Hey everyone, I will soon be installing a 20" 126W LED light bar into the front of my '01 QX4, in the lower section of the grill. Does anybody have any mounting or wiring tips? I don't think I'd like to tie into the high beams, just direct wiring to a switch. I'm buying all the wires in a kit on Amazon.
Thanks!
LED Light Bar Install
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atraudes
- Posts: 1106
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:46 pm
- Car: 2001.5 Infiniti QX4 4WD
- Location: Sammamish, WA
Re: LED Light Bar Install
That's a whole buncha LED thrust 
I don't have any specific tips, just some general ones I guess. I'm not sure how electrically inclined you are so I'll just do a quick brain dump.
It sounds like you'll be running 126W @ 12V which makes for a load of 10.5A. You'll want to fuse it and it only makes sense to use an automotive-type fuse, so you can get something like this inline fuse holder and load a 15A fuse in it. Make sure you use 12 gauge or thicker wire. 10.5A only requires 14 gauge wire, but you don't want the fuse to be thicker than the wire
Ideally you'd use a 12A or so fuse, but they only sell 10 and 15A fuses 
Oh, and ensure the switch you pick can handle 15A too. You could use a smaller switch, but then you'll need to wire in a relay.
You can tap directly onto the positive lead on the fuse box next to the battery like many people do for their sound system. Be sure to locate your new fuse fairly close to the fusebox. For the ground wire tap directly onto the frame. Make sure to pick a solid, non-moving piece and ensure you have a good connection.
Other than that, heat-shrink all connection points in the interest of making it as water-resistant as possible. I like to solder all points to avoid them coming loose later and because it makes for smaller connections, but that's probably overkill. Follow existing wiring bundles as much as possible and zip-tie it all down.
If you need a way to get wires into the cabin from the engine bay, there's a smallish access plate you can remove/cut/drill through where the clutch would normally be. I'm assuming since you have a QX4 you don't have a stick
Be sure to wrap the wire in electrical tape or something at that point so it rubbing against the metal doesn't wear through the wire's jacket.
Post back with any other questions and let us know how it goes. And include pics!
I don't have any specific tips, just some general ones I guess. I'm not sure how electrically inclined you are so I'll just do a quick brain dump.
It sounds like you'll be running 126W @ 12V which makes for a load of 10.5A. You'll want to fuse it and it only makes sense to use an automotive-type fuse, so you can get something like this inline fuse holder and load a 15A fuse in it. Make sure you use 12 gauge or thicker wire. 10.5A only requires 14 gauge wire, but you don't want the fuse to be thicker than the wire
Ideally you'd use a 12A or so fuse, but they only sell 10 and 15A fuses Oh, and ensure the switch you pick can handle 15A too. You could use a smaller switch, but then you'll need to wire in a relay.You can tap directly onto the positive lead on the fuse box next to the battery like many people do for their sound system. Be sure to locate your new fuse fairly close to the fusebox. For the ground wire tap directly onto the frame. Make sure to pick a solid, non-moving piece and ensure you have a good connection.
Other than that, heat-shrink all connection points in the interest of making it as water-resistant as possible. I like to solder all points to avoid them coming loose later and because it makes for smaller connections, but that's probably overkill. Follow existing wiring bundles as much as possible and zip-tie it all down.
If you need a way to get wires into the cabin from the engine bay, there's a smallish access plate you can remove/cut/drill through where the clutch would normally be. I'm assuming since you have a QX4 you don't have a stick
Be sure to wrap the wire in electrical tape or something at that point so it rubbing against the metal doesn't wear through the wire's jacket.Post back with any other questions and let us know how it goes. And include pics!
Re: LED Light Bar Install
Thanks for help! I can't wait to get this thing on there and I'll definitely show some pictures! Seems like it should be pretty easy, going through the firewall is usually where I have problems, but I'll let you know. Thanks again!
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Karona
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 11:14 pm
- Car: '99 Infiniti QX4 (R.I.P)
'08 Nissan Rogue SL AWD
Re: LED Light Bar Install
Hey, did you ever get to installing them?Kellsonm wrote:Thanks for help! I can't wait to get this thing on there and I'll definitely show some pictures! Seems like it should be pretty easy, going through the firewall is usually where I have problems, but I'll let you know. Thanks again!
How did they turn out?Re: LED Light Bar Install
Never did get around to it :/
Would still like to do it, I've just been focusing on steering/suspension work
Would still like to do it, I've just been focusing on steering/suspension work