Lights on Chase Bar?

[Edub]

If you want usable light in front of the vehicle, then the cab will be in the way unless the lights are mounted way above the bar. Here's a visual:

Did you put this together? nevertheless, really helpful. and just like the other comment, I have fill lights on the bumper, this might actually work.

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[jac04]

Did you put this together? nevertheless, really helpful. and just like the other comment, I have fill lights on the bumper, this might actually work.

Yeah, I found the side shot on line then used MS Paint for the lines. It saved me from having to type 1000 words, or so they say.

 

[Edub]

Yeah, I found the side shot on line then used MS Paint for the lines. It saved me from having to type 1000 words, or so they say.

so they say

 

[Edub]

ok so here's the outcome.

They actually throw a surprising amount of light down the road. combined with the two on the bumper as a filler, I'm really happy with the results. Ill put up some images with the lights on from the cab later this weekend.

yes, the wires are zipped tied and yes, I ran out of the black ones (naturally). Next step is to run the wires inside the tubing and out the bottom. out of sight...out of mind.

 

[vicsvx]

I have been planning on doing this when I get a Chase rack. I think it looks way better than light bars. I thinkng of the jc chase rack with driving spot lights forward facing. Some small light in the rear like you have. Put some flood lights on the bumper facing slightly out... But debating on amber floods

 

[vicsvx]

@Edub show us some more photos and details on the lights you chose

 

[Edub]

@Edub show us some more photos and details on the lights you chose

So the project started last year when I first got the Gladiator. I promptly purchased the chase rack when I saw it on here featured at Sema from Maximus 3.

After much debate, I ended up with the KC Slimlite LED's as I felt they were middle of the road. I couldn't afford some fancy Baja Design lights (although I think the LP9 series would look killer up there), and I didn't want some cheap Nilight spotlights (although I had these on my wrangler, and they really are great)

First step was to cannibalize the wiring harness. All I needed was the ends with the plugs and I used those to create my own wiring harness to run all four lights in parallel. I added a connection for quick removal and then about 25 feet of extra wiring to get me all the way back to the auxiliary leads and negative terminal in the engine bay.

I wish I had taken a picture of the wiring harness I made as I am really proud of how it turned out, but I was on a roll and the kids turned this into a 3-day affair.

The top of the chase rack comes off and comes pre-drilled in all the right places for lights and wires. I wrapped a little tape around each connection, and they fit snugly in each predrilled hole.

I went back and tapped off all the exposed bits for a nice clean look and better protection after that last pic was taken. like I mentioned elsewhere, my next step is to drill a hole in the tube and run the wires in the rack itself. The amount of zip ties is getting out of hand.

Anyhow, I had a lot of fun with this project, hope this helps.

 

[vicsvx]

@Edub i really like the setup. Nicely done.I'm still debating on getting a Chase rack.I use my truck for truck things so a full rack won't cut it. But I also want to install crossbars for my cargo basket and bike... But I think I cannot do a Chase rack and cross bars. Because I want to go camping and biking and can't afford or store a trailer, I'm trying to maximize bed useage without sacrificing the actual bed when I'm not camping or biking

But if I do Chae rack, I really like your light setup. Do you have your red lights tied with braking and the white lights tied to aux? The rack I'm looking is jc offroad.. Sadly the price went up 160 in the last few months

 

[Edub]

@Edub i really like the setup. Nicely done.I'm still debating on getting a Chase rack.I use my truck for truck things so a full rack won't cut it. But I also want to install crossbars for my cargo basket and bike... But I think I cannot do a Chase rack and cross bars. Because I want to go camping and biking and can't afford or store a trailer, I'm trying to maximize bed useage without sacrificing the actual bed when I'm not camping or biking

But if I do Chae rack, I really like your light setup. Do you have your red lights tied with braking and the white lights tied to aux? The rack I'm looking is jc offroad.. Sadly the price went up 160 in the last few months

I can say that I have yet to come across a situation where the Chase rack impeded with anything bed related. The red lights I have tied to the brake lights, and the white lights on either side are tied to the cargo lights and are highly functional.

As for the cargo basket, I'm toying with the idea of mounting a basket on the lower back of the rack where it levels out. obviously, it won't hold too much but I think it would be neat to make the bed a bit of a multi-level system. not sure how practical this would be but I'm all about trying new things.

On a side note, I'm a huge fan of how a chase rack transforms the look of the JT. it's almost like it was meant to be and Jeep got cheap and cut it out.

unless you're hauling a full-size refrigerator, it really won't get in the way.

 

[Bad324]

@Edub i really like the setup. Nicely done.I'm still debating on getting a Chase rack.I use my truck for truck things so a full rack won't cut it. But I also want to install crossbars for my cargo basket and bike... But I think I cannot do a Chase rack and cross bars. Because I want to go camping and biking and can't afford or store a trailer, I'm trying to maximize bed useage without sacrificing the actual bed when I'm not camping or biking

But if I do Chae rack, I really like your light setup. Do you have your red lights tied with braking and the white lights tied to aux? The rack I'm looking is jc offroad.. Sadly the price went up 160 in the last few months

I had the same concerns and its why I went with a Black Horse. I have the trail rail and installed it to that with t-slot nuts so all I would have to do is take out the 6 Allen head bolts and it'll pop right off

I also planning on adding lights to it and wanting to make a wire harness that has a quick disconnect so it remains super easy to remove and put back whenever I need to. So OP if you don't mind at some point I may reach out to get more detail on what you used

 

[Edub]

I had the same concerns and its why I went with a Black Horse. I have the trail rail and installed it to that with t-slot nuts so all I would have to do is take out the 6 Allen head bolts and it'll pop right off

I also planning on adding lights to it and wanting to make a wire harness that has a quick disconnect so it remains super easy to remove and put back whenever I need to. So OP if you don't mind at some point I may reach out to get more detail on what you used

I think the quick disconnect is pretty crucial. it's the difference between making it in a garage and not.

I also went back and added my GMRS radio antenna there. I'm happy with the way it has turned out.

absolutely you can reach out with any questions.

 

[Edub]

So, I thought it would be fun to follow this up with some updates. In no particular order -

1st - I rewired everything into a single loom with two 8 pin deutsch connectors (I love those things). then wrapped the whole thing in a very fancy color matched wire loom. This should make removal very quick and simple.

2nd - smashed the entire setup in a parking garage that was about one inch too short.

images of the carnage? there are none. I don't photograph my failures. But I have gone back and fixed it, a little better, a little wiser. I do still need to replace the wire leads coming out of the lights them elves but I'm not sure they are sold separately.

I will note that these lights took it like a champ and the only real damage was on the connectors directly behind the lights as they got pushed back and damaged.

 

[Jill27]

I used to have them on mine when I first purchased my Gladiator. Didn't use them though, so can't tell you how good or bad they were. The mounts were adjustable though.

What size lights did you use on the bar? I'm looking to add some to my tyger shirts bar but not sure what size will look the best. Thank you!

 

[BrentMG]

I think they're five or six inches.

 

[vicsvx]

ok so here's the outcome.

They actually throw a surprising amount of light down the road. combined with the two on the bumper as a filler, I'm really happy with the results. Ill put up some images with the lights on from the cab later this weekend.

yes, the wires are zipped tied and yes, I ran out of the black ones (naturally). Next step is to run the wires inside the tubing and out the bottom. out of sight...out of mind.

Well after 2 years finally got my jcr chase rack from another member on this forum. Great deal. My cargo basket and bike rack all fit with my cross bars and rack. Super excited. I was looking at the slimlights but now the roadshock edge from HF have grabbed my attention. I'm thining of two spots in the center of the rack and 2 spot/flood combo on the outside of the rack pointed slight outward.

But looking at your light setup for the rear... What light bar is that? I like it

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