Night driving on tight twisting tracks

[Rock Trol]

Recently I had a couple of trips out to the High Country which required us to drive on tight twisting tracks (switchbacks) at night to get to camp. I only have driving lights on the front bar and was having difficulty seeing what was around the corner and where my rear tyre was going. I started thinking about a light bar on the roof rack as I would be able to see where my front tyres are going.

Then I had a thought that maybe a couple of lower wattage lights pointing either side of the roof rack to illuminate the sides would be a better idea. I would be able to see down the sides of the car and what the rear wheel is about to run over. Has anyone done this?

[MB]

G'day Rock Trol, haven't done it on my roof rack but have 2 x cheapo small square LED's awaiting in the shed for under tray mount side lights, same idea as yours mate!

[Winnie]

I've always had an LED bar on the roof and you still can't see around corners. I have 2 smaller LED that I had always planned to mount facing outwards but never got around to it.

[Turtle_au]

Maybe small LED floods at each corner of the rack. Double as camp and repair lights.
Wouldn't need much throw but a good wide beam.
Maybe these
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/LED-Work-Light-6-x-3W-Round/283915

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[Throbbinhood]

I've got 3 lightbars on my front bar, a 24" straight ahead and 2 x 6" at 45 degree angles which helps with the sides.

As far as seeing the wheels, I usually get enough light pollution from the other lights for this, and always have a head torch/plenty of torches to do the job.

[threedogs]

A square 27 watt work light will throw heaps of good light.
Might want to look at putting some bright LEDs under the Patrol
pointing at the front wheels kinda like rock lights

[GQtdauto]

The curved light bar on the roof rack has amazed me with how much light and where the light gets to , roughly equal to the front doors so don't anticipate switchbacks being a problem , if they are I can turn the two floods on the front to each side .

[AB]

The curved light bar on the roof rack has amazed me with how much light and where the light gets to , roughly equal to the front doors so don't anticipate switchbacks being a problem , if they are I can turn the two floods on the front to each side .

I was about to ask if anyone has a curved light bar and how that shines on switchbacks like Barkley river at night tracks, etc.

[GQtdauto]

Haven't tested it yet on tight switch backs but I get light out each side roughly level with driver .

[mudski]

I did see a Patrol with led strip lights in the wheel arches. Apparently this worked really well. But how well they would stay attached is another thing. I have a 5 mete roll in my garage, I've been wondering what I should do with it....

[Rock Trol]

Thanks guys. Looks like I might try two lights on either side as they will be more versatile. I will go with either Lightforce 20W or 40W Rok lights. They are very compact and looked like good quality as well.

http://lightforce.com/product/rok40-led-work-lights/
http://lightforce.com/product/rok10-and-20-led-utility-lights/

[lucus30]

I've always had an LED bar on the roof and you still can't see around corners. I have 2 smaller LED that I had always planned to mount facing outwards but never got around to it.
X2 to that. Same issue and will probably mount up a couple of side lights one day

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[MudRunnerTD]

I have 2 LED work lights to be fitted to the sides of my light rack for the GQ. I also have a 600mm long LED strip light I am fitting under the gutter above the rear sliding Windows. These will show me the side of my car at night when in very tight bush. Will work well. Not sure if I will switch them with my light bar? Probably will as all lights on is my preferred in the bush.

Lights runs these strip lights on his 80 and they work great. The GQ is Bush car and most driving will be at night.

I remember doing Barkley River Jeep Track in the Snow at night and I used my Makita 18v torch out the window to tell me where the switch back went! Lol. Mad as Fark!!

[Plasnart]

I did see a Patrol with led strip lights in the wheel arches. Apparently this worked really well. But how well they would stay attached is another thing. I have a 5 mete roll in my garage, I've been wondering what I should do with it....

TBH I can only see this as a short term giggle or street head-turner (not my scene). The muck and abuse they'll take down there I wouldn't think they'd last long. Just an opinion from a KISS subscriber. Up high pointing down for me in this scenario.

[GQtdauto]

Yeah Plas , if you wash yours as much as I wash mine the lights would be useless , if you never went off road and wanted bling I suppose they would be ok , each to their own and all that .