Notices
JK Electrical, Lighting & Sound Systems Bulletin board forum regarding topics such as stereo head units, CD players, MP3 players, speaker systems, amplifiers, hardmounted GPS devices, computers, headlight upgrades, fog lights, off-road lights, general wiring and anti-theft devices.

Light bar causing soft top buffeting...ELIMINATED!!!!!!

Thread Tools
 
Old 07-15-2014, 07:19 PM
  #1  
JK Freak
Thread Starter
 
8000ft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tabernash,Co.
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Light bar causing soft top buffeting...ELIMINATED!!!!!!

I found the key is to lower the light bar so the top is even with the top of the windshield frame and to get it out away from the frame so there is enough room for a significant amount of air flowing up the windshield and under the light. The plexi-glass that I added even further quieted the whole thing down. I think that by putting it there it forces the wind from under the light to speed up like an airplane wing acts and smooth out the air that is coming over the top.
The wind buffeting that I had was extreme, to the point that if I couldn't figure something out the bar was going up for sale. I was truly worried that the way the soft top was slamming around that I would reduce it's life dramatically.

The light is a 300w (100LED) measuring 52" at the mounting surfaces, the mounts are Rough Country and they were meant for a 50" (288w/96Led) so the first thing that I had to do was to chop them to widen them, and (at first) I thought that if I got the bar down and CLOSER to the windshield was the way to go. Well that almost worked, it was better than stock because the original set up had the light way to high and the wind was very turbulent. The I added the extensions to move the bar forward about 3".....BINGO... low enough and far enough away.

The adjustable mounts are temporary till I get it dialed in and then I will remove them and replace them with a straight bar support, and actually I think that this is very close to perfect right now.

Click image for larger version

Name:	P1040410.jpg
Views:	4151
Size:	80.1 KB
ID:	565473Click image for larger version

Name:	P1040416.jpg
Views:	5412
Size:	77.1 KB
ID:	565474Click image for larger version

Name:	P1040417.jpg
Views:	3609
Size:	72.1 KB
ID:	565475Click image for larger version

Name:	P1040418.jpg
Views:	3486
Size:	61.1 KB
ID:	565476Click image for larger version

Name:	P1040421.jpg
Views:	3671
Size:	71.9 KB
ID:	565477
Old 07-15-2014, 08:39 PM
  #2  
JK Enthusiast
 
Rob50lx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

nice job!

I always wondered how much noise the light bars made. How did you attach the Plexiglas?

Sent from my d2lte using Tapatalk
Old 07-16-2014, 03:28 AM
  #3  
JK Freak
 
Mountain Man Tim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lake Metigoshe, North Dakota
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

:rotfl mao2:

seriously, everything causes soft tops to buffet, its rediculous!

the bug/rock guard i put on my hood was rated as atrocious for causing it, light bars cause it, driving over 50 seems to cause it! are soft tops even worth it?!
Old 07-16-2014, 03:34 AM
  #4  
JK Freak
 
Gforce!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Independence and Lexington, KY (depends on the time of year)
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Mountain Man Tim
:rotfl mao2: seriously, everything causes soft tops to buffet, its rediculous! the bug/rock guard i put on my hood was rated as atrocious for causing it, light bars cause it, driving over 50 seems to cause it! are soft tops even worth it?!
Yeah, they are! You take them off and the noise goes away!
Old 07-16-2014, 06:17 AM
  #5  
JK Enthusiast
 
HighRoad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Gforce!
Yeah, they are! You take them off and the noise goes away!
Was wondering what was causing that!
Old 07-16-2014, 07:53 PM
  #6  
JK Enthusiast
 
ahfunaki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Warren, Ohio
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I wonder if just adding plexi glass or something similar would help.

I can't chop up my mounts...lol
Old 07-18-2014, 07:28 AM
  #7  
JK Newbie
 
bigpooma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Jacksonville, Fl
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

There's a deflector called the "WADE" windshield air deflector. I just saw one on eBay. The reviews were so-so, but I'd check it out.
Old 07-18-2014, 10:24 AM
  #8  
JK Freak
 
bushpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 638
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bigpooma
There's a deflector called the "WADE" windshield air deflector. I just saw one on eBay. The reviews were so-so, but I'd check it out.
Wade Automotive Products 20102 - Wade Automotive Top Wind Deflector for 07-14 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK - Quadratec
Old 07-18-2014, 03:32 PM
  #9  
JK Newbie
 
zong4200@gmail.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Siloam spring Ar.
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yes how did you mount the plexi glass and what thickness did you use
Old 07-18-2014, 05:36 PM
  #10  
JK Freak
Thread Starter
 
8000ft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tabernash,Co.
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I got a piece of 3/8" thick by 48"x4". I then started to slowly cut out a curve on my band saw to match the profile of the windshield curve. As to the mounting, it is just stuffed into the cooling fin gap which is also 3/8".

I have been experimenting with where to place the plexi because what I found is the higher it is placed the more "hum" is produced by the fins, but the buffeting is gone, BUT the lower it is place the opposite is happening...more buffeting but less hum.

So far the third opening from the bottom seems to be the best compromise.


Quick Reply: Light bar causing soft top buffeting...ELIMINATED!!!!!!



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:52 AM.