Hidden Lightbar Worth It?

I'm going a little stir crazy and need a project. Wanted to do a hidden lightbar behind that grill on my 3rd Gen.

Originally I was going to go the roofrack lightbar combo, but I'll personally never have a reason for a roof rack and I can't suffer any MPG loss (100 miles a day back and forth to work).

I'd be going with the KC 30" bar, and probably use their amber covers on 2/3rds of it. Mostly interested in the offroad heavy snow scenarios I find myself in every year in PA.

Main concerns are light output being behind the grill, not being able to aim downwards enough, and how douchey I'd be for having it.

 

I did the hidden light bar from Caliraised. It was very bright and saved my radiator when chunks of ice took out my whole front end. Grill did not effect light much.

 

Light output is still really good. Being behind the grill you will have some minor interference where the grill stops some light but still not that much at all.

 

Very nice. I'll look up videos for the install...

I'm an absolute wiring noob when it comes to automotive. I imagine it isn't hard? Any major drilling, splicing, etc? I'll probably get an OEM looking switch from Cali or whomever.

 

Check out SDHQ mounts for behind the grill
I run this with a 30 inch bar and pods
Minimal interference from the grill
Clean look
Many threads here to help you make a choice and then wire

 

I think CaliRaised has the best bumper bar application.

Here is mine with the CaliRaised bumper bar and ditch lights in a pitch black back mountain road in Colorado near Aspen:

Headlights:


"Burn Ya Bastard" and "Roo Lights" switches activated:

 

Like my kc c series. 16k lumens.

 

How much cutting of the inner wind deflectors on each side of the radiator were needed? I hate cutting or removing parts entirely. Didn't know if there was a way to bypass that step.

How easily accessible is the front of the light after? I might need to snap on covers before inspection.

 

Chatted with a buddy of mine about cheaper lightbars with the cali raised bracket.

Photos dont do it justice, but i know the hybridflood/ spot throw of my bar let me see a few deer in the middle of the night

 

just take them out. They are just held in with plastic Christmas tree fasteners. You can keep them if you want. There is no way to bypass that step as they are in the way of the light bar.

Also, you can trim the plastic in front of the bar if you want. Though I still prefer the stealthy look with trim in place. However, I must admit that cleaning the front lens is a bit of a PITA with the trim blocking my fingers and rags when trying to wipe it down. I’m sure they maybe a tool someone could jimmy up to help cleaning behind there though.

 

I cut mine something like this, i don't have a 100% photo of the offcut, but i recall following something along this line. just double check before hand;

this is how it looks when it's mounted;

 

I appreciate the responses. I'm going to go forward with the install. Thanks everyone. I'll post pictures when done.

 

Don’t forget the switches!

 

Here is our install video. We are also offering 10% off all bumper kits this month.
https://caliraisedled.com/collectio...ma-32-lower-bumper-hidden-led-light-bar-combo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESnVg1BHXco&t=108s

 

Check out diode dynamics. They also have a 30” light bar and mount kit for the Taco.

 

Buy nice or buy twice...just sayin’

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...og-light-review.554813/page-154#post-23152664

I’ll trust Crash’s reviews. Often big name brands are high quality and the standard. But that doesn’t mean smaller less well known companies don’t make quality products.

 

Which switch panel is that up top? Looks similar to CaliRaised but not exact? Or is it?

 

yes. It’s the CaliRaised one. The cubby is just stuck in the back with four screws.
I did note that when you out the switches in, they felt very “loose” in the spaces; meaning they had a bit of side-to-side movement. But when you put the panel back into the dash, they snug up.

 

Thanks for the info. I’m new to the Tacoma scene so I am sorry if this has been asked, but that panel just fits the toyota style push switches, not your average large rocker switch? Like one of these guys