Choosing the Best Light Bars for Your Jeep or Truck

While it might not be your first thought, as that is typically reserved for things like lift kits or custom wheels and tires, lighting is another crucial aspect of off-roading and custom-built vehicles. Having additional lighting on your vehicle can ensure that you have clear visibility in low-light conditions and aid you in navigating through different types of challenging terrains more safely. You never know when your conditions might be darker than you imagined, so it’s always good to have more lighting, and adding a light bar is an outstanding way to start. That’s why today we’re going to dive into some tips on choosing the best light bars for your Jeep or truck, to help you come to a decision for your custom vehicle.

To kick things off we wanted to make sure you understand the different types of light bars that are available to you, as there are a few different options from which you can choose. Each of the following four types that we’re going to cover offer unique benefits, so consider your options carefully.

• Single Row Light Bars
  • These light bars feature a single row of LED lights and are known for their sleek, low-profile design. They provide a focused beam of light and are ideal for illuminating specific areas or long-distance visibility.
• Double Row Light Bars
  • Double row light bars have two rows of LED lights, offering a wider beam and increased light output. They are perfect for providing broad coverage and illuminating a larger area, making them ideal for off-roading and camping.
• Curved Light Bars
  • Curved light bars are designed to follow the contour of your vehicle's roof or bumper, providing a more aerodynamic look. They offer a wider field of illumination and are great for off-roading enthusiasts who need maximum visibility.
• Combo Light Bars
  • Combo light bars feature a combination of spot and flood beams, providing both focused and wide-angle illumination. They are versatile and can be used for various off-roading situations, making them a popular choice among Jeep and truck owners.

We already just mentioned two kinds of beam patterns, so it’s only natural that that’s what we cover next. As evidenced in the combo light bar, there are two different beam patterns that you can choose between: spot and flood. Spot beam light bars provide a narrow, focused beam of light, ideal for long-distance visibility. Flood beam light bars, on the other hand, offer a wide, diffused beam of light, illuminating a larger area. As for light output, that’s a measure of how bright the light beam your bar projects is. It’s measured in lumens, with higher lumens indicating brighter light.

If you’re going to be off-roading, which let’s be honest is pretty likely, then one of the most important things to consider when choosing your light bar is its IP rating. Each light bar has an IP rating, which stands for Ingress Protection and indicates the light bar’s resistance to dust and water. The higher the number the more resistant the light bar is, so we suggest an IP67 or higher rating for maximum durability.

You could also take things like materials and mounting options into consideration when shopping for your light bar, as these things can mean even more durability and better build quality as well. Materials like aluminum and polycarbonate make for more durable lights, while having sturdy mounting brackets ensures your light bar will stay securely fastened wherever you attach it to your vehicle.

The final thing to take into consideration is, of course, the brand that you choose. There are obviously tons of brands out there that offer lighting solutions for custom vehicles, but there are a few that we trust more than any others: Rigid Lighting, Baja Designs, KC HiLiTES and Heise Lighting. We can’t recommend light bars from these brands enough, so if you have any questions about which light bar you should be getting for your vehicle don’t hesitate to give us a call here at the sales desk. We look forward to helping you add a light bar to your Jeep or truck here at Glover Customs!