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LED Light Bar Location Advice

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by L-SCHLEGS, Mar 21, 2018.

  1. Mar 21, 2018 at 2:33 PM
    #1
    L-SCHLEGS

    L-SCHLEGS [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Nashville, TN
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    2017 CEMENT TRD PRO
    Hey guys, looking for some advice as I’m about to order a Prinsu rack and can’t decide if I want a light bar cut out on the fairing.

    I only want to mount one light bar, with form and function in mind...would you mount it up top on the roof rack or down low behind the bumper, under the grill with some rago brackets?

    Which is a cleaner install?

    Hoping to find some suggestions with experience.
     
  2. Mar 21, 2018 at 9:07 PM
    #2
    CaptainBart45

    CaptainBart45 Well-Known Member

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    Work in progress...
    Hmmm? I am not sure if behind the grill would block some circulation to the radiator? Tell me if I am wrong because that is my first choice. I survive in the desert so 120's+ is common in the spring.
     
  3. Mar 21, 2018 at 10:59 PM
    #3
    Midknight

    Midknight Well-Known Member

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    I'd say you're wrong, but that's not based on much....you can contact any of the major vendors and get more details regarding running in high heat though. Best bet imo would be Baja Designs based simply on the quality of the product, but it does come at a cost.
     
  4. Mar 21, 2018 at 11:26 PM
    #4
    Jukeboxx13

    Jukeboxx13 Well-Known Member

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    Mounting it higher gets you more throw and a better beam patteren. With that being said If I had to choose one I'd go behind the bumper and I don't do any high speed stuff. Plus you can just run ditch lights and point them forward.
     
  5. Mar 21, 2018 at 11:35 PM
    #5
    YOTA 4X4

    YOTA 4X4 Well-Known Member

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    OME HD Lift all around, SCS SR8 Rims, 255 85 R16 Cooper ST Maxx, Decked Drawers, 30" Rigid Pro Light bar above bumper on Rago Mounts, Rigid Dually Side Shooters on Rago ditch brackets, Hondo Garage Un-Holey Phone Mount X2, Hondo Radio Knobs AR Bolt Face, Garmin InReach SE GPS synch'ed to Iphone for GPS only mapping, Wet Okole Seat Covers, Husky Liner Contour floor mats, 63 QT ARB Fridge on Alu-Cab tilting slide. GoFastCamper (#41), ARB 2500 Awning with Full Room, Mobtown Off-road Sliders and Full Aluminum Skids.
    88402DF7-C13F-42C6-8A8B-01904631DC97.jpg
    My vote is here, with the Stainless Rago mounts (this pic is from their website) I went with a 30” Single Row set of “driving” lights from Rigid, slim, small out of the way and 22,000 lumens. I also went with their ditch light brackets though i felt it was the best of both worlds Huge projection out front with the 30” bar, and i got Dually Side shooters (also Rigid) that not only light up ahead of you, but also off to the sides. Of course none of this is installed yet grrrrrr. Waiting in my OffGridEngineering dual battery set up to arrive so i can do all electronics at once. Should be cool when’s it’s done. Right now planning on April 7th for the install of everything I’ve been collledting these past few months.

    For what it’s worth I’ll give a plug to Jake at battle Ron offroad for help with the lights. He’s a good dude.

    Yota
     
    Chief Taco likes this.
  6. Mar 22, 2018 at 8:58 AM
    #6
    L-SCHLEGS

    L-SCHLEGS [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Still torn. I’ve decided on the rigid midnight edition single row regardless of location. It only comes in spot pattern though :( So it’s either 40” up on the prinsu or 30” down in the bumper.

    Just want a functional/clean install. I feel like ditch lights are just asking for somebody to steal and I know they work great but just not a fan visually of the ditch lights. Maybe I just don’t add any lights at all! Haha!
     
  7. Mar 22, 2018 at 9:13 AM
    #7
    4T3Underhill

    4T3Underhill Well-Known Member

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    I like the looks of the Light bar on the roof. Prisnu does a nice job cutting out the fairing for install. You can always get Lock-nuts for the light bar if you are worried about theft. That would be one option, I bought some for mine on Amazon. Although under the bumper is nice and clean looking and would function just as well on the 3rd gen. Why not do both?:welder:

    not sure who's image this is, but it looks great up there. Only thing i can think of is that the fairing might obstruct some of the light output maybe?

    image-1.jpg
     
    L-SCHLEGS[OP] likes this.

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