30" LED Bar Install + Pics

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MJEngineering

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Just wrapped up the install of the 30" LED light bar we got from M & R Automotive - http://www.mandronline.com/ - they are also vendors on www.GMT400.com the 88-98 GM truck forum.

The stock lights on these trucks are not very good and my cheap ebay ones aren't any better. This upgrade makes a GMT400 as bright or brighter than any modern car. The difference is literally day and night :D

I have my light bar wired to the high beams via a fused relay, if I ever don't want it I can just pull the fuse and the lights can turn on with no key in the truck if needed. Even though the 30" bar throws an enormous amount of light only draws about 15 amps max so you can run it a long time with the vehicle off.

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I considered a lot of options for the mounting of the bar but in the end settled on one of the simpler options, your needs and tastes may lead to a different setup. The bar comes with L brackets for each side and hardware to mount to a flat surface. I ended up getting longer hardware and spacers with matching washers.

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The spacers drop the bar down about a half inch and it fits very snug in the shell. A small bit of the chrome on the upper lip was trimmed in each corner to allow the L brackets through. I taped up everything while I was working to avoid scratching everything to hell. The metal fins on the back of the light needed to be trimmed in the middle to fit around the hood latch support. This isn't a big deal just be very careful about cutting into the cord while working. I held a flat piece of metal over the cord when working near it so it couldn't get damaged.

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The finished result is quite visually striking and extremely effective. I no longer have to worry about outdriving my headlights at night.

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Low Beams vs High Beams (4HI mod + bar)

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Overall, I strongly suggest an upgrade to your lights if possible and have found that LED is quite a good option for doing so. Check out M & R for LEDs of all sizes.
 

soulsea

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I have my light bar wired to the high beams via a fused relay ...

Seriously?

Not only is that HIGHLY illegal but it is insanely dangerous to oncoming drivers, who, by the tine you get around to flicking your stalk to take the high beams off, will have lost vision for a significant amount of time.

As stated time after time, these LED light bars aren't like a cheap Chinese PnP HID kit that is annoying and discourteous, but mostly harmless. These are TRUE off road lights, with absolutely no focus (light everywhere), put out an insane amount of lumens, and should NEVER EVER be used on public roads under any circumstances.

You want to improve the lights on your vehicle, get newer reflector housings (if available), or spend either the time or money to get a a HID projector retrofit ... hell slap a $40 hid kit on there if you want. But for god's sake decouple those leds from your high beams, permanently.

You are an official vendor here, and you are recommending and promoting a highly illegal and stupidly dangerous setup ... you should know better than that.

Seriously lame. :smh:
 

sumo

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Nice from behind the lights......suck to be on coming traffic
 

BIRDMAN

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I have a 20" 30" and 40" LEDs installed and like to blind oncoming traffic for amusement. Especially when the Prii flash their high beams at my low beams, I show them what they're really missing. Haven't killed anyone yet.
 

foreverfalcon40

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Illegal or not...that thing is hideous and I rather drive with no lights on!
OR
Mount it in the rear and wire it to the reverse lights!

Maybe you should mount it behind the grill.

Please stop doing side jobs like this and update your swap thread :)

PLEASE
 
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07Burb

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Seriously?

Not only is that HIGHLY illegal but it is insanely dangerous to oncoming drivers, who, by the tine you get around to flicking your stalk to take the high beams off, will have lost vision for a significant amount of time.

As stated time after time, these LED light bars aren't like a cheap Chinese PnP HID kit that is annoying and discourteous, but mostly harmless. These are TRUE off road lights, with absolutely no focus (light everywhere), put out an insane amount of lumens, and should NEVER EVER be used on public roads under any circumstances.

You want to improve the lights on your vehicle, get newer reflector housings (if available), or spend either the time or money to get a a HID projector retrofit ... hell slap a $40 hid kit on there if you want. But for god's sake decouple those leds from your high beams, permanently.

You are an official vendor here, and you are recommending and promoting a highly illegal and stupidly dangerous setup ... you should know better than that.

Seriously lame. :smh:

Good points are made here and should be seriously considered by anyone who is considering these lights or other kits similar to it. THEY ARE FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY for a reason so be safe everyone :waytogo:

I have a 20" 30" and 40" LEDs installed and like to blind oncoming traffic for amusement. Especially when the Prii flash their high beams at my low beams, I show them what they're really missing. Haven't killed anyone yet.

Oh, that Birdman is silly :slap: Just another strip or two and your hold front would be a massive beam of light :Moon:
 

SunlitComet

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Seriously?

Not only is that HIGHLY illegal but it is insanely dangerous to oncoming drivers, who, by the tine you get around to flicking your stalk to take the high beams off, will have lost vision for a significant amount of time.

As stated time after time, these LED light bars aren't like a cheap Chinese PnP HID kit that is annoying and discourteous, but mostly harmless. These are TRUE off road lights, with absolutely no focus (light everywhere), put out an insane amount of lumens, and should NEVER EVER be used on public roads under any circumstances.

You want to improve the lights on your vehicle, get newer reflector housings (if available), or spend either the time or money to get a a HID projector retrofit ... hell slap a $40 hid kit on there if you want. But for god's sake decouple those leds from your high beams, permanently.

You are an official vendor here, and you are recommending and promoting a highly illegal and stupidly dangerous setup ... you should know better than that.

Seriously lame. :smh:


:word:
 

83 Bimmer

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Now if only you could spend some time fixing important things, like your fuel gauge....
 

imi4tth3w

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lol if you thought he was building that truck for looks...

looks good mike. some people don't understand that not everyone lives in huge cities and have some good use for mods like this. perfect for small back country roads
 

SunlitComet

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I understand that but I don't bellieve the OP specifically stated that that reason allows him to disregard those concerns. Should I even bother to mention that the OP also has made a poor choice in using black-out type of headlights and markers to begin with or is he allowed to disregard that concern about the ability of his lights to work properly because of it.
 
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