Looking to buy and install a light bar

[BobSacomano]

I need recommendations. I'm looking to buy and install an approx. 40-inch curved light bar in the bumper grill area of my 2015 Ram 1500 Express.

• I like the look of a single row, but I'd possibly do a double. Anybody have model suggestions?
• What is the process of removing the bumper grill like? I've looked for videos but can't find any.
• How do I connect and mount the light bar? Does anybody have a video?
• Are there any other lighting upgrades you would recommend?

I'm not super mechanically inclined, but I managed to replace my tailgate backup cam on my own. I appreciate your help, and bonus points for brand names and links... THANK YOU.

 

[Puba08]

I need recommendations. I'm looking to buy and install an approx. 40-inch curved light bar in the bumper grill area of my 2015 Ram 1500 Express.

• I like the look of a single row, but I'd possibly do a double. Anybody have model suggestions?
  
  Not sure if anyone makes a 40” single row curved. I think someone else was looking a few months back. I really like the RC bars and pods. Check out their scratch and Dent section on eBay. Everything I purchased show no signs of wear.
  
• What is the process of removing the bumper grill like? I've looked for videos but can't find any.
  
  It’s just a bunch of tabs holding it in. Get under the truck and you will see. It’s a PITA. Try looking up toe hook install and you will see.
  
• How do I connect and mount the light bar? Does anybody have a video?
  
  No videos. You have to fab up brackets. Just use some flat metal from HD or Lowe’s. Very simple.
  
• Are there any other lighting upgrades you would recommend?
  
  This is up to you.
  

I'm not super mechanically inclined, but I managed to replace my tailgate backup cam on my own. I appreciate your help, and bonus points for brand names and links... THANK YOU.

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[Puba08]

Here’s mine:



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[OC455]

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. Rigid, Vision X, KC Lighting, Baja Designs, Putco, Hella are some of the top brands as far as LED's are concerned. Or go the cheaper route and hit up the Amazon & eBay offerings.

Wiring Diagrams. Depending on how you want to run the light, probably the best option is to run it on it's own switch:



Additional upgrades, look at upgrading the headlights. Either using LED bulbs or doing a projector retrofit. Cheaper option is replacing the H11 low beam to a H9 bulb with the bulb mod'd to fit and doing the same with the high beam bulb 9005 to a 9011 mod'd bulb.

Or buy Vision X H11 & 9005 bulbs with a higher wattage rating.

As far as removing the plastic trim piece in the bumper, this video gives you a decent idea of how to remove it and what to expect. Other things in this video, I would figure something else out. Start at the 3:18 minute mark to see how it will come out:

 

[kad]

Rough Country makes some very nice single row curved models and they aren't super expensive. I bought one of their "cosmetic defect" seconds for about half price and I'll be damned if I can actually find the cosmetic defect. I haven't installed it yet, but I believe @JB1 has the same model installed on his truck.

-K

 

[JB1]

Yes sir, I too bought a “scratch and dent” off eBay, I found one tiny scratch about 1/4” on the back of a fin that had been touched up, took me a long time to find it.

 

[misfit77]

I dont see any mention of mounting.

I think someone makes mounts, but I'm cheap.

I ended up using mounts that go on the roof. Some cutting, welding and cussing i had home made mounts that mount to the bumper bolts.

Others use some strap. Personally i think they look ghetto. My welding is ghetto but you cant see it from the front.

As for lights, i am happy with my Nilight. Got a smoking deal for 50 or so. Got a little condensation but was sent a new one. No questions asked. Other amazon customers will agree with the great customer service

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[Puba08]

RC makes mounts but for the 2500. The flat iron from HD cost me less than $10. Drilled two holes in each Mount and done.


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[BobSacomano]

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. Rigid, Vision X, KC Lighting, Baja Designs, Putco, Hella are some of the top brands as far as LED's are concerned. Or go the cheaper route and hit up the Amazon & eBay offerings.

Wiring Diagrams. Depending on how you want to run the light, probably the best option is to run it on it's own switch:



Additional upgrades, look at upgrading the headlights. Either using LED bulbs or doing a projector retrofit. Cheaper option is replacing the H11 low beam to a H9 bulb with the bulb mod'd to fit and doing the same with the high beam bulb 9005 to a 9011 mod'd bulb.

Or buy Vision X H11 & 9005 bulbs with a higher wattage rating.

As far as removing the plastic trim piece in the bumper, this video gives you a decent idea of how to remove it and what to expect. Other things in this video, I would figure something else out. Start at the 3:18 minute mark to see how it will come out:

Thanks for the informative reply. This gets me a lot of the way there.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

Here’s mine:



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What's the specs on your setup?? Looks awesome!!

 

[gofishn]

Whatever you install, put a little extra silicone on the ends of the ting. Can;t hurt any.

 

[gypsy400]

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. Rigid, Vision X, KC Lighting, Baja Designs, Putco, Hella are some of the top brands as far as LED's are concerned. Or go the cheaper route and hit up the Amazon & eBay offerings.

Wiring Diagrams. Depending on how you want to run the light, probably the best option is to run it on it's own switch:



Additional upgrades, look at upgrading the headlights. Either using LED bulbs or doing a projector retrofit. Cheaper option is replacing the H11 low beam to a H9 bulb with the bulb mod'd to fit and doing the same with the high beam bulb 9005 to a 9011 mod'd bulb.

Or buy Vision X H11 & 9005 bulbs with a higher wattage rating.

As far as removing the plastic trim piece in the bumper, this video gives you a decent idea of how to remove it and what to expect. Other things in this video, I would figure something else out. Start at the 3:18 minute mark to see how it will come out:

Your diagram is pretty straightforward and clean.. One problem is that the fuses are too big for the wire size. 14ga wire is only good for 15 amps - so find out how many amps the lighbar needs and fuse slightly above that. The switch side of the relay doesn't need much, a 5 amp fuse will do the job there.

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[OC455]

Your diagram is pretty straightforward and clean.. One problem is that the fuses are too big for the wire size. 14ga wire is only good for 15 amps - so find out how many amps the lighbar needs and fuse slightly above that. The switch side of the relay doesn't need much, a 5 amp fuse will do the job there.

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That was just an example of a decent wiring diagram I could find that got the gist of it there. You'd want to size the fuses for the output of course. If it is a higher wattage requiring more power, then jump up to a bigger wire size too.