Roof mounted spot lights????

big_60series

New Member
hey guys,
Was thinking of mounting a few spotties on my roof, has anyone experienced the light reflecting back a bit? Im either going to make a small roof basket with spot light mounts or just a spot light rack. I have the mounts already and 2x pencil beam roo lights,2x narva spead beam and im goint to put 2 more spot lights to point out the sides of me. Im not sure which way im going yet as i have a sun roof and a high roof so the mounts only fit the front. Thinking of a bit of protection for the spot lights too when im making it. Any thoughts......
 

LowLux

Moderator
I like the roof mounted spots myself but can't do it. Might want to check what the legalitites are with lights being above the bonnet line, I think it may be illegal. I know heaps of people do it but I think the Police might book you for it if you get pulled over because they are having a bad day.
 

Offrdn60

Member
G'day
Ive got roof lights and they do reflect off the bonet a little bit, but not bad. You can still see where your driving after your eyes adjust in about 30 seconds
 

Offrdn60

Member
I like the roof mounted spots myself but can't do it. Might want to check what the legalitites are with lights being above the bonnet line, I think it may be illegal. I know heaps of people do it but I think the Police might book you for it if you get pulled over because they are having a bad day.

I have 6 spotties on my roofrack and have been throu many booze buses and have never been asked about them. I also got pulled over for an on the spot rego check and roadworthy, and they didn't say anything. IMO I think they get upset when they see you driving with the lights on, on the blacktop.

I have also been told the lights r not allowed to sit forward from the drivers seat, and that u should have covers on the lights. Also the switch for the lights can not be in reach of the driver.
 

big_60series

New Member
I already have 2 pencil beam on my bull bar hooked up to the high beam but these lights will be used off road only so was going to put in a switch on the dash, should probaly make a switch board as im going to have a couple, like thermos and stereo.
 

grit

Member
I would think you would need to be able to switch them off offroad quickly while offroad in certain situations and a switch close enough to the driver would be essential. I also think they should have covers (not transparent) when driving on the blacktop. Can't see any regulations (at-least here in NSW) against having them there.
 

big_60series

New Member
Have been chatting to a few people about this and we agree that the only real need for spot lights on the roof is if you do water crossings or mud driving (as they would tend to stay cleaner) and maybe just use pencil beam to help avoid getting the glare. Covers over the spot lights on the road is a good point or maybe have them flip back on a hinge when not off roading.
 

big_60series

New Member
I have 6 spotties on my roofrack and have been throu many booze buses and have never been asked about them. I also got pulled over for an on the spot rego check and roadworthy, and they didn't say anything. IMO I think they get upset when they see you driving with the lights on, on the blacktop.

I have also been told the lights r not allowed to sit forward from the drivers seat, and that u should have covers on the lights. Also the switch for the lights can not be in reach of the driver.

Hey mate, do you get alot of glare when there turned on off your bonnet and are you using pencil beam lights?
 

grit

Member
IMO lights on the roof give better depth perception (almost 3D compared to lights on a bar which tend to hide the shadows that allow better perspective. Lights in fog are better down low and I believe that blue is now considered better than than amber for fog.
 

grit

Member
A good option (if you are concerned about glare) might be to have your spots on top and floods on the bar - you will still get great perspective and nothing hiding in the shadows.
 

Sharky

New Member
Don't bother. Just mount em on ya bullbar. I have spotties on the roll bar above the cab on my cruza & they're only good in the forrest for a good periferal view of kangeroos that may be about to jump in front of ya. It's not about how high u have em, it's how far foward they're fitted. The ones on my bullbar r positioned better & on the open rd I can flick the top ones on & off with no noticeable difference. They don't reflect off the bonnet but they light up the roof so I've been told by those who've travelled behind me. U don't want em too far foward at the front or they do give u glare. If u can't get daylight from 4 good qual spotties on the bullbar then u have crap spotties.

megan114.jpg

The 2 outer ones point outwards slightly (4" pensils). The 2 middle ones r 6" (1x spot, 1x spread). They're IPF's.

The only way they'd work is if they were more powerful than the front mounted ones which would need to b pointed closer to the ground than the top ones in which case u may as well not have front spotties, as the high beam will cover what's immediately in front of u. So as I said, they're a waste of time up top.

I keep mine there coz they look good, that's all.
 
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hianufgq

New Member
In regards to the legal side of spotlights you can only have 6 lights facing forward and thats including your head lights so 4 spotties plus your car lights. Im in Vic and l have been running 4 roof mounted lights for 7 years and no probs with the cops.
 

grit

Member
I often wonder why ppl feel they need more than 2 spot beam and 2 spread beams on the roof - IMPO its more likely to be about looks than practicality. My concerns with the 6 light rule in Vic. is that some vehicles have double headlights - 2 for Hi Beam & 2 for Low Beam. (I believe they are paired to cater for human binocular vision at the focal points). In saying that - I'm happy to have just one spot and one flood of IPF-(XS800/XS900) quality. These are rated over 800 meters and can be effective up to a kilometer.
 
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Tats

New Member
More on Spotties

Twin roof mounted spotties are an optional extra with Jeeps, so I can't see how they would be illegal, unless they were used improperly in built-up areas, or the like. Still, I prefer them bullbar mounted anyway, and the same rules apply.

Tats:cool:
 

grit

Member
Twin roof mounted spotties are an optional extra with Jeeps, so I can't see how they would be illegal, unless they were used improperly in built-up areas, or the like. Still, I prefer them bullbar mounted anyway, and the same rules apply.

Tats:cool:

They would have to be a bit more secure (from theft) than the ones fitted to bars & they do look good, if you're talking about the integrated ones.
 

BEK

4x4 Earth Contributer
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Tats

New Member
Roof Mounted Spotties

Yeah Grit they are the integrated ones and they do look great, however, I have a sunroof on the Jeep, and this could pose a problem - so I guess the bull bar might have to do, but I haven't yet solved the problem of the coax for the UHF - first things first Pal, first things first. The vehicle's due for its 20,000 k service so I might just get lazy and pay the tech to do it . . . might!:rolleyes:

Tats:cool:
 

grit

Member
I guess the other things one might take into consideration when considering mounting spots on top are less likely to drown or get physically damaged (or stolen) and they would not be reducing the air into the engine bay, effecting how frequently the fans operate.

... just a thought.
 
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big_60series

New Member
I guess the other things one might take into consideration when considering mounting spots on top are less likely to drown or get physically damaged (or stolen) and they would not be reducing the air into the engine bay, effecting how frequently the fans operate.

... just a thought.

Thats one of the reasons i was looking into putting lights on the roof as i have a350 chev v8 conversion running twin thermos, i sent an email to a guy that works at 4wd action mag that i know and they might do a bit of a question and answer in there new 4wd custom mag so i'll let you guys know when i find out more
 
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