Defiant lightbar, or Baja rack mule w/ 4 Light Force 170 Strikers????

[BajaRnnr]

I've decided on getting 4 of the Light Force 170 Striker halogen lights. Not sure if I should get the Defiant lightbar to mount them on first, or if I should get the Baja rack mule with the lightbar attachment that has the halo protective loop first. Also how much of a PITA is it to mount lights on a rack and run wires to the engine compartment? The lights are 100w each. Is 400w a lot of strain on the charging system, or can it handle it? I do plan to do 4 more of the 170's when I get the lightbar for the front. Should I consider the 240 Blitz HID's since they are 9" and only 35w?

[MysticZ]

I've decided on getting 4 of the Light Force 170 Striker halogen lights. Not sure if I should get the Defiant lightbar to mount them on first, or if I should get the Baja rack mule with the lightbar attachment that has the halo protective loop first. Also how much of a PITA is it to mount lights on a rack and run wires to the engine compartment? The lights are 100w each. Is 400w a lot of strain on the charging system, or can it handle it? I do plan to do 4 more of the 170's when I get the lightbar for the front. Should I consider the 240 Blitz HID's since they are 9" and only 35w?

Here is copy of what MCL68 told me about wiring lights when I asked him.

I ran 8 [ 16 ga.] wires down thru each side of the weather strip channel on the windshield.I first started to remove the black plastic strips(Mohawk strip) before the mounting feet of the roof rack,Then i took 4 wires per side~ left and right of the windshield,Taped them together flat then used a decal squeegee to tuck them under the rubber weather strip on the windshield.The "Mohawk strip" is held down on the roof with two way tape from the factory,I cleaned off the old tape and replaced them with new 3M moulding tape.I did this on both sides,Then ran the wires under the windshield wiper cowl then into the engine bay.Note: All wires that are exposed were covered with wire loom for protection and a factory appearance.The only thing visible on the roof is the wire loom from the lamps tucked under the roof racks mounting feet.Did an easier version of this with the work lamp on the rear of the rack.

[BajaRnnr]

Thanks, for the info. Still wondering if I should go with the Defiant lightbar, or the Baja rack. Trying to make my mind up if I want to mount the lights up on the roof, or in front of the bumper on a lightbar.

[BajaRnnr]

Hey Masa, would you mind posting up some pics of your Baja rack, some shots from the front and from the sides please? You have the Mule right? I'm considering the mule or the mega mule. One of my friends just told me to go with the 4 halogen striker 170's and just upgrade my alternator.

[BajaRnnr]

Anybody know where I can get a high amp alternator to support (4) 100w halogen L.F. Striker 170's?

[BajaRnnr]

Well talked to the wife and she gave me the green light to do the Defiant lightbar, or the Baja rack with halo light bar and 4 Light Force HID 4 Striker 170 lights. There is a catch, she wants me to wait until October to buy everything :(

[MysticZ]

Well talked to the wife and she gave me the green light to do the Defiant lightbar, or the Baja rack with halo light bar and 4 Light Force HID 4 Striker 170 lights. There is a catch, she wants me to wait until October to buy everything :(

Not that long a wait considering that each of the lights cost about 250 each.

I am in the process of setting up similar as well using my baja rack and vision x hid's. I need to get my setup before I leave for Pismo meet and hopefully my new Runner will be ready but it's not looking good on time.:poke:

I am just going with a dual battery and charging setup for my lights. But 4 LF Striker HID's will not draw much.

[MysticZ]

Hey Masa, would you mind posting up some pics of your Baja rack, some shots from the front and from the sides please? You have the Mule right? I'm considering the mule or the mega mule. One of my friends just told me to go with the 4 halogen striker 170's and just upgrade my alternator.



Here you go pics of my Mule, it's 48in long 39 in wide and 7.25 in high the only difference is the size, the Mega Mule is 68 in long 48 in wide and 7.25 in high.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/mysticzt4r/bajarack.jpg
Passenger Side with High Lift carrier.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/mysticzt4r/Bajarack005.jpg
Driver Side

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/mysticzt4r/Bajarack004.jpg
Front

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/mysticzt4r/Bajarack006.jpg
Back

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/mysticzt4r/Bajarack007.jpg
Top

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/mysticzt4r/Bajarack008.jpg
Full top

[MysticZ]

Did some research on running lights, here is the formula I use.

Wattage divided by Voltage = Amperage

100w each x4 = 400w

400w divide by 12 = estimated 33.33 amps needed to power 4 LF Striker 170's Halogen lights.


35w each x4 = 140w

140w divide by 12 = estimated 11.66 amps needed to power 4 LF Striker 170's HID lights

Not exact sure how much amps the stock alternator puts out but I assume about 80-100+ amps but maybe someone who knows more can answer that.

So figure in the amperage usage for standard stuff on like headlights, radio, heater and etc. then total that up and add to the light amperage requirements and I think it should be more then enough to power those lights.

Hope this helps.:2cents

[MysticZ]

Thanks to SidVicious we now know the amps output on a stock alternator.

130amps is the answer, which should be more then enough to run 4 100watt lights.

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?p=67287&posted=1#post67287

[BajaRnnr]

Thank you Masa, that really helps me with size and placement. After looking at the pictures of yours, I think I will be going with the Mule Baja rack. I think the Mega mule will be too long and might obstruct my sunroof when I open it up to vent. Because my plan has changed, looks like I might do (4) halogen Striker 170's, or (4) Hella compact Rallye 4000's (6 inch instead of 9 inch).

[Photog]

The Mega Mule should not interfere with your moon roof, in "vent" position. The rack fits on top of the cross bars, and there is plenty of room under between the roof and the bottom of the rack.

I can't remember if you run a CB or what antenna you use. The Mega Mule would interfere with the mounting area for my Mag Mount CB antenna.

Edit: I checked your Build Thread, and it looks like you are using a Wilson Mag Mount also. With the Mega Mule, you would have to mount the base under the Mega Mule or in front of the moon roof. Neither option is favorable. I agree with your standard Mule choice.

[BajaRnnr]

The Mega Mule should not interfere with your moon roof, in "vent" position. The rack fits on top of the cross bars, and there is plenty of room under between the roof and the bottom of the rack.

I can't remember if you run a CB or what antenna you use. The Mega Mule would interfere with the mounting area for my Mag Mount CB antenna.

Edit: I checked your Build Thread, and it looks like you are using a Wilson Mag Mount also. With the Mega Mule, you would have to mount the base under the Mega Mule or in front of the moon roof. Neither option is favorable. I agree with your standard Mule choice.

Yeah would be a pita to mount the wilson 5000 mag mount with the mega mule, figured it would be easier with the standard mule allowing me to mount the mag base between the sunroof and the mule rack. Thanks anyways for your input.

[MysticZ]

Thank you Masa, that really helps me with size and placement. After looking at the pictures of yours, I think I will be going with the Mule Baja rack. I think the Mega mule will be too long and might obstruct my sunroof when I open it up to vent. Because my plan has changed, looks like I might do (4) halogen Striker 170's, or (4) Hella compact Rallye 4000's (6 inch instead of 9 inch).

Cool glad I could help.

[aws24689]

I would go for the defiant light bar if i were you because it will not affect fuel economy or if you really want to go all out you could get one of these
http://www.lucrumind.com/html/lightsystem.htm

[BajaRnnr]

I would go for the defiant light bar if i were you because it will not affect fuel economy or if you really want to go all out you could get one of these
http://www.lucrumind.com/html/lightsystem.htm

I would be more then happy to take your $900 donation.:rotflmao:
I don't have that much to spend, plus my :princess: budgets me on spending money on my truck now. Basically I have been given the green light to get new Fox 2.5 remote resi coilovers, rear Fox piggyback shocks, a baja rack and some lights. Wish I could get a light system like that, but thats a lot of money and I can't justify it to the :princess: i'm greatful I can get what I can.

[aws24689]

haha it sounds like she is letting you spend plenty of money...those shocks are going to be sick, I think it would be pretty cool to hook some lights up to a roof rack and figure out a way to rig them so you can manually fold them down. I can imagine a system like that is already out there

[BajaRnnr]

haha it sounds like she is letting you spend plenty of money...those shocks are going to be sick, I think it would be pretty cool to hook some lights up to a roof rack and figure out a way to rig them so you can manually fold them down. I can imagine a system like that is already out there

Yeah, thats why a system like that would blow her top. There's a system that you are thinking of check out www.kartek.com, or www.offroadwarehouse.com I remember seeing something like what is on the truphy trucks that can be raised and lowered manually with a lever.

[aws24689]

I think i would like that better than the lucrum light system. I would be afraid of the lucrum one either breaking down or being stolen, I'll try to find it on those websites later. Have u decided on what lights to get yet. As for wiring them i saw on bajarack.com in the accessories section there are some wires for lights that seem like they could be very helpful if you want a clean install.

[MysticZ]

lucrum is cool but the price does not include the HID lights, it's just the mounting and control.

[aws24689]

ya i know...it would be a great deal if it included the lights

[zlasterhazzard]

did you get your mule rack yet, i cant decide on it and some pics would be great cant find any of it on a 4runner from the side

[zlasterhazzard]

sorry im an idiot that question was to BajaRnnr