My new reciever-mount lightbar.

[Allnew2Me]

I've had the idea for some time now to increase the visibility of the brake lights on my truck. I wanted to see a brighter, bigger stoplight back there and came up with this lightbar that mounts in my receiver.

I took a piece of rectangular steel tubing with a wall thickness of 3/16" that is 4" by 2" in size that I cut to 36" in length. I cut an angle on the ends and welded flat stock on them to close the ends. I welded a piece of 2" square tubing to fit into my receiver that was about one inch shorter than the depth of the receiver tube and plug-welded a threaded rod coupler into the back end of it so I could bolt it from the back of the hitch with a rectangular washer I made.

I then welded a short piece of 2" round tube close to the ends of my bar and where they contact the tube of the receiver I plug-welded a 3/8' thick washer with the OD that matched the ID of the tube to the area where the tubes touch, making the lightbar very solid when I tighten the bolt down on the backside of the hitch, and making it so it won't move up and down.

I bought the standard grommet-mounted stop/tail lights from a trucking supply store and cut the holes in the bar and mounted them. I tapped into my trailer harness with a flat four connector, and the mating connector comes through the 2" tube so I can just plug it in under the truck for easy removal.

The bar has the added benefit of keeping those small imports from sliding under my truck a little better than the stock bumper will.

After getting it mounted I have to say that I thought the lights were a little big at first but I'm getting used to them now, and I've noticed that cars stop back from me a lot farther than they did without the extra lights, especially at night.

 

[steved]

For extra ummph, you could also swap in some LEDs... they are a lot brighter.

Looks good!

steved

 

[Allnew2Me]

Steved, I considered the LED lights, they make the exact size with them, but they come on faster than incans and are a lot more expensive. I wanted the lights to match the tail lights on the truck.

 

[Bertram65]

That's real nice, if ever decide to sell them let me know. BTW, the underside of that truck is way to clean and rust free, here in MA they put salt and sand on the roads half the year, nothing stays nice on the underside.

 

[steved]

Steved, I considered the LED lights, they make the exact size with them, but they come on faster than incans and are a lot more expensive. I wanted the lights to match the tail lights on the truck.

The brightness and rapid illumination is what catches peoples eyes when they are daydreaming... I know my LED taillights have awoke more than one early morning commuter. I prefer LEDs for that reason... they attract attention faster than an incandescent.



steved

 

[Allnew2Me]

I agree that they are all that you say, but I wanted to match what was on the truck, and, they are a lot more expensive.

 

[VHolloway]

I Love The Back Up Lights

They Look Great

 

[Nate]

What did you use for those backup lights? That's pretty cool.

 

[JVolpe]

That's real nice, if ever decide to sell them let me know. BTW, the underside of that truck is way to clean and rust free, here in MA they put salt and sand on the roads half the year, nothing stays nice on the underside.

I like the backup lights and the added light bar. Not only is underneath the truck to clean, but the concrete under it is even way to clean .

 

[Allnew2Me]

Thanks guys, the backup lights were another of my little projects that you can read about here.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...scussions/173498-let-there-light-reverse.html

 

[Allnew2Me]

I added another picture.

 

[OL RATLR]

I added another picture.

You done real good. Look's Great.