1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

The Budget Lightbar Thread

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by phdog, Mar 8, 2018.

  1. Mar 8, 2018 at 3:55 PM
    #21
    andrew8404

    andrew8404 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2010
    Member:
    #47389
    Messages:
    1,494
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    ANDREW
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    17 DCSB TRD OR 4x4 (Sold) 19 Ford Ranger Sport XLT 4x4
    No thanks I’ll buy 20 Chinese leds before paying half the price of a rigid.
     
  2. Mar 8, 2018 at 3:58 PM
    #22
    Tacoaric

    Tacoaric Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2017
    Member:
    #236579
    Messages:
    3,298
    Gender:
    Male
    Dallas, Texas
    Vehicle:
    King Ranch F250 Powerstroke
    Okay... lol.
     
  3. Mar 8, 2018 at 3:58 PM
    #23
    SirRoytzz

    SirRoytzz Taco Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2017
    Member:
    #233851
    Messages:
    166
    Gender:
    Male
    I used to have the same mindset until I actually got a nice set of Baja's and now I see the difference.
     
    Tacoaric and L3TT3RS like this.
  4. Mar 8, 2018 at 4:15 PM
    #24
    andrew8404

    andrew8404 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2010
    Member:
    #47389
    Messages:
    1,494
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    ANDREW
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    17 DCSB TRD OR 4x4 (Sold) 19 Ford Ranger Sport XLT 4x4
    No doubt the Rigid lights are far superior I don’t think anyone will debate that. But unless your a hardcore off-roader it’s a waste of money. I had a cheap 20 inch on my 12 Tacoma and was amazing. Also had one on my 15 Jeep which was equally impressive. All for a fraction of the price. So hardcore user buy the Rigid if not it’s a waste.
     
    BillsSR5 likes this.
  5. Mar 8, 2018 at 4:15 PM
    #25
    andrew8404

    andrew8404 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2010
    Member:
    #47389
    Messages:
    1,494
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    ANDREW
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    17 DCSB TRD OR 4x4 (Sold) 19 Ford Ranger Sport XLT 4x4
    True story.
     
  6. Mar 8, 2018 at 4:20 PM
    #26
    SirRoytzz

    SirRoytzz Taco Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2017
    Member:
    #233851
    Messages:
    166
    Gender:
    Male
    I disagree that you need to be a "hardcore" off-roader. I like the fact my lights project far and with quality. I've had both. I won't be buying cheap lights ever again.
    I was running CaliRaisedLED which for the money are pretty good. It's night and day of a difference. My larger Baja Onx6 40" bar will light up an entire mountain ahead of me. When you're in the middle of nowhere, it ends up being pretty clutch.

    Edit: Cali Raised makes cool products at a good price point. They ship fast and are good peeps. Not trying to bag on them!
     
    ian2016 likes this.
  7. Mar 8, 2018 at 5:25 PM
    #27
    Harvo

    Harvo Hanging On !!!

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2017
    Member:
    #215586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    17' TRD Offroad DCSB
    SpiderTrax, RCI Sliders, Warn bumper, Smittybuilt winch, Ridge Grapplers...
    This debate will never end. Rigid guys have to argue to justify spending ridiculous cash on lights and Amazon guys argue to justify not spending anything on theirs.

    Does it even matter? All these lights are rarely mission critical. If my $90 LED brand works and I'm content... Then I just saved $500 by not buying ARB lights. And I can do it 5 more times if I need to. If I choose the ARBs then I spend it all up front and I don't need 5 more sets.

    Who cares? The OP wants opinions on cheap budget lights. Stay on point.
     
  8. Mar 8, 2018 at 5:47 PM
    #28
    Svenny

    Svenny Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2016
    Member:
    #183271
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    16' TRD Sport - Dbl Cab Short bed - Manual
    OME Kit w/Dakars, SPC UCA, Timbren bumps f&r
    I am running the CaliRaised bar/mount kit. Combo beam pattern as well. Super happy with it for the $$
     
  9. Mar 8, 2018 at 6:48 PM
    #29
    Diablo169

    Diablo169 ROKRAPR

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2016
    Member:
    #181079
    Messages:
    2,908
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Max
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Vehicle:
    99’ Bro-Coma’s Revenge 3RZ 345k+
    Stock
    Bro, who cares if the lights even work, can't use them at the mall anyways. Rough Country all the way :bananadance:

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Mar 9, 2018 at 12:57 AM
    #30
    Kirbstomp1287

    Kirbstomp1287 @MilSpecTaco

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2018
    Member:
    #242213
    Messages:
    278
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    17’ Inferno SR5 V6 DCSB XP
    Lol so much this... I came to see if anyone had good input on cheaper lights because I don't use mine nearly enough to justify spending $500 for a light bar... But instead I come in to a dick swinging contest lol...

    Thank you to the folks that stayed on topic. That Auxbeam light looks great!
     
  11. Mar 9, 2018 at 4:14 AM
    #31
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk Don't Panic

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2016
    Member:
    #174901
    Messages:
    285
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2013 DCSB MGM
    In the works.
  12. Mar 9, 2018 at 5:18 AM
    #32
    incredibillhulk

    incredibillhulk Don't Panic

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2016
    Member:
    #174901
    Messages:
    285
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2013 DCSB MGM
    In the works.
  13. Mar 9, 2018 at 5:30 AM
    #33
    VTSR516

    VTSR516 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    Member:
    #196073
    Messages:
    60
    Gender:
    Male
    Vermont
    Vehicle:
    2016 SR5
    NEW: LT265 75 R16 General Grabber AT2's Hood and window deflectors ARE cab high color matched CX series cap weathertech floor mats Rough country 30" 15,000 lumen light bar in front grill
    Rough Country 30".....Make sure you buy the anti theft bolt kit...Its about $7.00 xtra...........Don't buy cheap bars from anyone...You get what you pay for....RC30.jpg ...
     
  14. Mar 9, 2018 at 5:55 AM
    #34
    metsfan6734

    metsfan6734 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2018
    Member:
    #244284
    Messages:
    96
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM TRD Off-Road DCSB
    Here's my budget setup. Total cost 100$, including everything the light bar, wiring harness, mounting bracket and OEM style button. For a 35$ LED bar it feels very solid and is extremely bright. The spot LEDs far outshine my high beams and the floods spill a nice even amount of light all around in the front, lighting up everything. Now I can't compare it to the 200$ plus light bars b/c they aren't within my budget, having just bought my truck a few weeks ago. However for 100$ this setup will be more than bright enough for what I will be using it for.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M3VX73R/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076FCS1X2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DNYCJQW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZY3J8BK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Here's what the final results look like.

    installed1.jpg

    installed4.jpg
     
    Smwlsh87, MrBrooks, tombiosis and 2 others like this.
  15. Mar 9, 2018 at 5:56 AM
    #35
    metsfan6734

    metsfan6734 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2018
    Member:
    #244284
    Messages:
    96
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM TRD Off-Road DCSB
    and here's an pic of the switch

    button1.jpg
     
  16. Mar 9, 2018 at 8:28 AM
    #36
    mikestaco17

    mikestaco17 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2016
    Member:
    #200502
    Messages:
    819
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    MIKE
    Vehicle:
    BAD ASS UTILITY CAB
    You still got the taco was a great price
     
  17. Mar 9, 2018 at 9:45 AM
    #37
    jerzsubbie

    jerzsubbie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2017
    Member:
    #227834
    Messages:
    976
    Gender:
    Male
    Davidson, NC
    Vehicle:
    ‘13 GX460
    Finally!!!! Some reasonably priced mounting brackets. $30 is solid, if I had to pay $60 for Caliraised, I was going to fab my own for $10.
     
    Skydvrr likes this.
  18. Mar 9, 2018 at 10:39 AM
    #38
    metsfan6734

    metsfan6734 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2018
    Member:
    #244284
    Messages:
    96
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM TRD Off-Road DCSB
    Definitely! I was very happy to find these! and they are good quality too! I wasn't about to spend more on the brackets than the 35$ LED bar.
     
  19. Mar 9, 2018 at 10:40 AM
    #39
    phdog

    phdog [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2017
    Member:
    #222534
    Messages:
    1,269
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Northern Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD Off Road
    w/Super Terrific Happy Hour Mod
    That's what I was looking at. thanks for the install pic. On that install, what's it mounting to and do you need to drill it or what is going on there? Thanks.
     
  20. Mar 9, 2018 at 10:42 AM
    #40
    phdog

    phdog [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2017
    Member:
    #222534
    Messages:
    1,269
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Northern Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD Off Road
    w/Super Terrific Happy Hour Mod
    Yep. If nothing else, this thread turned me onto a couple alternatives (which was the point).
     
    bobrown14 and metsfan6734 like this.
To Top