How to Install a Light Bar
If you’re dying to install your new LED light bar but aren’t sure how, we can walk you through the process. With the right tools and supplies, installation is painless. We’ve put together several sets of instructions for how to install a light bar. These instructions include options for installations with or without a wire harness and for connecting to existing LED lights. Installation will vary based on the type of vehicle, existing lighting setup, and chosen wiring method, but these instructions can serve to give you a general idea of the process. Light bar mounting instructions are also available and are listed by bracket type and vehicle.
Wiring with Super Bright LEDs’ Harness
*Wiring and accessories sold separately
(DT) WH-DTS10, WH-DTD15, WWH-DTD30; (ATP) WH-ATPS22, WH-ATPD20, WWHP-ATPS20
Wiring steps need to be completed for each mode for any selectable-multibeam and dual-color light bars.
1. Find a suitable mounting location that will allow for running wires and mounting the LED light bar. Mark where your holes will be for the light bar brackets or mounting feet. Check behind drilling locations to ensure nothing will be damaged. Drill appropriate-sized holes.
2. Mount the lights with the provided hardware or with optional mounting brackets; be sure not to overtighten the hardware (you will need to adjust it in step 7).
3. Route the lighting side of the wiring harness from the battery to the light in a safe, secure manner. Connect the harness to the light. Be sure to avoid heat sources and any moving parts while running your wires. Prolonged chafing of the wires may lead to a short in the circuit. Typically, following the vehicle manufacturer’s wiring harness is a safe path to follow. Some lights may not have DT or ATP connections on them, but the connectors can be added from the harness kit or purchased separately (DT-FPT or ATP-FPT).
4. Continue to route the switch portion of the harness to the desired location of the switch. The switch may need to be unplugged from the harness to make routing of the harness easier. An optional remote-controlled switch (RCS-RF) can be utilized to speed up the time of an install and avoid routing wires through the vehicle’s firewall. Be sure to double-check for any obstructions and proper clearance. Drill an appropriate-sized hole for the switch. Connect the wires to the switch, and mount it. Illuminated rectangular rocker switches (RS-x) are also available with different legends.
5. Connect the black (ground) wire with the large ring terminal from the harness to the negative battery terminal. Connect the red (power) wire with the large ring terminal from the harness to the positive battery terminal.
6. Secure the relay to a suitable location, and test the light to make sure the circuit works.
7. Finally, aim the light in the desired direction, and tighten all mounting hardware.
Wiring With Existing Light Wiring
1. Disconnect your existing lighting circuit from the battery, or simply remove the existing fuse. Find a suitable mounting location that will allow for running wires and mounting the LED light. Mark where your holes will be for the light bar brackets or mounting feet. Check behind drilling locations to ensure nothing will be damaged. Drill appropriate-sized holes.
2. Mount the lights with the provided hardware or with optional mounting brackets; be sure not to overtighten the hardware (you will need to adjust it in step 7).
3. Connect the black ground wire of the new light to the ground wire of the old light with solder and heat shrink tubing (DWS-x) or perma-seal butt connectors (PSC-x). Connect the red power wire of the new light to the power wire of the old light.
4. If the new LED work light or off-road light bar has an ATP or DT connector that you wish to utilize, corresponding ATP (ATP-MPT) or DT (DT-MPT) pigtails are available.
5. Finally, aim the lights in the proper direction, and tighten all mounting hardware.
Wiring Pigtail Without Harness
1. Find a suitable mounting location that will allow for running wires and mounting the LED light bar. Mark where your holes will be for the light bar brackets or mounting feet. Check behind drilling locations to ensure nothing will be damaged. Drill appropriate-sized holes.
2. Mount the lights with the provided hardware or with optional mounting brackets; be sure not to over tighten the hardware (you will need to adjust it in step 7).
3. Without connecting any wires, route all wiring from the battery to the light in a safe, secure manner. You will need to purchase two separate runs of two-conductor wire, or you can cut a longer run. Route your negative (black) wire from the battery to the black wire of the pigtail adapter that’s connected to the light bar (DT-MPT or ATP-MPT). From the battery, route a run of positive wire to the input terminal of the switch (RS-x, RRS-SPx, or WRRS-SPR). The switch will be located inside your vehicle, or you can install a remote-controlled switch (RCS-RF25A) under your hood to speed up install time and avoid routing wires through your vehicle’s firewall. Route another run of red wire from the pigtail adapter (connected to the light) to the output terminal of the switch. Be sure to avoid heat sources and any moving parts while running your wires. Prolonged chafing of the wires may lead to a short in the circuit. Typically, following the vehicle manufacturer’s wire harness is a safe path to follow.
4. Be sure to double-check for all obstructions and proper clearance. Drill an appropriate sized hole for the switch, and mount it.
5. Connect your black wire to the negative battery terminal. Connect your red wire to the switch input terminal and to the positive battery terminal with an appropriate-sized fuse holder (WMFH) and fuse (MAF-x) installed within 18 inches of the battery. You will have to cut your section of red wire to allow for the fuse holder to be installed between the switch and battery. Connect your other run of red wire to the switch output terminal.
6. Finally, aim the lights in the proper direction and tighten all mounting hardware.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.
