Is This Worth The Trouble?

bmg9b · **Posted:** Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:54 pm

Hey guys, I have a problem.

I have the Renegade model KJ with the OE Light Bar, and I think I'd like to get rid of it. I never use it and I think my Jeep would look better without it. Is this worth the trouble? I would keep the switch in the dash, and use it for some aux. lights that would go on my ARB Bull Bar (to keep the "factory" look inside). What kind of holes would need to be filled, sanded and re-painted? Thanks!

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:04 pm

I claim dibs on it if you do that...but I think there are 4 holes in the roof or one big one that helps lead the wires down into the cockpit. they are led thru the grab handles i think on both driver and passenger side. I've seen a break-down of the install on here before, so I guess you'd just sort of reverse that and plug in the holes where needed...my .02

swyszomirski · **Joined:** Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:59 am **Posts:** 286

You would have to plug 8 or 9 holes for the hold downs, and then there is a 1" dia. hole for the wires. It is doable, but it would be a pain.

bmg9b · **Posted:** Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:16 pm

Hmmm... I wouldn't be doing it... but the more of a pain, the more it costs at a body shop. I may just leave it on for now and worry about it after I get everything else taken care of (lift, wheels, tires, etc.) Sound better?

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 03, 2006 9:35 pm

If you do remove it, make a full size template/tracing of all the hole positions for whoever you sell it to. Sure beats having to drill based on the measurements off the instruction diagram! :wink:

I would think though that what it would cost for a body shop to seal, fill and paint the existing holes would be rather labor intensive and would be very costly. Might not even recoup much if any from selling the light bar when you figure in the labor, paint, etc.

bmg9b · **Posted:** Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:49 pm

Money isn't really the issue, although I think I would rather spend the money on other goodies like a winch for my ARB that's sitting in the basement, or something of that sort.

I would be doing it for the looks, I really don't dig the lightbar... and I NEVER use it. Do you guys ever use them?

mikekj_cda · **Posted:** Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:16 am

I can't get over you want to remove your light bar :shock:

. Esthetics alone it's worth keeping on, who cares if you never use it IMHO. How many Libs out there that will never see 4 wheel drive? Plus all the effort to remove it would deter me but you're not me and to each thier own.

A Renny ain't a Renny w/o a light bar, again my .02 cents.

bmg9b · **Posted:** Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:33 pm

I've made up my mind, it's comming off.

Anyone who has installed one themselves; how hard would it be to make the wiring work for some aux. lights on the ARB bullbar?

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:55 pm

Man, I would leave it on. I think it looks better with the light bar. Plus, it would be a real big pain to remove it and to cover up the holes, prime it and then paint it. There alot of holse holding it down.
I installed the light bar on mine over the summer and that was a long painful afternoon.
Every one has the look that they like. But I would keep it on the jeep.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:54 pm

To each his own. I know that Swyszomirski installed his own. You may want to pm him or just wait for him to chime in again.

I use my lights sometimes on the way to work. I want to see the deer in time to move.

chetos · **Posted:** Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:43 pm

I wouldn't take it off either. Just add lights on your ARB and just think of ALL the lights you'll have!! :twisted:

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

bmg9b wrote:

I've made up my mind, it's comming off.

Anyone who has installed one themselves; how hard would it be to make the wiring work for some aux. lights on the ARB bullbar?

Putting the ARB bull bar on, and wiring the signal lights and fog lights is not hard. Putting road lights on it is darn nearly easy. I put mine on and I am definitely not a mechanic. The hardest part of the whole ARB install for me was trying to get that little plastic moulding to stick on the cut edge of the fender...

Helps to sand it first before you glue it. Probably says that in the directions, IDK.

bmg9b · **Posted:** Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:13 pm

I meant to make the wiring for the light bar work for some aux. lights on my ARB (so I could use the switch that's already in the dashboard...).

wendell · **Posted:** Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:19 am

I feel ya bro, that factory lght bar looks plastic and cheesey. A metal bar would look so much better, or none at all. I think a roof basket with a set of hella's looks alot better, then mount a couple lights on the bumper as well, looks awesome. The down side would be the holes in the roof, most likely not worth the hassle, but would sure look bettr.

bmg9b · **Posted:** Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:49 pm

wendell wrote:

I feel ya bro, that factory lght bar looks plastic and cheesey. A metal bar would look so much better, or none at all. I think a roof basket with a set of hella's looks alot better, then mount a couple lights on the bumper as well, looks awesome. The down side would be the holes in the roof, most likely not worth the hassle, but would sure look bettr.

Finally, I was starting to think I was the only one that hated the light bar. I think a body shop could easily fill the holes and the only thing that would need painting would be the roof, since the weatherstripping makes a nice cut-off.

Is This Worth The Trouble?

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