JEEP Light Bar Bumper Mount Installation
(This is part of our larger Light Bars for Jeep Guide.)
Mounting a light bar on your Jeep’s bumper can be a great choice for auxiliary lighting. In many cases, the bumper provides a straightforward mounting location, allowing for easy installation and quick adjustments. Plus, our advanced light bars let you change out various beam patterns and covers, which can significantly enhance the functionality and utility of the light bar. It's important to consider certain key aspects when installing a light bar on a Jeep's bumper to ensure optimal performance and safety. Let's delve into the considerations for this setup.
Pre-Installation
Select the Right Light Bar
- The best choice for a bumper-mounted KC HiLiTES light bar for a Jeep is going to be the FLEX ERA® LED Light Bar due to its compact shape. This product is available in five sizes ranging from 10”–50” in width.
- Depending on your bumper, measure exactly where you’d like to place your light bar on the bumper and choose the appropriate size. Take into consideration other items you may have including existing auxiliary lights, tow hooks, winches, etc.
Gather The Required Tools
Different light bar installations will require different tools. At a minimum, here are the required tools.
- Metric Wrenches and socket set
- Screwdrivers
Optional Tools Depending on Level of Installation
From one install to the next, here are some of the tools that will come in handy if you’re tying the lights into a factory aux switch system, creating custom mounts, or anything in between:
- Electrical tape, heat shrink tube, and cable ties
- Wire strippers
- Wire crimping tool
- Heat gun
- Plastic wire loom
- Threadlocker, such as Blue Loctite
- Voltmeter
- Drill, sharp drill bits, and a center punch (if necessary)
Safety Precautions
- Ensure the Jeep is on stable ground with the parking brake engaged.
- Before installation, disconnect the Jeep’s battery to prevent any electrical shorts.
- During the installation, wear safety glasses and other personal protective gear when drilling or cutting.
Installation
Preparation
- Lay out all parts and tools. Ensure all needed parts are present.
- Carefully read through the installation instructions and familiarize yourself with all the parts and pieces.
- KC produces high-quality installation videos and you may find that we’ve already produced one that would be helpful. See the KC HiLiTES YouTube channel for all of our videos.
Mounting Bracket Installation
- Position the mounting brackets on the bumper, ensuring the location is suitable for the light bar. KC light bars are tough and waterproof, but consider your own off-roading scenarios, such as branches and brush, winch use, or recovery hooks.
- Make sure that it’s possible to reach the necessary mounting bolts when the light bar is mounted. Consider leaving some room for the lights to pivot during adjustment.
- If pre-drilled holes are not present in the bumper, measure twice, then mark the spots where you will need to drill them. A center punch is a great way to mark a location as well as to steady the drill bit, but a marker or pencil can work also.
- This approach typically works best on steel or heavy-duty aluminum bumpers. Plastic bumpers will often require custom brackets to be made that mount to a more secure and stable location.
- Drill any necessary holes carefully, being aware of hoses or electrical connections that may be under, around, or behind the bumper.
- Attach the mounting brackets using the provided hardware, making sure they are securely fastened.
Light Bar Attachment
- Carefully place the light bar on to the mounting brackets. Larger light bars may require two people to install.
- Secure the light bar to the brackets using the hardware and fasteners. Do not fully tighten at this stage as adjustments will be needed.
Electrical Wiring
How you wire and route your light bar will depend on which light bar you’ve purchased. We recommend viewing our wiring guide page for more information; the below is a general guide.
- Route the wiring from the light bar to the battery or switch, avoiding hot, sharp, or moving parts. Follow the Jeep’s existing wiring paths when possible.
- Connect the light bar wiring to a switch (most KC lights include a high-quality switch) if it is not directly wired to an existing wiring harness or auxiliary lighting panel. This may require running wires into the cab through a grommet in the firewall.
- Use cable ties to secure the wiring along the way to ensure it does not hang loose. You want the wiring taught and secure. Trim off the sharp edges of the ties.
- Attach the ground wire from the light bar to an appropriate grounding point on the Jeep’s frame or body.
- Connect the power wire to the battery or to a relay if your setup requires it. Again, be sure to follow the instructions with respect to connecting the wires to the battery.
Testing and Aiming
- Reconnect the battery if it was disconnected.
- Power the light bar on to ensure it operates correctly.
- Make any necessary adjustments to the angle of the light bar. This is a good time to aim the light bar too. Do this in a dark area or during the night time for best results.
- Start by having the bar aimed lower than needed.
- Move it upwards until it creates a proper beam spread.
- Once satisfied with the aim, tighten all the hardware.
- You may want to bring along an appropriate wrench for your first night off-road run for any last-minute adjustments.
Finalizing The Installation
- Once everything is positioned and working correctly, secure all hardware.
- Double-check that all wiring is secure, properly insulated, and correctly routed. Do one final check for sharp edges that could cut into the wiring in trail conditions.
- Use electrical tape or shrink wrap and a heat gun to cover any exposed wiring connections.
- Ensure there is no wire chafing against sharp edges, and use plastic wire loom where needed.
Safety Check
- Perform a final inspection to make sure everything is tight and secure.
- Check the lighting once more during nighttime to adjust the beams if necessary.
- After the first 250 miles, do another nut and bolt inspection, to ensure everything is still tight.
Product Install Guides & Videos
- Everything You Need To Know About Bumper Mounted Lights! | KC Academy
- How to Wire Off-Road Lights
- Assembling your FLEX ERA® LED Light Bar! | Install Guide
Post-Installation
Documentation
- Keep all receipts, warranties, and instructions for future reference.
- Note any changes made to the vehicle for insurance purposes in case you have Custom Parts and Equipment (CPE) coverage.
Maintenance Checks
- Regularly check the light bar for any loosening due to vibration. Using a threadlocker, such as Loctite Blue, can also help reduce the bar from loosening.
- Clean the light bar as necessary, ensuring visibility is not impaired by dirt or debris.
Hiring an Installer
Not everyone wants to install their Jeep light bar themselves; some would rather leave it to a professional. When hiring a professional to install your KC lights onto your Jeep bumper, it's important to find a reputable and experienced installer who can ensure that the installation is done correctly and safely. Here are some things to look for when hiring a professional to install your off-road lights:
Experience and expertise: Look for an installer who has experience and expertise in installing off-road lights on your type of vehicle. They should be able to provide references and examples of previous installations. They may even put you in touch with another nearby customer who could show you their installation.
Reputation: Check the installer’s online reviews, ratings, and testimonials to see what previous customers have said about their work. This will give you an idea of their reputation and the quality of their work.
Warranty: Ask if the installer provides a warranty on their work. This will give you peace of mind and protection in case anything goes wrong with the installation.
Price and estimate: Ask for an estimate and compare prices with other installers. Be wary of prices that are significantly lower (or higher) than other installers, as this could be a sign of low-quality work or hidden fees.
When you meet with a potential installer, here are some questions you can ask to determine their experience and expertise:
- How long have you been installing off-road lights?
- Have you worked on my type of vehicle before?
- Can you provide references or examples of previous installations?
- What kind of warranty do you provide on your work?
- What is the estimated cost and timeline for the installation?
Finding a reputable and experienced installer for your KC lights is crucial for ensuring that the installation is done correctly and safely. Look for an installer with a good reputation and who provides a warranty on their work. Ask questions to determine their experience and expertise, and compare prices and estimates with other installers to ensure you're getting a fair price.
If you need more information please reach out to [email protected] anytime M-F during work hours. Remember, these are general steps, and your specific product or vehicle might require different procedures. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results, and consider professional installation if you are not confident in doing it yourself.
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