User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 08-10-2021, 05:09 PM #16
ahtoxa11 ahtoxa11 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 344
ahtoxa11 has a spectacular aura about ahtoxa11 has a spectacular aura about ahtoxa11 has a spectacular aura about
ahtoxa11 ahtoxa11 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 344
ahtoxa11 has a spectacular aura about ahtoxa11 has a spectacular aura about ahtoxa11 has a spectacular aura about
I'm a flashlight guy, and while I don't have experience with different truck lightbars, I'll put my 2 cents in regarding cheap lighting in general.

Generally speaking, as another poster mentioned - you do get what you pay for.

There are a few key items that separate those $10 cheap 'zoomie' lights from even $40-$50 dollar lights. We could probably apply this to lightbars as tech and methods of production aren't all that dissimilar.

- better LEDs: better bins, better color temp
- better reflectors: no artifacts, better beam patterns, reduced or eliminated hotspots and other weirdness. This means that the direction of light, spread and reach is far better defined and controller
- more efficient drivers: this can mean lower power draw and far better thermal regulation
- Better fit and finish: anodizing is often more durable, chamfered edges (less important on a light bar, I realize), better waterproofing due to closer tolerances and better manufacturing processes. I've a friend I was wheeling with last weekend who has an amazon set of ditch lights. They were full of water.

It's not unreasonable to expect that there are benefits to paying more, but there's a limit. There are lights out there for $200 that don't do anything better (actually, they are arguable worse in some respects) than a $70 light. Same theory can probably apply to the light bars. At least that's my theory but I am only speculating.
__________________
Kings, Icon UCAs, 285s, full armor, rear diff breather relocation, ECGS diff bushing, Rokmen trailing arms

Last edited by ahtoxa11; 08-10-2021 at 05:11 PM.
ahtoxa11 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-10-2021, 05:27 PM #17
headstaller headstaller is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 21
headstaller is on a distinguished road
headstaller headstaller is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 21
headstaller is on a distinguished road
Check this out... Comparison
headstaller is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-10-2021, 05:36 PM #18
08TxRunner's Avatar
08TxRunner 08TxRunner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 500
08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough
08TxRunner 08TxRunner is offline
Member
08TxRunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 500
08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough
Curious about where you guys are shopping for setups that include everything - light bar, mounts, wiring, interior switch. I see several places with individual components but not a "kit" that's ready to go.
08TxRunner is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-10-2021, 05:54 PM #19
mbm112 mbm112 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 296
mbm112 has a spectacular aura about mbm112 has a spectacular aura about mbm112 has a spectacular aura about
mbm112 mbm112 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 296
mbm112 has a spectacular aura about mbm112 has a spectacular aura about mbm112 has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by 08TxRunner View Post
Curious about where you guys are shopping for setups that include everything - light bar, mounts, wiring, interior switch. I see several places with individual components but not a "kit" that's ready to go.
Most of the light bars should come with wiring. Baja Design, Diode Dynamics, Cali Raised LED, etc all have complete kits with wiring, switch, and mounts. You should search by vehicle on their sites.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
__________________
2016 Limited 4WD Blizzard Pearl | Black
TRD Pro Sema | Toyo AT3 LT285/70/R17 C
Dobinsons IMS 302/700 and 505/705 | SPC UCAs | Durobumps
Victory4x4 Rack, BajaRack Ladder, Full RCI Skids & Sliders
CaliRaisedLED Ditch Lights & Light Bar
mbm112 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-10-2021, 06:36 PM #20
rageandlove's Avatar
rageandlove rageandlove is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 736
rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all
rageandlove rageandlove is offline
Member
rageandlove's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 736
rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all
Quote:
Originally Posted by 08TxRunner View Post
Curious about where you guys are shopping for setups that include everything - light bar, mounts, wiring, interior switch. I see several places with individual components but not a "kit" that's ready to go.
I bought the mount from SDHQ and the light from BD. That's all that was required for the "in the grill" setup. Easy install.
rageandlove is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-10-2021, 06:51 PM #21
08TxRunner's Avatar
08TxRunner 08TxRunner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 500
08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough
08TxRunner 08TxRunner is offline
Member
08TxRunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 500
08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough
Much appreciated guys. Rage, I assume you also needed a wiring harness, relay, and interior switch? Edit - never mind, found them. Thanks again.

Last edited by 08TxRunner; 08-10-2021 at 07:11 PM.
08TxRunner is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-10-2021, 07:10 PM #22
rageandlove's Avatar
rageandlove rageandlove is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 736
rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all
rageandlove rageandlove is offline
Member
rageandlove's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 736
rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all rageandlove is a name known to all
Quote:
Originally Posted by 08TxRunner View Post
Much appreciated guys. Rage, I assume you also needed a wiring harness, relay, and interior switch?
Good question. Baja Designs sells extensions for their lights (in this case it was a two-plug with a third wire for some optional backlighting) that was plug-and-play, waterproof, etc., so I just had them throw one of them in.

I already had a Switch Pros mounted in the engine compartment, so I just wired it to that.

Else yes you would want a switch (these ones fit perfectly in the blank spots in your dash) and a relay.

@Saker documented his here including a relay harness he used for a clean install. He's also a super helpful person who will answer questions here when he is around.

PS I did NOT hook mine up to turn on with high beams. The Switch Pros allows it, but I prefer a separate button. There are a lot of times I want to use high beams but light bar would be overkill so I like them separate. To each their own.

PSS The backlighting is kinda pointless, but I like it. I have it wired so that it comes on whenever the engine is on.


Last edited by rageandlove; 08-10-2021 at 07:49 PM.
rageandlove is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-10-2021, 07:54 PM #23
trey99ek trey99ek is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Central PA
Posts: 575
trey99ek will become famous soon enough
trey99ek trey99ek is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Central PA
Posts: 575
trey99ek will become famous soon enough
I like my extreme led single row. Very bright she was only a few hundred dollars of I recall.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk
__________________
2008 Sport Edition - GONE

2020 TRD ORP
trey99ek is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-10-2021, 09:13 PM #24
17KT4R 17KT4R is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Toronto
Posts: 275
17KT4R will become famous soon enough
17KT4R 17KT4R is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Toronto
Posts: 275
17KT4R will become famous soon enough
I agree with the camp that you get what you pay for, and I don't really think that I paid too much for the Diode Dynamics product, Stage Series upper mounted units I just put in, even with the Canuck Buck exchange, still worth it to me for quality designed brackets and lighting modules that are impressively constructed and wired in a very tight package, super easy to install as well with a made for my vehicle application so to speak. In the end I was also looking to ensure that the color temp matches & I think the DD fits the bill in that respect with the rest of the front end. Just some extra spot lighting was all I was looking for out front on the cottage roads, don't need a full lower light bar so these really work for me and not that I've needed their warranty with other products I've bought but its there in that respect too. Literally just put them in on the weekend - find they project a fair distance forward (spot lens), there's no way you could drive with them on like normal fog lamps I think without seriously pi$$ing people off from road glare.
Attached Images
How to choose light bar?-d1-jpg  How to choose light bar?-d2-jpg  How to choose light bar?-d4-jpg  How to choose light bar?-d3-jpg 
__________________
2017 TRD OR / KDSS / Canuckistan Edition

Last edited by 17KT4R; 08-10-2021 at 09:20 PM.
17KT4R is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-11-2021, 11:48 AM #25
97BlackAckCL's Avatar
97BlackAckCL 97BlackAckCL is offline
Elite Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 5,686
Real Name: Chris
97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future
97BlackAckCL 97BlackAckCL is offline
Elite Member
97BlackAckCL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 5,686
Real Name: Chris
97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future 97BlackAckCL has a brilliant future
Quote:
Originally Posted by 08TxRunner View Post
Curious about where you guys are shopping for setups that include everything - light bar, mounts, wiring, interior switch. I see several places with individual components but not a "kit" that's ready to go.
Caliraisedled.com has everything
__________________
2017 Nautical Blue SR5 Premium - Black Emblems, AFE 76mm TB, AFE Momentum GT Intake, URD MAF Calibrator, Borla Touring Cat-Back Exhaust, VR ECU Tune, RCI Skid Plate, Morimoto MLED 2.0 Headlight Retrofit, Morimoto LED Fogs, Eagle Eye Smoked Black Tail Lights, FyreFlys LED Interior, Meso Puddle Lights, Tinted Mirror Turn Signals, Smoked Amber Raptor Lights, Odyssey 34 Battery, 32" LED Bar with Rago Hidden Brackets, Rago Molle Panels, Side Shooter LED Ditch Lights, sPod w/ PowerTray, Raceline Matte Bronze Wheels w/ Cooper Discoverer RTX, CaliRaised Rock Sliders, BajaRack Full Length Roof Rack, Kenwood DMX1057XR, Infinity Kappa Door Speakers and 3.5's in dash, JL 8w3v3 in JBL Enclosure, Husky Weather Beaters, Blackvue DR900S Dash Cams
97BlackAckCL is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-11-2021, 12:00 PM #26
Too Stroked's Avatar
Too Stroked Too Stroked is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 488
Too Stroked is a jewel in the rough Too Stroked is a jewel in the rough Too Stroked is a jewel in the rough
Too Stroked Too Stroked is offline
Member
Too Stroked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 488
Too Stroked is a jewel in the rough Too Stroked is a jewel in the rough Too Stroked is a jewel in the rough
Quote:
Originally Posted by 97BlackAckCL View Post
Caliraisedled.com has everything
I started with a 32" CaliRaised dual row light bar. I replaced it with a 30" single row Diode Dynamics bar that absolutely blows it away. Both were all driving / spot pattern bars. Again, you get what you pay for.
Too Stroked is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 10-28-2021, 03:30 PM #27
Jrunr Jrunr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Cville
Posts: 299
Jrunr will become famous soon enough
Jrunr Jrunr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Cville
Posts: 299
Jrunr will become famous soon enough
It looks like the two options for the upper grille are the Diode Dynamics SS6 or the Baja Designs S8. They are two vastly different light bars yet I can’t seem to decide between the two as an auxiliary driving lights!!

Has anyone been able to compare the two in that capacity?
__________________
2021 TRD Pro, MGM
Jrunr is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 10-28-2021, 07:38 PM #28
????? ????? is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: WA
Posts: 108
????? will become famous soon enough
????? ????? is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: WA
Posts: 108
????? will become famous soon enough
Before purchasing I HIGHLY suggest learning the difference between LUMENS and CANDELA/LUX.

To keep it short it's essentially crank horsepower vs wheel horsepower

Just because one option has more lumens doesn't mean it automatically translates to light output to the road.

Diode Dynamics 42" White and Amber Light Bar Review on 4Runner

For this reason I chose the Diode Dynamics 42 inch light bar

Last edited by ?????; 10-28-2021 at 07:42 PM.
????? is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 10-29-2021, 12:20 AM #29
mrblah's Avatar
mrblah mrblah is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: san diego
Posts: 3,193
mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute
mrblah mrblah is offline
Senior Member
mrblah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: san diego
Posts: 3,193
mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute mrblah has a reputation beyond repute
Don't go dirt cheap, but don't go uber expensive.

I stick to the 150 to 200 dollar range and those light bars have served me well.

I don't mob in the desert at night, so I don't need anything with massive amounts of throw or a pencil beam, spotlight.

Typically, i need lights because my dumbass didn't bother to find camp until it was dark, so i actually need a lot of flood lights (not spotlights) so I can find camp, and avoid holes that will swallow my ride, so i'm driving slow.

The thing with cheap lights is they don't throw very far and the light they produce is very scattered (like a flood light), which is perfect for most of us.

I do tend to change out my ditch lights pretty often, because as technology advances, they get cheaper and cheaper.

I have never changed out my light bars. I've been rocking the same ones for last 5 years. Although I have been eyeing KC Hilites lately.

If you are going to run a ton of lights, you need to invest in a way to manage your wires and power (spod, trigger, etc). This is where you should spend your money.

42 inch mc-tuning, dual row LED light bar (covered up on the roof).
3 inch Lasfit pods (previously had aux-beam and diode dynamics)
21 inch mc-tuning single row LED light bar ( upper grill area)
30 inch auxbeam single row LED light bar (SSO bumper)
Attached Images
How to choose light bar?-lights-jpg 
__________________
2016 trail 4runner, twin locked on 34's.
Can read more of my build here (2 parts):
https://www.lasfit.com/blogs/news/ho...ad-build-part1

Last edited by mrblah; 10-29-2021 at 02:42 AM.
mrblah is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-23-2022, 02:07 PM #30
Jrunr Jrunr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Cville
Posts: 299
Jrunr will become famous soon enough
Jrunr Jrunr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Cville
Posts: 299
Jrunr will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblah View Post
Don't go dirt cheap, but don't go uber expensive.

I stick to the 150 to 200 dollar range and those light bars have served me well.

I don't mob in the desert at night, so I don't need anything with massive amounts of throw or a pencil beam, spotlight.

Typically, i need lights because my dumbass didn't bother to find camp until it was dark, so i actually need a lot of flood lights (not spotlights) so I can find camp, and avoid holes that will swallow my ride, so i'm driving slow.

The thing with cheap lights is they don't throw very far and the light they produce is very scattered (like a flood light), which is perfect for most of us.

I do tend to change out my ditch lights pretty often, because as technology advances, they get cheaper and cheaper.

I have never changed out my light bars. I've been rocking the same ones for last 5 years. Although I have been eyeing KC Hilites lately.

If you are going to run a ton of lights, you need to invest in a way to manage your wires and power (spod, trigger, etc). This is where you should spend your money.

42 inch mc-tuning, dual row LED light bar (covered up on the roof).
3 inch Lasfit pods (previously had aux-beam and diode dynamics)
21 inch mc-tuning single row LED light bar ( upper grill area)
30 inch auxbeam single row LED light bar (SSO bumper)
Bringing this one back from the dead…

How are your light bars and pods holding up? Is there anything you would do differently?

Lastly, why did you change out the Diode Dynamics pods for the Lasfit?

Thanks in advance! 👍
__________________
2021 TRD Pro, MGM
Jrunr is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
bar , long , marketing , quality , system

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to Choose an LED Light Bar or Pod Mounting Location ExtremeLED Extreme LED 0 07-01-2019 06:00 PM
How to Choose the Right LED Light ExtremeLED Extreme LED 0 06-28-2019 01:05 PM
Help Me Choose an LED Aux / Driving / Off-Road Light - KC vs. Westin JohnOfTheJungle 3rd gen T4Rs 2 04-15-2018 02:24 PM
Help me choose bobthebuilder Classic T4Rs 8 06-10-2013 01:35 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:44 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020