30" Light Bar Install - Easier Than You Might Think

Okay - while I don't have video of the process, I do have photos of the install. So this install was easier than I thought and hopefully the pics demonstrate this. O chose a behind-the-grill install to keep things clean looking. And dissuade any sticky fingers from parting with them in a busy mall parking lot.

I didn't get the harness yet or the switch for interior so those are not installed yet.

Step 1: I ordered a very inexpensive light bar from Alibaba.com: http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/7169167514.html?orderId=71595279537022 It is listed as Eyourlife 31/33INCH. The light bar itself is 30.5 inches in length and only $38 !! And yes I know these aren't Rigid or ARB. But for $40 who cares if they break.

Step 2: Pull the front grill for easy access. 2 screws and 2 plastic friction tab thingies. Use a thin flathead to lift the center plastic pin, pull up, and grip the whole thing and pull out. The grill lifts right out. It's hinged on plastic inserts at the bottom.


Step 3: I mounted the L-brackets on the sides of the bar and rested it on top of the flat part of the bumper. I marked and drilled holes in the plastic. I guesstimated where these holes should go and got it spot on, luckily:


Step 4: I slid the bar down the front at an angle, carefully avoiding hitting the sensitive cooler fins. Now the bracket itself wasn't long enough to put directly in front of the slotted opening in the bumper. So I placed some oversized nuts as a 1/4" spacer. There's room for your hand underneath and on the sides.


And that's it! I connected it to the battery for some photos:






UPDATE: Harness & Switch installed
These are the items I ordered from Amazon:

OPT7® Off Road LED LIGHT Bar On-Off Power Switch 40 Amp Relay Wiring Harness - (Single Light Bar Harness)

OPT7 LED Light Bar Wiring Harness 14 Gauge 380W Wiring Harness w/Switch - 11ft Dimmer Strobe 80ft Range Plug and Play Waterproof Relay

http://amzn.com/B00K1NS0PS

Mictuning TOYOTA Push Switch Laser Backlit LED LIGHT BAR (Blue LED Light) http://amzn.com/B011KZE1B2


Step 5: Connect the included terminal ends. Having a crimping tool makes this much easier. I suppose a pair of pliers would accomplish the same thing. But the crimp tool will curve the metal tabs into the plastic and wire more securely.



Step 6: Route the harness as you see fit. There's plenty of length so you can use any path you choose. I ran mine low and used cable ties around some handy holes that Toyota left for us.


Step 7: Attach the relay. I used the mounting bolt for the fuse box.


Step 8: Run the harness through the firewall. Located on the driver side, it's thick rubber but quite manageable. In my case, I used electrical tape and tightly wrapped the end of the harness to a long rounded file. It actually didn't make it all the way through before slipping off. But I still managed to pull on the electrical tape and get in through the grommet.


Interior shot:


Step 7: So this is where it seems like it gets difficult but it's really just 3 screws. Instead of pictures I'll post a link I used. TW user moe2o4 posted these instructions to remove the panel beneath the steering wheel: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-light-mod-step-by-step-picture-heavy.403875/

Step 8: The switch I chose has a dimmer wire. Which is why I chose it; aiming for factory look. You could use the switch that came with the harness, too. That would make things a little simpler I suppose. So the trick here is splice into a known dimmer wire. For that, I spliced into the Exterior Cab Light switch. Which is why I had to remove the panel. To access the switch. The wire is Pale Green as noted in the pic below:


Step 9: I used standard wire butt connectors. I decided to wire it so that the lights can be powered without the truck in the 'on' position. I used the wiring diagram located on the Amazon product page for the switch. Fairly straight foward.


And then put everything back together.


It's to tell from this pic but the switch is brighter when the lights are in the 'on' position and your exterior lights are on:


I'm waiting for darkness to take photos and video...

Nighttime update

So my update isn't super great. I'm kinda' disappointed in the output. I know, I know - what did I expect for $40, right? But still. Either way, I think it's an equipment issue. You can still easily fit any 30" bar in there, though. There was no bouncing of the light when I was off-road. Admittedly the terrain was mostly flat but no jitter when I sped up. Here's some pics so you can judge for yourself:

Regular lights:


Regular lights plus light bar:


Light bar only:


Light bar only against a dirt embankment:

 

Thanks for the post, I am looking at installing a 30" Bar as well.

 

Glad to post it. Gotten a lot out of this community. Wanted to contribute. BTW this only took about 30 minutes. I was really happy I didn't have to drill through that aluminum bar.

 

Can we get some before / after pictures of the lights across a field or down the street to get an idea of the power output? I'm looking to do the EXACT same install and that light looks pretty tempting at that price point

 

Yea you bet. I have the harness and switch arriving tomorrow. I got them from Amazon. I'll post some pics for sure.

 

Great write-up. Hopefully this helps some folks out with this install. I had to use my own fabbed up L brackets to make it work since no aftermarket companies make mounts yet. Nice work and good install!

 

Very nice.... I'd like to add this to mine... Can you also please include information (where to buy) the wiring harness and switch?
Greatly appreciated.

 

I will add the parts links and harness & switch install pics later today. As long as I'm not called into work!

 

Question for the OP. Is the area you drilled through stable enough to support the light so it does not vibrate? I will have to look at mine again but it seems like the area you drilled through is just a thin piece of plastic that may result in the light vibrating while driving?

 

Tagging. Possibly would like to do this as well in the very near future. It gets pretty dark where I live at night with lots of deer and bear that run around.

 

It seems fairly thick to me. But I understand your concern. However, after bolting it down, it actually feels more rigid. Perhaps this is due to the L-brackets and the structural support added by the light bar itself.

I'll take it off road tonight and see if there's any vibration. I'll try to capture some video with my iPhone. Sadly I can't open up my GoPro until Christmas, per the wife.

 

Just rewrap that Go-pro on Chrismas Eve...she'll never know!

 

Looks good! Curious to see how you're going to wire it.

 

you mounted into the plastic? I thought others were saying there was a place to mount it to in metal?

 

Would it not be a better install if you moved the mount points up an inch or two and cut the plastic part of the grill to get a flush install with no plastic barrier in front of the bar?

Looked at mine and thats how I think I want to install it, the question is the mount points with those mounts on that light bar, not sure if it is possible to move it up without other hardware..different L bracket....any feedback on this would be good info.

The only other thing is the 165w light bar gonna throw far light far enough for off road....would be good to see some pics of yours when you can. Other than that looks like an easy install minus the wiring which should not be a major hurdle.

 

nice write up. good work!

 

In the same boat with it comes to electrical crap.

 

http://www.gearbest.com/car-lights/pp_274362.html
300w/30000lm for $75

 

I was considering doing a flush mount. But honestly, at the end of the day, I just don't have the patience or the time to start dremeling plastic. And I really wanted to dissuade theft. It's a problem in the city I live in. And I may reconsider.

And I know I took a hit to the distance throw. But meh. I just wanted a clean look. I actually considered mounting it to the top of the front bumper. It would fit like that no problem. And it would make it even easier to mount.

I finished the install - I'll be posting pics in a bit. Gotta pick up my kid from school.