Wind Noise from Roof-Mounted Light Bar Brackets

[btj_z71]

Hey Forum,

 

I just installed a set of 54" roof-mounted light bar brackets from Rough Country. With or without the light bar installed, they are making substantial noise. Any experience or ideas to resolve this?

[cbrsilv15]

Nothing you can really do. All roof mounted lightbars do it. I bet 50% of the guys I know who installed one wished that they didn't. Stuck with wind noise or holes in their truck...

[Donstar]

Sounds like a poor design. Phone RC and see if they have a fix. I use to have roof racks on my van and found that wrapping some rope around the crass bars would reduce the noise.

[btj_z71]

Ah man, no good - I was hoping for some magical easy fix . Now I've got the brackets secured with rivets and just like you said, if I took it down I'd have holes there.

 

I might try adding some extra door seals and see if that helps at all. Will let y'all know after I try that. Thanks for the replies!

[avgas]

Try splitting some black 1/4" hose and slipping it over the front edge of the brackets.

[Sean Neilan]

I'm glad you posted this thread because I have wondered what kind of wind noise it would create, especially if it would create any buffeting with the sunroof open. Guess I'll just go with the grill bar or a bull bar.

[Sean Neilan]

Or you can try these: https://www.4wd.com/p/trail-gear-led-light-bar-rubber-isolator-303772/_/R-FLCL-303772?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1&gp=1&scid=scplpTGI303772&sc_intid=TGI303772&gclid=CjwKCAjwranNBRBhEiwASu908LLuNJLt73WJMKZ_y7SastsnIcbiSzHw9JytmpHPV3QZACs6yBmoOBoCKPkQAvD_BwE

 

 

 

https://www.carid.com/zroadz/noise-cancelling-wind-diffuser-for-50-led-light-bar-mpn-z330050s.html?view=710336&gclid=CjwKCAjwranNBRBhEiwASu908Oc4Dx9M6Lk4-zoCSGSOK3p9Hwc7kk6Wa8UIMWkRkaGYcyZuXmfa9RoCsh0QAvD_BwEOr

[Donstar]

Or you can try these: https://www.4wd.com/p/trail-gear-led-light-bar-rubber-isolator-303772/_/R-FLCL-303772?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1&gp=1&scid=scplpTGI303772&sc_intid=TGI303772&gclid=CjwKCAjwranNBRBhEiwASu908LLuNJLt73WJMKZ_y7SastsnIcbiSzHw9JytmpHPV3QZACs6yBmoOBoCKPkQAvD_BwE

 

 

 

https://www.carid.com/zroadz/noise-cancelling-wind-diffuser-for-50-led-light-bar-mpn-z330050s.html?view=710336&gclid=CjwKCAjwranNBRBhEiwASu908Oc4Dx9M6Lk4-zoCSGSOK3p9Hwc7kk6Wa8UIMWkRkaGYcyZuXmfa9RoCsh0QAvD_BwEOr

Good information for the op and others reading this thread. Thanks for sharing. The noise can be significantly reduced or eliminated. The trick is to do it in a manner that doesn't look ugly. Rope wound around the roof racks of my Tremclad green '64 Econoline looked cool in the early '70's!

[btj_z71]

I added some D-type automotive weather stripping to the doors and that drastically cut down on the wind noise. I think the brackets prevented the stock seals from getting a good seal. I added a picture of what I did on both sides. One long strip from the side mirror to the corner at the B-pilar. One more small strip right around the brackets. Doors still open and close just as they did without the extra stripping.

[btj_z71]

Light bar

[btj_z71]

Insulation around brackets

[btj_z71]

The RC light bar is shaped differently so these wouldn't work for me unfortunately. With the additional weather stripping, I am only getting a whistle from the light bar now. I will try a few more things to try to keep reducing the wind noise.

 

 

Or you can try these: https://www.4wd.com/p/trail-gear-led-light-bar-rubber-isolator-303772/_/R-FLCL-303772?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1&gp=1&scid=scplpTGI303772&sc_intid=TGI303772&gclid=CjwKCAjwranNBRBhEiwASu908LLuNJLt73WJMKZ_y7SastsnIcbiSzHw9JytmpHPV3QZACs6yBmoOBoCKPkQAvD_BwEhttps://www.carid.com/zroadz/noise-cancelling-wind-diffuser-for-50-led-light-bar-mpn-z330050s.html?view=710336&gclid=CjwKCAjwranNBRBhEiwASu908Oc4Dx9M6Lk4-zoCSGSOK3p9Hwc7kk6Wa8UIMWkRkaGYcyZuXmfa9RoCsh0QAvD_BwEOr

[btj_z71]

Ok, another update. I removed the light bar and the brackets. After taking a trip 65 miles up the highway, my mpg dropped significantly. I usually get 18-19, but with the light bar I was getting 13-15. That is a no go for me.

 

Maybe a bull bar or the 30" light behind the grill would be better for MPG.

[sdeeter19555]

Ok, another update. I removed the light bar and the brackets. After taking a trip 65 miles up the highway, my mpg dropped significantly. I usually get 18-19, but with the light bar I was getting 13-15. That is a no go for me.

 

Maybe a bull bar or the 30" light behind the grill would be better for MPG.

They have these trucks so streamlined that even minor things like a cb antenna will show in mileage...

 

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

[Sean Neilan]

Anyone have any experience with the RC mesh grill with built in LED bar?

 

 

http://www.roughcountry.com/gmc-30in-dual-row-black-led-mesh-grille-70190.html