Offroad Light Bar Installed by Service Center! Menu first look: Ditch Lights & Flood Flights functions

[LiveFreeOrDieBob]

Someone get the light bar installed and then go to a wind tunnel so we can see how much the light interrupts the laminar flow. One thing I really like about the Tesla light bar is that it looks really closely integrated into the windshield. Still will disrupt the flow, as the stock Cybertruck has surprisingly good aerodynamics and the flow stays really well attached going over the top of the windshield. Putting that off-road light bar in the flow might detach the flow badly, but I have to think the engineers would have thought of that... A lot of the aftermarket ones look like they would cause a TON of turbulence...

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[Jhodgesatmb]

Since the light bar is glued to the windshield, if/when the windshield needs to be replaced the light bar needs to be removed and installed on the new windshield.That sounds like a difficult task.

 

[greggertruck]

Can you showcase the performance at night. Standard lights vs light bar brightness?!

 

[EMoeller]

Would have been nice though, given that this is a purpose built accessory, designed from the start to fit a Cybertruck, that it would have had a plug in connector and receptacle designed for it. then they could just do the install and leave the customer to "click" it in and remove the tape.

Yes, I think when I wire mine up I'll look into finding a connector instead of hard wiring....

 

[Ruffles]

Does this wire into the roof power feed or is there an additional feed just for the light? Did Tesla have to enable the lightbar in software in order to get the menu options to appear or does that happen automatically when the light bar is connected? It also seems like this is operated in the normal outlets menu and doesn't require being in Off-road mode?

 

[TeslaFANa]

Why do you suppose they are not permitted to hook up the electrical connectors?

I think by law they're not allowed to but I'm not the expert. I was referring to my inability to digest the manual. I'm gonna need someone to do it and make a video so there's no way I mess this up.

 

[SentinelOne]

Does this wire into the roof power feed or is there an additional feed just for the light? Did Tesla have to enable the lightbar in software in order to get the menu options to appear or does that happen automatically when the light bar is connected? It also seems like this is operated in the normal outlets menu and doesn't require being in Off-road mode?

great question, if off road only you'd think they would put it under the off-road app....

 

[rb92gt]

Here are some pics of the installed Offroad Lightbar. Service center did not tuck the harness under the roof applique. I did not expect them to splice the wires in or remove the blackout film tape, they are not permitted to do so or even assist.

Updated with more info:

They kept the truck overnight to allow the urethane time to dry. The lightbar is "glued" to the glass. The service rep said "she hopes I like the way it makes the truck look. You can't use it on the road." Tesla's installation instructions states "Tesla employess are not permited to connect or assist with the connection..." so you are left on your own. I'm hoping to have time to connect it tomorrow or over the weekend. I'll try to take some pictures of the connection process and what it looks like with the lights on.

The wire does not have to stand up like that and will be tucked neatly away after the harness is hooked up. They asked me a couple of times if I want them to install it since it is not removeable.

I did not hear any wind noise from the lightbar and I always wondered what effect it will have on range. Guess the real way to find out is put it in a wind tunnel.


Wheel covers were not in stock. I put my center ring back & lug nut covers.

UPDATE:

Connected & working. Here is how I did it, not a recommendation:

Lifted the roof applique using plastic trim tools. Rolled up a towel to hold it out of the way.

Removed the shrink tubing from the lightbar side and stripped back the insulation from the vehicle side to expose wires.

Soldered the appropriate wires together: red to red with blue stripe, black to black with blue stripe, & green to green.

Slid heat shrink tubing – 3/16” (previously put in place) and shrank it using a heat gun.

Slid a large heat shrink tube – 3/8” over the 3 connections for added abrasion protection and shrank that down (probably over kill)

Routed the cable neatly alongside the clip receptacle, checked the wire from the light to make sure it doesn’t get pinched. Snapped the applique back into place.

Tested the light as I went along (after steps 3,5, & 6)

Operating lightbar was added "Controls > Outlets & Mods "

Night pics with different selections please

 

[Guylouis]

Hell ya!!!

 

[Brandon708]

According to the Service Manual, they are not permitted to hook it up or even remove the blackout tape from the front:







Off Road Lightbar (Mount on Windshield Only) (Retrofit) (tesla.com)

Sounds like they are protecting themselves from any liabilities. Sounds suspicious!

 

[CGIIRL]

Here are some pics of the installed Offroad Lightbar. Service center did not tuck the harness under the roof applique. I did not expect them to splice the wires in or remove the blackout film tape, they are not permitted to do so or even assist.

Updated with more info:

They kept the truck overnight to allow the urethane time to dry. The lightbar is "glued" to the glass. The service rep said "she hopes I like the way it makes the truck look. You can't use it on the road." Tesla's installation instructions states "Tesla employess are not permited to connect or assist with the connection..." so you are left on your own. I'm hoping to have time to connect it tomorrow or over the weekend. I'll try to take some pictures of the connection process and what it looks like with the lights on.

The wire does not have to stand up like that and will be tucked neatly away after the harness is hooked up. They asked me a couple of times if I want them to install it since it is not removeable.

I did not hear any wind noise from the lightbar and I always wondered what effect it will have on range. Guess the real way to find out is put it in a wind tunnel.


Wheel covers were not in stock. I put my center ring back & lug nut covers.

UPDATE:

Connected & working. Here is how I did it, not a recommendation:

Lifted the roof applique using plastic trim tools. Rolled up a towel to hold it out of the way.

Removed the shrink tubing from the lightbar side and stripped back the insulation from the vehicle side to expose wires.

Soldered the appropriate wires together: red to red with blue stripe, black to black with blue stripe, & green to green.

Slid heat shrink tubing – 3/16” (previously put in place) and shrank it using a heat gun.

Slid a large heat shrink tube – 3/8” over the 3 connections for added abrasion protection and shrank that down (probably over kill)

Routed the cable neatly alongside the clip receptacle, checked the wire from the light to make sure it doesn’t get pinched. Snapped the applique back into place.

Tested the light as I went along (after steps 3,5, & 6)

Operating lightbar was added "Controls > Outlets & Mods "

Great post. One question. Do you notice any more wind noise ?

 

[GnarlyDudeLive]

I do wonder if the Tesla lightbar has any ability to be dimmable if even at the power connection location?

 

[jonesw67]

I do wonder if the Tesla lightbar has any ability to be dimmable if even at the power connection location?

It shows on the image of the UI that you can set the power level 0-100%

 

[GnarlyDudeLive]

It shows on the image of the UI that you can set the power level 0-100%

Awesome very good to know.

 

[rlhamil]

Yes, I think when I wire mine up I'll look into finding a connector instead of hard wiring....

If there's a watertight three wire connector pair that's not too bulky...

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