How to Wire a Light Bar on a 2021 Can Am Defender

[@r.griffin7941]

Thanks for the video! Enjoyed it. Will be doing same install in the near future on my '21 Defender. However, for future installers, you don't have to drill out the dash or roll tube if you use a second (return) wire to the hood area. By removing either of the plastic fenders to expose the point where the front of the roll bar bolts onto the body you will find a hole at the end of the tube where you can run your wiring up inside the tube to the roof area for the light bar. Wire sheathing will also fit in there to help prevent chafing of the insulation. If you don't mind powering from the key-on ACC power buss behind the middle switch panel you can use just one of the spare wires to get from the rocker switch back to under the hood (and then over to the roll bar). Taking off the fender requires removing the push-pins from the top and removing two screws (T25 Torx heads) located behind the fender, above the wheels toward the front. I don't know why Can Am made things so difficult to wire/install for DIY.

[@beckyspeyrer5198]

I loved the speed at which you were moving in parts of this video. I really did LOL while watching at times! I enjoyed it as usual.

[@ashleymalone5396]

10 seconds in and I said that's a south Louisiana accent, then I noticed the Saints hoodie. Subscribed on those to facts alone. From NELA/WM. Always showin' love to da boot!

[@EverydayMan]

Thanks for watching!

[@Blown4v]

Choot em!

[@sgtdominguez4757]

I located an acc bar under the dash next to the extra wire the positive side has red tape wrapped around it.

[@EverydayMan]

Great thanks!

[@tbatt469]

Thanks and GREAT video. I had no clue how to get power into the cab. Saw those four wires under the hood but Can Am isn't very explicit as to what they are for! Thanks again!

[@EverydayMan]

Glad I could help.

[@christopherhalstead4840]

when you added the roof, did you have to cut the corners for the brackets to fit?

[@EverydayMan]

no

[@christopherhalstead4840]

@@EverydayMan I have the hydraulic flip up windshield on my defender. Do you think these mounts will be high enough for the windshield not to hit the light bar when it's up?

[@EverydayMan]

@christopherhalstead4840 no I had to move my lightbar mounts to the roof itself.

[@donaldphillips3786]

I sure wish I lived next door to you, we could work on my defender 🤣

[@EverydayMan]

Hahaha

[@WaterWorksCarWash]

Looking for the list of items you used in the video. Great video ... Wish I had seen it before I ran my own wires thru the firewall.

[@EverydayMan]

The list is in the description. Thanks for watching.

[@GB-hk9ou]

Just bought a 2023. It has those same wires but it also has a hot and ground post behind the dash. Could I use those posts?

[@EverydayMan]

Yes

[@Corksmacker]

Hey Corey. I bought a 2022 and bought the Can-Am roof harness. I popped out the media pad and there’s a positive and negative post, the positive is marked with red tape. When you connect your power from there it’s activated with the key. So the 50 inch a Rough Country light bar I ordered with be connected to the power block mounted on the roof channel. So from what I understand I need to run a red wire from the roof to the switch correct. I’m not an expect on wiring but I believe that should work. Correct?

[@EverydayMan]

Yes it will work. Just ground the light.

[@JohnSmith-xv6mp]

I just bought a 22 and a rough country 50”. We’re you able to fit the wires down the roll bar?

[@Corksmacker]

@@JohnSmith-xv6mp Yes. Take the drivers side front quarter off, it’s real easy. There’s a hole in the bottom of the roll bar. You can use a fish tape or weed whip line to fish it threw.

[@laltaffer]

what do you mean the media pad?

[@johnspeyrer7629]

Great Job, Corey!

[@EverydayMan]

Thanks!

[@MrBsizelove]

Did you use a relay? or just strait from power through the switch to the light bar? I may have missed that but I don't think so. If not, how has that worked out over the time since you did this?

[@EverydayMan]

Just the switch. The leds don't pull a lot if current.

[@SPEARHEAD0616]

Thanks for the video. I have the exact same machine I was wondering how you like that light bar?

[@EverydayMan]

Glad I could help!

[@SPEARHEAD0616]

@@EverydayMan How has that light bar held up?

[@EverydayMan]

It's working very well. All leads still lit.

[@ssantac]

Great vid, very helpful! Do you think those mounting brackets would also work for a 52"curved?

[@EverydayMan]

They sure will. Thanks for watching!

[@ikeleary7259]

Great Video! Do the light bar brackets get in the way with your windshield that opens out? I have the same one, just curious!

[@EverydayMan]

I dont have the flip out windshield. But it is supposed to work with it.

[@christaylor9895]

I have the flip-out also, did these end up working? These look like the mount a little lower than the flip out allows.

[@ljst80]

Friend has the same rig and when he has his light bar on and uses the winch it makes the light bar come on and off with the winch switch??? Does yours do that

[@EverydayMan]

No. Sure doesn't

[@robertshirlingjr.6988]

Great videos. Just bought a 2022 can am defender xmr. Will a 51" light bar work with the 50" brackets that you used?

[@EverydayMan]

It has the room. It will work.

[@mikemiller9339]

acc buss bar is in the inside. behind the switches

[@EverydayMan]

I have searched and can't find it.

[@mikemiller9339]

@@EverydayMan its right where the wires are located, if you pull the 2 blank switches next to the diff lock your see the positive. it should have red tape on it. The neg is directly behind the rear lock switch.

[@EverydayMan]

@@mikemiller9339 thanks!!

[@OMRS1]

I've been looking also I have the exact same defender a 2021 XMR

[@jjthomas9656]

@@EverydayMan yes,i just done mine,acc as well as ground are behind center switches.both are studs,left is ground, right is acc

[@martinreina3868]

The link you dropped to the light brackets say only for Polaris. Do you have the correct link?

[@EverydayMan]

That's the ones I used. They fit the can am as well.

[@serjoe06]

Hey Corey thanks for putting this video out and providing links. As this video was posted almost a year ago. How is the Light bar holding up for you? Any issues with it?

[@EverydayMan]

Still works great. All leds are still lit and no moisture.

[@serjoe06]

@@EverydayMan awesome man thank you!

[@robertshirlingjr.6988]

Im having a problem with my window going all the way close. Any suggestions? I have the locking window

[@EverydayMan]

It's pretty simple, just some thumb screws and a track. Make sure the track is strait and the screws are loose.

[@kentdelaney3462]

I'm installing some reverse lights, and the instructions are telling me to remove the "lower center dash" to access the wires, but it looks like you didn't have to do that, correct?

[@EverydayMan]

No I went overhead.

[@Eric-bh7jy]

Does your light turn on/off without the power being on with the key?

[@EverydayMan]

No, I don't have it hooked to the ignition

[@q8fly.]

Great help sir

[@EverydayMan]

Thanks

[@mickkeating4400]

Couldn't you jump the switch and use the ground coming off the headlights switch

[@EverydayMan]

Sure you could.

[@kevinbrichacek7755]

wheres the discription

[@EverydayMan]

below the video

[@quailshootr6389]

You sound a little like Buford T.Justice.

[@EverydayMan]

I'll take that!! Hahaha!

[@quailshootr6389]

@@EverydayMan Haha. I have the 2020 HD8 with a roof, but no lights. Trying to figure how I will install a light bar like yours with the roof, which I believe extends out a bit. Nice rig you got, Good luck.

[@EverydayMan]

@@quailshootr6389 thanks. I have a roof now you can check my later videos. The brackets work with the roof.