auxillary light mounting on frt bumper?

[LRoy]

I'm still a week out from getting my '03 3500, but want (need!) to mount some auxillary lights asap after delivery.



Is there real steel under the front top bumper fascia? Or am I going to have to mount a bull/brush bar first? If the bumper top is suitable for bolting to directly, any idea on how much depth I have to work with (for clearance for the hood/grill to open)?



I'm considering the PIAA 80 Pro or the Hella 4000. I'd prefer the Hellas, but they are almost twice as deep as the PIAAs (>5" vs <3")





thanks -

 

[Prairie Dog]

There's not much to work with. I saw one fellow use the tow hooks to mount some large round Hella's. It looked pretty good.

 

[BRobertson]

I just looked at my wifes 03 Sport, and anything over approx. 3" deep will protrude.

I have Hella 4000 Eurobeams on my 01( fantastic lights ) and they are 51/2" deep.

I don't know about the Piaas.

KC makes some Slimlines that are fairly thin, that might be an option.

Bob



There is fairly thick steel under the fascia.

 

[B-Ark]

LRoy, I too am looking at the Hella 4000 as a possible for my '01. No way will it fit by mounting on bumper - the bumper would have to be about 1" deeper than it is. I'm thinking of fabricating an aluminium bracket that would attach to the top of the bumper and then light goes on the bracket. The only problem here is that the light will protrude quite a bit forward of the bumper - more potential for impact damage. The other thing you may want to consider, is the fact that the 4000 is HUGE. I cut a bit of cardboard to size (8. 75" diam) and held it on the bumper where the light would be. Very impressive and intimidating, but I might worry about it blocking some air flow through the grills.



The PIAA 80 will fit easily - the lamp has a different physical design - there is zero overhang behind the mounting bolt.



Good luck.

 

[BRobertson]

I've had my Hella 4000 in front of the grill on a Warn transformer mount, for 3 years, towing in temps as hot as 95F,(down south), and never had a overheat problem. I think our trucks are overcooled.

I intend to mount them in approx. the same spot on my nrw ARB bumper.

Bob

 

[Glen Pratt]

LRoy, Carr truck steps makes a light wing that mounts where the front license mounts. They don't have a picture on their web-site, but click on this link for a picture: http://www.accessconnect.com/carr_light_wing.htm , I think this may be what you're looking for. It's a neat install for two auxiliary lights. They don't have a model listed for '03 Dodge Rams, but it would probably still work. -Glen

 

[Glen Pratt]

LRoy, Check this link as well:http://www.truckperformance.com/veh...+FIT&sf5=LICENSE+PLATE+FRAME+WITH+LIGHT+MOUNT , the Carr Light Wing is listed as universal fit for '03 Dodge Ram 1500's. -Glen