Light bar in lower valence

So I see a lot of tacomas on here with 30 inch lightbars in their lower bumper valence. When I took it to get installed yesterday they said it wouldn't fit. Anybody have a write up or suggestions for making it fit. If not I have a lightbar for sale lol.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-led-light-bar-ideas.346488/

Check this out. May help you find something that will work.

 

I've looked through that thread but there's not much explanation as to how they actually mounted it. Thanks though.

 

Oh ok. Idk I'm sure you'd have to do some cutting/trimming. Good luck though!

 

Probably will. Thanks!

 

no matter what you're going to have to cut the valence a bit if you want it in the valence. You can cut the center fin and fit a 20" bar between the next two, but you're going to want to look for a 1row, not 2 row bar. (searching for "slim" usually gets you more hits for those)

you can put a 30" back there, but the valence will cover a bit of the lights, and you'll have to technically mount it behind the valence so that it shoots through it. you then also don't have to cut any of those little fins, but...they'll be in front of the light.

 

I've been looking into this to... I'm not sure how to do it just yet... But I know it's possible to mount it behind it and it looks very nice

 

grab some L brackets and a drill, the width part is easy just space them appropriately for the light bar you buy and mark the holes on the crush bars (bars behind your bumper). the height you'll need to measure from the crush bar to the hole in your valence. you'll probably need to drill some extra holes in the L bracket to make that line up correctly

 

There is an aluminum crash bar behind the valance, you can screw the light bar mounts I to that; or attach a piece of angle iron to the crash bar, and the light to that.

I used the latter method. It lets you install without cutting any of the valance. I don't have any pictures of the bracket handy, but can get some if you want.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-led-light-bar-ideas.346488/page-13 post #251 should be exactly what folks are looking for for behind-the-valence mount up

 

bling useless IMO

that tupper ware up front cannot support chit
and any lights mounted will likely vibrate
Unless a substructure support is built.

Not to mention the tupperware is usually destroyed /or boogered
when ya start bumping into things (ie: earth).

 

there is a metal bar/structure right behind the plastic on the lower part but you would still have to drill the plastic.

but you also have a point, if the LED bar is "in" or " in front" of the valance it will be the first thing to go

 

I'm fully aware of what is behind that tupperware...
as I have removed and discarded mine long ago.

The metal support behind it is simply there to hold it in place.
and is designed to crumple - flex at 5mph.
and is barely strong enough to support the load
of the tupperware facia itself.

In other words... it's not really a bumper
just a plastic facia to offer a finished look.

 

up to op to decide what approach to take. If he's taking long jumps and ripping up crazy trails... do something more substantial. Wanna light up a camp site or a dark road, simpler will do it.