Light Bar -- Leave Tow Hooks? / Wiring Config

ahole4sure · Feb 10, 2021

I'm considering getting a Light Bar. The 2 options I have considered are:

https://store.ijdmtoy.com/products/led-lightbar-kit-35-967
or
https://store.ijdmtoy.com/products/led-lightbar-kit-35-925

One is apparently WAY more powerful but requires sacrificing the tow Hooks which I haven't used in 2 years. The other is a little more than half as powerful but allows to retain the tow hooks.
Any thoughts?
2018 Ram 2500 with projector headlights

Also how do you guys suggest wiring LightBars? I guess if you do a dedicated switch to the dash then you could run them in the daytime like DRLs ?? (lol not sure if legal or even reasonable)
But I have seen people wiring suggestions of wiring with relays to the Fogs or to the High Beams ??

Thanks

RoadRamblerNJ · Feb 11, 2021

ahole4sure said:
I'm considering getting a Light Bar. The 2 options I have considered are:

https://store.ijdmtoy.com/products/led-lightbar-kit-35-967
or
https://store.ijdmtoy.com/products/led-lightbar-kit-35-925

One is apparently WAY more powerful but requires sacrificing the tow Hooks which I haven't used in 2 years. The other is a little more than half as powerful but allows to retain the tow hooks.
Any thoughts?
2018 Ram 2500 with projector headlights

Also how do you guys suggest wiring LightBars? I guess if you do a dedicated switch to the dash then you could run them in the daytime like DRLs ?? (lol not sure if legal or even reasonable)
But I have seen people wiring suggestions of wiring with relays to the Fogs or to the High Beams ??

Thanks

You could do this...

kurek · Feb 11, 2021

I don't think anyone can decide for you whether to keep the recovery hooks on your vehicle, they're kinda like airbags maybe the best scenario is if they never get used but it's still better to have them.

If you do take them off I'm sure you'll have an easy time selling them anyway :cheers:

ahole4sure · Feb 11, 2021

RoadRamblerNJ said:
You could do this...

Wow - now that is cool !!!

Satchmo1278 · Feb 11, 2021

I added a rough country light bar to my bill bar and it is insanely bright and I wired it remotely no switches in the can it is a remote controlled only wired the remote module to the battery and the light bar the the module

RoadRamblerNJ · Feb 11, 2021

ahole4sure said:
Wow - now that is cool !!!

Thanks
Gotta find "real amber" colored pods to replace those yellow ones. Not what I expected when I ordered them.

RoadRamblerNJ · Feb 11, 2021

Satchmo1278 said:
I added a rough country light bar to my bill bar and it is insanely bright and I wired it remotely no switches in the can it is a remote controlled only wired the remote module to the battery and the light bar the the module

View attachment 237282

View attachment 237283

Pretty cool. Never really considered a remote control. Probably because I always knew I was gonna need at least 6 switches. 2 of the 8 are still un-used. I do have plans for front air dam.

tron67j · Feb 11, 2021

In installed fog lights in the area between my tow hooks using brackets that go behind the tow hooks. There are also light bars that fit between the toe hooks. I will snap a picture and share it later.

Brian2081 · Feb 12, 2021

RoadRamblerNJ said:
You could do this...

RoadRambler is showing off his wiring engineer degree.

RoadRamblerNJ · Feb 12, 2021

Brian2081 said:
RoadRambler is showing off his wiring engineer degree.

Sorry! Yeah, kinda, I guess.
You hit Social Security age and you start getting all like Stewart. "look what I can do".
What I'm really saying to you young dudes is look what YOU can do.
Some look at my stuff and see "cool".
Others see "wow, ugly, not factory looking at all".
I see something I wanted that I completed.
I've never had a factory stock anything. Been modifying cars & trucks for 45 yrs. My body is telling me I'm almost done so, yeah, showing off a little.

RoadRamblerNJ · Feb 12, 2021

PS: the diamond plate is temporary. I am between houses right now, trying to get a house built on the 41 acres in N. E. Tennessee we bought.
You can only do so much in an apartment living room, lol.
Yup, in the LR. Wife was starting to get pissed at the smell of flux burning. I solder everything. Even the solderless connectors get stripped and soldered.
Do it right so you only have to do it once.

Oh, this observation also just hit me in the face.
Never show off when you have a 30 yr old, $15. multi-meter in the picture! My Fluke was in the truck, yeah, that's it. LOL.

Brian2081 · Feb 12, 2021

No where near young lol. I like you, have been doing the same thing just not to that extent (yet). But I do tear apart factory connectors and solder a wire onto a wire connector to get something working. Love the work, but now I'm jealous (40 acres + in the hills) congrats on that.

tron67j · Feb 13, 2021

tron67j said:
In installed fog lights in the area between my tow hooks using brackets that go behind the tow hooks. There are also light bars that fit between the toe hooks. I will snap a picture and share it later.

Finally found a picture that shows the brackets.
View media item 29831

WY-Dave · Feb 13, 2021

Rough country "hidden" brackets, RC 20" X5 (no longer avail)

The X5 was a neat idea. adding an extra LED between the regular four. 32vs 40. Only thing is that it is abit taller and would not fit in the opening without bending the opening lip. So I took the bracket hole were the light bar mounts in and moved it back 1/8" IIRC. So it sits flush with the backside of the bumper opening. No issues with airflow, nothing went up when towed the 5th wheels

As far as the tow hooks

RoadRamblerNJ · Feb 14, 2021

Brian2081 said:
No where near young lol. I like you, have been doing the same thing just not to that extent (yet). But I do tear apart factory connectors and solder a wire onto a wire connector to get something working. Love the work, but now I'm jealous (40 acres + in the hills) congrats on that.

View from new house site. Oh, & a picture o' Unk'l Kuzzin'.

Truck will have plenty to do come spring.

Socalramfan · Feb 15, 2021

Anyone I've talked with that has a 2500 who has installed a single row 20" LED bar, ends up replacing it with a 40" double row. Granted you loose the tow hook capacity as mentioned.

Seems like what "look" your going for, and functionality as well. Looks like WY-Dave has a good compromise on his.

Brian2081 · Feb 17, 2021

RoadRamblerNJ said:
View from new house site. Oh, & a picture o' Unk'l Kuzzin'.

Truck will have plenty to do come spring.View attachment 237527

if I had that view, I would not get nothing done around there but hold down the lawn chair with a cup of coffee in the morning and a few cold ones in the afternoon. lol. benefit of working a long time. ENJOY.

DILLIGAF · Feb 17, 2021

Jrcaddilac · Feb 18, 2021

Light Bar -- Leave Tow Hooks? / Wiring Config

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