Low's Moto Hauler

[Tango]

I really like wire shelving, but unless there was a way to somehow fully enclose the shelves...I would not want to travel very far, or fast, or ever on a bumpy road with anything on them. Anything unsecured or not enclosed quickly becomes a bouncing annoyance at least, and a potentially lethal projectile at worst in a collision or even hard stop.

[Robin97396]

That's the nice thing about cabinets. They hide all the stuff and they have built in baffles. I wanted to put this type of wire shelving in above the wood stove like a drying rack.
You're right, anything not anchored down does travel while underway. It takes me an hour and a half to get ready to go down the road.

[Low594]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Travertine huh? That's kind of hard to follow. That paint job looks really nice.
I like the extra lights too. Have you thought of replacing the old large high up blinkers with lights?

They are rubber puzzle mats from Home Depot!

Originally Posted by Tango

In many states, driving (white) lights up that high are illegal.

Originally Posted by crazycal

They are in CA. They don't even have to be on. I'm sure that's why he has them covered.

Yes, they are illegal here in Cali, but legal when covered. I ran them for 10yrs on my GMC Sonoma uncovered with not a single issue. Currently they arent wired up, so why have them uncovered at this point.

Originally Posted by Robin97396

So your point is it's illegal to replace those large blinker lights with headlights? But at the same time it's ok if three lights are mounted in between the original stop/blinker lights? Someone better warn the 4x4 community.

I've seen old timers put headlights in those high up blinker positions. Don't know if they got in trouble or not. I don't believe they used those additional lights for driving, rather using them as fog lights in front or back up lights in the rear.

I like what Low did with the lights but they don't appear to be covered, and considering their current position I can't imagine that they would be any more or less legal if they replaced the old blinkers. Low just gave his bus a uni-brow.

They are covered and I am going to redo the mounting and remove the center. They will also be getting an LED (2800 lumen @ 20watt draw) upgrade.
I havent figured a good way to mount them into the body of the bus, sealed and still aimable.
I plan to leave the outers in amber, maybe upgrade to LED, because I frequently have to load motos while double parked. The inners I have considered putting marine speakers to inflict my music upon the masses! Not sure if that will happen.

[Low594]

The plan with the wire shelves is that light, soft items will ride up there. Moto gear duffles for example. Ive considered using 2'x2' bungee nets to keep it locked down, if needed

[Robin97396]

Well your travertine rubber mats still look good and I'm sure they insulate better than tile.
I tried the motorcycle bungee nets strung up to hold things. They hold hats and light jackets pretty well but the bungee is to weak to hold anything substantial.
The old timers were taking the headlight aiming mechanisms from old cars with dual headlights to mount headlights where the upper blinkers were. The wiring is all there already and using led's would insure a light load. Haven't tried it yet, and I guess I'll have to cover them to be legal.

[Low594]

Close up to solve the covered/uncovered mystery

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Well your travertine rubber mats still look good and I'm sure they insulate better than tile.
I tried the motorcycle bungee nets strung up to hold things. They hold hats and light jackets pretty well but the bungee is to weak to hold anything substantial.
The old timers were taking the headlight aiming mechanisms from old cars with dual headlights to mount headlights where the upper blinkers were. The wiring is all there already and using led's would insure a light load. Haven't tried it yet, and I guess I'll have to cover them to be legal.

The shelf will be supporting the load, I also installed them upside down so there is a lip to them. The bungee nets wont be supporting the weight, just keeping the soft/light gear bags in place.
I thought about that idea for lighting, but couldnt figure out a way to seal the backs of the lights. The lights I installed have better light distribution than headlights anyhow. SO it might work well for someone else, just not for me.
Once I get the main function items taken care of (rear gascan storage, front push bumper, rear loading ramp, etc) this beast will be going a lil more towards the MadMax side!

[Low594]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Tango; the very top of my blinking lights are 8' 4" off the ground, not 12 feet, and that's comparable to the height of the fog lights of many four wheel drive trucks.

Anyone who installs Fog Lights more than 2-3' off the ground has no clue about lighting... But then again a real Fog Light is ~3000 Kelvin (aka yellow). Spot lights or Flood lights belong on the top of the vehicle.
These lights are "Driving", which are a mix of Flood and Spot. Im putting my Hella Fogs(yellow) on the front bumper where they can throw light under the fog, as designed.

[crazycal]

Originally Posted by Low594

Anyone who installs Fog Lights more than 2-3' off the ground has no clue about lighting... But then again a real Fog Light is ~3000 Kelvin (aka yellow). Spot lights or Flood lights belong on the top of the vehicle.
These lights are "Driving", which are a mix of Flood and Spot. Im putting my Hella Fogs(yellow) on the front bumper where they can throw light under the fog, as designed.

You might want to let the 4x4 community know.

[Robin97396]

Yeah, the coloring on the covers made me think I was seeing the reflective lens. It won't be the last time my eyes fail me. Thanks for clearing that up.

The reason I'd like lights up high is for setting up camp in brushy locations after dark. High up rear light would be excellent for checking trailer loads while it's dark. On the other hand visually those upper blinkers are a distinct marking of a school bus. I'm going more for the wanderlodge look and may tin over them before I paint.

Personally I've never understood the need for rows of powerful lights on the top of 4x4s. Then again I don't generally 4x4 in the dark.

[crazycal]

I think lights up top are a great idea. I just don't know if I feel like dealing with that one cop that wants to show me that he knows the vehicle codes.

[CaptSquid]

I just found a GREAT website for vehicle requirements for ALL states:

LiftLaws.com

[Robin97396]

Yeah, and where I am nothing above 54". I guess that's why they make you cover them? That would be to much of a pain on a bus. Ok, going to tin over them.

[CaptSquid]

For us with transit-style, it'd be easier than those with a hood. We wouldn't have to crawl over everything.

[Low594]

I have the lights up there for the potential adventures, being that it is for hauling bikes to remote riding spots, they will come in handy.

As for load lights, I am planning on mounting slim RV style LED floods, 2 per side. On the back it'll get 2 up top and 1-2 down low.

[Low594]

Originally Posted by crazycal

You might want to let the 4x4 community know.

If they are more concerned with the 4x4 look than getting the most out of their money and lights, I wont change their minds!

[Low594]

Originally Posted by CaptSquid

I just found a GREAT website for vehicle requirements for ALL states:

LiftLaws.com

Nice find!

[Robin97396]

When it gets dark you just can't have to many lights. Especially back up lights if you're going remote. Sounds fun.

[Low594]

Ive been removing these old bulky ugly running lights.

Besides being ugly, they have been the source of massive leaks and they use 5watts of power each(12 lights x 5watts = 60watts!)

So today I installed my first one of these guys from superbrightleds.com


I had to drill a 5/8" hole and the OD of the light is about 3/4"
Here's the link if anyone is interested

[Skoolydoo]

I like, I have them on my pickup fenders, they are bright even in the sun light.

[Skoolydoo]

For got to say,you can get them at most truck stops now, and if you have a truck supplier local they are even cheaper, here in the KC area I have found them for ($2.35) each