Here is a solution for mounting lights on the bumper. Everything is a prototype. I might change design of mount plates and use different nuts and bolts.
I used 3" risers. You just slide your you're hand under the light to pop the hood. Hood clearance from back of light is 1/2". I could make a longer plate, but not sure how far out you want the light to stick out. In theory you could use any length light bar by spacing the plates.
They are not permanently mounted yet until I decide on final plate pattern. They mount by drilling 1 1/4 hole trough the flat top steel bumper and plastic cover. then attach with 1 1/2 bolt. rubber gaskets help with the spacing.
I'm not trying to hijack your post but this is what I did. Simple install. Some might question the rigidity of the install but it is extremely solid. 2 pieces (1 for each end of the light bar) of 3/16" flat steel about 2" wide and 5" long, painted them with black rust spray paint. Drilled one hole on each end of the plate (one for the light bar and one for the bumper mount). Drilled one hole through the bumper on each end to mount the plates to. I just used regular bolts/nuts and used Loctite. I initially planned on using 2 bolts to mount to the bumper but once I had the first one in I found it was solid enough. Total install time was about 2 hours including removal/installation of the front fascia. It's not wired yet as I still have to mount the control box for the remote switch, no wires running through the firewall. Perfect location for me to keep the Cherokee's look clean and it will make theft of it a non-issue.
@Gersh, when did you install that light bar? One thing to keep in mind is corner bumper damage and radiator impact. That is why I mounted mine the way I did. Not saying one is stronger than the other, but with 4 angled points mine is much less likely to flex or twist.
Plus, I want to know if I was the first to do it or not! That looks like a 20" bar from the pictures, but not a Rigid. What light switch are you going with?
@Mudman1 I did this install yesterday, I had been planning on doing it since I bought my Cherokee but didn't want to do anything to my "brand new" vehicle. The new has worn off so now it begins. I am not at all concerned with flex or twist, I will keep an eye on things and if I have any issues I will deal with them as they come. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "corner bumper damage". You are 100% correct, it is not a Rigid bar (they are waaaay overpriced in my opinion), the one I installed is about 1/10th of the price, just like the 3" lights that I will be using for my A-pillar mounts when they arrive. The switch I used http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/12v-4-channel-remote-vehicle-kit/A-p8003441e it was cheap and it works. I will likely Velcro the transmitter in a convenient location on the dash somewhere.
@Gersh, so long as you did not do it before me! It does not mean ****, but it is nice to be first at something in life now and then haha. What I meant by the corner is the light bar mount only has two points and can push out of alignment easier. That is all. I am NOT knocking your install. Mine is not how I wanted to do it, but I did want to use aluminum and I did want multiple mounting points. One day I might improve upon it, but for now it works just fine. That wireless remove looks cool, I think I have seen that posted up on here before. Please take a few night shots, I would like to compare them to mine (I have a thread under the Lighting section) and see the light throw on yours.
I know Rigid is pretty expensive compared to other options. But there are a few quirks I have, and they can be good or bad. I am a bit of a prepper, do my best to buy American and do not like to buy something twice because the first one broke. I have had excellent luck with Rigid lights in the past and still have a bunch in a box for projects that may pop up.
Thanks for sharing and I look forward to the pictures. Are you putting a DC switch on yours like I did mine?
@Mudman1 I appreciate the feedback. I'm not much for competing to do something first or better than someone else. As long as I am happy with my install on my Jeep in my time frame. I don't foresee any amount of shifting being a concern, the light bar isn't being subjected to any axial forces, other than turning, causing it to want to shift left or right. Being Canadian, buying American doesn't mean the same to me. That being said, the Rigid light bars are assembled in the US but some, if not all, of the components are definitely from overseas... Just like mine. The big draw for Rigid is that they were first, they have a polycarbonate lens, and they have a lifetime warranty. Is that enough to justify the overinflated price tag? Not for me. My light bar has a polycarbonate lens and no warranty, but I have several of them. I will take some night shots once I have it wired up. I like the idea of the DC switch but won't be installing one yet.
Hello. Following up to see how your mount system is working out and your lights. I was running mine on the way home tonight. It is in the low 40s, and raining, so it was foggy out.
I really dig the "behind the lower grill" mounting rig for the LED bar. I've been trying to figure out how I was going to mount some extra candlepower on/in mine but I'll have to wait for the warranty to wear off before I can do anything more than Plug and Play applications. (So says the Stealership)
Mine did have some ice buildup on it at times, but it never caused any issues with the radiator or anything. And I lived in a rather cold environment. Now in WI, it is not nearly as cold where I live. So no issues.
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