30" hood light VS 50" light bar

[Flip]

Hello everyone,

I am considering a hood light or a light bar. I had a 50" light bar on my TJ, it was very nice. I'm seeing a lot of jeeps with hood lights on them. The 30" hood light seems to be the average size, looks like they work well with hood hinges, and I think they look pretty cool too. I know the 30" isn't going to be as bright as a 50" but other than that any other pros and cons for either of these two style light bars.

Thanks

Sponsored

 

[Headbarcode]

I've read on a number of occasions that light bars on the hood will block the windshield sprayers.

As far as output, a higher quality 30" bar would outperform a lesser quality 50" bar.

 

[Flip]

I've read on a number of occasions that light bars on the hood will block the windshield sprayers.

As far as output, a higher quality 30" bar would outperform a lesser quality 50" bar.

I had a 50" light bar on my TJ, loved it. Most of the 50" light bar brackets I'm seeing are not to my liking putting it delicately.

Do you think a single row 30" light would still interfere with the windshield wash sprayers? It's a crapshoot?

 

[JLTruman]

I had a 50" light bar on my TJ, loved it. Most of the 50" light bar brackets I'm seeing are not to my liking putting it delicately.

Do you think a single row 30" light would still interfere with the windshield wash sprayers? It's a crapshoot?

I have a 30" light bar @Diode Dynamics among many other of their products, highly recommend the company. Not sure what color your Jeep is but mine is white and if you do get a hood mount I suggest you get an @pixeldecals matte hood sticker to reduce any glare. My setup does not block the windshield washers, but I cannot open the hood all the way or pull the wipers all the way out to clean the windshield

 

[Flip]

I have a 30" light bar @Diode Dynamics among many other of their products, highly recommend the company. Not sure what color your Jeep is but mine is white and if you do get a hood mount I suggest you get an @pixeldecals matte hood sticker to reduce any glare. My setup does not block the windshield washers, but I cannot open the hood all the way or pull the wipers all the way out to clean the windshield

Thanks for the info, my jeep is hydro blue. I never thought about glare reflecting off the hood. Does amber help cut down on the glare?

 

[JLTruman]

Thanks for the info, my jeep is hydro blue. I never thought about glare reflecting off the hood. Does amber help cut down on the glare?

Yes it can, my setup is pretty simple I can light up a large area with yellow or white lights.

 

[Flip]

Yes it can, my setup is pretty simple I can light up a large area with yellow or white lights.

Going by your photo and I realize you have the black hood sticker but even, so the amber seems like less glare. Good to know.

Thank you

 

[Headbarcode]

I had a 50" light bar on my TJ, loved it. Most of the 50" light bar brackets I'm seeing are not to my liking putting it delicately.

Do you think a single row 30" light would still interfere with the windshield wash sprayers? It's a crapshoot?

It certainly looks like it's not an issue, thanks to JLTrumans pics. A lower profile single or double row 30" led bar on a mount that doesn't sit too high should work well. I can't think of specific brands, but I've definitely seen some low profile and minimalist cowl brackets. For both just the bar and also ones that support a pair of pod lights.

I opted for 2 pairs of pod lights on my cowls. The inner pair is a forward facing spot pattern, and the outer pair are floods that are turned about 45° outward to serve as ditch/flank lighting.

 

[Mocopo]

Soft top or hard top?

I had to remove my 50" light bar from my JLU with a soft top because the light bar was redirecting wind over the top and creating a crazy wind tunnel effect that not only was amazingly loud (couldn't talk to someone next to you once you got to about 45 mph) but I was also concerned the top would rip off because of the way the wind was buffeting it. I believe it was just the height of the mounts in conjunction with the shape of that particular light, RC 50" Single Row Black Series. Another light or mount probably would have solved it, but I never tried.

 

[Flip]

It certainly looks like it's not an issue, thanks to JLTrumans pics. A lower profile single or double row 30" led bar on a mount that doesn't sit too high should work well. I can't think of specific brands, but I've definitely seen some low profile and minimalist cowl brackets. For both just the bar and also ones that support a pair of pod lights.

I opted for 2 pairs of pod lights on my cowls. The inner pair is a forward facing spot pattern, and the outer pair are floods that are turned about 45° outward to serve as ditch/flank lighting.

Even though I love the look of light bars, 2 cubes on each side are probably better light coverage and less glare/reflection off the hood, probably a better a set up. I just might do that.

Thanks bro!

 

[JLTruman]

Even though I love the look of light bars, 2 cubes on each side are probably better light coverage and less glare/reflection off the hood, probably a better a set up. I just might do that.

Thanks bro!

A good quality set of a pillar pods are a fantastic choice for extra lights

 

[Flip]

A good quality set of a pillar pods are a fantastic choice for extra lights.

Definitely! Even better. I don't know why I didn't think of these other options.

Thank you?

 

[Rangemaster]

I disagree, my pillar lights from KC are so great at night.

 

[JLTruman]

I disagree, my pillar lights from KC are so great at night.

I don't follow, where do we disagree? Or is it sarcasm? Lol

 

[Flip]

I disagree, my pillar lights from KC are so great at night.

Are they LED? I'd like to look at those KC lights, can you send me a link for them please.

Thank you

Sponsored