Ditch/Hood Light Bracket - Ultimate Guide & Poll (Pictures)

Ditch/Hood Light Bracket - Ultimate Guide
Last Update - 1/5/18​

I've noticed every few weeks to a month someone asks for ditch/hood light bracket or mounting options, suggestions, or links to websites for purchases. So I decided to start compiling all the web links, stock photos, and some user photos along with what the manufacture posts for directions to install or necessary steps to correctly mount.

Here you will be able to find the manufactures of these brackets, images, directions, and the mounting options for the 1st (1995-2004), 2nd (2005-15), and 3rd gen models (2016-present). Additionally and eventually you will be able to see the lighting differences Ditch Lights can make on your truck- Both Standard and Amber lighting differences.

This thread will be divided into three sections as some companies have created different designs that are dependent on the gen you own. Please pay attention to the mount options and how the different brackets function as there are small differences between each maker. There is repetitive information on the original post to pair with each generation so that you will be able to skip to the generation you are looking for.

*Please note: More manufactures exist for the 3rd Gen. Brackets than all others.*
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Ultimately the choice will come down to you and your individual preference on styling, functionality, price, etc. I will be as non-bias as I can be with descriptions.

• If you end up using this thread to decide what ditch/hood light bracket please post and tell us which you ordered and why.

• If you are just now stumbling on to this thread and have no idea what a Ditch/hood light bracket is please read the description below.

"Ditch/Hood light brackets allow you to mount aftermarket light pods on the hood of your truck near your A-pillar. Many people use these to either mount light pods in a forward position illuminating the front of their trucks, others use them to mount light pods in a 'true' ditch light fashion - angled out to the side. These brackets/mounts vary in size, thickness, and mounting types. Some are bolt on and no cutting is required- others require some trimming."​

• If you have suggestions, companies, links, TW vendors, or things that I forgot to mention please let me know as I will come back regularly and edit the OP.

MOUNTING OPTIONS FOR 1ST GENS.

No matter what company you choose there are generally three different options for mounting the bracket 1) Hood Hinge Mount or 2) Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount or 3) A-Pillar / Door Mount

There are positives/negatives to all mounting systems.

Your mounting option will be dependent on your individual need, what generation truck you have, and sometimes dependent on other mods you have already done/plan on doing.

The cool thing about the 1st Gen Mounting systems is that you can pair two different mounts to double your lighting near your side mirrors. The only way this works is that one of the systems must be the A-Pillar / Door Mount system and this is only confirmed using the SRQ brand mount - see below.
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1. Hood Hinge Mount:
This system uses the two factory bolts, on each side, on the hinge of your hood. You do not have to remove hood during this process rather just work on one side at a time loosening the bolts and slipping the bracket into place. This install can be done in 15 minutes or less with one person and one socket wrench.


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Positives: Simply installed, lifts w/ hood
Negatives: lifts w/ hood, some brand of brackets will put light pod in "line-of-sight".
Things to consider: Lifts with hood when opening, possible interference w/ snorkels (see individual manufacturer)​

​

2. Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount:
This system uses three bolts on each side that are usually provided with the purchase of the product. You will need to remove the cowl (the plastic piece near the windshield) and the window wiper blades to install this type of mount. Some companies will require you to trim the cowl for a proper fitment.


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Positives: Stays in place when hood is open/lifted, Usually is placed closer to A-Pillar and out of "line-of-sight".
Negatives: Permanently trimming the cowl, Stays in place when hood is open/lifted
Things to consider: Stays in place when hood is open/lifted, possible interference w/ snorkels (see individual manufacturer)​

3. A-Pillar / Door Mount:
This system uses two bolts or self tapping screws on each side of the bracket. You will need to drill holes into the A-pillar to mount this bracket or use the self-tapping screws to secure the bracket into place. This is very similar to how many roof light bars are mounted in doorjamb. Unfortunately there are no photos available for this specific ditch mount, but from the picture below you should be able to gather how this mounting system works.


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Positives: Stays in place when hood is open/lifted, The light pod is placed almost directly in front of the A-Pillar and out of "line-of-sight".

Negatives: Permanently creating holes in the A-Pillar, stays in place when hood is open/lifted
Things to consider: Stays in place when hood is open/lifted, Definite interference w/ snorkels (see individual manufacturer)​

1st Gen. Manufacturer Options

@CBI Offroad Fab
@ragofabrication
SRQ Fabrications
​

CBI 1st Gen Tacoma Ditch Light Brackets
Powder Coated $59.99

Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount
Trimming may be required
90º Bend on left/right

​

Just Brackets Powder Coated $64.95
Brackets w/ Extensions $84.95

​

Hood Hinge Mount
No Trim
90º Bend on back

​

SRQ Fabrication 1st Gen Ditch Light Brackets
Primed Only $35.00

A-Pillar Mount
No Trim
Drilling Required
90º Bend Left/Right

Shout out / Thanks to @HSmith_11 for his 1st gen. input and suggestions to this thread.



MOUNTING OPTIONS FOR 2ND & 3RD GENS.

No matter what company you choose there are generally two different options for mounting the bracket 1) Hood Hinge Mount or 2) Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount.

Some companies have both styles of mounting, but they are generation specific so make sure you're in the correct gen. placement within the thread itself.

There are positives/negatives to both mounting systems.

Your mounting option will be dependent on your individual need, what generation truck you have, and sometimes dependent on other mods you have already done/plan on doing.​

1. Hood Hinge Mount:
This system uses the two factory bolts, on each side, on the hinge of your hood. You do not have to remove hood during this process rather just work on one side at a time loosening the bolts and slipping the bracket into place. This install can be done in 15 minutes or less with one person and one socket wrench.

Positives: Simply installed, lifts w/ hood
Negatives: lifts w/ hood, some brackets will put light pod in "line-of-sight".
Things to consider: Lifts with hood when opening, possible interference w/ snorkels (see individual manufacturer)​

Hood Hinge Mount Installation Video

2. Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount:
This system uses three bolts on each side that are usually provided with the purchase of the product. You will need to remove the cowl (the plastic piece near the windshield) and the window wiper blades to install this type of mount. Some companies will require you to trim the cowl for a proper fitment.

Positives: Stays in place when hood is open/lifted, Usually is placed closer to A-Pillar and out of "line-of-sight".
Negatives: Permanently trimming the cowl, Stays in place when hood is open/lifted
Things to consider: Stays in place when hood is open/lifted, possible interference w/ snorkels (see individual manufacturer)​

Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount Installation Video

See the end of the OP for:
PRINTABLE - CBI Installation Instructions for Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount
1st Gen Installation Instructions (T4R3-Ditch-Light-Bracket)
2nd Gen Installation Instructions (T2-DLB-Install)
3rd Gen Installation Instructions (T3DLB-Install)

2nd Gen. Manufacturer Options

@RelentlessFab
@CaliRaisedLed
@CBI Offroad Fab
@ragofabrication
SOS Concepts - @EddyRRT
@SDHQ OFFROAD
TacomaBeast
T-Rex Grilles
Famous Fab @DWreck - No Longer For SALE
​

Relentless Hood Hinge Ditch Light Brackets
Bare $44.99
Powder Coated $54.99

Hood Hinge Mounted
3/16" Steel
90º Bend on Backside opposed to Right/Left (See T-Rex for comparison)







CaliRaised Ditch Light Brackets
Powder Coated $54.99

Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount
Small hole for Light Pod Ziptie to bracket (See image 3)
< 90º Bend on Backside






CBI 2nd Gen Tacoma Ditch Light Brackets
Powder Coated $59.99

Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount
Hit & Miss with many members saying this bracket didn't need cowl trimming others report it was a must.
< 90º Bend on Backside


Powder Coated Standard $59.95
Powder Coated Standard w/ Extension $79.90

Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount
Logo cutout - Can still see once light is mounted (see image 2)
< 90º Bend on Backside







SOSConcepts Ditch Light Mounts / Antenna Mount (PAIR)
Bare $60.00
Powder Coated $80.00

Hood Hinge Mounted
Will also fit 03-09 T4R w/ Cowl Trimming
90º Bend on Backside






TacomaBeast Ditch LED/Brackets (Pairs)
Powder Coated $59.95

Engine Compartment / Cowl Mount
< 90º Bend on Backside






SDHQ OFF-ROAD Tacoma A-Pillar Light Mounts
Powder Coated $109.95

Hood Hinge Mounted
Extreme Low Profile and nearest to A-Pillar
Possible conflict w/ Snorkel Systems
90º Bend is to the Right/Left instead of Backside (See Relentless for comparison)
2nd Most Expensive Bracket

$125 T-Rex Grilles Torch Series LED Light Bracket - 6399381-BK

T-Rex Grilles Torch Series LED Light Bracket
Powder Coated Bracket as Pair $112.99 - 4WheelParts Price
Bracket & Light Combo - $287.12

Hood Hinge Mounted
Only requires loosening bolts for installation
90º Bend is to the Right/Left instead of Backside (See Relentless for comparison)
Most Expensive Bracket






Famous Fabrication - No Longer in production
$0
Hood Hinge Mounted
90º Bend on Backside



Shout out / Thank @ChemDawg & @Burnett for their input and suggestions to this thread.

3rd Gen. Manufacturer Options

@RelentlessFab
@CaliRaisedLed
@CBI Offroad Fab
@ragofabrication
SOS Concepts - @EddyRRT
@SDHQ OFFROAD
ZROADZ
RCI
​

Relentless Hood Hinge Ditch Light Brackets
Driver/Passenger Side Individual - Bare - $24.99
Driver/Passenger Side Individual - Powder Coated - $34.99
Pair - Bare - $44.99
Pair - Powder Coated - $54.99

Hood Hinge Mounted
< 90º Bend on Backside







CaliRaisedLED Ditch Light Brackets
Pair Powder Coated - $54.99

Hood Hinge Mounted
Small hole for Light Pod Ziptie to bracket (See image 1)
< 90º Bend on Backside -Angled





CBI 3rd Gen Tacoma Ditch Light Brackets
Powder Coated - $59.99

Hood Hinge Mounted
< 90º Bend on Backside - Angled





Pair Powder Coated - $64.95
Pair Powder Coated w/ Extensions - $84.95

Hood Hinge Mounted
90º Bend on Backside - Angled





SOSConcepts Ditch Light Mounts / Antenna Mount (PAIR)
Bare $60.00
Powder Coated $80.00

Hood Hinge Mounted
Will also fit 03-09 T4R w/ Cowl Trimming
90º Bend on Backside






SDHQ OFF-ROAD 2016+ Tacoma A-Pillar Light Mounts
Pair Powder Coated - $109.95

Hood Hinge Mounted
No Trimming of Cowl Needed
Low Profile
< 90º Bend on Backside - Angled





ZROADZ Hood Hinges LED Light Pod Mounts
Pair Powder Coated (20% Gloss Black) - $135.00

Style of Mounting Unknown
No Trimming of Cowl Advertised
Only Production Bracket that is standard Glossed Powder Coat
Tucks close to A-Pillar
Possible Snorkel interference
< 90º Bend on Left/Right





RCI OFFROAD 2016+ Tacoma Hood Light Mounts
Pair Powder Coated - $49.00

Hood Hinge Mount
< 90º Bend on Left/Right

 

Great idea. Would have been nice to have this when I was shopping for them!

 

Thanks man. What company did you end up going with for yours? I will most likely be creating a poll for this. Check back later. @ChemDawg

 

I got cbi. It was tough to tell who made hinge mounted or hood mounted.
(Another reason this thread was a good idea)

 

Yeah seriously. I'll be working through this thread to update the necessary things I said would be present. I will be sure to include whether it will be engine compartment mounted or hood hinge mounted.

Thanks for the reminder about that part.

 

If you stumble across 1st gen install directions, that would be helpful. I believe there is some cutting involved and I've yet to install mine.

 

What brand are you looking to install?

 

CBI. I'm about to do some googling, I'll post it up if I find something.
Here we go, this is for 1st gen Tacoma's and 3rd gen 4runners.

 

Here's 2nd gen install for CBI brackets...
And 3rd gen...

 

Nice writeup

 

Edit: just noticed CBI. Indeed there is. Which brand did you go with? Only cutting I had to do was that plastic piece that gropes across where the wipers are.

Go to Rago's website. They have step by step instructions for everything they sell. Assuming their design is somewhat the same it'll work for you.

 

This piece that you're referring to is called the cowl. The CBI sometimes requires cutting on the 2nd Gen as well.

 

Did a set on my buddies 2nd gen (Rago) and there was no cutting required, however mine I had to trim up quite a blitz and yes! Brain fart.

 

Does your bud have a high quality photo of the Rago I can steal for the thread?

 

Curious to see what the poll will look like after a few months

 

Same. If you know people that already run them. Tag them please. Let's get these poll numbers up. Shamelessly promoting the thread lol.

 

I'm running famous fabrication
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hood-hinge-light-brackets-for-leds.237474/

 

Thanks @AZBACKCOUNTRY, unfortunately I believe this vendor has since stopped his production of the product. I will still edit the OP for future reference of resale etc.

 

Which is better hood or body mount ones?

 

I guess i'd say it's a matter of opinion. Personally, I like the engine compartment mounted system because it does not move (and neither will the light) when you open and close the hood, but it is more labor intensive to install. Choose wisely though as some companies may require trimming. The Hood Hinge Mount is sooo easy to install though and can be done in less than 10 minutes if you know what you're doing. So if you want a fast install for the same functionality go hood hinged.

I'll be posting user pictures and commentary as it comes in.