F150LEDs lightbar on Platinum

[Troy Down Under]

Hi all

Picked up an F150LEDs curved lightbar to mount to my 2021 Platinum.

Watched the YT instal video before commencing my install.

When setting up my bar on the valance, I noticed the rear of the lightbar hits the grill. Once installed this would cause wear on both the bar and grill, and it also prevents the bar from being properly aligned, as the contact with the grill stops the bar from being adjusted up and down (see pics).

I emailed F150LEDs and their response was, ‘follow the video, it’ll be ok’. Based on my seat of the pants assessment, it won’t be ok.

Anyone experienced this issue when installing one of these (or similar) lightbars?

What was your fix?

Thanks

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[JJSnell]

And see what you are talking about there. Anyway you could wrap that area with some electrical tape or something where it would eat through the electrical tape before your shield?

Side note what is that body part called that you drilled the mounts to? I have thought about getting an exact same bar for my Platinum and having a backup replacement part in case I ever want to remove the light or sell the truck.

 

[Troy Down Under]

While electrical tape may help, it won’t eliminate the contact. The friction would still cause wear on the grill. Further, the contact prevents the lightbar from sitting level, so the concentrated light will be close to the front of the vehicle rather than out ahead.

F150LEDs call the part that the brackets mount to the valance.

i just may need to have some curved brackets made to allow the lightbar to sit out from the grill.

 

[JJSnell]

I see what you are saying. What happens if you mount the bar in that hole above? It looks like there are three holes total and you are in the middle hole? Can you mount it up to the top one to buy some space?

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

Interesting, watching

 

[Troy Down Under]

Using the top hole of the mounting bracket causes the back of the lightbar to hit the small silver ‘dashes’ in the grill. Using the lower holes causes the bar to hit the silver surround of the grill.

I question if F150LEDs actually tested this lightbar and mounts on a Platinum, because as can be seen, it is a poor fit.

 

[JJSnell]

Using the top hole of the mounting bracket causes the back of the lightbar to hit the small silver ‘dashes’ in the grill. Using the lower holes causes the bar to hit the silver surround of the grill.

I question if F150LEDs actually tested this lightbar and mounts on a Platinum, because as can be seen, it is a poor fit.

Geeze, I have been looking for a lightbar for my Platinum since the day I bought it. I was hoping this might be it, but clearly its not and Im still apprehensive about drilling into that Valance thing. I am with you. I would take those brackets to a local machinist and have him create that bracket with holes half inch forward.

 

[zx6roclet]

Return that janky shit asap

 

[JJSnell]

Return that janky shit asap

Hate to say.. he might be married to it now that he has drilled holes into body panels. His best bet is to go see a machinist and have them fab some new mounts like I showed above. I would do them in aluminum also to prevent any rust in the future.

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

https://mandronline.com/products/2021-ford-f150-single-30in-light-bar?variant=41809929896096
Y’all should use this kit, you can buy the brackets and use your own light bar or use theirs, it’s a pretty slick design!

 

[Troy Down Under]

Hate to say.. he might be married to it now that he has drilled holes into body panels. His best bet is to go see a machinist and have them fab some new mounts like I showed above. I would do them in aluminum also to prevent any rust in the future.

I haven’t drilled any holes yet.

Unfortunately, returning the lightbar might not be economically viable because I’m in Australia, and F150LEDs won’t cover the return shipping.

 

[Troy Down Under]

https://mandronline.com/products/2021-ford-f150-single-30in-light-bar?variant=41809929896096
Y’all should use this kit, you can buy the brackets and use your own light bar or use theirs, it’s a pretty slick design!

Thanks, appreciate the info. Will look at this.

 

[Troy Down Under]

Update

I again emailed F150LEDs and asked for images of the lightbar installed on a Platinum so I could see how it was installed. I said they need to offer brackets that are curved to enable the bar to be installed clear of the grill.

This was their response:

“We currently do not have any other photos showing this install other than what is on our website.

If you do not like how the LED bar will be position once installed then you may need to return it by going through our return process shown below.

https://www.f150leds.com/pages/returns”

While their shipping and response time to my emails was quick, their efforts to resolve my issues were less than satisfactory.

If you are looking for a lightbar, choose carefully.

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

I’m in the final stages of design for a bracket that mounts 3 DD pro SS3’s in the lower grille opening.

 

[JJSnell]

Update

“We currently do not have any other photos showing this install other than what is on our website"

If you are looking for a lightbar, choose carefully.

Granted, it's not a Platty but (if you haven't seen yet)


Have you thought about getting some aluminum brackets machined?

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