Hey everyone,

 

Just wanted to introduce myself—new to the forum and just bought my first Ranger a few weeks ago. Loving it so far and already itching to start customizing.

 

I’ve been looking into lighting options and had a specific idea I’m hoping someone can help with. I’m trying to find some kind of light bar or LED setup that would shine light out to the sides of the truck from the roof—mainly for better visibility when camping or working in the dark. I’ve seen plenty of front-facing roof lights, but not much that covers the sides.

 

I’ve looked around quite a bit and haven’t been able to find a ready-made solution. Has anyone tried mounting LEDs into the factory roof rails? I’m wondering if it’s possible (and safe) to drill into them and run wiring internally, or if there’s a better method to get side lighting up top.

 

Any tips, photos, or suggestions would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance!

22 hours ago, KernowRanger said:

I’m trying to find some kind of light bar or LED setup that would shine light out to the sides of the truck from the roof—mainly for better visibility when camping or working in the dark. I’ve seen plenty of front-facing roof lights, but not much that covers the sides.

Hello Ben, welcome to the Ford Owners Club.

I have a 2022 Ranger Stormtrak which has a forward facing LED roof mounted light bar. It is wired so that it can only come on with the high beam headlights as it crazy bright and would completely blind any oncoming traffic.

In the UK it is not legal to show 'white' light to the side of vehicles (other than small side marker lights) when driving, which is probably why you can't find much lighting for side use.

You can quite legally have as many and as bright as you like white lights on the side of the vehicle provided that they can not be used while the vehicle is in motion. The usual solution is to have the lights controlled via relay so that they will be disabled when the engine is running. This lighting arrangement is commonly used by the UK Ambulance service.

I don't recommend drilling the roof rails to fit LED's as it will weaken them and they will corrode around the holes. You could clamp on LED light bars along the length of the rail which would provide a massive amount of light.