My Driving Light Set Up

[Zamunda]

When ever I meet up with other overlanders I quite often get told that I do not have enough driving lights set up in my 80 series Land Cruiser.

I generally try to avoid driving at night when I am overlanding. There was a time when I used to love overlanding in total darkness. It added to my sense of adventure. This was until I had a near miss one day. Since then, as a personal rule, I always find a place to camp when it about two hours to sunset.

It is with this in mind I plan my trips. However, things don't always go to plan so there are those few occasions when I have no choice but to travel after sunset. It is with this thought process in mind I fitted out the driving lights in my Landcruiser 80 series. Without going over the top, I have set up my driving lights to get the maximum efficiency for those few occasions when I need to see the way ahead.

 

[cradokaone]

Good one there 'old salt', you're a very fastidious 4skinner operator.

 

[Neddysmith]

Ncie one Duncan, i dont really see why you'd need any more lights then you already have.

 

[shanegtr]

You must know some people who are really scared of the dark as I reckon you've gone over the top Just a single additional pair of driving lights works well for me

 

[Petunia]

I don't see a blower type belt poking through the bonnet? to drive the second alternator?

 

[Petunia]

next question? ADR13
I queried a reps car one day back when the bears were bad, for having a black pin stripe in the center of the cars LED light bar? He then enlightened me [pun] that it was illegal to fit a light bar, the ADR's stated lights must be fitted in pairs, and the pin stripe divided the bar into 2, a pair?

Since then the ADR's have been repealed to allow for fitment of single light bars.
But, if you do read the ADR's on fitment, of lights, bullbars, and et all [I did read it one day]

I'm damned sure in there somewhere it states a few points, ! all white lights must face forward. ! up to a maximum of 2 pair or 4 total auxiliary lights.. if in pairs equally spaced from center, if single lights - mounted centrally. ! a maximum of 2 rearward facing white lights that only engage when reverse gear is selected. ! anything protruding above the line of the bullbar is illegal, including more than one communication areal.

So, if Kevin Bacon pulls you over, then proceeds to knick you for all you thought you like to keep bolting on, don't look so disgusted he knows his Bacon!

 

[Tink]

That lightbar on top of the bullbar is illegal in every state as far as I know.
Tink

 

[hiluxdriver]

So if other overlanders(?) said you need a disco or even an amarok then you'd get one? I have a 22 inch light bar only and that suits me fine for night driving.
I didn't watch the video as it seems like everyone has a YouTube account or blog

 

[cradokaone]

So if other overlanders(?) said you need a disco or even an amarok then you'd get one? I have a 22 inch light bar only and that suits me fine for night driving.
I didn't watch the video as it seems like everyone has a YouTube account or blog

.... and that's a bad thing?

 

[hiluxdriver]

.... and that's a bad thing?

Yeah.... because the information can be misleading, incorrect or biased.

Or are you saying Discos are ok?

 

[madmonk]

For me, lighting videos can be quite deceiving as it really relies on what camera settings were used. However I do like watching videos were people explain the reasoning why they have set up something in a particular way as it often gives me ideas for things that I could do to my vehicle.

 

[Zamunda]

Good one there 'old salt', you're a very fastidious 4skinner operator.

Fastidious - been told that many times before

 

[Zamunda]

Ncie one Duncan, i dont really see why you'd need any more lights then you already have.

More lights = more power draw = more money on electrics.

 

[cradokaone]

Yeah.... because the information can be misleading, incorrect or biased.

Or are you saying Discos are ok?

Hehe had one once... enough said.

 

[Petunia]

because the information can be misleading, incorrect or

Illegal

! light bar on top of bull bar
! white light facing side
! more than 4 auxiliary lights total

1 22inch Great White, is enough to fry the pants off a drop bear at a thousand yards.

 

[Zamunda]

Illegal

! light bar on top of bull bar
! white light facing side
! more than 4 auxiliary lights total

1 22inch Great White, is enough to fry the pants off a drop bear at a thousand yards.

I never quite understood the thinking about the light bar on bull bar. If that's is thought to obstruct driver vision then what about the GPS? Some have two GPS. Rule says the light bar should be below the bonnet line and below the windscreen. In my case it is.
The side facing lights can only be switched on from inside the bonnet. same as the camping lights mounted to the sides of the roof rack. Grey area?

 

[Tink]

Light on top of bullbar is illegl due to increased pedestrian injuries, not line of sight.
Most states now allow roof mounted lightbars.
Tink

 

[Petunia]

The side facing lights can only be switched on from inside the bonnet. same as the camping lights mounted to the sides of the roof rack.

This statement? is very ambiguous?
! white lights facing side ways, a video that clearly shows them operating while driving? Yet can only be turned on or off from under the bonnet? Hence when passing another vehicle they can not be 'dipped' dazzling said driver from the side? Grey area? I understand that ''work'' lights can only be switched on by a switch that is out of reach the normal drivers position.

ADR's = Australian Design Rules a good read, especially ADR13. I would like to say ADR's are Australia wide, hopefully? As for what is a permissible modification from state to state, and what Kevin Bacon will knick you for when crossing a state border, good luck.

2 GPS hanging off the windscreen? Yes there are specific rulings on said same and other screens and how they interfere with driver distraction / and field of view. Just because Joe Blogg has 2 GPS, 3 phone cradles, a Boost and EGT gauge, 2 battery monitors and a tyre pressure monitor in his face does not make me any more legal or illegal when bolting a light bar anywhere I chose to. He may not have been nicked by Kevin Bacon, yet? After all it's only illegal if you get caught, right?

Light on top of bullbar is illegl due to increased pedestrian injuries, not line of sight.
Most states now allow roof mounted lightbars.
Tink

I am under the impression it's illegal due to 'both' interfering with driver view and increased pedestrian injuries if you read the relevant ADR and/or state legislation on minor vehicle modification.

 

[Les PK Ranger]

For me, lighting videos can be quite deceiving as it really relies on what camera settings were used..

Very true, perhaps video can be taken with fixed exposure, not sure, but tried taking progressive photos with my iPhone and it would auto adjust to increasing light as they were turned on in intensity.
Had to redo using an old bridge camera with fixed settings.

The results were very illuminating, ha ha.

Seriously though, it’s one thing to get light out front, but much more important to get light to the sides, out about 150 metres or so, this is where the pesky Roos like to come at you from.

My final lighting choice for hitting these areas left and right was a Stedi 42” curved 240w on the front roof bar, nothing else much touched where these reach.
I might have pics somewhere on one of my devices here (camping roadside Newell Hwy, north of West Wyalong).

 

[Les PK Ranger]

Pics taken with each turned on and left on.

Low beam

High beam

LF Genesis hids (35w)

Stedi 17” 80w straight light bar (8 x 10w

Stedi 42” 240w curved light bar (80 x 3w)

Note the matt clearcoat on the bonnet !
Makes it so much easier on the eyes.
It’s almost a necessity really with intense white Iight.

Roof lights also need to be back far enough not to shine light down the windscreen (dust on glass will cause a white out effect), or too far back to cast a big shadow where you actually want the light.