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Project 2009 Suzuki Equator Bumper and KC Pod Off Road Lights - Metal, MIG And Carbon Fiber - Tech

KC Hilites And Carli Join The Team
By Jordan May
Photography by Jordan May
Installing Kc Hilites Front View
Installing Kc Hilites Front Grill And Bumper
The front of your truck says... 
   
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Installing Kc Hilites Front Grill And Bumper
The front of your truck says something about how the remainder of your project is going to come together. The guys at Carli Suspension aren't well known for custom fabrication--instead for creating solid well performing suspension systems built for long miles of harsh desert terrain. Don't think for a second that means they haven't built race trucks and a fair share of feature-worthy trucks.
Installing Kc Hilites Welds
Before we slapped on a layer... 
   
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Installing Kc Hilites Welds
Before we slapped on a layer of paint we snapped a few pictures of the gorgeous welds found littering our bumper. Using DOM tube and plate Carli created a bolt-on front bumper that would hold all three of our lights and increase approach and departure angles on the front of our truck.
Installing Kc Hilites Boxed Center Section
Check out the boxed center... 
   
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Installing Kc Hilites Boxed Center Section
Check out the boxed center section, We don't think we will have any issues if we accidentally rub someone's rear end, do you?
Installing Kc Hilites Bolt On Bumper
As we mentioned the entire... 
   
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Installing Kc Hilites Bolt On Bumper
As we mentioned the entire bumper is bolt-on. Carli did this for a few reasons. It made the piece easier to get on and off, easy to install, and requires no cutting or welding for the customer. All we needed to do was unbolt and remove the lower valance portion of the stock bumper and bolt-on the new one. Here you can see the lower mounting points of the bumper. Carli chose to use factory mount locations for easy install.
Installing Kc Hilites Hid Lights
We think KC should change... 
   
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Installing Kc Hilites Hid Lights
We think KC should change the name of their KC-Pod to KC-Sunbeam. After a few nights of wheeling and upsetting anyone driving against our direction we realized how happy a 70-watt HID light can really make you. When you purchase your set of these lights keep in mind they are not small so leave plenty of room. The housing is 100-percent carbon fiber and measures 7.25 inches in diameter and 8.125 inches of depth. The front lens is made of unbreakable hard coated Lexan and shields a computer designed multi-surface reflector.
Installing Kc Hilites Self Mounted Ballast Unit
Attached to the back of the... 
   
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Installing Kc Hilites Self Mounted Ballast Unit
Attached to the back of the light is a self-mounted ballast unit. Unlike most off-road lights, the KC light has a solid mounting base. In order to swivel the light direction KC has mounted for bolts to the front casing on the light. Adjusting each one of these bolts will shift the direction of the light output anywhere you need it. Having a solid mounted base assures your light wont slip out of place during abuse. You would be hard pressed to find a stronger or brighter off-road light on the market today.
Installing Kc Hilites Finish
Project Two-Face is looking... 
   
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Installing Kc Hilites Finish
Project Two-Face is looking good and the new bumper is ready for paint. The project is coming along and very soon our rear bumper, rock sliders and more will be added. We are still on the hunt for a set of wheels because unfortunately the Equator shares the same oddball wheel bolt pattern the Nissan Frontier does--which means there aren't many out there.
KC HiLites
www.kchilites.com
Carli Suspension
www.thecarlisuspension.com

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