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Light bar install in Lower Grill Opening

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by GTABurnout, Dec 1, 2012.

  1. Dec 1, 2012 at 2:54 PM
    #1
    GTABurnout

    GTABurnout [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I ordered a light thru the okledlightbars.com GB. I went with a 20" because at the time I was planning on running a light bar. After some thinking I decided I would rather save the light bar money and mount it in the grill some how. I have no desire to change my actual grill so the next best spot is the lower Grill.

    So last night I pulled the grill and took a few measurements. And test fitted the light to see where i could mount it. I was hoping I could just mount it to the aluminum crash beam but the feet for the light would have made that too tall.

    The light:

    [​IMG]

    I noticed that the crash cans sit slightly below the crash beam. Unfortunately since I had a 20" light the feet would not span the 35" inches between the two. I decided to get a piece of angle iron and span the gap and then just mount the light to that.

    The angle iron would need to be 35" or more. I found a piece of 36" long 2"X1" L bracket.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It would just need to be notched so the bracket would fit between the crash cans....

    Removing the bumper cover to get access to everything...
    [​IMG]

    Testing fitting the L bracket after cutting.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Perfect....

    Now to see if the light will fit ok...
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And now to test fit the bumper to make sure my measurements where correct...

    [​IMG]

    Light fits correctly and is pretty much centered in the lower grill....

    Now I can not really access the locations where I want to bolt the L bracket to the crash beam. So Off it comes....

    [​IMG]

    Crash beam...
    [​IMG]

    Black painted Bracket...

    [​IMG]

    So the beam is pretty much a long piece of extrusion. So its hard to get bolts in and then get nuts on to those bolts. So I went with a few self tapping fasteners.

    I over did it. 4 on each side of the crash can and about 8 holding the loer part of the L to the crash beam.

    Center punches
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Bolted down and back on the truck.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And bumper back on....

    [​IMG]

    With the bumper on I will need to remove the grill to gain access to the light but still I can re-aim if required.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And all wired up.....

    [​IMG]


    All and all a successful install. The light bar is solid the mount is solid. Tonight I hope to meet us with another Tacoma who bought a 21S blitz pro light and mounted his in the same location with a different method and see how they compare.

    Night pics tomorrow.
     
  2. Dec 1, 2012 at 3:02 PM
    #2
    Tacomanator

    Tacomanator Well-Known Member

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    Looks good. Can't wait to see night pics!
     
  3. Dec 1, 2012 at 3:17 PM
    #3
    Leggo

    Leggo slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

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    very nice! how much?
     
  4. Dec 1, 2012 at 5:50 PM
    #4
    Glocker23

    Glocker23 Drive fast take chances

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    Very cool. Want to come and do mine in CT ?
     
  5. Dec 1, 2012 at 5:55 PM
    #5
    GregLee98

    GregLee98 Well-Known Member

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    Awesome! Im' interested in the night pics and the light out put.
     
  6. Dec 1, 2012 at 5:57 PM
    #6
    LowHangingFuries

    LowHangingFuries Well-Known Member

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    Man I like that truck too!
     
  7. Dec 1, 2012 at 6:45 PM
    #7
    60driver

    60driver Well-Known Member

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    Nice work, unfortunately I have the pesky front license plate (damn you CT). Maybe I'll take it off until I move back home from wherever the army puts me. I would rather do it your way than a bolt on light bar. And I already have a 20" led sitting around.
     
  8. Dec 1, 2012 at 6:51 PM
    #8
    mattgecko

    mattgecko The LED Lighting Guy. MattGeckoLEDs.com

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    Looks good. I was kicking around a 40" bar in the lower grill but not sure if it would affect the cooling.
     
  9. Dec 1, 2012 at 7:19 PM
    #9
    perchie15

    perchie15 Well-Known Member

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    None,
    this is what i wanna do!! also a good way to avoid theft of the light by a little bit anyways :D
     
  10. Dec 1, 2012 at 7:50 PM
    #10
    GTABurnout

    GTABurnout [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Plans are to get night pics tonight along with some pics of a Blitz Pro Bar mounted in the same location.
     
  11. Dec 2, 2012 at 12:24 AM
    #11
    Reeves

    Reeves Well-Known Member

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    Is there any shake in the Light at night?
     
  12. Dec 2, 2012 at 7:03 AM
    #12
    SkullTaco2012

    SkullTaco2012 Well-Known Member

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  13. Dec 2, 2012 at 7:04 AM
    #13
    Large

    Large Red

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    Clean install. Any trouble aiming it while it's back there?
     
  14. Dec 2, 2012 at 8:05 AM
    #14
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    Eh... 40 is just a bit too big for there
     
  15. Dec 2, 2012 at 8:17 AM
    #15
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    Nice writeup. Looks like a fine placement for a bar containing only spot/driving lights. I'd be worried that any "flood" bulbs would be impinged by the grill and have part of the "wide throw" light you look for with a flood cut off by the lower bumper.
     
  16. Dec 2, 2012 at 10:20 AM
    #16
    GTABurnout

    GTABurnout [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I took the truck down a pretty rutted dirt road and the shake is no worse then the stock lights. Maybe tonight I will strap the GoPro and and take some video.
     
  17. Dec 2, 2012 at 10:25 AM
    #17
    GTABurnout

    GTABurnout [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Night time Light Pics

    All pics taken with a D7000. Settings where manual and all pics taken with same settings. No photoshop except to resize.

    LED Bar Only
    [​IMG]

    Low Beams
    [​IMG]

    High Beams
    [​IMG]

    Highs and LED Bar
    [​IMG]
     
    TN_Tacoma and Dj Suisav like this.
  18. Dec 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM
    #18
    05Aztacoma

    05Aztacoma Well-Known Member

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    :thumbsup:

    Makes me want to buy one now........
     
  19. Dec 2, 2012 at 10:50 AM
    #19
    YumaTRD

    YumaTRD The Church Of @ODNAREM San Diego Chapter 1904

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  20. Dec 2, 2012 at 12:15 PM
    #20
    GTABurnout

    GTABurnout [OP] Well-Known Member

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