Help Me Mount Offroad Lights

My son has a 1st gen and has a light bar mounted roughly wear the top of the windshield meets the roof. It's super bright but I don't care for that location as it illuminates the tiniest spec on the windshield and pollutes the dash some.

I'd like mine mounted somewhere north of the hood. I plan to get a winch, so the obvious spot is spoken for. I don't care about the shape of the lights. I'd consider replacing the grill for a behind-the-grill setup.

For kicks, you can see before/after with new headlights. I bought it like that and they were the most hazed lights I've ever seen. I drove it home at night, from the seller, some 175 miles (two lane) with the brights and was never flashed once.

 

Thats an interesting front bumper design. What what lights do you have?

 

The first owner made the bumpers custom. He worked for the Navy and did on their time. He did a fantastic job, very strong, welded directly to the frame.

I don't have lights yet. I'm open to recommendations.

 

They're hard to see, but it has great rocker bars too, so not in the way.

 

I could hang round lights from the bar parallel to the headlights. But I'm not into reinventing the wheel. Someone here has a better idea.

 

You have flat surfaces in the front by the winch, drill through it and mount round lights.

 

I'm not sure how much room the winch is going to take. I've not done the math, but I plan on buying this winch:

Smittybilt 12k, synthetic. IP68

Smittybilt X2O COMP - Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch - 12000 lb. Load Capacity

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K150X2E/ref=psdc_15737591_t1_B00K150ZJA

Sorry! I need to do the math before I post.

 

Its gonna site behind that front plate, so anything beside that front plate is game. A light bar underneath it will also be good.

If you can find a local welder I'm sure they can help with adding on additional support for more locations to mount a lightbar.

 

maybe a Grill with a built in light bar like a enve grill insert? http://www.envegrilles.com/2001-2004-toyota-tacoma-20-single-row-led-style-1-bottom-mount/
Price is pretty steep tho

 

That's just a little more than I want to spend, but is in the realm of doable. I'd like to keep it sub $250. I can buy lights for $100, in different shapes and sizes. Before I get flamed for going cheap, it's a small investment I can replace or ditch.

Originally I hesitated to mount in a vulnerable spot, but generic LED lights are pretty cheap and breaking one is not the end of the world.

I'm not sure of the real-world effects of mounting the lights low. Common sense says higher is better.

 

You could always do a satoshi grill and mount it behind the mesh. Not sure how it would work though

 

I’d say stuff a bar behind the grill, and get a mesh grill.
Worked well for me, doesn’t block the light any

 

That's so sweet! Looks like like southern California, where you're at. I'm in the north.

What did that set you back?

 

Hi Art,

I mounted mine behind a Homer grill (a great guy here on TW) @HomerTaco. Youre right, youll need to replace your grill with some sort of a mesh set up for the light to pass through for effectiveness.

I also had a BAMF light bar mount for our 1st Gens and mounted 2 Baja Pod lights then switched to a Rigid Radiance Amber backlight. Better coverage for what I need.

Some pics below, feel free to PM me with any questions. I also had some ditch lights on either side of the hood, you might like that set up too. Pics below.

12 months ago with ditch lights (CBI mounts with Baja pods)


4 months ago with Baja pods behind the grille.



Current setup

 

I REALLY like the idea of hiding and protecting it behind the grill. It's also up higher. I'm sold.

I know how to Google, but if anyone can raise their hand and offer me an aftermarket mesh grill, I'll call on you.

 

Mesh grilles pop up occasionally on 1st Gen classifieds.

@HomerTaco hand makes the best ones, you could PM him (just search for Homer Grille in the top right corner and threads will pop up).

You can also make your own mesh grille, a few threads in the DIY section under 1st Gen I believe.

You will need a BAMF light bar mount. www.bayareametalfab.com/Behind-The-Grille-Light-Bar-Brackets_c_9.html

 

Taco Addiction -- that truck is so pretty!! Good advice too. Eventually I want undercarriage lights and a rear-facing light.

I used to own a 2000 Tundra. It was heavy and I got it stuck more times than I want to admit. I drowned it in a river after 17 years of off-roading, salvaged it, to buy what I have today.

Salvaged means I sold it for $1800, with a blown motor and being up to the bottom of the steering wheel in water, overnight. I only had liability insurance.

 

Ever considered ditch lights?

 

Pretty cheap for some mesh here but you would have to size it for yourself https://www.customcargrills.com/

 

You get wind noise from those lights on the highway? How about glare from the hood? How about visibility, do they block your peripheral view?

But to answer, yeah, I considered them, but thought there must be a better way. I'm here to learn though. I have no experience with them.