roll bar
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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roll bar
i have a 97' f-150 that could sure use some extra light. i have been thinking of a roll bar or some may call it a light bar. i was wondering, how hard would one of those be to make? and if its just being used to mount 4 or 5 6" driving lights, what kind of material do i use? ive seen them made out of pvc but im sure that cant be too safe or too stable. any suggestions would be helpful, thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
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From: iowa
I have seen them made out of exhaust pipe or something similar, as long as you understand it is not a roll bar, and is not intended to help in a rollover what you make it out if is not really important, but if you are looking for some protection as well as a light bar then I would use 3in dia. .090 wall min thickness (3in pipe is what the aftermarket uses as looks the best), and would prefer .140 thick walls, but in order for that to have any affect you need to tie it into the frame under the bed.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
there are also the light bars that connect across the top of the cab and attach inside of the rain gutter. not at all to used for a roll bar but great if you wanna be able to utilize the entire size of the bed!
-cutts-
-cutts-
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chatsworth, CA
I wouldn't do a roll bar/light bar. IMO I just think they look bad and why do you need 4 or 5 forward facing lights not including your stockers? You only need that amount of lighting if your blasting through the desert at high speed. I would just mount two good offroad lights to your exisiting bumper.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
I agree here, throw another couple of lights on your bumper and you'll be good to go. Problem with roll bar lights is you can't use them on the street. Also remember if you add a row of 4 or 5 lights you'll need to upgrade your electrical system too keep up. Stock alternators do not take kindly to all that power draw. 
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
ahhh ok, i didn't know that!
i have found that headlights do all the work for the front...i like having halogen lights under my truck facing down on the ground, to the side, and out the back b/c it gets pretty dark! the lights really help when night wheelin
one really cool thing is when you pull up to a redlight next to a ricer on friday night while cruising you can flip on your 'underbody lights' and be bling, blinging! lol
-cutts-
i have found that headlights do all the work for the front...i like having halogen lights under my truck facing down on the ground, to the side, and out the back b/c it gets pretty dark! the lights really help when night wheelin
one really cool thing is when you pull up to a redlight next to a ricer on friday night while cruising you can flip on your 'underbody lights' and be bling, blinging! lol
-cutts-
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: iowa
I actually liked having lites on top of the truck, especially when I lived in WA, and WYO. I found that head lights, and lights on the bumper have one very serious limitation, if you happen to be going through grass, brush or other then they don't light up anything, and if you go through some serious mud then they are so dirty they don't light up anything but if you have them on the roll bar these problems are eliminated.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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roll bar
i live in northern minnseota. out in the woods i could really use some extra light. how expensive are the bumper mounted lights? and how hard are they to install? i was also wondering if they even make light bars that mount to the top of the cab and how expensive they are? thanks i have a 97' f-150 XLT 4.6L
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chatsworth, CA
they make tons of aftermarket light bar setups for your truck. i would get one that mounts to your existing bumper. usually offroad lights are sold in pairs and run from $50-up. The most common are the KC daylighters but if your looking for real bright expensive stuff check out the lightforce HID.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by syracuse
i live in northern minnseota. out in the woods i could really use some extra light. how expensive are the bumper mounted lights? and how hard are they to install? i was also wondering if they even make light bars that mount to the top of the cab and how expensive they are? thanks i have a 97' f-150 XLT 4.6L
just a quick google search brought those up! KC Hi-lights have always been an off-road standard but kind of expensive!
-cutts-
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
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From: Pittsburgh
Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom
just a quick google search brought those up! KC Hi-lights have always been an off-road standard but kind of expensive!
-cutts-
They're only about $120 a pair. It may sound like alot, but they are the cheapest worthwhile light out there. You can't even get a decent single Hella for that price. Bang for your buck KC is teh way to go, especially with their warranty.Justin
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
monsterbaby, I agree with that. The other thing is driving through the woods if you angle the roof ones outwards, you can see branches and stuff a lot easier before it smacks your windshield. The only draw back is in some places it is a very hefty fine if the roof mounted ones are uncovered while on the street.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
Back to roll bars. Don't bother with them unless you go all out and use heavy enough steel to protect you in a (gasp...roll, imagine that!), and tie them into the frame. I've seen the guys with the exhaust tubing "roll bars", and even ones made out of pvc once. Those idiots get what they deserve.