Lights behind Grillcraft- Help needed!

illinoisboytacoma24 · 01-11-2009, 06:15 AM

So spent the afternoon yesterday installing Hella 500FFs behind the Grillcraft MX. It looks great, but after all of the work the lights shake badly while driving. I pretty much installed just like others on here.
While driving my lights bounce very bad. I can see it, and can imagine that the oncoming traffic can notice as well.
Does anyone have any thoughts? They hang from the top of the old grill housing, just like I have seen everyone else do.
I need to stop this bouncing, as it is very bad.

Delmarva · 01-11-2009, 07:00 AM

Pictures of your setup will help. Maybe there's something that might have been missed.

chris4x4 · 01-11-2009, 07:03 AM

You can get some flat sheet metal brackets at Home Depot. Use them to add some stability to the lights. I had to come up with some creative mounts when I installed lights in the bumper of my 2000 Tacoma, and these brackets helped.

illinoisboytacoma24 · 01-11-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoisboytacoma24

So spent the afternoon yesterday installing Hella 500FFs behind the Grillcraft MX. It looks great, but after all of the work the lights shake badly while driving. I pretty much installed just like others on here.
While driving my lights bounce very bad. I can see it, and can imagine that the oncoming traffic can notice as well.
Does anyone have any thoughts? They hang from the top of the old grill housing, just like I have seen everyone else do.
I need to stop this bouncing, as it is very bad.

Here are some pics. I thought about the flat bar. I know that if I reinforce the grill shroud between the bolts, that could make it stronger, but the big thing is them shaking back and forth... Thoughts?

jward2331 · 01-11-2009, 05:32 PM

Looks like you mounted them directly to the plastic schroud. You will need to beef it up with aluminum (strong enough but light enough). I just did the grill yesterday and ordered Hella Rallye 1000 Black Magic lights today. I have time to find what I need to strengthen it up. A few guys have pics of their set up. I noticed someone even made a brace for the sides.

hsc001 · 01-11-2009, 06:04 PM

what i did to help with the bouncing was i mounted the lights on the two top grille support.

illinoisboytacoma24 · 01-12-2009, 06:11 PM

ok...I had saw that as well..thats what Im thinking that I will do...because I cant sleep until its perfect...and it looks awesome!

rmb_crew · 01-25-2009, 09:43 AM

Any luck with the fix? I am getting ready to do the same thing.

illinoisboytacoma24 · 01-25-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmb_crew

Any luck with the fix? I am getting ready to do the same thing.

I havent had the chance to fix it yet, but have come up with a few solutions.
1. Reinforce the grill shroud with 1/2" steel plate. On the top and the bottom of the shroud, between the fogs, and the top of the plastic shroud, then on top of it as well. Then if that doesnt make it sturdy enough, run the 1/2" plates from the subframe down to the top of the fog bolts as well (I did mount from the top vs. bottom).
2. or plan B, if the first doesnt work, mount the fogs through the supports that hold on the grill (the parts that you have to take the bolts out of to get the grill off.

Let me know as well if you have any other ideas, or use of of these. It really bothers me to not have this fixed yet.

branct06 · 01-25-2009, 01:31 PM

i used aluminum from lowes to mount them on and they barely shake

illinoisboytacoma24 · 01-25-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by branct06

i used aluminum from lowes to mount them on and they barely shake

can you provide further info? if there is an easy way, i would love to know it...

tooblutacoma06 · 01-26-2009, 01:10 PM

check out this DIY, it should be helpful for you:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...ighlight=hella

spearhead · 01-26-2009, 01:31 PM

your going to need .25/.50 inch mending plates(they are pre-drilled) across the top as well as some lateral support, I don't know how they have not already cracked or broken that thin plastic you mounted them direcly to- I would not wait to fix this

jward2331 · 01-26-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearhead

your going to need .25/.50 inch mending plates(they are pre-drilled) across the top as well as some lateral support, I don't know how they have not already cracked or broken that thin plastic you mounted them direcly to- I would not wait to fix this

I am curious, what are "mending plates" that are predrilled?

illinoisboytacoma24 · 01-26-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jward2331

I am curious, what are "mending plates" that are predrilled?

yea, ive heard of these before as well, but didnt know what they look like...is this something that you can get at lowes?

longbow · 01-27-2009, 06:45 AM

Don't have your type of grill but here is the set up I did, less than $20 for the alum, no movement at all.

Delmarva · 01-27-2009, 06:46 AM

^^
That looks like sex...

longbow · 01-27-2009, 06:50 AM

Here is another shot with out the lights on, I also relocated the horns. Still need to paint the back area black.

Horn relocate, if your interested.

Delmarva · 01-27-2009, 06:58 AM

LB, I almost did that HR mod with my Satoshi, but just relocated them down further behind the valance...

But if I didn't have the hardware available, I would have done what you did...

longbow · 01-27-2009, 07:06 AM

Matter of fact the screws are off the Tundra I had. For some reason I have a bunch of screws of all sizes that are "stock" ???

01-11-2009, 06:15 AM	#1
illinoisboytacoma24 Senior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #10013 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 29 Gender: Male Posts: 352 05 Taco Double Cab TRD 2005 Double Cab Automatic v6 K&N, n-fab nerf bars, grillcraft mx, hella 500FF, and much more to come..	Lights behind Grillcraft- Help needed! So spent the afternoon yesterday installing Hella 500FFs behind the Grillcraft MX. It looks great, but after all of the work the lights shake badly while driving. I pretty much installed just like others on here. While driving my lights bounce very bad. I can see it, and can imagine that the oncoming traffic can notice as well. Does anyone have any thoughts? They hang from the top of the old grill housing, just like I have seen everyone else do. I need to stop this bouncing, as it is very bad.

01-11-2009, 07:00 AM	#2
Delmarva Evolution Name: Lord Rupert Everton Joined: Oct 2008, #10148 Location: Eastern Shore of MD Gender: Guy Posts: 15,949 07 Silverado LTZ 4x4 Automatic	Pictures of your setup will help. Maybe there's something that might have been missed. __________________ FS: FJ SE Anthracite Wheels (Set of 5) FS: OME Rear Shocks & Gentex Autodim / Homelink Mirror

01-26-2009, 01:10 PM	#12
tooblutacoma06 Member Name: Kellon Joined: Apr 2007, #1426 Location: Gainesville, FL Gender: Male Posts: 60	check out this DIY, it should be helpful for you: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...ighlight=hella __________________ 2006 SWB DC 4x4 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2351038

01-26-2009, 01:31 PM	#13
spearhead Taco Supremist Joined: Jul 2008, #8263 Location: Winston Salem NC Age: 36 Gender: Male Posts: 109 09 4DR Mag Grey 4WD Sport 2009 Double Cab Automatic TRD CAI	your going to need .25/.50 inch mending plates(they are pre-drilled) across the top as well as some lateral support, I don't know how they have not already cracked or broken that thin plastic you mounted them direcly to- I would not wait to fix this __________________

01-27-2009, 06:45 AM	#16
longbow Bullet with a name on it Name: Bill Joined: Jun 2008, #7586 Location: Indiana Gender: Male Posts: 5,159 05 Tacoma Silver Mica TRD 4 Door 2005 Double Cab Automatic 6 squirrels and a pissed cat Toy-tec Coil over lift, Eibach 700 lb springs, Sway bar relocate, Total Chaos UCA's, Moto metal wheels, BFG mudterrians, HID, custom 3 piece grill, Highlift jack w/custom mount, Highlift jack cover, bed matt, de-badged 100%, storage box lock mod, using defrost w/o AC mod, short antenna mod, horn re-locate, Tire Gate flat spare tire mount, engine cover painted, bed light (1) mod, wreck bar carrier, Blue Sea 5026 fuse block, center console outlet, flash light mod, Blue Sea inline fuse, Shrockworks sliders, All-Pro front bumper, Piaa 510 driving lights, Warn shackles front, Kennesaw rear bumper, "Tag Boltz" plate lights, Warn shackles rear, Warn M8000 winch, devil horns, BHLM, weathech liners front and rear.....T.W. sticker of course. Custom Sock bed decal for Michele	Don't have your type of grill but here is the set up I did, less than $20 for the alum, no movement at all. __________________ "Never lay down, Never say die, Never tap out" Sig. by cmack48

01-11-2009, 05:32 PM	#5
jward2331 Senior Member Joined: Dec 2008, #11313 Location: Orange Park, Fl Gender: Male Posts: 114 '08 PreRunner SR5 TRD Sport 2008 Access Cab Automatic 4.0 Debadged, tinted windows, Grillcraft (horns relocated), Hella 500's behind grill, shorty antenna, XM radio (hard wired), WeatherTech side window deflectors, suspension TSB	Looks like you mounted them directly to the plastic schroud. You will need to beef it up with aluminum (strong enough but light enough). I just did the grill yesterday and ordered Hella Rallye 1000 Black Magic lights today. I have time to find what I need to strengthen it up. A few guys have pics of their set up. I noticed someone even made a brace for the sides.

01-11-2009, 06:04 PM	#6
hsc001 Senior Member Joined: Aug 2008, #8387 Location: laurel, Maryland Age: 22 Gender: Male Posts: 175 08 TRD off road lifted 2008 Access Cab Automatic 4.0 v6 BHLM, 3" toytec coilovers, blacked out billet grille, hella 500's behind grille, volant CAI, Dual flowmasters 40's, HID, DTLT	what i did to help with the bouncing was i mounted the lights on the two top grille support.

01-12-2009, 06:11 PM	#7
illinoisboytacoma24 Senior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #10013 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 29 Gender: Male Posts: 352 05 Taco Double Cab TRD 2005 Double Cab Automatic v6 K&N, n-fab nerf bars, grillcraft mx, hella 500FF, and much more to come..	ok...I had saw that as well..thats what Im thinking that I will do...because I cant sleep until its perfect...and it looks awesome!

01-25-2009, 09:43 AM	#8
rmb_crew My other ride has 18,400HP!!!!!! Name: Ryan Joined: Jan 2009, #12837 Location: Jacksonville Age: 22 Gender: Male Posts: 807 '09 PreRunner SR5 2009 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L V6 Suspension TSB Debadged Black Headlight Mod Blacked out front grill Blacked out Toyota emblem in the front. Stock wheels painted black Extra D-ring's Bed lights Fog lights Anytime Weathertech Floor mats Blue guages and Green needles LED's Cobra CB w/ 5ft Firestik	Any luck with the fix? I am getting ready to do the same thing.

01-25-2009, 01:31 PM	#10
branct06 Senior Member Joined: Jun 2008, #7489 Location: norcross Ga. and High Point Nc. Age: 20 Gender: Male Posts: 456 05 4x4 black sr5 long bed trd sport 2005 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 v6 super 40 flowmaster turned down before rear axle, k&n intake, ipod interface, 20% 3m tint all the way around, grill craft mx series grill with 2 hella 500 behind the grill, 2 55 watt halogens mounted on uws black low profile toolbox, 3'' toytec ultimate lift kit sitting on black xd monsters and 285/65/18 BFG A/T	i used aluminum from lowes to mount them on and they barely shake

01-27-2009, 06:46 AM	#17
Delmarva Evolution Name: Lord Rupert Everton Joined: Oct 2008, #10148 Location: Eastern Shore of MD Gender: Guy Posts: 15,949 07 Silverado LTZ 4x4 Automatic	^^ That looks like sex... __________________ FS: FJ SE Anthracite Wheels (Set of 5) FS: OME Rear Shocks & Gentex Autodim / Homelink Mirror

01-27-2009, 06:50 AM	#18
longbow Bullet with a name on it Name: Bill Joined: Jun 2008, #7586 Location: Indiana Gender: Male Posts: 5,159 05 Tacoma Silver Mica TRD 4 Door 2005 Double Cab Automatic 6 squirrels and a pissed cat Toy-tec Coil over lift, Eibach 700 lb springs, Sway bar relocate, Total Chaos UCA's, Moto metal wheels, BFG mudterrians, HID, custom 3 piece grill, Highlift jack w/custom mount, Highlift jack cover, bed matt, de-badged 100%, storage box lock mod, using defrost w/o AC mod, short antenna mod, horn re-locate, Tire Gate flat spare tire mount, engine cover painted, bed light (1) mod, wreck bar carrier, Blue Sea 5026 fuse block, center console outlet, flash light mod, Blue Sea inline fuse, Shrockworks sliders, All-Pro front bumper, Piaa 510 driving lights, Warn shackles front, Kennesaw rear bumper, "Tag Boltz" plate lights, Warn shackles rear, Warn M8000 winch, devil horns, BHLM, weathech liners front and rear.....T.W. sticker of course. Custom Sock bed decal for Michele	Here is another shot with out the lights on, I also relocated the horns. Still need to paint the back area black. Horn relocate, if your interested. __________________ "Never lay down, Never say die, Never tap out" Sig. by cmack48

01-27-2009, 06:58 AM	#19
Delmarva Evolution Name: Lord Rupert Everton Joined: Oct 2008, #10148 Location: Eastern Shore of MD Gender: Guy Posts: 15,949 07 Silverado LTZ 4x4 Automatic	LB, I almost did that HR mod with my Satoshi, but just relocated them down further behind the valance... But if I didn't have the hardware available, I would have done what you did... __________________ FS: FJ SE Anthracite Wheels (Set of 5) FS: OME Rear Shocks & Gentex Autodim / Homelink Mirror

01-27-2009, 07:06 AM	#20
longbow Bullet with a name on it Name: Bill Joined: Jun 2008, #7586 Location: Indiana Gender: Male Posts: 5,159 05 Tacoma Silver Mica TRD 4 Door 2005 Double Cab Automatic 6 squirrels and a pissed cat Toy-tec Coil over lift, Eibach 700 lb springs, Sway bar relocate, Total Chaos UCA's, Moto metal wheels, BFG mudterrians, HID, custom 3 piece grill, Highlift jack w/custom mount, Highlift jack cover, bed matt, de-badged 100%, storage box lock mod, using defrost w/o AC mod, short antenna mod, horn re-locate, Tire Gate flat spare tire mount, engine cover painted, bed light (1) mod, wreck bar carrier, Blue Sea 5026 fuse block, center console outlet, flash light mod, Blue Sea inline fuse, Shrockworks sliders, All-Pro front bumper, Piaa 510 driving lights, Warn shackles front, Kennesaw rear bumper, "Tag Boltz" plate lights, Warn shackles rear, Warn M8000 winch, devil horns, BHLM, weathech liners front and rear.....T.W. sticker of course. Custom Sock bed decal for Michele	Matter of fact the screws are off the Tundra I had. For some reason I have a bunch of screws of all sizes that are "stock" ??? __________________ "Never lay down, Never say die, Never tap out" Sig. by cmack48

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