How to install a light beam on the roof without drilling (methods and steps)
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Have you ever driven on back roads and wished you had brighter headlights?
Light strips are inexpensive, bright LED lights. They illuminate areas better than regular headlights while consuming less energy. This is a great addition for vehicle owners who frequently travel off-road. Luckily, you don't have to drill holes or use complicated accessories to give your car a light bar.
Let's go ahead and dive into how to install a light bar on your car without drilling.
Types of mounting systems without drilling
Mounting systems are required to mount the lightbar without drilling holes in vehicles.
Modern vehicles generally do not have external structures that can hold lightbars. This is because most manufacturers prefer sleek, aerodynamic designs. But if your car has a slatted roof, you're in luck.
Non-drilling mounting systems use the bar roof found on the vehicle.
The mounting bracket is attached to the tubing on the roof. The light bar is then attached to the roof with the installed mounting bracket. Fortunately, these mounting systems are compatible with most car models. Vehicle owners can choose between a variety of mountain bracket systems available.
Clamp fasteners
If your vehicle is equipped with a trellis roof, clamp mounts are ideal for you.
Clamp fasteners are designed to use pipes on the roof of a car. Metal clamps are attached to the rod roof pipe. The distance and location of each clip is easily adjustable to fit the light bar. You can also change the angle of the light strip according to your preference.
The disadvantage of using clamp fasteners is the limited placement possibilities.
The clamping mounts match the design of the roof rack. Installed light bars are usually located closer to the middle of the roof as most roof racks are located at the rear of the vehicle.
Mounts for eyelets
Grommet mounts are a safer alternative to clamp mounts.
Gasketed mounts use rubber grommets to secure the light bar to the vehicle roof. Rubber grommets are inserted into the roof rack. The light bar is then inserted into the hole in the rubber bushing.
Sleeve mounts are safer options than other mount systems, but can be unstable.
Ball mounts
The ball joints are adjustable mounting systems connected to the roof rack.
It is classified into two types: bolt-on and stud-mount.
Bolt mount uses bolts to mount the light bar. It is easier to install, remove and move than other types. On the other hand, it is usually less reliable than studs.
The stud mount uses a threaded stud to attach the light bar to the roof rack. It is very reliable and can support heavier accessories, but installation can be tricky.
Mounting Light Bars with Mounting Brackets
The light beams must not be mounted directly on the vehicle roof.
Mounting brackets are required to securely attach the light bars to the vehicle. There are many types of mounting systems to choose from. But don't worry! Regardless of your mounting system, we will discuss the general procedure for mounting a roof light bar without drilling.
Step 1 - Get the right lightbar and mounting bracket size
Choose your light bar size based on the height of your roof rack (or support bars).
The light bar must be high enough to illuminate the front or rear of the vehicle. You can install multiple light bars on the same roof rack to increase the brightness. Keep in mind that most vehicles are typically 2 feet longer than they are wide.
The mounting brackets must be firmly attached to the roof rack without damaging it.
Purchase mounting brackets specifically designed for installing light bars. You can ask around at local hardware stores or auto accessory dealers if you don't know what to buy. Remember that the size of the mounting bracket must match the roof rack of your vehicle.
If you are installing multiple light bars, choose mounting brackets that hold each light bar securely without interfering with each other.
Step 2 - Mark the Location of the Mounting Brackets
Light beams can be installed in several places. However, we recommend placing roof mounting brackets, especially roof racks.
Check your selected location for pre-installed accessories such as taillights. You may need to reposition these accessories to make sure the mounting system fits. Suppose you feel that the attachment system is unstable or there are too many accessories. In this case, you may need to find another location or remove accessories.
For vehicles with removable roof racks, remove them first to get a better idea of where the light bar mount should go.
For vehicles with fixed roof racks or non-removable roof bars, temporarily remove them. This makes it easier to find a place for mounting brackets that won't interfere with other structures and accessories.
Mark selected locations using temporary and visible markers such as masking tape.
Step 3 - Install Mounting Brackets
Install the mounting brackets to the vehicle roof rack or support bar.
Attach the mounting brackets securely by following the installation procedure for your chosen mounting system. To secure it, you may need additional bolts, eyelets and other fasteners.
Light rods are heavy additions, so check the stability of the attached mounting brackets.
Mounting brackets are usually made of metal with a plastic outer covering. This combination of materials is usually stable on its own. But, if it is unstable or made of other materials, you may need to strengthen it with additional metal elements.
Step 4 - Connect the Wiring Systems
Mounting brackets come pre-installed with wires to simplify wiring.
Connect the longer electrical wire to the car battery or vehicle electrical system. Fix the placement of the long wire to make sure it won't come loose while driving or be exposed to the weather. Connect a separate shorter cable to the vehicle's headlight harness.
Check the wire connection by turning the lightbar on and off.
Step 5 - Install the Light Strips
If there are no problems with the wiring system, proceed with installing the light bars on the mounting brackets.
The installation of the light strips differs depending on the mounting system used. Refer to the mounting system manual for proper installation of the light strips on the vehicle.
For most mounting systems, it is best to place the light bar at the indicated locations along the bracket. Use bolts or other fasteners with the mounting bracket to hold the light bar in place.
Other mounting systems have a sliding mechanism. Insert the light bar into the mounting bracket, then secure it by inserting the metal ends into the appropriate slots.
Step 6: Check Light Stripes and General Stability
Before driving, check the stability of the installed light strip.
Lightly press down on the mounting bracket. It must be firmly in place. This ensures that the light strip does not fall off when moving or hitting branches or other small branches.
Check the electrical connection again.
This ensures that all connections remain in place after the lightbar is installed in the mounting bracket. Adjust the angle of the light bar so that it does not obscure windows and mirrors. If you need to adjust the height, loosen the bolts and carefully lift the mounting brackets to the correct position.
Installation without drilling or with a drilled hole
Vehicle owners are always arguing about holeless and holeless mounting methods.
Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to mounting a light bar on a vehicle. It is important to consider this when choosing between drilled or non-drilled methods.
Pros and cons of non-drilling methods
The advantage of installing a light bar without drilling is that there is no need to modify the car body.
Mounting systems use the car's slatted roof. Mounting systems are attached to the roof tubing using various fasteners. Mistakes and misplacement are easy to fix as all you have to do is take them apart and place them correctly.
The main disadvantage of non-drilling mounting methods is reduced stability.
Car roof racks are designed with a specific use in mind. Adding external structures such as light stripes can throw it off balance. Some roof racks are not designed to carry heavy weights. The mounting brackets tend to slide back and forth while driving.
It is extremely important to ensure the stability of the installed light strips before driving.
Pros and cons of drilling a roof
The main advantage of drilling holes for a light bar in a car is its increased stability.
Drilled mounting systems distribute weight more evenly. In addition, it is more firmly attached to the car's roof rack. This makes drilled light bars a better option for riders who frequently drive off-road.
The disadvantage of drilled-hole fastening methods is the irreversible changes to the vehicle design.
Drilling a car body is a risky business. Drilling through the plastic or metal parts of a car means permanently reworking the car. For newer vehicles, improper drilling of the roof light bar may void the vehicle warranty.
However, drilling into the roof of the mounting systems may be the only option for vehicles without a lattice roof.
If you decide that drilling holes in the roof is the best mounting method, plan out all the details before proceeding. Find the most suitable hole locations and find out which mounting systems are right for your vehicle. Another alternative is to hire a professional installer to install the lightbar.
Summing up
Mounting brackets are needed to install the bar light without drilling holes in the vehicle.
You can easily install these mounting brackets within minutes. They often come in kits containing all the materials and fasteners needed to install them. All you need are simple tools like screwdrivers and bolt wrenches.
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