Hood Mounting a 52" Lightbar?

[sm31]

A friend wants to give me a 52" (spot, no flood) lightbar... I'm sort of in the market for auxiliary lighting but I wasn't considering anything so big... more like pods for the a-pillars. But there isn't really such a thing as "too much light" for several months here in AK.

Mounting at the top of the windshield is out for me... garage clearance issues, and I'm not crazy about the look tbh. Bumper would be a challenge too because I'm running a custom bumper with a Warn 8274.

I'm concerned that glare and shadows might make the hood mount idea a no go as well. In fact, it seems like a non-starter except that this particular lightbar is all spots. But even then, I'm really not sure.

If I accept the gift then I'll feel obligated to run it (they're a good friend) but I'm concerned this just may not be a good option, so I may turn it down.

Any advice or experience with a hood mount light bars would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[boardsurfer]

The spot light pattern will light up your hood. Even cubes on the A-pillar will reflect quite a bit. I found it to be pretty off-putting at first but got used to it. My hood was white though, so pretty much as bad as it gets.

 

[WJCO]

If you use it while it's snowing you won't see a thing. It will reflect back on every snowflake.

 

[sm31]

The spot light pattern will light up your hood. Even cubes on the A-pillar will reflect quite a bit. I found it to be pretty off-putting at first but got used to it. My hood was white though, so pretty much as bad as it gets.

Mine is tan, so little better but still pretty light colored.

If you use it while it's snowing you won't see a thing. It will reflect back on every snowflake.

That is definitely a concern... is it worse depending on the mounting location? The millennium falcon look is only fun once in awhile. Lol...

 

[GP NOIR]

Mine is tan, so little better but still pretty light colored.



That is definitely a concern... is it worse depending on the mounting location? The millennium falcon look is only fun once in awhile. Lol...

In my experience, yes. Lights mounted below and forward on the hood work better in a storm than anything mounted higher.

 

[sm31]

Update: Even though "free" is nice, I decided to take the group's advice. It's not worth the hassle & hood glare. Also managed to find space on either side of the winch for a couple of 12 inch bars. That will be enough light for now... If I need more on the sides, I may just add some pods at some point.

Thanks again!!