LED Light Bar Behind Grill? Ideas? Pics?

[gamefreakgc]

I searched around on this one but didn't find what I was looking for.

After a few harrowing experiences with my wife driving the 4Runner on the backroads and highways of California at night, we've both decided that we need better lighting. I've dropped in some brighter bulbs (at the expense of longevity) and plan on fixing some ground issues I have but that's not going to change a whole lot. What I'm wanting to do is mount a LED light bar behind the grill, preferably the top for more light while driving but bottom would work too. Looking for driving lights, not flood lights.

I want to keep it stock-looking with no permanent holes on the exterior (not mounting it on my bumper or roof rack).

My question for you all is what have you done that works well? Also, what size can you fit? Obviously 20" will fit fine, what about up to 30"? Any pictures or links would also be a great help!

Forgot one thing: what to do about the license plate in the lower grill if that's the better route? Smaller LED's on each side?

 

[Konkordmusk]

I've done this. I was able to fit everything together without cutting the grill. I did drill two holes in the bumper, but I used button bolts and they end up behind the grille, out of sight. More pics in my build thread, lemme go find them.

 

[Konkordmusk]

Mine is a 21.5" and it works well. Wired into my blue sea box and so on. If you asked nicely I might be convinced to show better pics of how I mounted it http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-progress-thread-pic-heavy-4.html#post1816632

 

[gamefreakgc]

That's exactly what I was thinking. What brand did you go with?

When you say button bolts behind the grill, do you mean the 1-2 inches of overlap the grill has on the bumper? I could live with that since there would be no visible holes or bolts.

 

[Konkordmusk]

That's exactly what I was thinking. What brand did you go with?

When you say button bolts behind the grill, do you mean the 1-2 inches of overlap the grill has on the bumper? I could live with that since there would be no visible holes or bolts.

It's a no name brand, from amazon somewhere I think.
That's correct. Ive been meaning to paint the tops black, but sincd i cant see them already i always forget. The setup has been with me through Lost Coast, Prairie City, Hollister Hills and has not let go or budged a bit.
My friend has my truck until 4, I'll get better pictures for you!

 

[gamefreakgc]

It's a no name brand, from amazon somewhere I think.
That's correct. Ive been meaning to paint the tops black, but sincd i cant see them already i always forget. The setup has been with me through Lost Coast, Prairie City, Hollister Hills and has not let go or budged a bit.
My friend has my truck until 4, I'll get better pictures for you!

Haha, glad to know I'm not the only one trying to fix up the 4Runner on a budget! I have a few Amazon ones too that I'm looking at as well. I need to look at the mounting brackets on those a bit harder to think about how to mount it.

I really like the idea of putting it behind the grill though since the no-name brands probably aren't as durable as a Rigid LED bar. Having out of the sun and rain would be a big plus for longevity.

 

[NW_ValleyT4R]

Light bar behind grill

Here’s what I did

 

[NW_ValleyT4R]

Can’t seem to upload pics

 

[Doc3g]

I'd be interested to see some designs as well. I'm considering doing the metal mesh thing that everyone does and was thinking it might be cool to actually cut a hole in the mesh and have the light bar sit flush.

Something like this (I apologize in advance for whoever truck this is that I butchered with my photoshop job, lol)

 

[gamefreakgc]

I'd be interested to see some designs as well. I'm considering doing the metal mesh thing that everyone does and was thinking it might be cool to actually cut a hole in the mesh and have the light bar sit flush.

Something like this (I apologize in advance for whoever truck this is that I butchered with my photoshop job, lol)

I missed your message somehow. I ended up cutting the lower plastic valance and putting it here. There's some predrilled holes on the bottom of the chrome bumper section I uses and only had to slightly re-drill holes on one side. It's been there for several years and is rock solid still.

If you go the cheap Amazon route, I recommend also drilling some vent holes on the top or back of the casing. I tried to seal it with silicone but water always got in and would fog up. As soon as I put vent holes it never fogged up again.

 

[Devbot]

I have a C3 bar from Raxiom and it might be along the lines you're looking for. About as bright as a normal headlight, but projects light a little wider/further than our halogens. Definitely not blinding by any means
Ironically just snagged a new bar because this one isnt bright enough for a flood light
Edit: Just noticed this is a 5 year old thread lmao whoopsie :boink:

 

[Endlessblockades]

I have a C3 bar from Raxiom and it might be along the lines you're looking for. About as bright as a normal headlight, but projects light a little wider/further than our halogens. Definitely not blinding by any means
Ironically just snagged a new bar because this one isnt bright enough for a flood light

No skid plate? What bumper (didn't see it in your Sig) ?

 

[Devbot]

No skid plate? What bumper (didn't see it in your Sig) ?

Definitely plan to get one eventually, skids are VERY worthwhile insurance, I was looking for an OEM '02 front skid for a while but they're very few and far in between now. Bumper is custom made, buddy of mine (an 02 Sport owner) welds up his own tube bumpers and sells them locally on the 4Runners of Washington FB page

 

[Doc3g]

I have a C3 bar from Raxiom and it might be along the lines you're looking for. About as bright as a normal headlight, but projects light a little wider/further than our halogens. Definitely not blinding by any means
Ironically just snagged a new bar because this one isnt bright enough for a flood light
Edit: Just noticed this is a 5 year old thread lmao whoopsie :boink:

Are those LED bolt lights in your filler panels? I just bought a bunch with plans to do that to my filler panel.

 

[Devbot]

Are those LED bolt lights in your filler panels? I just bought a bunch with plans to do that to my filler panel.

Indeed they are, but I just got them from SRQ cause my old panels were very chipped and weathered anyways