BACKRACK,FLOOD LIGHTS,STROBES and LED's?

[BASIC]

Hi guys,I'd like to buy a Backrack for my 1999 Ford F-350.I would like to install rear and maybe side facing flood lights,1 or 2 strobes and/or LED's.Do you have any suggestions as to what combination,brand and model that you think would be best?Could I use the Backrack accessory mounts or would I have to fabricate my own mounts?Thanks for any help you may give,BASIC.

[Pelican]

Why not get a lightbar which would have everything you want in one package? Take a look at Gall's (http://www.galls.com) and AWDirect (http://www.awdirect.com) , they have quite a selection, your sure to find one that suits your needs.

Strobes use less power than halogen rotating lights, and LEDs use less power than strobes. Keep this in mind if you have a limited amount of power to work with. Whelen, Federal Signal and Code 3 are all good brand names.

I don't know much about the BackRack, you might have to fabricate a mount from what they supply to mount the bar.

[BASIC]

Pelican,sir thankyou for your reply.Cost is one reason I didn't consider a light bar,also clearance,I'm also a landscaper and at times go into some areas with some pretty low branches.I thought with the strobes I could either buy or fabricate some guards for them.Thanks,BASIC.

[NNJSnow]

Whelen makes a light bar that is very thin 2 1/2 inches in high, includes 4 strobes takedowns alley lights and 4 LED lights. Whelen also has several smaller lightbars that have takedowns, strobes, alley lights, and LEDS. Check out ebay as well, you might find a good deal. Also if you plan on using the lightbar for snow work, as you will find strobes tend to be distracting. So I would go with a halogen or LED Light Bar. Good Luck.

[razor]

Here is a pic of the rack I made last fall. I was concerned about the height because I plow an underground parking area and have about 1 inch clearance. I turned out OK considering it was first attempt at fabricating something like this. Maybe it will give you some ideas of what you want.

Ray

[windmill]

OK, OK , you must be the best darn salesman on the forum. I won't argue with anyone that can sell a snowplowing job for an underground parking area. :D
What does that go for in your area razor?:grinz
Maybe I shouldn't say anything though, that could be a lucrative, untapped area that I should look into.

[razor]

windmill- the property I'm talked about has an open area at the road and I push the snow through the underground lot and out the back to another open area where it is piled.

Ray

[chayesf250]

Basic,

Here is a link to a thread I started about the same subject. Some more pics and ideas there. I just got my lightbar mounted on a backrack on my F250. I'll take and post some pics tomorrow if I have a chance.

http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=537&highlight=backrack

[JohnnyU]

Here's a picture of my home-made headache rack, and flood lights, oval strobes (replaced by LEDs), and Ecco mini lightbar is now mounted in the center. You could easily modify this for use with strobes. Which I may do in the future.

[nben]

Homemade rack, Whelen Patriot LFL bar with 8 stobes, 4 LED's, front and rear halogen work lights.

[90plow]

Thats a slick setup Nben. How much is that light bar going for?
Eric

[CPSS]

The Whelen bars are pricey. That one lists for over $1400, we can get them for under $1000. The most basic Whelen 9000 series Edge bar can be had for less than $600. We run Whelens on all our trucks. Never had one stop working, or even a bulb replacement.

[thannigan]

Whelen also makes the towman's edge light bars which include 2 break lights (led), 2 front/back strobes, and 4 work lights I think. It is listed on awdirect for somewhere in the 500's. If you want small led's that are cheap and use low power you could check out powerarclights.com. I know a few volly's near me who have them. I've seen them for 40$ a pair somewhere else. You should look into how much you are willing to spend and then decide on which type of lights you are going to run, or see if you will fabricate something of your own for a rack.

TIm
I hope this helps

[phoenix827]

If you are worried about clearance, AW direct has flip mounts for lightbars in the new catalog. They bolt on to the mount and are pinned in place. Just pull the pins and the whole thing flips over for clearance.

[chayesf250]

Finally got my lightbar mounted and some pics. It's sitting a little higher than I would have liked but it's not too bad. 6 strobes in the front , 4 in the rear which also have traffic direction built in and 2 alley strobes. It also has front and rear takedowns. I also have 2 hideaways in the headlights and 4 in the taillights. Just need some worklights for under the rear bumper now.

[chayesf250]

... and rear.

[EIB]

chayesf250,

Did you mount the backrack on top of the plastic bed caps? I had my rack mounted on my 2000 F250 and I didn't like the movement. It seemed to wobble a lot. I haven't put in back on my 03 F350 yet, because of that.

Everett

[Tahoe1889]

I want to get this one for my Dump but its $1200

Click here to see it @ AWDirect (http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=16853&secid=68&linkon=subsection&linkid=104)

LED X™ Low Profile Lightbar offers powerful LED emergency lighting in a package that's just 2 1/8" tall! it has a sleek appearance, plus it won't create a lot of wind drag, increasing fuel efficiency. 15 amp draw 180 watts output 4 selectable flash patterns

[chayesf250]

EIB,

Yes the backrack is mounted on top of my bedliner. So far so good, I haven't noticed any wobbling as of yet. Thanks for the headsup though, I'll have to keep an eye on it.

[joethevacman14]

OK, here is the same thing with the correct links:
__________________________________________________ __
This is what I plan on doing:

I plan on purchasing a BackRack and installing these oval LED flashers as seen in the pic below: http://www.awdirect.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=17147

I plan on purchasing these brackets that bolt to the backrack to install the lights into: http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=5954&secid=68&linkon=subsection&linkid=96

I will use this lightbar ($6 more that the highlighter gets you 115 more FPM, 22" length and a diamond mirror) In the link pic, there will be two lightbars, its the one on the left:
http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=9757&secid=68&linkon=subsection&linkid=102

I am also toying with the idea of putting the smaller round LED's in the sides of my tool box for side warning as seen here with the oval LED's:
http://www.awdirect.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=17147

I also plan on having these floods (2 to front, 2 to back and maybe one to each side):
http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=6119&secid=68&linkon=subsection&linkid=99
I thought about having a strobing dash light but I am told that that would be overkill......

I would recommend Federal Signal as that is one of the main brands everyone uses as well as Code3(PSE Amber) & Whelen (awesome products -- highly compareable to Federal Signal.)

If you want beacon strobes, I would recommend this one from Galls (1.6 million candle power = 16 joules = hella bright!!):

http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=RL031&cat=253

By reading a catalog for Star Warning Systems, it states that 100,000 CandlePower = 1 Joule.

Just my .30 cents. I hope it makes cents! If you would like me elaborate, PM me or e-mail me at jrw14493@charter.net

[Tahoe1889]

I have the Oval LEDS, Very awsome. Wasn't sure If I liked them at first but now I do

[Lawngodfather]

I put similar to these on, mine are flood/back-up lights though, same style light. Click pic

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/18816_lg.jpg (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=4006970&storeId=6970&productId=352681&langId=-1)

[joethevacman14]

Tahoe1889- Do you have any pics?

[Lawngodfather]

I've got them on back of the spreaders, when you hit the button for the clutch, they light up and double flash saying "hey look, I am spreading salt"

[TLS]

Originally posted by Lawngodfather
they light up and double flash saying "hey look, I am spreading salt"

Really?

What voice is it in? James Earl Jones' voice would be cool. :D

[Lawngodfather]

May the force be with you.

[daninline]

I got the 4" floods at NAPA for 11 bucks some ones they have.

Dan

[Raymond]

Here is a picture of my whelen mini edge mounted on a back rack. I used the back rack center mount kit but didn't like the way it hung over the cab so I made new mounts to center the light over the rack. I added flood lights I from from AW Direct.

[gvlawncare]

Chayes-
HOw is that Tomar lightbar. I'm guessing it kicks butt. I use all Tomar power supplies, and love the "Neobe" By far the best IMO. Never seen one of their lightbars in action though.

Matt

[ULM2004]

Can I see a picture of the full turck raymond and more of your back rack and lights? Thanks

[chayesf250]

gvlawncare,

For a "strobe/neobe" IMO, I think they look the best as well. I've had it for about a year now and have not any problems so far with the lightbar. I hear that the Tomar power packs aren't so great. I have Tomar 6 head strobe pack as well for my hide-aways, I had a problem with my first pack and sent it back to Tomar and they sent me a replacement. Although I've heard some bad things about the power packs, they have a 10yr warranty so other than the hassle of having to return them, I'm very happy with them.

[snoopy11577]

I am in Philadelphia and met a guy that has light bars of all kinds for sale very very reasonable prices. I just got a Federal Vector off him at a great price it does everything (Take down spot lights, Alley lights Flashers, 7 Rotators, Arrosw Stick and so on) it is operated by a computer control pannel. It is a V shaped light bar like on the State Police and some City Police cars here. He also has mini bars, Steet hawk's, Mini Strobes and regular size strobe and regular bars. He also has a 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a plow for sale for $2500 if anybody is interested. If you want his number feel free to contact me at childprotector3@aol.com or Snoopy11577@aol.com for his phone number and address. If you have a nextel you can hit me up through my direct connect at 168*136442*2. If anybody needs any help plowing in the Philadelphia area, feel free to contact me also. I have 2 new trucks and 2 plows and 1 salt spreader. Or leave me a message with your info in case I need some help.....