21" LED light bar install

[Judge Mills]

After the successful backup light install, I started shopping for light bars for the front. I was thinking about installing it in the bumper, and found a 21" on Amazon that I thought would fit perfectly. I also picked up a cheap wiring harness with a relay.

I started the project today by looking at the bumper. It appeared that I would have to drill through the double walled metal bumper (behind the plastic cover).



I wasn't confident about drilling a straight hole without removing the plastic cover assembly, so I went with Plan B and installed behind the grille.



There is a nice flat piece of plastic bracing to attach the light to behind the grille. I am worried that the grille will block too much light.





I haven't driven with it yet, but I did test in the daylight, and just now in the driveway.




The whole project came in at around $45. What do you guys think?

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[ArmyRover]

Looks good I have been kicking around the idea of mounting up a light bar behind the grill as well.

 

[Judge Mills]

Looks good I have been kicking around the idea of mounting up a light bar behind the grill as well.

It only took about 2 hours without a good game plan.

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[scoot0073]

Looks good brother I'm thinking about adding one also behind my grill..

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[creef14]

How are you controlling the light?

 

[Judge Mills]

How are you controlling the light?

I bought a wiring harness with a relay & switch.

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[knewblewkorvett]

Looks good. Is it legal to use on road because it sure appears bright?

 

[Judge Mills]

Looks good. Is it legal to use on road because it sure appears bright?

I'm 99% sure it's illegal for highway use. I live a mile into the woods from town, so it's nice to have the light on nasty winter nights.

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[whitelightning99]

i think i may do the same with my 20 incher on my 99 expy i made some custom brackets so it be over the bumper and i wouldn't have to drill any holes but kind of like the hidden look better if i ever find a grill guard/push bumper i'll relocate it to that

 

[whitelightning99]

wanted to post this one on my first post but couldn't find it.

 

[Trucker14]

I bought the same light bar recently. I love how it looks on yours. I was debating if it was going on my Jeep Wrangler or the Expedition. Lol. But where you mounted it is exactly where I was thinking about as well and I think you sold me on it lol. Where did you mount you switch and how did you run your wires to the switch?

 

[Judge Mills]

I bought the same light bar recently. I love how it looks on yours. I was debating if it was going on my Jeep Wrangler or the Expedition. Lol. But where you mounted it is exactly where I was thinking about as well and I think you sold me on it lol. Where did you mount you switch and how did you run your wires to the switch?

I'm still looking for a better way to route my wires in to the cab. The firewall is real tight, and I don't see a good place to get in to an existing opening. For now it's going through the wire boot on the passenger side door. The switch for now is just wedged between the front console and dash until I get an afternoon to mount my "Bigfoot lights" switch. I haven't decided if it's going on the dash or on the overhead console. I'll post pictures when I do.

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[whitelightning99]

Got mine relocated behind the grill today didn't relize the dang blue oval would be blocking that much of it though still shines bright

 

[Judge Mills]

Wow, that is blocking a lot. My oval blocks some, but not quite like that.

 

[ed_navarrete]

Can the light bar be connected to the fog lights?

 

[Judge Mills]

Can the light bar be connected to the fog lights?

Sure could! Something to consider, you wouldn't be able to use your fogs on a busy road... I use my fogs quite a bit without my lightbar

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[ManUpOrShutUp]

I'm still looking for a better way to route my wires in to the cab. The firewall is real tight, and I don't see a good place to get in to an existing opening. For now it's going through the wire boot on the passenger side door. The switch for now is just wedged between the front console and dash until I get an afternoon to mount my "Bigfoot lights" switch. I haven't decided if it's going on the dash or on the overhead console. I'll post pictures when I do.

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I know you posted this last year, but FWIW I strung some 10" cable ties together and then cable tied my wire onto the second cable tie. Once I pulled the wire through I just cut the cable tie and removed it. The cable ties' stiffness makes it so you can jam them through that tight space fairly easily.

 

[jim midd]

I'm still looking for a better way to route my wires in to the cab. The firewall is real tight, and I don't see a good place to get in to an existing opening. For now it's going through the wire boot on the passenger side door. The switch for now is just wedged between the front console and dash until I get an afternoon to mount my "Bigfoot lights" switch. I haven't decided if it's going on the dash or on the overhead console. I'll post pictures when I do.

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Not sure if it's because I have different options, but in my '03 XLT there was an empty rubber plug on the drivers side firewall. It's pretty big and is the PERFECT place to bring in wires. If you open the hood and look on the drivers side, toward the center you should see it. Just pull that out from engine compartment, drill a small hole in center and feed your wires through it. Wires will come out high in the drivers side footwell, toward the center console.

From there it's a breeze to put a switch on your center console. I have a couple there and even ran some to the overhead console . This was a bit of a pain but I also don't worry about them getting turned on accidentally up there.

My truck is at the beach right now ( and i'm not) otherwise I'd snap a couple picts. This is by far the best, and easiest place to bring wires in that I've found. Again, you may have different options than me, so your truck may have wires going through it already, but on my truck it was completely empty.