How to safeguard Aux lighting on Safari Basket?

[Empty V]

So a week ago I went to an Off-Road Expo. I walked past a small booth for Clean Dezert which had an attractive chick selling raffle tickets. The deal was $1 per ticket and tickets scores you a t-shirt. My buddy told me I'm wasting my money and I told him I wanted a $20 t-shirt.

Well I ended up winning 2 of the lights pictured below which retail for about $450/ea! All of the other prizes maxed out at about $200 The whole reason I went to the show was to see what kind of lights to buy and HiD's were way out of my budget so I'm beyond stoked.

Well I was hanging out with a buddy who is very well versed with jeeps and he asked me how I'm going to safeguard them from theft. Does anyone know how I can accomplish this? He was thinking of welding cages on to the safari basket. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Sorry for the long story.




Modified by Empty V at 12:45 PM 10/19/2009

[Pwnin O'Brien]

This is actually a really great question because I've always wondered the same thing. Since I've owned my PIAA's I wondered what would stop somebody from just snipping the wires and un-bolting the lights. I searched PIAA's website and couldn't find anything meant to prevent light theft, and I don't recall ever seeing anything of the sort before. Furthermore, what would keep them from just snipping the wires and removing my entire safari bar? All they would need is a 12mm wrench and some wire cutters and they have $600 in new gear.

[slickroger]

Im not sure exactly how your mounting it but for my reverse camera I used a security allen key bit and a torx bit to secure it to the back just so if they really want to take it they need to be prepared. Those lights look awesome, seems you got luck on your side right now

[JonathanPrem]

Im not sure exactly how your mounting it but for my reverse camera I used a security allen key bit and a torx bit to secure it to the back just so if they really want to take it they need to be prepared. Those lights look awesome, seems you got luck on your side right now

Slick what type of back up camera are you using. I'm looking into buying one since i cant see in the dark with tints.

[Empty V]

Im not sure exactly how your mounting it but for my reverse camera I used a security allen key bit and a torx bit to secure it to the back just so if they really want to take it they need to be prepared. Those lights look awesome, seems you got luck on your side right now

I thought about the security bit but unfortunately the lights have a threaded stud thats secured on with nuts. At least that's what I'm guessing I haven't received them yet. I should be getting them tomorrow and will post real pics. The first pic was taken by the guy that's shipping them to me. Let's hope this luck lasts, I'm gonna go buy a lottery ticket!

A few people on NPORA suggested welding the bolts to the threaded studs on the lights which is great. I've also got an issue with the mounting brackets. They can be removed with a socket set Supposedly they've got up to an optional 3 hole mount so I'll probably end up fabbing new brackets and welding those onto the Safari Basket. Sound like a good idea?

Billy
Modified by Empty V at 4:04 PM 10/19/2009

[slickroger]

I dont think you can ever make anything actually thief proof, but you can make it harder for them by using all different shapes and sizes of nuts bolts and what not. Frustration is a big thief deterrent now a days, I just love to make things harder for them, but than again that is another thing to watch out for I installed a screen for my cousin and put it in with all different screw sizes and such. Someone tried to steal it, got one screw out and i guess got mad that they were all different and slammed a screwdriver through the screen

[KyooX4]

Haha

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Welding the lights to the basket will definitely prevent theft, but that's a little too permanent for me. Changing a bulb would be particularly difficult for a lamp mounted to a cargo basket.

Someone has to make some sort of locking mount or something similar.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Check these out...

http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Prot....html

[Empty V]

Those are some great suggestions for the actual lights. Below are a few pics of the light mounts and the bolt/nut combo I'm thinking of using. As you can see in the top pick they're held on with 4 bolt/nuts, pretty cheesy.

[Empty V]

Damn these lights are unreal! Since neither of the bolts or nuts pictured above are stainless I'm going with these instead with stainless nylon locknut washers and loctite 277. If someone tries to remove them with a wrench or socket they'll just spin in place and wont be able to grab the bolt's head because they'll be countersunk into the plates/brackets. This type of loctite requires heat to break the seal so unless they've got the security tool bit, a torch and a wrench set there's no way these are coming off. I also just sent off the stock Surco mounting plates to have some new ones made that are wider that fit the 3 bolt pattern on the lights and have some new steel(stock is aluminum) c-brackets made which secure the mounting plate to the safari basket. So does this sound like a good plan?

I'm having a bunch of extra ones fabbed so if anyone is interested they'll be for sale.






Modified by Empty V at 3:12 PM 10/23/2009

[Empty V]

UPDATE Well I got the new hardware in. New stainless security bolts and nylon lock nuts, new powdercoated wider aluminum plates with 2 additional hole for more mounting options and new brackets for mounting the plates to the safari basket. I've got some extras for sale if anyone is interested. Here's some pics of the old Surco Hardware and of my new stuff.

New Stuff











Surco Stuff

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Let's see some pics of the lights mounted already!!!!!!

[Empty V]

Let's see some pics of the lights mounted already!!!!!!

Very soon my friend, I still have some choice to make. I'm going to run lots of wires for future lights and I've got to figure out what 21v switches to go with. Should I go with single switches or a switch panel that houses 3(+)? I'm figuring that I'll eventually wire some rear lights and maybe a set of lights on each side. I'll probably pick up some rectangular LED lights for the other ones.

Billy
Modified by Empty V at 3:50 PM 10/23/2009