20" Light Bar in stock Grille

[deekoi]

After seeing the Tacoma light bar from the hood scoop, then seeing everyone with tons of light setups, I was jealous and wanted more light power. So I threw one of these into the lower grille! 20” rigid industries spot/flood light! As many have said, these lights are very bright and powerful. Very good quality product. Pictures don’t do the lights justice until you see them in person. BRIGHT!

Popped off the grille with flat head screwdriver & towel
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IaJXL5m8QSp2Ez_wNPw4uNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tA5Eh2x3dwM/T9hSC0pwzqI/AAAAAAAABLU/N_J6jEZrkvc/s640/IMAG1650.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vtpVSY-j1FV0TGnnKCVyS9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c2IBR6kjyis/T9hSGyKOJ1I/AAAAAAAABLc/snHN9M3dAIU/s640/IMAG1667.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PpQLfcxEAfr2NEeoyteqptMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5gqg5H5FMjk/T9hSIApWH9I/AAAAAAAABLk/0ueBEHRJmtc/s640/IMAG1668.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xMk4TofQ91UNgjr8XA51EdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kI4NgYYAfps/T9hSLuyCxJI/AAAAAAAABLs/F2_HsHsZzPA/s640/IMAG1673.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a>
A couple of L brackets (had to cut one side down to fit)
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/P_yKz_luCJh6wYJ2jBxXq9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8IhcFCjZTew/T9Wc8sI6ZuI/AAAAAAAABK4/j-h3Kzx8eXs/s640/IMG_3023.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
Bolt goes up thru the plate. When I made the pilot holes, had to make them wide enough for the bolt to sit into the plate so the plate could sit close to flush with the aluminum bumper still. Should be drilled down to close to flush with the tape level. This is where the 1/8th thickness helped. I wouldn’t used anything less than this, a thicker cut would be more safe. Sorry, forgot to take pictures of this. Used washers to adjust height to fit into the grille
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D9UqlvRTUG1ZfPAW2GUmctMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7HvJizjw3pk/T9Wc-Ds8irI/AAAAAAAABLA/u-Y3F7bZEpc/s640/IMG_3028.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
I used 2 steal mounting plates. 12”x2”x1/8” (or you can use 1 24-25”) & double layer (side by side) of 3M taped the bottom of the plates. But removing the tape to mount, I tested the fit and light aim. Aim wasn’t hard since these lights blast all over the place.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mewn8BX2N_4EKuWUTVAoi9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H4MYRQ0XNSM/T9WdJJ_am1I/AAAAAAAABLI/tHME0jdnUiY/s640/IMG_3030.JPG" height="640" width="427" /></a>

Even before I taped it down, the grille held the light fairly well. With the 3M tape, solid. No budge at all. Feels very secure.


Final product! & all nice and clean!
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bbCWP54tPZUhz5RAPoe4ztMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4eadJ3-psFA/T9hSi6u5WHI/AAAAAAAABMA/TOvKeFEm7Vc/s640/IMG_3043.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zKwHlChW-xXCtPD3pZrHYNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w6_lknwKLV4/T9hSk3A4vKI/AAAAAAAABMI/sEhukDJFD4M/s640/IMG_3048.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r1SoCm5puol49oZcCIb0DNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kubu2Ep9PbQ/T9hSoLpfbpI/AAAAAAAABMQ/dYm2pjVWHXQ/s640/IMG_3057.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Very nice. Can't wait to get a bar, most likely VisonX 21" Xmitter Prime (5 watt LEDs) on my bumper. Can you try and get some output shots?

 

[SigSense]

Can you still make adjustments to the alignment? Did you consider mounting it behind the grill?

 

[limamike]

Installing mine today! I installed my 6" Rigids up top last night, and holy sh!t are they bright. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[mace.]

I have my light bar in the same location, except mine sits further back and I left the grill intact for now. Doesn't seem to obstruct the light too much. It's not bad considering it was a cheapo from ebay.

 

[deekoi]

Very nice. Can't wait to get a bar, most likely VisonX 21" Xmitter Prime (5 watt LEDs) on my bumper. Can you try and get some output shots?

I took some with my phone but they didn't come out well. I'll take some more tonight. But they are very BRIGHT!

Can you still make adjustments to the alignment? Did you consider mounting it behind the grill?

I considered it but since these lights are spot & flood, the flood got blocked by the bumper too much, IMO.

I also looked up how much a replacement grille cost, $50. So I thought this would be way better.

 

[Keemonrunnin]

Very nice deekoi. May consider doing the same, not sure yet. Still trying figure out what I want to with that space.

 

[deekoi]

Installing mine today! I installed my 6" Rigids up top last night, and holy sh!t are they bright. Thanks for the inspiration!

Can't wait to see it! arty:

 

[limamike]

Can't wait to see it! arty:

I just pulled-out the front grille, and did a test with it behind the grille. I think I like it that way, but I bought all of the hardware you recommended to me in PM, so now I'm conflicted!

I think I'm going to run it mounted behind the grille for a bit and see how I like it. Should have pics up this evening.

 

[JayBe]

Wow that set up looks great! Can we get a night shot possibly?

 

[Btm02144]

how difficult is wiring and installing the switch?

 

[limamike]

how difficult is wiring and installing the switch?

How good are you at wiring things? If you know how to route wires through a firewall, and plug a female spade connector onto a male spade connector you'll have no problem wiring them. It's literally plug and play.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

how difficult is wiring and installing the switch?

Run the negative to a ground. Run the positive to either a switched or constant 12V source, run the harness to the cab through the firewall. Pretty straight forward.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I demand output shots!

 

[deekoi]

I demand output shots!

Can't just take my word for it?! BRIGHT! haha

I'll take some pictures tonight

how difficult is wiring and installing the switch?

Rigid had everything all set, relay, fuse, & switch all done. IMO, very easy to connect everything. I have mine always hot.

Routing to the cabin was easy too, get a separate wire, tie one end to a screwdriver, tie the other side to the wires and tape it up, then slowly worm your way in with the screwdriver. You'll realize it's very easy when you do it.

As limamike said, plug and play.

 

[deekoi]

If you didn't see it already,

limamike posted pictures of how much light output these things do! Probably won't be much difference in grille or behind, especially via camera shots.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/117658-rigid-leds.html#post1093502

Couldn't sleep so I went out to take some anyway:
HID projectors only
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T1q-VTJ5mUfpXEVypZB7FdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7DdfZulQVf0/T9rYVPGGhFI/AAAAAAAABNA/xfK5VLsa0Xw/s640/IMG_3072.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>

HID + High beam (bi-xenon & Sylvnia ultras)
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uZnGEsmm1n5CeSUr3AHK_NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8_tK0YdZQok/T9rYTabvT3I/AAAAAAAABM4/cm8_awYpxK8/s640/IMG_3074.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>

HID + High beam (bi-xenon & Sylvnia ultras) + 20" LED light bar
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r1q8wq94O0b3MYmRVkgvttMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OdRMoBmOh9s/T9rYRkyZyzI/AAAAAAAABMw/IjrqiucVtjA/s640/IMG_3075.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>

20" LED light bar only
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VRywspLK_j-11Rm_Jeplb9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o1Mm9FvtkHw/T9rYPWqn_9I/AAAAAAAABMo/7EOgeO86Nuk/s640/IMG_3076.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>

HID + 20" LED light bar
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K9eVDXWk57U7rIl7qWQMFNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oyWsMOnfzYU/T9rYW91mRHI/AAAAAAAABNI/gh9LszieaLU/s640/IMG_3071.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a>

 

[deekoi]

I ordered one of these to avoid the license plate blocking the light
Works great. Reviews say, to add extra strength add washers
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00032K4VA/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

 

[limamike]

I ordered one of these to avoid the license plate blocking the light
Works great. Reviews say, to add extra strength add washers
Amazon.com: Cruiser Accessories 79150 Mounting Plate, Black: Automotive

I installed that exact license plate mount and it works just fine. Looks like sh*t from a profile view, but looks alright head-on.

// Also, an update from my other thread:

Here's a video I put together. The camera I used is great for day stuff, but not so much night stuff. It's highly underexposed, and doesn't capture the distance/throw of the lights very well at all. But, given that the stock headlights are underexposed as well you can still see the extreme difference.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/44220967?color=ffffff" width="650" height="366" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/44220967">Rigid LEDs - Night Run</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user8171364">D F</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

 

[claytorr]

why did you mount to the separate plate

I just got my 22" light bar and am now getting ready to mount. Just picked up the light can't wait to get home and play tonight.
[MENTION=58658]deekoi[/MENTION] Why you add the mounting plates?

 

[deekoi]

You don't need them but I'm new at all this so I wanted a bit more flexibility and didn't want to tap into the bumper. Because of that I used the plates and 3m tape to give me more surface area for bonding. The grille holds it in place too. With this, it's solid and has no wiggle room for movement but lots of latitude for positioning and all that. Many people drilled and had no problems.

exciting! have fun!