Rock lights

[crazykid1994]

Decided to fab up my own brackets for mounting rock lights. Looking at installing 3 or 4 per side. Still need to sand and paint this one and finish welding the driver side and sand and paint. Had lights mounted to the steps but didn’t like how it looked. Soon to install eibach 2.75” front springs with my 5100 bils and set my lift to 3.5” and rear 1.5” bilstein springs with 5160 extended shocks for the rear
Edit: FYI this is my first time welding.

 

[crazykid1994]

More pictures

 

[McBroom]

Welds look great for a noobie
Keep practicing. Any weld no matter how it looks is a good weld as long as it don't break.

Blue Mule

 

[keepemrollin14]

View attachment 186805 View attachment 186806 View attachment 186807 View attachment 186808 Decided to fab up my own brackets for mounting rock lights. Looking at installing 3 or 4 per side. Still need to sand and paint this one and finish welding the driver side and sand and paint. Had lights mounted to the steps but didn’t like how it looked. Soon to install eibach 2.75” front springs with my 5100 bils and set my lift to 3.5” and rear 1.5” bilstein springs with 5160 extended shocks for the rear
Edit: FYI this is my first time welding.

I’m guessin you are using an ARC welder? Welds look decent, keep practicing and you will get better. Great idea for the light mount.


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[crazykid1994]

I’m using a flux welder. It was reasonably cheap. I’ve noticed each section I weld gets better and cleaner so that’s a plus. Everything feels solid. Plus I’m welding from both sides of the metal too. Planning on possibly installing a tab on the rear to mount a pod light pointed out the rear of the truck but not sure how much usable light I’ll actually get from that. May just wait till I build an overland rack for the bed to install rear facing lights.

 

[madtrucker2016]

looks great >right on with the measuring of the holes, but one thing you should of painted the metal it is going to turn into a rusted metal bar. Great neat looking work your hired

 

[crazykid1994]

looks great >right on with the measuring of the holes, but one thing you should of painted the metal it is going to turn into a rusted metal bar. Great neat looking work your hired

I plan on painting the brackets. I just mounted this one for test fitting. Not entirely sure what to use for paint though. Need something durable enough to prevent getting rock chips

 

[robert morrison]

I plan on painting the brackets. I just mounted this one for test fitting. Not entirely sure what to use for paint though. Need something durable enough to prevent getting rock chips

Impressive, can't wait to see the finished outcome

 

[madtrucker2016]

I plan on painting the brackets. I just mounted this one for test fitting. Not entirely sure what to use for paint though. Need something durable enough to prevent getting rock chips

Maybe spend a couple of bucks and have both sides powder coated or bring to a bed liner place and let them paint it .that would last a very long time.

 

[WY-Dave]

I plan on painting the brackets. I just mounted this one for test fitting. Not entirely sure what to use for paint though. Need something durable enough to prevent getting rock chips

Rock lights wouldn't do me any good, I can't even see the parking spot line when I pull up haha.

The lil knowledge I have, the metal should be cleaned farther back. The splatter is from a not clean spot? As for paint, don't forget about brake caliper paint. On my Jeep I had the bottom of the rockers first self applied (didn't last long, even with red scrubber) and still chipped after I sanded them off and had "pros" do it. Same thing on the rocker guards.


Welds are better than if I did them!

 

[crazykid1994]

I cleaned the metal with a oil remover type stuff and scrubbed the metal. I think it’s the nature of this welding style.

 

[crazykid1994]

Test of 4 lights on driver side. Lights are temporarily mounted. Light output looks great. Just need to sand and paint then secure all the wiring. When I lift my truck the light beam will spread more. Only on a 2” level currently.

 

[hodge-xj]

Looks good. Splatter is a by product of flux core welding. Without external shielding gas its not bad. Turn the heat up on it, the welds are a little rounded from a bit too little heat.

What kind of welder are you using? Its the best thing you can do is teach yourself how to weld, I use my mig/flux core welder on everything! Practice is the only way to progress! Not bad at all, a little more heat, slow your travel speed down the tiniest bit and you should get a little flatter and wider weldment.

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[crazykid1994]

Looks good. Splatter is a by product of flux core welding. Without external shielding gas its not bad. Turn the heat up on it, the welds are a little rounded from a bit too little heat.

What kind of welder are you using? Its the best thing you can do is teach yourself how to weld, I use my mig/flux core welder on everything! Practice is the only way to progress! Not bad at all, a little more heat, slow your travel speed down the tiniest bit and you should get a little flatter and wider weldment.

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I’m maxed out on the welder. It’s a harbor freight flux 125 . This is the thickest I can weld with it. I actually had to turn down the wire speed a lot because it was creating clumps in the welds. Looking at buying a slightly larger welder down the road. This was 3/16” steel plate. Most of what I will be welding will 1/8” though

 

[hodge-xj]

I’m maxed out on the welder. It’s a harbor freight flux 125 . This is the thickest I can weld with it. I actually had to turn down the wire speed a lot because it was creating clumps in the welds. Looking at buying a slightly larger welder down the road. This was 3/16” steel plate. Most of what I will be welding will 1/8” though

Keep that welder plugged directly into the wall outlet. Avoid extension cords since you'll get a ton of voltage drop. That welder is doin you no favors, but its good to get started with! Slow the wire speed down a touch more, travel a bit slower, and try a SLIGHT weave. You'll get the most heat into the metal you can, that'll help. 1/8" should look better with your setup you ran this on. If you do more 3/16 throw a slight bevel at the joints to help with weld penetration.

End of the day it looks good and ain't breaking! Keep at it!

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[Ken226]

I’m maxed out on the welder. It’s a harbor freight flux 125 . This is the thickest I can weld with it. I actually had to turn down the wire speed a lot because it was creating clumps in the welds. Looking at buying a slightly larger welder down the road. This was 3/16” steel plate. Most of what I will be welding will 1/8” though

Its pretty tough to get clean welds with fluxcore wire.

Get a can of anti-spatter, and spray the parts before you start welding. Itll help keep the spatter from sticking.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln...1zhUX9-Gc1Hls0je4XqCXT2rXgA3Y_pwaAgEQEALw_wcB

 

[hodge-xj]

Or a flapper wheel!!

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[crazykid1994]

Almost picked up a flapper wheel. I ended up just using a grinding wheel to clean up most of the splatter after these pictures and will knock down the rest while sanding. I’ll have to get anti splatter spray. Planning on welding up a pit bike/mini chopper frame so this was more or less practice with welding

 

[hodge-xj]

Almost picked up a flapper wheel. I ended up just using a grinding wheel to clean up most of the splatter after these pictures and will knock down the rest while sanding. I’ll have to get anti splatter spray. Planning on welding up a pit bike/mini chopper frame so this was more or less practice with welding

Flap wheels just finish a little nicer than grinder wheels. A chipping hammer with a chisel head will knock em off too. Nothing a little bed liner won't hide

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[keepemrollin14]

Clean metal good, spray with self etching primer and order a raptor liner kit with spray gun or you can thin down to spray with hvlp gun for smoother finish. Durable and turns out great.




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