Driving lights and mounting for '04?

[olliebear]

I am having a difficult time finding an appropriate set of driving lights and mounting location. From what I can see, the bumper is plastic and not suitable for mounting. THe shop I went to suggested that I usea chin bar or chin bull bar to mount the lights. That would be another three dead presidents on top of the cost for lights and installation. Any ideas?

 

[sharp4runr]

Check out this link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6027&highlight=floating

Momo did a great job mounting them. I'm not sure how feasible it is for a city Runner, but that's up to you....

 

[olliebear]

that looks sharp.

Just went over Momo's set up. That looks real good. He is right that being right up front would be a liability for a city runner...one little tap on the bumper and it's over. I have had Hellas on my 5.0 Mustang and my Chevy Tahoe and they are real handy in the back roads and the mountain roads. I was able to avoid three deer hits because I was able to see them right at the edge of the road and run across. I replaced the Hella 55w H3 bulbs with PIAA H3 110watt bulbs and it makes a real improvement.

Guess I'll keep on searching for the right mount.

 

[live4swell]

I just recently put rectangular driving lights behind the plastic grill on either side of the license plate. I mounted them to the steel beams that go across. Even though they are behind crosslaced plastic most of the light gets out but I like it because they are hidden and protected. I dont need them to be headlights but they do add enough extra light. I also did a grill insert with gutter protector which may block it more but it looks cool because it lights up the grill. Just an idea...

 

[live4swell]

BTW, i can add pics later on if you want to see what it looks like. I wont be able to snap some until later on though.

 

[Biff]

I mounted my lights just like this guys



http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2898&highlight=Hella+500

 

[Luxury]

BTW, i can add pics later on if you want to see what it looks like. I wont be able to snap some until later on though.

Yes please. Night ones would be cool too. I don't think I will go this route, but I'd be interested in seeing pics.

I mounted my lights just like this guys

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2898&highlight=Hella+500

I like that mounting location better than momo's for round lights (one a strictly looks basis). Just my opinion.

 

[olliebear]

I found some problems with that mount.

Saw nathnanookie's mount. It looks sharp. I'd considered that and found two reasons for not doing that.

1. That part of the top bumper is plastic. No steel behind it. It will vibrate or come loose with time or something will crack.

2. I have that style of mounting on my Tahoe. The Tahoe hood does not include the grill so the lights stayed mounted on the steel bumper. BUt everytime I took it in for an oil change the peoplke would always lean on the lights and tweak them out of alignment. Regadless of how many times I'd aksed nicely and bribed them with beer, someone would always push them out of alighment so it looked like Marty Feldman's eyes. :wtf: So with my new 4Runner, the hood and the grill are one piece, leaving the lights totally exposed for more bonehead tweaking. :gun:

Hey, live4swell, I thought about your technique, but would include cutting out the section of the plastic grill so the lights would have a clear front. That could be the trick, as long as air flow to the engine/coolers/radiators is not too restricted.

I'll find that perfect mounting... :bigok:

 

[Luxury]

Re: I found some problems with that mount.

....I'll find that perfect mounting... :bigok:

Have you seen the JAOS Light Bar? Have you considered mounting to a bull bar?

 

[olliebear]

I did search Jaos on the website and saw a nice thin bar that can mount lights. Looks like a very abbreviated prerunner style bar. I want to actually go to a store and check it out. I hate buying sight unseen.

So far, 900 miles in 1 1/2 weeks on the 4Runner. Not one problem with it. My Tahoe required going back to the dealer for about 4-5 bugs that requried me to have a rental the first week I got it. My Mustang went to the dealer time and again for one thing after another.

The 4.7 V8 is smooth as melted butter and the tranny is almost transparent. I think I got a keeper here.

 

[Biff]

Re: I found some problems with that mount.

I was hesistant as well on the mounting, but have not had a problem with mine for months. If an ARB bumper ever comes out I'll remount my 500's to the ARB, mean time I like them where they are.

Saw nathnanookie's mount. It looks sharp. I'd considered that and found two reasons for not doing that.

1. That part of the top bumper is plastic. No steel behind it. It will vibrate or come loose with time or something will crack.

2. I have that style of mounting on my Tahoe. The Tahoe hood does not include the grill so the lights stayed mounted on the steel bumper. BUt everytime I took it in for an oil change the peoplke would always lean on the lights and tweak them out of alignment. Regadless of how many times I'd aksed nicely and bribed them with beer, someone would always push them out of alighment so it looked like Marty Feldman's eyes. :wtf: So with my new 4Runner, the hood and the grill are one piece, leaving the lights totally exposed for more bonehead tweaking. :gun:

Hey, live4swell, I thought about your technique, but would include cutting out the section of the plastic grill so the lights would have a clear front. That could be the trick, as long as air flow to the engine/coolers/radiators is not too restricted.

I'll find that perfect mounting... :bigok:

 

[sharp4runr]

Re: I found some problems with that mount.

Regadless of how many times I'd aksed nicely and bribed them with beer, someone would always push them out of alighment so it looked like Marty Feldman's eyes. :wtf:

That's where you messed up. The guys got wasted and did the drunk lean on your lights..:cheers:

Think about getting a safari grill like Vortec had. The lights are mounted on there and are somewhat protected.

 

[live4swell]

Some quick pics after i got home from the beach...

and the Toyota switch i got from partznet...

 

[live4swell]

wow, sorry those are so HUGE..this is the first time i tried imageshack.us for picture hosting and its free, but the pics are a little big...sorry

 

[HuntRunner]

That switch looks good.....did it fit in that slot or did you have to trim?

 

[live4swell]

I just had to file away some plastic on the inside of the opening, not much though then it fit in snugly. It looks stock which is nice

 

[HuntRunner]

I am looking on the partznet web site.....where did you find that switch? I am having trouble locating it.

 

[live4swell]

The part # is 00550-35976. Here is a little write up i found too on 4x4wire

Switch

 

[Luxury]

Man, that makes your grill look really cool. I never even notice my grill since it is black on black, so that would set it off nicely. Still think I'll mount some to my T&H Bull, but I would do this if I didn't have it.