Stowable 40" Light Bar Setup

[cgm9999]

That looks really slick.

How much wind noise do you get with the light bar in place?

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[seanocono]

Really nice work, OP.

 

[Riptonite]

Very nice setup, it’s good to see more people do light upgrades.
How do you like your floodlights in the back? I purchased the same for my setup but didn’t get a chance to install them yet.

They work great! Here are some overhead shots of vehicle:
1. High Beams
2. High beams + critter lights
3. Highs + Morimoto Fogs + critter lights

We call them that because they let us spot the critters that just crossed the road and are no longer in the headlights!

Also included a couple pics of the brackets to hold two floods per side.

 

[Riptonite]

And here are a couple overhead shots with and without the light bar.
1. High beams
2. High beams + Morimoto Fogs
3. High beams + Fogs + 40" bar

And lower angle of Highs vs with the bar

 

[Riptonite]

And I think I got the video small enough...

 

[Riptonite]

That looks really slick.

How much wind noise do you get with the light bar in place?

Thanks! It is always nice when a project comes out as envisioned.
Noticeable "whoosh" noise with the light bar but no whistle or buffeting.
Less noise but still noticeable with just the middle crossbar and critter lights. Again, no whistle and it is mild enough that we leave that in place 24/7.

 

[cgm9999]

Thanks! It is always nice when a project comes out as envisioned.
Noticeable "whoosh" noise with the light bar but no whistle or buffeting.
Less noise but still noticeable with just the middle crossbar and critter lights. Again, no whistle and it is mild enough that we leave that in place 24/7.

Good to hear! That sounds perfectly fine to deal with.

Your solution is something Rivian should really implement. I use my Rivian as an off-roader frequently enough that I can justify things like light bars, but I don't like driving around with them in place because of the wind noise and possibility of theft. (Side note: You guys ever notice how many 4Runners/Wranglers/Gladiators are driving around with literally thousands of dollars of recovery gear just hanging off their vehicle ripe for the picking? As a guy who grew up in some rough areas, I can't help but mutter "Sucker" every time I see that.)

Your idea takes advantage of Rivian's clever roof bar attachment system which allows for quick and painless swap outs. Building that rig in your frunk is brilliant. I love that not only can you take the light bar on and off quickly, but also stow it conveniently in the vehicle in a spot that's out of the way so that it's always with you in case you need it.

You should really find a way to get this on Rivian's radar. It would make either a great option while building out a Rivian or as a Gear Shop offering.

 

[IGR]

They work great! Here are some overhead shots of vehicle:
1. High Beams
2. High beams + critter lights
3. Highs + Morimoto Fogs + critter lights

We call them that because they let us spot the critters that just crossed the road and are no longer in the headlights!

Also included a couple pics of the brackets to hold two floods per side.

Great pictures! Thank you for shearing.

Were you able to measure how much current all of your lights draw?

I’m curious how well Rivian’s 12v circuit can handle additional load.

 

[Riptonite]

Great pictures! Thank you for shearing.

Were you able to measure how much current all of your lights draw?

I’m curious how well Rivian’s 12v circuit can handle additional load.

I have not measured but will next time the bar is up.

Back of napkin:
80W Floods: 4ea KC C2 floods @ 20W
27W Fogs: 2ea Morimoto 2Banger NCS Wide @ 13.5W
346W Bar: 40" Baja Designs ONX6

Total: 453W theoretical max, so about 38 amps at 12 VDC.
Since the relay controller is activated by the stock 12v frunk power line, I never have the lights on while the vehicle is "OFF". I tapped relay controller power straight from the (stock) battery.

Anecdotally, we recently made a short forest road jaunt with all lights on for about 20 min and had no issues or warning signs. On any road it is hard to find space to run the bar without blinding any traffic within sight which limits run time. Plus, it is illegal to operate non-SAE lights on public roads so I (almost) never do that.

 

[derekmw]

super nice setup!

This is why I wish Rivian's cross bars and mounts had power connection built in, it would have been so cool and avoid wiring to have some way to plug into the cross bar itself, power accessories like this, where the base of cross bar where it mounts on the vehicle has a power connection built in. But from the sounds of it, with their recent patent submissions, maybe this is in the works for the future, which would be so cool.

 

[IGR]

I have not measured but will next time the bar is up.

Back of napkin:
80W Floods: 4ea KC C2 floods @ 20W
27W Fogs: 2ea Morimoto 2Banger NCS Wide @ 13.5W
346W Bar: 40" Baja Designs ONX6

Total: 453W theoretical max, so about 38 amps at 12 VDC.
Since the relay controller is activated by the stock 12v frunk power line, I never have the lights on while the vehicle is "OFF". I tapped relay controller power straight from the (stock) battery.

Anecdotally, we recently made a short forest road jaunt with all lights on for about 20 min and had no issues or warning signs. On any road it is hard to find space to run the bar without blinding any traffic within sight which limits run time. Plus, it is illegal to operate non-SAE lights on public roads so I (almost) never do that.

Great info, thank you.
I measured running voltage of 14.4 volts when Rivian is awake. So it could be around 31 amp for your setup.

 

[Leonbmx]

@Riptonite this thread inspired me to finally make a contraption to mount my 50" lightbar.

I just love the modularity of the Rivian! I can have a "roof rack" with 2 crossbars that mount my awning, shower tent, maxtraxx and now a 50" lightbar and I can unplug the lightbar and 5 min later the truck is back to stock.

I used some scrap steel plate, some 120 degree mounts from amazon and these brackets, which I also used to mount my iKamper 3.0 mini:

https://www.wheeleveryweekend.com/products/rtt-security-mounts?variant=44245427749142

The wire runs through a rubber channel, also from amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093HJJ36F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[the.phd]

Damn I wish I had the metal fabrication skills/tools to make these brackets. I can handle the wiring. If either of you is willing to make the brackets for me, feel free to shoot me a PM and we can discuss price.

 

[mm01rivian]

I just love the modularity of the Rivian! I can have a "roof rack" with 2 crossbars that mount my awning, shower tent, maxtraxx and now a 50" lightbar and I can unplug the lightbar and 5 min later the truck is back to stock.

New owner getting into mods. Love the idea of modularity where I can "kit up" for the weekend adv and then go back to mall crawler / dinner out mode for the week.

Is there a thread or info on how you guys are wiring this all in so it's so modular / plug and play?

 

[IGR]

New owner getting into mods. Love the idea of modularity where I can "kit up" for the weekend adv and then go back to mall crawler / dinner out mode for the week.

Is there a thread or info on how you guys are wiring this all in so it's so modular / plug and play?

Don’t think we have one how to thread, mostly individuals show their set up, I had one a while ago I’ll try to find.

But yea, I would just search the forum. For more details, and see what comes up

my old post: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/removable-kc-roof-lights-setup-on-rivian-000-000.24737/

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