So, you stepped out and bought a LED light bar and you are about to have a crack at fitting it yourself, below are some quick tips to help with the install.
Before starting work read the manufacturer’s instructions properly and make sure you know exactly what to do at each step.
Look at mounting the lights in a suitable position. Note that flood / spread beam light bars won’t work all that well mounted back on the roll bar or roof rack, as part of the beam will be blocked by the cab and most likely reflect off the bonnet. Plus it’s illegal in some states.
Despite uniformity in state regulations regarding the mounting of single LED light bars (as opposed to mounting in pairs), there are still some variations in the positioning of LED light bars on a vehicle; in particular mounting above the roof line. The AAAA have recently compiled a list of links to each of the state regulations on the mounting of LED light bars (excluding Tasmania which has no specific reference to LED light bars).
Click on the links below for your state regulations:
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Victoria
Western AustraliaBefore doing anything to your vehicle’s wiring make sure you disconnect the battery. Be sure to disconnect the negative terminal first. A good 12V zap is still a rude shock and many engine bay fires have been started by loose battery wires earthing out on the bodywork.
Use the wiring harness supplied (or recommended) by the light’s manufacturer. That way you know everything’s going to work properly.
The lights need to be wired to the vehicle’s high beams, so that they can only be switched on when the high beams are operating, this is a legal requirement.
Make sure you run all wiring out of the way of anything that gets hot or moves; that way it won’t get damaged. Use clips or cable ties to secure everything.
Double check measurements before drilling holes, measure twice cut once!
Cast alloy mounts might look the part and are corrosion resistant, but stainless steel is a lot stronger. This is a must if you spend a lot of time on corrugations.
Look for brackets that let you adjust the angle of the bar then lock it solidly in place. You don’t want vibration to loosen the mount so your lights start moving off the angle you need them at. Worse still you don’t want them to go missing from your 4wd while you are off at the shops.
Unsealed 4x4 Magazine recently did one of the best LED Light comparison tests we’ve seen. Check it out here.
