Installed OEM like Lightbar on the windshield

[Jethro]

I just upgraded my truck with a Tesstudio lightbar. Instead of the traditional mounts, this one sticks directly to the windshield with adhesive tape, similar to the OEM lightbar. I actually prefer this solution—it's easier to install (though I'm not entirely convinced about UNinstalling, haha). Got it installed on the truck and tested.



That was quite fun ?

VERY NICE! Thanks for posting! So, does it have much wind noise? I’d also be concerned about the lenses ”foggin” due to sand abrasion…it looks like it in the wind path.

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[Leo Snow]

Really is a great video. Thank you. A couple question those of you who have installed this thing already.
1. Did you place the little tabs in the space between the roof and windshield glass or a little lower? It seems like a little lower would have an aerodynamic benefit but I’m worried the little tabs will means it’s not completely flat in the glass and may compromise the adhesive. Thoughts?
2. anybody give thought to putting a thin coat of adhesive promoter there before sticking? It’s not 3m tape but it looks like strips of knockoff VHB.
3. what wire attachment method did you use and why? Crimps? Solder? Would you do something different if you did it again?

Thanks!
1. I put them slightly overlapping with the gap between the 2 glasses on top, so the lightbar's edge and windshield's edge line up precisely.
2. I think it's not really needed. It feels solid up there + it's super lightweight and shouldn't suddenly go off.
3. The one in the video ? But for the old lightbar I welded the wires together, but that was kinda overkill in my opinion, so I went a different way this time.

VERY NICE! Thanks for posting! So, does it have much wind noise? I’d also be concerned about the lenses ”foggin” due to sand abrasion…it looks like it in the wind path.

Thank you! I didn't notice any wind noise, but for the optics only time will tell ?‍

 

[RadoRage]

I just upgraded my truck with a Tesstudio lightbar. Instead of the traditional mounts, this one sticks directly to the windshield with adhesive tape, similar to the OEM lightbar. I actually prefer this solution—it's easier to install (though I'm not entirely convinced about UNinstalling, haha). Got it installed on the truck and tested.



That was quite fun ?

+ Really like the fact he offered up the 3D prints of the spacers he designed/used.
+ Great that the install kit includes the suction pressure cups. Hopefully ensures longevity in the adhesive.
- Curious to see the light distribution/spread. It looks like this lightbar concentrates the light all straight forward towards a center point. He did the overhead view (which was great) but only for like a second!
- Why zero views of the lightbar from the front when its on? Would be nice to see how it looks when on & off
- The electrical connection job he did make me cringe...?

Still not convinced about a light bar that mounts to the windshield, but glad to see more and more providers out there testing products!

 

[RadoRage]

1. Did you place the little tabs in the space between the roof and windshield glass or a little lower? It seems like a little lower would have an aerodynamic benefit but I’m worried the little tabs will means it’s not completely flat in the glass and may compromise the adhesive. Thoughts?

One other thing to consider, how much space you really have to work with. Yes, lower on the windshield might provide a little increase in aero benefit...but the wiper is also VERY close to the lightbar. Would be interested to see a side shot showing exactly how much clearance is left after the install.

Rain/snow/debris/etc are all pushed by that wiper arm, and if you install the lightbar too close I'd imagine you might run into other issues.

 

[hemiarch]

One other thing to consider, how much space you really have to work with. Yes, lower on the windshield might provide a little increase in aero benefit...but the wiper is also VERY close to the lightbar. Would be interested to see a side shot showing exactly how much clearance is left after the install.

Rain/snow/debris/etc are all pushed by that wiper arm, and if you install the lightbar too close I'd imagine you might run into other issues.

That makes sense. I don’t live in a snowy climate so that had not occurred to me but it would also interfere with water being “thrown” off the mega wiper at the top of the swing.

 

[Leo Snow]

+ Really like the fact he offered up the 3D prints of the spacers he designed/used.
+ Great that the install kit includes the suction pressure cups. Hopefully ensures longevity in the adhesive.
- Curious to see the light distribution/spread. It looks like this lightbar concentrates the light all straight forward towards a center point. He did the overhead view (which was great) but only for like a second!
- Why zero views of the lightbar from the front when its on? Would be nice to see how it looks when on & off
- The electrical connection job he did make me cringe...?

Still not convinced about a light bar that mounts to the windshield, but glad to see more and more providers out there testing products!

hey my electrical work made me cringe too lol

One other thing to consider, how much space you really have to work with. Yes, lower on the windshield might provide a little increase in aero benefit...but the wiper is also VERY close to the lightbar. Would be interested to see a side shot showing exactly how much clearance is left after the install.

Rain/snow/debris/etc are all pushed by that wiper arm, and if you install the lightbar too close I'd imagine you might run into other issues.

naah, that shouldn't be a problem, attached a couple of my images below

 

[RadoRage]

hey my electrical work made me cringe too lol


naah, that shouldn't be a problem, attached a couple of my images below

Thanks for the pics! Not personally a fan of the 4 separate bars, but do agree that the single piece looks nice integrated with the CT. Any pics of it later at night with the lights on?

As for the wiper clearance, that is what I was afraid of...very tight. Definitely would not mount it any lower on the windshield than you did. Not sure how it will affect rain/water flow, but snow will definitely accumulate and has the potential to cause issues.

Thanks for the reply! When I finally install one of my own, I hope to incorporate an electrical plugin connector if I ever need to remove it... hopefully I will do better on the wiring too ?

 

[hemiarch]

Well. I for one think it looks awesome and am very thankful for the video. Received mine in the mail. My set has 4 suction cups. I guess two on the windshield and two on the roof glass.
Think I’m going to try mark it with painters tape first then ask my wife to help me line it up. I like the 3d print idea, just not really in my skillset.
Seems like a good two person activity.
I have a bottle of 3m adhesive promoter in the garage and debating putting a thin coat of that on the glass with a cotton ball or something prior to sticking.
Anyone think this is a bad idea? Good idea?
My reasoning is that I already have it and it probably can’t hurt.

 

[RoboTaxi]

VHB tape can hold strong. ARE aluminum truck topper skins are even bonded together with VHB tape.

 

[hemiarch]

So, inspired by this thread, I bought the lightbar.
I excitedly unpacked it and test fitted it on the truck and called my wife out to look at it.
First reaction , “it looks like a cop car”. She had a valid point, striking resemblance to a star bar.
Just didn’t look as sleek as either of us had hoped.
So, before selling it, I gave a quick try to tinting the lenses black.
In my opinion it looks great. The lenses disappear into the black frame which in turn disappears into the glass and tint. It definitely draws less attention.
Was even wife approved. In fairness, this opinion was encouraged by my sharing that the cost of the Tesla lightbar she said she preferred was $2800. Influenced or not, it was deemed acceptable.
So I proceeded with the install which was largely as described above. I did use a tool the OP did not…a 7 year old. Very helpful if you have one. About the perfect weight for the job.
I soldered and used shrink wrap. I also put a larger shrink wrap around both wires which helps hide the red wire and protects it where it traverses the trim. Makes the wiring less conspicuous. I used a dremel to cut a little notch out for the wire to come out of the trim, wrapped the excess wire around the front trim clip and tacked the wire down with some yellow electrical tape.
End result, still outrageously bright but much less obvious on the truck.
Kind of makes the difference between “on” and “off”‘starker in a cool way.
something to consider.

 

[Leo Snow]

Good stuff! My boys can't sit still for a minute, so I didn't even consider that, lol

 

[hemiarch]

Good stuff! My boys can't sit still for a minute, so I didn't even consider that, lol

The iPad helped

 

[hemiarch]

So how long did you actually leave those suction cups on? How long do we think should pass before running the car through a car wash?

 

[Leo Snow]

I kept them fr a day or so and am still monitoring it. It's holding well so far, but while the car wash isn't an issue, the heat down the road might be given the fact it is a 3M based adhesive

 

[hemiarch]

I kept them fr a day or so and am still monitoring it. It's holding well so far, but while the car wash isn't an issue, the heat down the road might be given the fact it is a 3M based adhesive

Didn’t mention but also smeared a thin coat of 3m adhesive promoter on the glass before applying. Just to ward off evil spirits.
no idea whether or not this makes a difference but I always do it for VHB.
I’m about to test it in a Phoenix summer so can definitely let you know if heat is a problem.

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