LED light bar install questions

[Alex 4thrunner]

Hey guys,
I'm about to install my light bar and I had a few questions. First off, how do get the headliner down enough just to screw two nuts to secure the bracket? Every where I looked started the removal in the trunk space. Also, is it possible to wire it to the fuse box on the drivers side? I was also thinking about mounting it to the rails on the roof rack and using longer bolts. Either way, I have to take the headliner down to run the wires. Finally, how did you guys ,that have light bars, run the wires through the fire wall. Any input/suggestions or instructions would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you!!

 

[mr. projekt]

following

 

[4thgenblake]

Ugh just ordered my light bar today! I have the same questions man, but do know that you want to wire it to the fuse box versus the battery as it could drain life (hardly) but short and burn out the wires I've read. Plus your switch should light up once the key is turned, which we all want that I assume. I do, but once it arrives on Tuesday with my wiring kit - to youtube I shall go lmao

 

[kevinpt]

Ugh just ordered my light bar today! I have the same questions man, but do know that you want to wire it to the fuse box versus the battery as it could drain life (hardly) but short and burn out the wires I've read. Plus your switch should light up once the key is turned, which we all want that I assume. I do, but once it arrives on Tuesday with my wiring kit - to youtube I shall go lmao

i have all my lights wired so i have to have my markers on for them to come on. that way im not going down the road with them on and not know it

 

[4thgenblake]

What did you buy might I ask

 

[Code2]

I wouldn't be wiring it to the fuse box. Use the harness and run it to the battery.

Going thru the firewall is like another car there is a GIANT rubber gasket there cut a x into it and run the wires.

Why would you have to run the wires thru the head liner if mounting it to the roof? Are you planing on drill a hole in the roof? most I have seen run the wires to where the cap is holding the roof rack grind is down a bit and then wire your power along the weather strip on the windshield and seal it with a black silicon back to the car on the roof rack allowing your connections to be made there and protected.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/139354-stealth-led-light-bar-install.html

and hear
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/166218-sport-roof-rack-stealth-led-light-bar-install.html

And hear see post 61 you can't miss it
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/139354-stealth-led-light-bar-install-5.html#post1501744

 

[duffdog]

I wouldn't be wiring it to the fuse box. Use the harness and run it to the battery.

Going thru the firewall is like another car there is a GIANT rubber gasket there cut a x into it and run the wires.

Why would you have to run the wires thru the head liner if mounting it to the roof? Are you planing on drill a hole in the roof? most I have seen run the wires to where the cap is holding the roof rack grind is down a bit and then wire your power along the weather strip on the windshield and seal it with a black silicon back to the car on the roof rack allowing your connections to be made there and protected.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/139354-stealth-led-light-bar-install.html

and hear
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/166218-sport-roof-rack-stealth-led-light-bar-install.html

And hear see post 61 you can't miss it
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/139354-stealth-led-light-bar-install-5.html#post1501744

No offense, but running any wires on the outside of the windshield is super janky. When installing any exterior lighting, you are supposed to drill a hole in the roof, paint over the exposed metal on the drill hole and use a water tight fitting that clamps on both the inside and the outside and has the wire running through it. It is also possible to use black exterior caulking like windshield adhesive. But simply stuffing some wires on the outside of a car under some trim pieces is not a permanent solution. You are just asking for an electrical fire.

The proper way is to use one of these:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...gtZfsJn_ypfx3PvivBTA8n-VPu1DuMxlP4aAgMh8P8HAQ

So that the light can be unplugged and removed if needed.

 

[Code2]

No offense, but running any wires on the outside of the windshield is super janky. When installing any exterior lighting, you are supposed to drill a hole in the roof, paint over the exposed metal on the drill hole and use a water tight fitting that clamps on both the inside and the outside and has the wire running through it. It is also possible to use black exterior caulking like windshield adhesive. But simply stuffing some wires on the outside of a car under some trim pieces is not a permanent solution. You are just asking for an electrical fire.

The proper way is to use one of these:

Perko Watertight Deck Connections

So that the light can be unplugged and removed if needed.

First lets step back a second. Wiring on the outside of a car isn't asking for a electrical fire when using common sense and the proper protection not to mention when is the last time a window or rubber actually cause a electrical fire neither are conductive? Lets not forget the proper fail safe of a inline fuse which it should have thus preventing any kind of fire.
There are wires exposed under cars etc and do just fine.

Linking the above post is to give the OP an option or route and giving him or her the benefit of doubt he or she has the common sense to protect it correctly.

Second you recommend the proper way so what is the proper way just because you linked an article saying someone did it different? I would have said its the preferred way not a right way. Its not a police car, fire truck or anything else where it wouldn't matter that is has plug capping off holes from lights, but its a 4runner and most likely will be traded in as frequently as most do with their phones.

Now lets move on the point three the majority of people are not going to devalue their car by drilling holes into the actual body of the car for a light bar nor would they feel comfortable doing it. Unless you plan of keeping the truck till it dies which you know most don't or having a open loan on a vehicle people are not going to be willing again to do it a preferred method.

BTW no offense

 

[kevinpt]

What did you buy might I ask

running hella 500ff driving lights and auxbeam 3" lights on the a pillar

 

[Code2]

running hella 500ff driving lights and auxbeam 3" lights on the a pillar

What pillar mounts are using by chance

 

[Bstrom]

I'm taking a chance on a well received but dirt cheap 20" eBay lightbar I'll mount behind my yet-to-come Satoshi grill mod. Just meant for area lighting while parked/camped, etc.

Mounting high has its issues, not to mention mounting, but I like the brackets Code2 used for his mirror mount lights. Where did you get them please?

 

[kevinpt]

What pillar mounts are using by chance

I'm taking a chance on a well received but dirt cheap 20" eBay lightbar I'll mount behind my yet-to-come Satoshi grill mod. Just meant for area lighting while parked/camped, etc.

Mounting high has its issues, not to mention mounting, but I like the brackets Code2 used for his mirror mount lights. Where did you get them please?

the mounts are by [MENTION=64712]CBI OffRoad Fab[/MENTION]

4th Gen Toyota 4runner Products

 

[duffdog]

First lets step back a second. Wiring on the outside of a car isn't asking for a electrical fire when using common sense and the proper protection not to mention when is the last time a window or rubber actually cause a electrical fire neither are conductive? Lets not forget the proper fail safe of a inline fuse which it should have thus preventing any kind of fire.
There are wires exposed under cars etc and do just fine.

Linking the above post is to give the OP an option or route and giving him or her the benefit of doubt he or she has the common sense to protect it correctly.

Second you recommend the proper way so what is the proper way just because you linked an article saying someone did it different? I would have said its the preferred way not a right way. Its not a police car, fire truck or anything else where it wouldn't matter that is has plug capping off holes from lights, but its a 4runner and most likely will be traded in as frequently as most do with their phones.

Now lets move on the point three the majority of people are not going to devalue their car by drilling holes into the actual body of the car for a light bar nor would they feel comfortable doing it. Unless you plan of keeping the truck till it dies which you know most don't or having a open loan on a vehicle people are not going to be willing again to do it a preferred method.

BTW no offense

I did auto electrical professionally for 10 years, so naturally I have to disagree with everything you wrote and write it off as dangerous amateur wiring. There are NOT exposed wires under any car, they are either placed into split loom, then taped, or they are encased in hard urethane casing that prevents abrasion. You do not have any exposed high current wires under your car. I don't expect you to agree, but it is very obvious that you are not a professional and don't have any experience in why you should not do this. I take it you have never seen an auto electrical fire from someone wiring accessories on the outside of the car and then getting into an accident? The sheet metal cuts the wires in an accident, and your "inline fuse" only helps if it is within 12" of the battery AND does not get caught in sheetmetal during said accident, causing a short, then a fire, then a bunch of posts on the internet about how you burned your truck to the ground and it's definitely not your fault.

FYI-- a seasoned mechanic or installer will know that you stuffed a bunch of wires where you should not have and devalue the car anyways. It is not possible to "hide" modifications from someone who knows what to look for.

 

[Code2]

I did auto electrical professionally for 10 years, so naturally I have to disagree with everything you wrote and write it off as dangerous amateur wiring. There are NOT exposed wires under any car, they are either placed into split loom, then taped, or they are encased in hard urethane casing that prevents abrasion. You do not have any exposed high current wires under your car. I don't expect you to agree, but it is very obvious that you are not a professional and don't have any experience in why you should not do this. I take it you have never seen an auto electrical fire from someone wiring accessories on the outside of the car and then getting into an accident? The sheet metal cuts the wires in an accident, and your "inline fuse" only helps if it is within 12" of the battery AND does not get caught in sheetmetal during said accident, causing a short, then a fire, then a bunch of posts on the internet about how you burned your truck to the ground and it's definitely not your fault.

FYI-- a seasoned mechanic or installer will know that you stuffed a bunch of wires where you should not have and devalue the car anyways. It is not possible to "hide" modifications from someone who knows what to look for.

A seasoned mechanic would know that the post wasn't even me who did it so your preaching to the wrong person and a seasoned pro such as your self would have read where it specially stated done with the right protection. I'm sorry 10 years doing electrical does not make you a pro look at nasa hundreds of years in the business and they still blow shuttles up.

And as a seasoned fire fighter of 22 years again rubber and tempered glass do not cause electrical fires.

I say lets :cheers: and call it a fun debate cause no matter what you and me will not agree and I'd rather not trash the thread eace:

 

[4thgenblake]

Read this through, and have thought about both of [MENTION=70867]Code2[/MENTION] and [MENTION=122163]duffdog[/MENTION] ideas. Personally, I'm leaning more towards drilling, that way my wires are easily concealed, I'll use the proper plug and hole filler and have it wired correctly. The 4r is currently under lease so I am taking a gamble but hey I'm gambling man. I plan to keep this thing till its payed off, so what the heck. But one question - with my wiring harness I want it to be wired to the fuse box? Why should I if I should, why should I not if I shouldn't.. mounting this soon

 

[iBison]

Thread-jack.... Where is the best place to mount a bar to minimize wind noise?

 

[kevinpt]

Thread-jack.... Where is the best place to mount a bar to minimize wind noise?

inside