Mounting a light bar on your roof without drilling can be difficult and time-consuming if you are unsure where to mount.
This blog post will show you how to mount light bar on roof without drilling so that you know whether or not mounting your light bar without drilling will work for your vehicle.
There are few ways to do it, and we have outlined some different mounting methods that may work with most vehicles.
You may want to mount it with screws rather than drilling, but this is only possible if you know what type of car yours is.
Summary: Mounting a light bar on your vehicle’s roof without drilling is a popular option for those who want to avoid permanent alterations to their vehicles while still enjoying the benefits of additional lighting. To achieve this, there are several non-drilling mounting solutions available, such as suction cup mounts, magnetic mounts, and clamp-on mounts, which can securely attach a light bar without the need for holes.
Suction cup mounts use strong suction power to attach the light bar to the vehicle’s roof, providing a secure and temporary mounting option. Similarly, magnetic mounts use powerful magnets to adhere the light bar to the roof, allowing for easy installation and removal. Clamp-on mounts, on the other hand, secure the light bar to existing roof racks or crossbars without drilling, providing a more permanent but still non-destructive solution.
When choosing a non-drilling mounting option, consider factors such as your vehicle’s roof material, the weight and size of the light bar, and the intended usage of the light bar. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions to ensure a secure and safe installation, and periodically inspect the mounts to confirm they remain properly attached and stable.
Ten Ways to Mount Light Bar on Roof Without Drilling
1. Using roof-mounted racks
Most vehicles feature roof-racks, but you may have to remove your light bar first. Once the rack is in place, and you are happy with the rack position, replace the light bar and secure it on top.
2. Through Clamping Points
Drilling holes in your roof is not always possible, especially on newer models where the roof may be made of special material that can crack and fall apart.
To avoid drilling on the roof, you can clamp it to a hook or similar clamping point attached to your vehicle’s bodywork.
3. Through Bars
The most common way to mount a light bar without drilling is through bars.
You can get some metal or plastic bars that come with hooks on them, which can be attached either to your roof or some other part of the vehicle’s outer bodywork.
4. Through Third Brake Light Mount
If your vehicle has a third brake light, you will be able to mount the light bar through it. The kit for this is available in different sizes depending on where and how you want to use them.
5. Through Leg Space
You can get some metal or plastic bars that are long enough to extend below your headlight and hook into the vehicle’s metal frame.
These usually come with hooks for attaching to the roof and other parts of the car.
6. Through Hood Mounts
If your vehicle has a hood, it probably comes with mounting racks or hooks for the light bar. These will need to be installed first, and you can then install the light bar on top without drilling.
7. Through Magnetic Roof Mounts
Magnetic roof mounts are another method for mounting a light bar without drilling, which uses small magnets.
So instead of making holes in the vehicle, you secure these tiny magnets on top. All you need to do then is hang your light bar onto them.
8. Through Bumper Mounts
The bumper mounts are one of the earliest methods for attaching a light bar without drilling. Even in earlier vehicles, people used this kind of mount and are still being used today on different cars.
You can get them with plastic or metal brackets that you attach to each side of the vehicle’s bodywork.
9. Through Rear View Mirror
Some light bars come with brackets for attaching them to the rear-view mirror, so they don’t block your view.
You can use the upper mounts on the mirror itself or a separate bracket attached to it or even the side mounting points of the mirror frame.
10. Through Upper Seat Rail
If your vehicle has a seat rail that is part of its upper frame structure, that can be used as well.
The upper seat rails on trucks are thicker than those on cars, and they run straight down for most of the vehicle’s length. That makes them a great place to mount a light bar without drilling.
Instructions: How to Mount Light Bar on Roof Without Drilling
Step 1: Choose Mounting Locations on Your Vehicle
There are many places where you can mount a light bar, but the easiest is probably on top of your spare tire carrier.
You may need to relocate the tail lights or license plate and use different mounting hardware to make it all fit in nicely.
The problem with this location is that there isn’t much room left for any other accessories. A better option is to mount the light bar on your roof as rack or load-assist bars.
Step 2: Mark the Desired Location
Mark the location where you want the light bar to be mounted. On a vehicle with removable roof racks, this may involve removing them and then mounting the rack before permanently installing your light bars.
If you have a permanent roof rack or load-assist bars on your vehicle that are not removable, it is best to remove them temporarily so that you can mount the light bar in a place where they will not interfere with its functioning.
Step 3: Measure the Height of Your Roof Rack
You will need to find out the height of your roof rack (or load-assist bars) so that you can select a light bar tall enough for your needs.
You can mount multiple light bars on the same roof rack to increase your lighting capacity if you want.
The width of a standard vehicle is usually 2 feet wider than its length, so there is room for mounting two light bars on a roof rack if you have the height.
Step 4: Determine the Height of the Mounting Brackets
Mounting brackets are specially designed to mount securely onto your vehicle’s roof rack without doing any damage to it.
Be sure that you are getting mounting brackets specifically designed for this purpose. Otherwise, you risk damaging your roof rack.
If the mounting brackets are removable from the light bar, make sure that they will still fit on your vehicle’s roof rack even when you have removed it or adjusted its height.
If more than one light bar is being mounted to a single roof rack, make sure to measure and mark each of them to be mounted evenly and not interfere with each other when in use.
Step 5: Mount the Light Bar
Once you have determined how high to mount your light bars, permanently mount them on your vehicle’s roof rack or load-assist bars.
Be sure to follow all of the installation instructions for your particular model of the light bar.
Step 6: Secure the Mounting Brackets
Secure your mounting brackets onto your vehicle’s roof rack or load-assist bars. You may need to use extra bolts of different lengths to make it all work out.
Step 7: Check for Stability and Security
Slowly lower yourself down from the top of your vehicle as they are not likely to stay securely in place, and your light bars will be prone to fall off or being damaged.
Most mounting brackets are made of metal, but they may have a plastic coating over them.
Light Bars can be pretty heavy, so if your mounting brackets are not made of metal and plastic, you may need to reinforce them with some additional metal pieces.
Metal is more robust than plastic and much less likely to crack when hit by a large object such as a rock or small boulder.
Step 8: Secure the Light Bar Wiring
No matter what light bar you buy, it will be accompanied by wires.
The wiring usually consists of a long length with pre-installed mounting brackets and a separate short wire that is easy to connect to your car battery or electrical system.
Step 9: Secure Light Bar to the Mounting Brackets
After connecting the wiring, secure each light bar to its mounting brackets.
In most cases, this involves placing the brackets on a specific spot along each light bar and using bolts or other components to hold them in place.
Some models merely require sliding the metal ends of the brackets into matching grooves on the light bars themselves.
Secure each light bar to not fall off when you are driving or hit by a large object.
Step 10: Connect the Light Bar Wiring to Your Vehicle’s Harness
After securing your light bars in place, it is time to connect their wiring to your vehicle’s electrical system.
You will find a wire that has already been attached to the mounting brackets of one light bar, so connect this wire to the terminal of your car’s battery.
Then connect the wiring that came with your light bar to the harness for your vehicle’s headlights.
You can usually choose between a switch that will allow you to turn off the light bars without turning off your car’s headlights or a constant power supply.
Step 11: Test Your Light Bars
Before you get caught in the dark while driving, make sure to test your light bars.
Make sure that they turn on and off as expected and are correctly adjusted so that they do not block any of your windows or mirrors.
If necessary, adjust the height of your mounting brackets by loosening their bolts until you are satisfied with how everything works.
Step 12: Enjoy Your LED Light Bars!
Now that your light bar is mounted securely on your vehicle, enjoy the safety and convenience of it!
You can change the light bar’s brightness, color, and even the flash of your headlights if you have a particular switch.
Lightbars are great options to pull off stunts in the middle of the night or illuminating in front of your vehicle while driving around.
Should You Mount Light Bar With Drilling or Without Drilling?
There is an ongoing debate on whether or not to drill holes in the roof of your vehicle first when installing a light bar.
The main argument for drilling is that the holes will distribute weight more evenly and better integrate with the factory roof rack (if present). People want to drill holes because drilling makes the light bar stable.
When a light bar is mounted without drilling holes, it can be possible to wobble or even have the whole thing fall off.
The problem lies in the fact that when you mount an aftermarket light bar onto a factory roof rack, which is not designed to hold much weight, it will tend to slide backward or forward due to unbalanced weight.
The factory roof racks are designed only to hold the weight of a spare tire or two. If you’re hauling something else on your roof rack, it will be at an angle and not balanced.
That is why so many people experience light bars falling off their vehicles when they hit a bump, go down a side road, or experience any uneven road.
Lightbars that are not designed to be mounted to the factory roof rack can be secured in a manner that will distribute weight evenly and therefore never fall off due to lack of balance.
So What is The Problem With Drilling?
Drilling holes in your vehicle’s bodywork is always a risky business, especially when it comes to newer models. But if you have no other way of attaching the light bar, then drilling may be your only option.
When you drill through a car’s plastic or metal body panels, you can permanently damage them.
If this happens with a new vehicle, you will be looking at a repair bill of thousands of dollars, which most people don’t want to face.
However, by carefully planning where you drill and using the other mounting methods outlined above, you can avoid this problem by ensuring your vehicle’s bodywork is left undamaged.
What if You Want to Drill?
If you decide that drilling is the only option for your vehicle, then make sure to check local laws and regulations first.
You may also want to get a professional installer to mount it for you since they will have more experience with these methods.
Another option is to drill into a bolt hole or existing attachment point instead of making new holes.
If you want to drill your holes, make sure that the bit size is smaller than the threads in the hole so that it can be used as a pilot hole for the screws to sit inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Mount Light Bar Without Drilling?
There are a few ways to mount a light bar without drilling. The most popular way is to use a mounting bracket that is specifically designed for light bars. Some vehicle manufacturers also offer a light bar mounting kit that includes the bracket. Another option is to use one of the many suction cup mounts available on the market. Finally, you can use a custom mounting bracket made from aluminum or steel. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The mounting bracket option is the most common and easiest to use. This is because it includes the necessary installation hardware, including a mount and a bracket. The installation process is simple and requires no special skills or tools. However, the bracket is designed for light bars only and may not be compatible with other types of accessories, such as speakers or amplifiers. Additionally, the bracket may not fit all vehicles, so you will need to research your vehicle’s compatibility before making a purchase.
The suction cup mount option is popular due to its convenience and versatility. This is because it can be used on almost any surface, including glass and metal surfaces. However, this option does require some skill and knowledge in order to install it correctly. Additionally, some suction cup mounts come with limited warranty coverage, so make sure you check the terms before making a purchase.
The custom mounting bracket option is the most expensive but also the most versatile. This is because it can be customized to fit almost any vehicle. Additionally, this option comes with a wider range of warranty coverage, including lifetime warranty coverage for certain brands of brackets. However, custom mounting brackets can be difficult to find and may require you to consult an expert in order to find one that fits your needs.
How Can I Light My Roof Without Holes?
There are a number of ways to light your roof without holes, including using solar panels, using LED lights, or using a lantern. Solar panels are the most common option, as they are easy to install and can be used to power a variety of devices, such as lamps or fans. LED lights are becoming increasingly popular, as they are low-cost and have a long lifespan. Lanterns are also becoming more popular, as they are portable and can be used in a variety of settings, such as at home or while camping. All of these options have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the one that is best suited for the needs of your specific situation.
What Do You Use to Attach Lights to a Roof?
There are a variety of ways to attach lights to a roof, depending on the requirements and preferences of the user. Some common methods include:
1. Use wire hangers or rope to secure the lights to the roof. This method is simple and easy to use, but it can be difficult to access the lights if they need to be replaced or repaired.
2. Use brackets or hooks to secure the lights to the roof. This method is more versatile and allows for easier access to the lights, but it can be more expensive than other methods.
3. Use clamps or screws to secure the lights to the roof. This method is more durable and ensures that the lights will not move or fall off the roof, but it may require more specialist equipment and skills than other methods.
4. Use adhesive tapes or stickers to secure the lights to the roof. This method is cheap and easy, but it may not be as durable or aesthetic as other methods.
Is It Safe to Hang Lights From Roof?
The safety of hanging lights from a roof depends on a variety of factors, including the weight of the lights, the height of the lights, and the type of roofing material. Generally speaking, it is safe to hang light fixtures from a roof if they are properly installed and anchored to the roofing material. If you have any questions or concerns about the safety of hanging lights from a roof, please contact a professional contractor or lighting manufacturer for advice.
Can You Put a Light Bar on a Roof Rack?
It is possible to put a light bar on a roof rack, but there are a few important considerations that should be taken into account. First, the weight of the light bar and the mounting brackets must be suitable for the weight and strength of the vehicle. Second, the light bar must be secured to the vehicle in a way that does not obstruct the view of other drivers or impair the performance of the vehicle. Third, the light bar must be designed to withstand weather conditions such as rain, snow, and sunlight. Fourth, the light bar should be installed in a way that does not obstruct ingress and egress to and from the vehicle. Fifth, the light bar should be wired so that it can be turned on and off remotely.
Final Thoughts
Mounting lights without drilling is not always as simple as it seems. It is easier not to drill a hole into the frame of your car so that it doesn’t weaken and eventually collapse.
Read this guide to find out how you can mount light bars without drilling holes in your roof!
Hopefully, this blog post has helped you figure out how to mount light bar on roof without drilling. If not, please let us know in the comments, and we will get back to you as soon as possible!