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'GLOW' lights behind grill. any ideas?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by cadman33619, Sep 26, 2017.

  1. Sep 26, 2017 at 8:25 AM
    #1
    cadman33619

    cadman33619 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've been searching around and reading lots of posts but can't seem to find the right one. I'd like to add a cool orange GLOW behind my grill that turns on when the ignition is on.

    what i plan to do is add a mounting bar of my own making (maybe angle iron or strip iron) and drill holes where needed. I'm not sure if its best to use strip LEDs or another type of lights. I don't want anything crazy bright... i'm just looking for a nice glow at night... and i want the whole grill to be lit.

    The orange i'm looking for needs to match the front bumper turn signal color (amber) which i plan to convert to fog/signal lights by running a power wire from the side marker lights to the empty 'constant' prong on the bulb socket (taking advantage of the dual filament bulbs).
    (why did Toyota add that option if they didn't plan on using it?)

    Any ideas on type of lights to use and method of wiring would be great.

    Thanks
     
  2. Sep 26, 2017 at 11:44 AM
    #2
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    Have you tried these? I don't think they'll work on a stock grill though. They're more for a Raptor mod. on a Satoshi grill. But you might be able to make it work.
    https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-wired-bolts/bolt-beam-10mm-led-light/56/
     
  3. Sep 26, 2017 at 11:53 AM
    #3
    Benzdriver81

    Benzdriver81 Making it fool-proof will just make a better fool

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    I'm having a hard time picturing what you're going for. Lighting to light up the radiator behind the grill? Something to contour the grill only? Something to light up the engine bay enough to shine through the grill and lower valence?

    Sorry for all the questions. Regardless of the answer, have you looked into LED strip lights? They come in just about any color, they can be attached to just about anything, some are really bright (like for vehicle underglow), some are dime for accent lighting, and most draw such a little amount of power that you could probably tap into your running lights with little to no issues.

    I'm not a pro, but it's just a thought.
     
  4. Sep 26, 2017 at 3:18 PM
    #4
    ChemDawg

    ChemDawg Well-Known Member

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    My pictures are horrible but..Do you mean like:?
    If so..
    Mine is inside the groves in back of grill
    (I have 2nd gen ) to protect from rain and it is pointed towards radiator just cheap rgb 50/50 led strip from ebay
    Been few years and holding up great.

    Wired it off my running light fuse.
    I ran a add a fuse to toggle switch then to my streetglow (not sure think it's a junction box or terminal)
    Then I have my grill..glovebox..center console. footwell.. cup holder..ect.. led's running from that.
    :thumbsup:
     
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    o0oSHADOWo0o likes this.
  5. Sep 27, 2017 at 9:21 AM
    #5
    cadman33619

    cadman33619 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    exactly, ChemDawg... i'm looking for that 'underglow' look. but behind the grill. I dont have an OEM grill. mine is aftermarket... horizontal line pattern. i dont think the bolt-on type suggested by Sicyota04 will work (but i really appreciate the suggestion). I have a 1st gen so i dont think i have the running light fuse.
     
  6. Sep 27, 2017 at 1:38 PM
    #6
    ChemDawg

    ChemDawg Well-Known Member

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    I'd think you could put them behind the edges of the grill all the way around.? :playball:
    Or Post pics of your grill... someone has got to have tried it with same style?:notsure:
    (Look from the backside)

    And....No running light fuse !!:eek:
    Well that'd suck o_O
     
  7. Sep 27, 2017 at 1:54 PM
    #7
    DrFunker

    DrFunker Well-Known Member

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  8. Sep 28, 2017 at 5:36 PM
    #8
    o0oSHADOWo0o

    o0oSHADOWo0o Just lurking in the darkness

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    Just a few LEDs...
    I used LED strips attached to the grill. For better reflectivity, I painted the AC condenser and radiator with high temp silver paint.

    The strips I used are the Alpena 77708 Amber Max LED Strip and are a pretty close match to the DTRL and parking lights. These are a true amber and not orange.

    I bought mine at Autozone when they still had them but I found them on Amazon too.

    https://www.amazon.com/Alpena-77708...d=1506644807&sr=8-4&keywords=alpena+max+led+s


    Here are a few pictures of what they look like on my truck.

    *** WARNING: You may suffer from temporary loss of night vision or LED envy after viewing these *** :rolleyes:






     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2017
    igod69m, Droner23 and ChemDawg like this.

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