52" Curved Light Bar 1980-1991 Westfalia

[akchap]

After struggling to find a perfect light bar and brackets for a Westfalia. I finally stumbled across a photo of a great setup but somehow I lost it in my research and never could find it again. Months later, after searching everyday at work I found a bracket and a light bar that matched my dreams. I was looking for something cheap that didn't cover up the logo or the windshield, and would be easy to install(would of been better if I could get my wife to help).

The very inexpensive light bar is made by "Eyourlife". Just a quick amazon search away with $99 in hand.
I got the 52" but a 54" will be a better fit with these brackets.

The bracket mount is American made by CPTS Fabrication in Greenville, MI. I purchased it off ebay for $34.98. Just search for 84-01 Jeep Cherokee XJ, 50" LED Light Bar Mounting Bracket Kit. The cool thing is they come primed and ready to be painted.

[GypsyDriver]

That's a cool setup. I like the way you used the gutters to mount it and that might be an idea I'll borrow. But I was thinking of mounting along the top forward edge of the luggage rack (above the Westfalia logo) Did you try it up there? Will the curve of the light bar follow the curve of the leading edge of the luggage rack? Also, can you explain how you wired it up and provide more detail on your hardware?

[newfisher]

Looks familiar. Ive been loving mine for over a year. I didnt get the $99 deal but feel the additional lighting on back roads saves an insurance deductable when the Elk and Deer jump out in the road. They are great for spoting those with tents to set up in tbe middle of the nighh too

[Vanlife Geek]

[hdenter]

How is that set up working as far as wind noise and fuel economy at highway speeds? I like the size and shape of it, but would want to think about either above and a little back of the leading edge of the luggage rack or down low over the bumper. I'd be curious to know how you feel about it after a few road trips.

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[danfromsyr]

I'm curious on this too, as I'd be leaning to mounting it between the grills.

after reading this post/review of roof mounted lightbar
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/1584...-light-bar
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[yiucycle]

I have the the same question too but will there be any glare even though van dont have a hood?? Also i think it depend what kind of light you have on the top. I assume spot light would not be a problem compare to fog light. I have
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1980 2.8LV6 Fiero ASI/Riviera Vanagon
"there is no point in being embarrassed of all the stupid shit i done and will continue to do"

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[newfisher]

My results:

The upper 52 curved bar looks cool and I now fit in with the Bo-Doh Dodge guys, but its output ( even though wattage and lumens are listed higher than my 20" lower bar) isn't much brighter than the lower 20" bar mounted on the hoop.

It does not cast any over beam onto the windshield

It does whistle at 35-50mph

When ran independent of the lower bar it has a nice spread beam, but If I did it again I would only run the lower mounted bar and not hassle with the " I'm headed to the Zombie apocalypse" unit up top as the lower one does such a great job on its own. We will never out drive these lights in vanagons

[akchap]

[akchap]

[Randy in Maine]

Did you consider putting it under the front bumper? I was wondering what the light pattern is......

[Syncro Jael]

I have had this bar mounted for a couple of years. At first it was mounted further forward and lower. Glare on the windshield was not good. So I moved it up and back. It also seemed to take away some of the wind noise. This bar has performed well and has saved me a couple times from animal crossings on deserted desert roads.

The lower LED is pointed down to fill light at the ground level. It works great for seeing the terrain and choosing the correct line when off road.

All of my lighting has been switched over to LED, except for the high beams that are still Xenon 50w.

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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[Cliff@BrownBags]

Hey Jael,

Would you mind sharing your setup? Looks like it femurs great. Is that a 52” bat? Curved or flat? And what mounting brackets did you use. I really appreciate any feedback.
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its not about what you say you will do oneday, its what you do today that actualy means something.

[michael 617]

[outcaststudios]

mods: ^fake account
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'88Doka JX td
'69 westy
(rip)couple bugs
(rip)three type III"s
(rip) '81 vanagon
a bunch of french stuff,and 9 motorcycles.

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