Seeking Advice for Simple Off-Road Light System for Country Roads

Hello, Tacoma community!

I recently relocated to the countryside and now have a 20-mile drive on very dark, winding rural roads, often populated with deer and other wildlife. Unfortunately, my stock lights just aren’t cutting it.

I should note that I’ve already upgraded the stock bulbs to the Philips RacingVision GT200 H4 halogen bulbs, which provided a small improvement.

I’ve been searching for lighting options, but it seems much more complicated than I remember from years ago. I’m looking for something simple and clean—I don’t want a light bar on my roof or an elaborate off-road bumper. My truck is a 2012, second-gen, 2WD TRD Off-Road Access Cab, and I’d like to keep it mostly stock. I wouldn’t mind a slim, clean bar mounted just in front of the bumper, below the grille, where I could attach a couple of pod-style lights. I believe N-Fab used to make something like this, but I can’t find anything like it still available for 2nd gens.

I’m interested in stealthy, low-profile mounts and lights, ideally keeping it under $1,000.

I’ve noticed several low-profile light bars that fit in the lower grille, but doesn’t that interfere with airflow to the engine? I’m also open to adding A-pillar lights, but I’ve heard those are often referred to as “ditch lights” and may not suit my needs—unless they can accommodate brighter lights to hit the right zone.

Any advice on types of lights and mounting options that maintain a simple, clean look would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

Is this the kind of output you're looking for?

 

For clean simple and plug and play it's hard to beat the Diode Dynamic SS3s that go in the fog light spots in factory bumper. Pick your color, model and beam pattern and drop them right in and set the height alignment. I have the yellow pro's in the SAE fog pattern and love them, very wide and light up the sides of the road and animals in ditches. Adjust some wires with the fog light anytime mod and now they stay on with the high beams and you get to keep the near sighting as well as long distance.

I find the fogs to be very helpful regardless of what you have for high/low beam setup-especially in fog/rain/snow of course.

 

That looks really bright! It would definitely be sufficient. What do you have going on there?

 

I was wondering if he had the fog light buckets. Something there would obviously check the stealthy box.

I’d use a relay and power them right off the battery, fused of course. Then activate the relay off the high beams, but through a switch. Then the switch selects “automatic” or “off.”

I would not want them coming on when you’re back to civilization, that’s why the switch. It’s pretty easy to leave on or turn on your brights accidentally.

 

That's a pair of Diode Dynamics SS5 Pro Spot beams wired through a relay to come on with the high beams on my 2021 4Runner. They're mounted behind the grill on a Rago Fabrications mounting system, so believe it or not, the beam pattern is very slightly compromised. You could mount them on a brush bar in front of your bumper / grill if you wanted.



A word of caution on lighting upgrades. I've been upgrading the lighting on my vehicles since 1976, so I have more than a bit if experience with what works - and what doesn't. One thing I've learned is that with lighting products, you definitely get what you pay for. That said, the brand of products you buy has a lot to do with real world performance. Beware the Amazon / eBay idiots promising a bazillion watts / Lumens / whatever. They're mostly lies, and the products are junk. Also, pay attention to beam pattern and mounting location. Fog pattern lights generally need to be mounted low, and they do not project nearly as far as other patterns. Driving / spot patterns lights need to be mounted somewhat higher up and are capable of projecting light much further. Beware hood or roof level mounting. The glare you will get off of your hood will blind you.

BTW, a number of people are recommending fog pattern lights. No matter how powerful they are - and I have a pair of Diode Dynamics SS3 Max fogs - they won't give you nearly the distance of a proper long distance beam pattern.

 

Yeah, if you're using the fog light spots for a supplemental high beam I would wire them something like that. IMO it would be more beneficial to have actual good fog lights in those pockets (gives you good usable light down low thats legal and doesn't blind people) and add a light bar in the grill or something if you wanted supplemental to high beams or another longer distance pattern

 

These might help a bit:

Automotive Lighting 101 | Tacoma World

The SAE J581 Aux High Beam Thread | Tacoma World

 

Make sure you do the Fog Light anytime/bypass mod so you can have your fogs on with your high beams. I found that has made a big difference!

 

Relay the headlight harness

Add a light bar in the bumper cut out.

 

If you have not already read this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

Keep in mind that “off road lights” are not legal to use on roads and highways. So keep that in mind when you select a light system. I have a second gen with oem lights and I drive narrow country roads in the dark often on hunting and fishing trips. For me my high beams throw plenty of light on those dark country roads. The key to avoiding collisions on those roads is to keep your speed down. I do have some off road lights mounted on my bull bar but almost never use them except off road.

 

Thanks to everyone for their feedback and expertise!

It looks like placing the lights in one of the grille areas will be my only option. I was hoping to find a shorter light bar mount, similar to the one below, but with just two lights. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find anything for 2nd gens.

I’m concerned about how placing the light bar in the grille might affect cooling, especially since I occasionally tow and know that the transmission oil cooler is located in the lower grille. Does anyone have information on whether this setup impacts cooling performance?

I have a few questions and would appreciate any information:

1. What brands should I consider for a light bar? Slimmer profile the better.
2. How should I mount these lights to the truck? Should they be attached to the aluminum crash bar?
3. Are there any kits available that include the necessary mounts?

 

When I had my Tacoma, I used a Diode Dynamics 30" Stage light bar mounted behind the lower grill with CaliRaised Brackets. The DD single row bar put out more than enough light for my needs. (It replaced a CaliRaised double row bar that was quite underwhelming.) Better yet, it did not negatively affect coolant temperatures when I towed my 22' high performance boat.



As for additional lighting, I had the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade and a set of Diode Dynamics SS3 Max fogs.

As for which brands to consider, I'd highly recommend Diode Dynamics and Baja Designs. And I always recommend Hotshot Offroad for all of your lighting needs. @memario1214 is the absolute best when it comes to customer service there.

 

The options suggest above (ultimate headlight upgrade and replacing the fog lights with Diode Dynamics SS3s) are the options I would pursue before adding light bars, espically for onroad travel. The ultimate headlight upgrade and correctly aimed SS3s will keep you street legal and are pretty easy to install.

 

No need to spend a grand for extra lighting for dirt roads, I've got $100 in this entire setup and that includes the tacoma style switch for the dash and the mounts for behind the grill. It's so bright the reflections off the signs can be annoying. Off road use only.

 

Here is our collection of lighting kits we offer for the 2nd gen! We have all options in stock with free shipping. Please let me know if you have any questions.
https://caliraisedled.com/collections/2005-2015-toyota-tacoma-led-light-mounts-combos

 

Got a link?

 

Cali Raised LED 32" Lower Bumper Hidden LED Light Bar Mounting Brackets for 2005-2015 Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XRQPQWZ?ie=UTF8
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016KD8XWM?ie=UTF8

MICTUNING Backlit LED LIGHT BAR Symbol Push Button with Wiring Kit ON-OFF Switch Compatible with Toyota (Red, Surface Size 1.54 x 0.83"es)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013G6UVK8?ie=UTF8&th=1

These were the 3 parts I purchased but it was back in 2018, the exact LED isn't available but you can probably find something very similar. The mounts have gone up a good bit since then but this should give you an idea of what I used.