Lighting Upgrades

Light Bar

The Stedi ST3K fits perfectly under the pioneer platform. At 41.5”, it is also the perfect length. Note it cost an additional $100 for the Rhino-Rack fitting plates. They also come with additional brackets to mount inline with the top of the pioneer platform. Although you definitely get more wind resistance with it sitting up the platform (in between the platform and car roof) I have plans for a pull out K9 table at the rear, so the aerodynamics would be lost sooner or later..

Work Lights

The Stedi ST3520 work lights punch out the perfect spread of light for most tasks. I love their slimline design allowing easy install under the wing of the Pioneer Platform. The supplied brackets allow insy install with some small roofing screws

One pet hate when camping is when you are enjoying the surroundings, looking up at the stars and someone blasts the surroundings with light. For this reason, I purposely placed the awing and ensuite tent in front of the lights so you get the light where it’s needed (around your car) and not 100meters away

WORK LIGHTS (Rear)

As I was very happy with the ST3520, I purchased another to have a rear work light.
I used some brackets found in the shed to attach to the pull-out table (see project here). This way I have a rear work light, and with a quick disconnect of the wiring, a light on a table that can be powered from a small portable motorcycle battery.
For Mounting the switch, I used a little angle that had the right profile to slot under the lip of the table. This method allows to reach up and operate the switch though the gap in slots of the Pioneer platform. I leave the left and right side switches off and the rear on, so I have a powerful reverse light that is operated in cab.

Switches

Both the lightbar and Work lights run up the window sill. About 10mm is exposed from the rubber seals. Although I’m happy all in all, you can notice pooling of water when highway driving in the rain. The work lights run from the secondary battery. This is so I can turn on the master from inside the cab, lock the doors (if needed) and have access to turn the left / right work light on by external switch.

Reverse Light Upgrade

This should be the very first upgrade done. The stock standard reverse lights are pitiful – and in my opinion dangerous as it takes you twice as long to see that’s behind you – especially if using the reverse camera. I’ve had a good run with Stedi gear, so there was no need for me to shop around for a upgrade kit.
At 1,000 Lumen, they are apparantly 50% brighter than the stock globes. There is a downside, the LUX may annoy people behind you.

Globe comparison:

Before:

After:

Installation:

Open the back door and use a x mm socket to remove the two screws.

From the position, give the light a bump with your open hand to push the light backwards.

Remove the light globe by twisting anti-clockwise. I required pliers.

Simply pull out the globe and insert the new Stedi globe by twisting in.

Cargo Door Light

This light kit is Great value for money, not the neatest but very versatile. powered by cig-attachment into the rear power distributor, attaching was the only painful part of the process. Basically, double sided tape, blu-tac don’t hold up on the rear door’s plastics, so I had to araldite some very small channels of metal. Form here , the light bars simply attach as they have built in magnets. Going down long corrugated roads proved the pol strength not to be enough, so I simply added a little blu-tac under the bar which has since proven to hold up.

I then discovered the Teralume light bar. Straight away I purchased and planned to swap it out. The big seller for me was the white / orange light combo. It comes with hi-tac double sided tape and holes to mount a screw at each end… it’s a much nicer look now without the joining cable flapping around.

Parts / Supplier / Price