Any thoughts on "notching out" this center support in front of the radiator?

[rocsteady]

Long story short (which I detailed here https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...-light-bar-installed.10507/page-3#post-245076 ) my Diode Dynamics light bar is too "deep" to fit where I would like to mount it, behind the grille on my 2024 Ranger Raptor. Would like to know your thoughts on cutting out a notch in this center support to allow my light bar to fit? Looks like its main (sole) function is as a mount/component for the radiator louvers.

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[rocsteady]

I'm assuming that all the electronics/mechanicals for the louvers are in this piece so cutting into it would be unwise...

 

[John E Davies]

It would be better to find a light that fits than to hack away part of your grill shutter. Unless you plan to eliminate the shutter entirely. It is not a cheap part.

Any light behind the grill could get pushed into the shutter and trash it in even a very minor front end collision. One mounted in front will be a little less likely to do that, better yet, no extra lights at all!. Most people don’t consider this. IMHO.

“Active Grille Shutter

The active grille shutter is comprised of shutter blinds which are linked to each other. One of the individual shutter blinds is fixed to the active grille shutter actuator. When the active grille shutter actuator moves, it moves the attached shutter which causes the other linked shutters to move. The active grille shutter is serviced as an entire assembly, which includes the active grille shutter, active grille shutter actuator, retainer, housing and jumper wiring harness.”

Taken from this thread:
https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/how-do-the-radiator-shutters-operate.53922/


John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[rocsteady]

That sounds like the voice of reason. I'll hold off for a while, maybe look into some ditch lights instead.

 

[BrrRaptor]

Look on Amazon, I saw a few 30/32 inch light bars that were not deep. Less than 2".
Just curious, how much depth is there between the back of the grill and that center piece?

 

[rocsteady]

Not a ton; here's another angle when I had the light bar with the mount connected on the far side. Couple inches? A curved light bar would probably do the trick too, just again, not one as deep as my Diode Dynamics one.

 

[BrrRaptor]

These are only 1.87" deep.
https://a.co/d/082GN4e

 

[rocsteady]

These are only 1.87" deep.
https://a.co/d/082GN4e

True. I have seen others that would fit better, but I spent a bundle for mine, feel like I have to use it.

 

[BrrRaptor]

Totally understand, I think i would find a way to mount it on the outside then instead of carving out that center piece.
Here is a video of a guy in the exact same boat as you and he did cut the center piece with a hack saw. Also I think the outside corners of the light where hitting the grill. I think he mentioned cutting some of the grill off also
Good luck either way.

 

[rocsteady]

Thank you very much. That is exactly what I'm going to do.

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