Home Made Light Bar (Dakar style). Keep It Simple Stupid (Kiss)

Dragon · 06-06-2008, 10:16 PM

So a couple of years back I bought a Dakar Light Bar by Rampage.

In spite of the fact that the directions were the worst ever, it served it's purpose. It held lights. Sure I had to add vibration isolation pads to minimize the vibration effect while driving, but no harm done. It worked.

Well it rusted through. The tab that meets the bar rusted where it was welded.

I had a guy at the shop grind it down and reweld it for me, and just a couple of weeks ago the other side rusted through

So while this product was "fine" for a while, over the test of time it was "poor".

So I got out a tape measure, some paper, and my holy jeans and took some dims. I brought it to the shop and made a very simple light bar. I kept it simple because I like simple. While some are very happy with fancier tube work, this is very utilitarian and can be fabricated easily. Our welder dude was all over me because he could have done this, and that, and the other, and I said no.

I used 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 3/16" walled tube, and some 1/4" x 1" bar stock.

Here is the 'old and busted'

...and for those who asked and asked how it was mounted since the directions were illegible even when compared to the directions for an IKEA desk, here is a photo.

And then here is the new KISS Light Bar.

It looks simple, right? On the verge of utilitarian? Perfect.

First I removed my bezel and tupperware bumper cover. I removed 'old and busted'.

I then mounted this simple piece of tube to the front portion of the structural bumper (what is removed when an after market bumper is installed)

Oh yeah, I got blasted with high winds, a thunderstorm, a sun shower, and the most refreshing spring downpour I can remember. I felt alive. ...but back on track here

I then lined up the mounting tubes on the KISS bar with the plastic grill, and cut two holes to accomodate the tube penetration. I just used tin snips. ..and then re-installed the front bumper cover

Folks, this just slides in and bolts to the installed structural tube.

So while the storm clouds moved off to the east and the sun started to set

I realized anew how wonderful the simple things in life are. A spring shower. A sunset. Strong steel. Simple designs. ...and two hands that can create a simple thing. I certainly am no Lucrum, Demello, or Bandi, but there comes a certain satisfaction of a job well done when you do it all from scratch.

**FJ Steed** · 06-06-2008, 10:22 PM

Very Clean!

Dragon · 06-06-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

FJ Steed previously said:

Very Clean!

Thanks.

**SwiCago** · 06-06-2008, 10:56 PM

Sure you've got enough lights there Bill

.. come on a few can still fit ...
Looks good though

Maybe one day I'll have to get my S--t together and post up a build thread too

**FJDave** · 06-06-2008, 11:12 PM

Very nice!! It looks very good, and I sincerely wish I had the ability to just fab something like that. You should sell those! I'm sure ekool would give you a vendor discount....