I'm looking for an aftermarket roof-mount light bar for my '78, but do NOT want to drill through the roof. I would like the type that mounts to the rain channel. Does anyone still make one?

 

Here's one made by Carr.
Light Bars

 

that's what I was looking for; stainless too! - thanks!

 

I've installed Carr light bars on Jeeps, they are pretty nice. How do you plan on bringing the wires from the lights into the cab?

 

I'm not sure yet if I'm going with the rain-gutter mount or figuring out a similar mount to the newer styles that utilize the third brake light. In my 78, that's actually the cargo bed light, and I'm thinking if the light bar is mounted aft enough, the wires could enter into the cab at that point. I have boxes of aerospace connectors, bulkhead and others from Canon, Amphenol etc. so we'll just have to see how it all progresses. All I know for sure is this truck has never nor will ever have a roll bar, regardless of how easy they make it for light installs, and I don't want to drill multiple holes in the roof that so many light bars require.

 

I don't know about these cargo-light-mount bars, they pretty much bolt to nothing more than formed sheetmetal which may be okay for two small lights but how will it fare with for four big heavy ones? Are they supported in any way other than through the cargo light?

 

I know this is an old thread but I'd figured I'd bump it up cuz I came up with a VERY LOW BUCK solution.... a modified roof rack.

I got a pair off the rotting carcass of a Dodge van for $23. I figure these are easy to find in the wrecking yards so why not let ya'll know about it.

Here are some pics:

Modified the width to fit and clamp to the roof rails. This model is sleeved so I cut off a length of the inner tubing to lose some weight. Also removed some of the side plates since they projected way too high and used the cut-offs for the mounting tabs. Btw, the sticker said 150 lbs max (two racks)... figure 75 lbs each, right?


Installed (but not wired):.....with four 6x9 100-watt Eagle Eye lights. Total weight is about 25 lbs:


Mounting Detail:
1. There wasn't a heck of alot of adjustment on the side plates to clamp around the drip rail but it slid easily into the open ends of each drip rail.
2. and 3. Nylon spacers, stainless fasteners, and lock nuts clamp it square and plumb to the rail. Oh, if you go this route I suggest installing some tape so ya guys with the fancy paint jobs can avoid scratches.


Here's the best part:
...Roof rack $12.50
...Four lights: $50 (swap meets are gold mines)
.. that's only $62.50!

Still gotta wire it up....The plan is to make a harness terminated with Weatherpak connectors and just open the window, plug it in, and then take off the covers when I go off-road. In CA, ya can't run on the street with uncovered lights that are more than 54 inches above the ground.

 

That actually a really clean install. Nice work.

 

Hey! I recognize that light bar.lol Ill have one of these in the next three weeks! Great idea

 

Hey take a look at this vacuum mount.

It requires no drilling and very light installation. No damage to your truck!

https://www.clingfishproducts.com/

 

I bought this a couple years ago, but have had a hard time finding the motivation to drill holes in my perfectly good roof.
finally did it...
I like it, and it'll be great for hauling my canoe and kayak around.

 

i like the low buck gutter mount you did.