Lightbars: Over windshield vs. hood mounts

[MrMischief]

I run topless and doorless about half the year but have yet to drop the windshield. Is that really something you do on a regular basis?

Most of the summer, as long as I'm sticking around town or on an easy trail (it makes the hood so much taller it's difficult to judge where rocks are if it's down). If I'm jumping on the highway briefly I'll put it up and throw a bolt in to hold it in place. Probably not really secure that way but haven't had an issue. But in general, as long as I'm going 45 or slower, I like the windshield down. This one lady I was seeing said it was fun when I dropped it on a trail, but fast forward a month or so driving through town she was pretty much over it. So yeah, I get it. There's no practical use for putting it down, I've made cracks about how it helps reduce the dust (maybe? certainly not if you're following someone on a trail though) the only time I can ever say it's "useful" is if you're in yellowstone or something and you get stuck in one of those buffalo traffic jams. Better quality photos out of the front due to no extra glass in the way and you don't have to get out of your seat. But really, it's just fun. You bought the only vehicle on the market with that feature, you may as well at least try it. JKs I understand why people didn't, it looked like such a pain. But I was the same with the TJ. When the top came off in the summer the bars from the sport bar to the windshield header came off, then it was just two unpainted bolts on either side that came off when you wanted to drop it. Wipers were easier on the TJ, no nut/bolt holding them down, they had sort of a slip fit. But the whole process on the JL is still pretty fast and easy. And you're less likely to get a cracked windshield.

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[mgroeger]

absolutely! I watch Matts off road on youtube. you guys are really close and we will be getting out there one day, gonna get lifts and bigger tires at some point

I'm 10 miles from Sand Hollow and about 2 miles from Matt's... lol. I'm running 3.5" lift and 37s on beadlocks and can run 7 and 8 rated trails all day and did one 9. That's not a boast... simply letting you know what works since you look like you've got a similar setup. As a refesrence Vegas Airport is 2 hrs 10 mins from Sand Hollow.

 

[JLTruman]

Most of the summer, as long as I'm sticking around town or on an easy trail (it makes the hood so much taller it's difficult to judge where rocks are if it's down). If I'm jumping on the highway briefly I'll put it up and throw a bolt in to hold it in place. Probably not really secure that way but haven't had an issue. But in general, as long as I'm going 45 or slower, I like the windshield down. This one lady I was seeing said it was fun when I dropped it on a trail, but fast forward a month or so driving through town she was pretty much over it. There's no practical use for putting it down, I've made cracks about how it helps reduce the dust (maybe? certainly not if you're following someone on a trail though) the only time I can ever say it's "useful" is if you're in yellowstone or something and you get stuck in one of those buffalo traffic jams. Better quality photos out of the front due to no extra glass in the way and you don't have to get out of your seat. But really, it's just fun. You bought the only vehicle on the market with that feature, you may as well at least try it. JKs I understand why people didn't, it looked like such a pain. But I was the same with the TJ. When the top came off in the summer the bars from the sport bar to the windshield header came off, then it was just two unpainted bolts on either side that came off when you wanted to drop it. Wipers were easier on the TJ, no nut/bolt holding them down, they had sort of a slip fit. But the whole process on the JL is still pretty fast and easy. And you're less likely to get a cracked windshield.

also in the state of Nevada its illegal to drive with the window down on roads

 

[mgroeger]

Most of the summer, as long as I'm sticking around town or on an easy trail (it makes the hood so much taller it's difficult to judge where rocks are if it's down). If I'm jumping on the highway briefly I'll put it up and throw a bolt in to hold it in place. Probably not really secure that way but haven't had an issue. But in general, as long as I'm going 45 or slower, I like the windshield down. This one lady I was seeing said it was fun when I dropped it on a trail, but fast forward a month or so driving through town she was pretty much over it. So yeah, I get it. There's no practical use for putting it down, I've made cracks about how it helps reduce the dust (maybe? certainly not if you're following someone on a trail though) the only time I can ever say it's "useful" is if you're in yellowstone or something and you get stuck in one of those buffalo traffic jams. Better quality photos out of the front due to no extra glass in the way and you don't have to get out of your seat. But really, it's just fun. You bought the only vehicle on the market with that feature, you may as well at least try it. JKs I understand why people didn't, it looked like such a pain. But I was the same with the TJ. When the top came off in the summer the bars from the sport bar to the windshield header came off, then it was just two unpainted bolts on either side that came off when you wanted to drop it. Wipers were easier on the TJ, no nut/bolt holding them down, they had sort of a slip fit. But the whole process on the JL is still pretty fast and easy. And you're less likely to get a cracked windshield.

Dang; good for you. I can honestly say you are the first person I've heard run with it down THAT much. I need to try it one day.

 

[mgroeger]

OK @JLPilot we are now on page two of YOUR thread and really haven't given you a good answer... well sort of. You can thank us later.

 

[JLTruman]

I'm 10 miles from Sand Hollow and about 2 miles from Matt's... lol. I'm running 3.5" lift and 37s on beadlocks and can run 7 and 8 rated trails all day and did one 9. That's not a boast... simply letting you know what works since you look like you've got a similar setup. As a refesrence Vegas Airport is 2 hrs 10 mins from Sand Hollow.

my family used to own a condo in Brian head, I am used to the drive out there, my jlu is a bone stock sport, have the lsd rear though, we both have been impressed with what these vehicles can do

 

[Irish Creig]

very good point! LOL!!! but it's not stopping me from getting a light bar!!! LMAO

 

[mgroeger]

my family used to own a condo in Brian head, I am used to the drive out there, my jlu is a bone stock sport, have the lsd rear though, we both have been impressed with what these vehicles can do

With the right lines and a good spotter you can do more than you know

 

[JLTruman]

OK @JLPilot we are now on page two of YOUR thread and really haven't given you a good answer... well sort of. You can thank us later.

I think I gave good info, just need a pic of night time minimal hood glare to prove it

 

[MrMischief]

also in the state of Nevada its illegal to drive with the window down on roads

Well, same in Colorado. But I have impact resistant sunglasses I got from a motorcycle shop, they have some foam around the sides. I'll be honest I don't wear them all the time and instead just use some polycarbonate sunglasses I have. At lower speeds that's fine. At highway speeds, or if I get stuck behind someone on dirt, the foam lined ones help. I carry a cheap electric driver in the back of the Jeep along with the wipers. I've been doing this for a long time now and I haven't been stopped. If (when?) I do I'll plead with the cop about how how I'm an idiot and assumed since bikes can do it so can I (and look I did everything "right"). Since I can "fix" it on the spot in just a few moments I hope I can get away with it. If not worst case is I'll have to pay a silly fine that will likely be plead down to the same as a headlight out. The law is truly not that big of a concern to me on this.

 

[MrMischief]

Dang; good for you. I can honestly say you are the first person I've heard run with it down THAT much. I need to try it one day.

The TJ I'd get a lot of comments, basically people saying something like "I didn't know they still folded" or "I've never seen anyone actually do that!" I don't get that in the JL very much. Really with how the bars around it stay in place I think it's one of those things where it looks different but people can't place what it is right away. I still do it, but you don't get the same open air feeling like you do in a TJ. The JL it's like you're driving a vehicle with the windshield missing, just getting the wind in your face. In the TJ it's much more like you're driving a roller coaster cart because it is so much more open feeling.

There are some strange things that pop up you may not immediately think of. Earlier this summer I got caught in a hailstorm. I was right by my local cigar lounge so I pulled in there and immediately put the windshield up, even though I wasn't going to be driving. The hail was getting big and my thought was that it'd be tough to explain to insurance why the hail punched through the windshield from the inside.

 

[MandrewSD]

Hey all, had a white Tacoma with an over the windshield lightbar and the glare was too much on the hood for it to be of any real use.. so I was thinking of going with a hood mounted bar (single row, 40” max) on my bright white JLUR and wanted to know what the bright white owner experience has been with glare on their hood from a hood mounted bar.. thanks.

Get 2 Baja LP6's and mount them to the bumper...done. If that is too expensive a couple KC Flex ERA 4's. See video for light output (LP6's will be even brighter). You do not need more than this. Add ditch lights if you want.

 

[Rangemaster]

Hey all, had a white Tacoma with an over the windshield lightbar and the glare was too much on the hood for it to be of any real use.. so I was thinking of going with a hood mounted bar (single row, 40” max) on my bright white JLUR and wanted to know what the bright white owner experience has been with glare on their hood from a hood mounted bar.. thanks.

The glare on my hood is really not bad at all, yes there is a little bit light hitting my hood but with these KCs most of the light is directed forward.

 

[mgroeger]

The glare on my hood is really not bad at all, yes there is a little bit light hitting my hood but with these KCs most of the light is directed forward.

https://c.tenor.com/WXqThRACFTAAAAAC/lobster-family-guy.gif

 

[JLPilot]

I have a ranch in the foothills and my house is a mile back on gravel road. It’s pitch black at night and I need something to light things up, but yeah ?

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