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Led Light Bar mounted in lower bumper

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by sportzman0, Dec 30, 2012.

  1. Mar 23, 2016 at 2:31 PM
    #301
    MTopp

    MTopp Professional bear handler

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    trifecta tonneau, pop n' lock, Depo black bezel headlights, mb 352 wheels, 265/75r16 cooper at3s, visors, colormatched 2011 grille with raptor LEDs, much LEDs in and out Future/wanted: black valence, hood scoop, catback, CAI, 285/75r16s, OMD leaf pack mod
    Messaged
     
  2. Apr 6, 2016 at 6:13 PM
    #302
    beavis87

    beavis87 Well-Known Member

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  3. Apr 6, 2016 at 7:04 PM
    #303
    MTopp

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  4. Apr 7, 2016 at 12:06 PM
    #304
    yankeehilux

    yankeehilux Member

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    This is on my first gen and I'm running without the lower valence, but figured it might give some inspiration.

    Used two 1.5ft low profile aluminum strut channel and channel nuts from McMaster-Carr bolted through the factory holes in the lower core support. The channel had to be lightly filed in a couple spots to fit how I wanted but otherwise no cutting/drilling/fabricating was requied. I had to pull the grille off and unbolt the condenser to reach the other side of the bolts but it went on without a fuss otherwise (upper bumper is off for other reasons).

    It fit way nicer than I had expected, and theres still room to mount some flood pods for ditch lights in the future. Light bar is 32" curved Auxbeam.

    20160323_110953.jpg 20160323_110957.jpg
     
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  5. Apr 7, 2016 at 5:55 PM
    #305
    MTopp

    MTopp Professional bear handler

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    Nice work
     
  6. Apr 7, 2016 at 6:05 PM
    #306
    5 Lug Fury

    5 Lug Fury Well-Known Member

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    Got a lot of stuff lol
    Did mine :D
    Drilled a hole to match the bracket and bolted a large lag bolt lol
    I did cut the lower valance cross member
    20160220_155054.jpg 20160307_143554.jpg
     
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  7. Apr 7, 2016 at 7:10 PM
    #307
    kengulo

    kengulo Well-Known Member

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    5d vs 4d bar will mount 4d behind upper grill or roof basket

    20160322_201221_zpsgrbhz0km_f23600261b1fe2a79f81b40206931cc6b7928665.jpg

    2016-01-26%2020.18.37_zpspej0cwqb_5d9af659638879b5dbc807a9aefd22555938caa3.jpg

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    20160118_204956_zpsz5sqjwii_92f69668d6ae5c451de178790ba7a68520aa4c0e.jpg

    20160118_205004_zpssulgmc4k_59b52e2a75472278d62cb857e95942d0c7c13f8a.jpg
     
  8. May 22, 2016 at 8:24 PM
    #308
    nate232

    nate232 Insta: @LT_YOTA

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    Finally did my lightbar mod behind the bumper. Anybody have suggestions on what to fill the holes from the license plate with?eabf0a26d0ecaf08192d14af99149754_d68552ff7a7a50966877d914e0fb9060c70137f3.jpge41af0db1f08bf7cdf50c6d30bd45edd_36defbc8c2d20c6d2072e34bc433b2a476c5e717.jpg37cab315b0ff5c1ff02dea3854525a6b_01d1284e7042618f2e4e01003c47a70b0c5e9746.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2016
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  9. May 23, 2016 at 7:34 AM
    #309
    beavis87

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  10. May 23, 2016 at 7:39 AM
    #310
    MTopp

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    Pretty sure most lightbars are 30" but labeled as 32" because that's the length with the mounting feet on maybe
     
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  11. May 23, 2016 at 7:42 AM
    #311
    5 Lug Fury

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    Got a lot of stuff lol
    ^^^^^ mine was ......but don't go for a $40 bar like I did lol spend the extra $20 and get a D4 bar
     
  12. May 23, 2016 at 8:55 AM
    #312
    MojaveMadman

    MojaveMadman Cali Raised LED

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    Saw this thread and thought I would share a little bit of my insight into this subject since I have a good amount of info on the topic.

    There are a lot of ways to mount LEDs in the lower grill. People do various methods: self tappers into the crash bar, mounts, angle iron, strap, etc. Some are bad, some are good, some are best. Here are a few of the things I considered when designing my mounts that are important.

    First is safety. I do not agree with anyone drilling or tapping into the aluminum crash bar. This is an easy method to mount the LED but you are really shooting yourself in the foot here! The aluminum crash bar is considered a safety feature designed by Toyota to handle a specific amount of force and bend a certain way. By drilling holes for bolts or self tapping screws you are modifying this safety feature. This could lead to a safety concern in a crash. It could also lead to insurance not covering any medical claims because you knowingly modified the crash bar and they are not responsible for the results of that.

    The second is light movement. When it comes to actual lighting performance it is absolutely key that you light moves as little as possible. If it is dark out and your light is shaking while at speed it can play tricks on your mind as you are not able to see the terrain as clearly. The vibration/bouncing of the light can also lead to hardware coming lose over time because of the extra movement. Also on the topic of hardware, please be careful with self taping screws. Self tapping screws are designed to be used in higher numbers on a part and not in a structural manor. If you look at how Toyota uses them on their trucks, they are only used to hold light accessories and trim panels, not on more critical items.

    Lastly I make a request to look at the differences as all mounts are not created equally. Some may say this is just a light mount, who cares. I think if your using these lights out on the trail at night and relying on them, you should make sure you get the right stuff. There are some cheap $40 mounts out there that are made from 1/8" mild steel, have a few bends in them and not a lot of support as they only have two frame mounting holes... I personally would not use these. Rigid makes nice mounts, they are similar to the one I just described but they use stainless steel which is much more rigid (no pun intended) and stronger. I use 3/16" thick mild steel that has three mounting holes which provides a lot more support and I include a welded on gusset which just about eliminates all vibration and shaking. The choice is yours!

    EA66C293-33A3-4FD3-B71D-9787351CBB9B_zps_62981aa6cc802132e0aff235cb20ac5c6e8e17c6.jpg

    IMG_3266_zpsnyt0x1rw_9b7e2b4aa49166e2d98371c53c42f006eaf7290f.jpg
     
  13. May 23, 2016 at 1:29 PM
    #313
    nate232

    nate232 Insta: @LT_YOTA

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    Thanks for the link man!!

    Mine is a 30" with the rigid brackets, it was a tight fit since it wasn't a rigid bar. For a 05-11 I would definetly put a 32", it fits like a 30" on a 12-15 "perfect". Maybe ask @MojaveMadman if a 32" would work with his brackets/if he made one for a 32"
     
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  14. Jun 1, 2016 at 6:48 PM
    #314
    MojaveMadman

    MojaveMadman Cali Raised LED

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    Mine are made for 32" mounting width, I got you @nate232
     
  15. Jun 1, 2016 at 6:48 PM
    #315
    MojaveMadman

    MojaveMadman Cali Raised LED

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  16. Jun 13, 2016 at 9:23 AM
    #316
    unlewser

    unlewser Well-Known Member

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    When people are using self taping screws, what size are they using?
     
  17. Jun 13, 2016 at 12:23 PM
    #317
    5 Lug Fury

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    Got a lot of stuff lol
    I used a 2 pack of lag bolts from wallyworld. Its defiantly not coming out lol
     
  18. Jun 18, 2016 at 4:40 PM
    #318
    sanders749

    sanders749 Active Member

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    Will a light bar that is 34.5" in total width fit in a 2010 tacoma lower grill?
     
  19. Jun 22, 2016 at 1:06 AM
    #319
    baboltin

    baboltin New to the 3rd gen world!

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    Stock with a camper shell for now.
    Subd in I just bought a 32 inch and I'm going to try some eBay mounts, does anyone having any wiring tips or write ups for these light bars? I have never mounted or wired one up.
     
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  20. Jun 22, 2016 at 3:06 PM
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    sanders749

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