag:
BUMP.
I am finishing the shims I had to make to help align the lights.

Just thought I would share

Good to know this, [sarcasm]I am sorry I couldn't help you install your new lights . It looked like a fun time.[/sarcasm] Also check the side mount screws on the front rock lights. I never tightened thoughs after the install.

Well, today I finished Ver 1.2 on my fender brackets for the lights.

Here ya go:
Under shot of pass side:


3/4 view pass side:


3/4 View Driver side:


I also made some shims to help align the lights better. After work tonight, I am going to the new construction site, an aligning them.

You just got them done and there are already caterpillars hiding in the cracks.
At first, I thought they were welds, but welds are generally melted into the metal.
Keep the wires short enough so that when the bracket breaks, the light won't hit the ground.

I am actually trying to be helpful.

yeah, my wirespeed was a little high, but I didn't really feel like redoing them. So there

Oh, and by the time I was done, went to turn off my gas, and realized I never turned it on

All sarchasm aside, the bracket design looks really good, but the one in the picture is not welded. I would lay odds that it WILL fail.
With the gas off, all you have is brittle, pinholed globs.

I strongly urge you to grind off one weld at a time and reweld them with the gas on.

I would prefer you to be mad at me (with badass brackets) than mad at yourself because my prediction was right.

Yeah, I may work on that... the welding on the backside (which is not shown) is welded correctly, so at least there is one good bead, and 34 bazillion tacks

And... the main part (that has two screws under, and the mounting hole, is actually one piece.

I would have though about those mounting locations abit more. I have 2 lights mounted right behind the hood(stripe where the wipers are). and I have a snorkel that protects the drivers side abit. but they STILL get beaten in trails. I literaly cant tighten em anymore.

if your just going threw mud rocks or sand, I guess they would be good. but when you go into the forest they get beaten.

just my 2cents.