LED Light Bars?

mwm695

mwm695

New member
I've been looking around the forum for people that have installed LED light bars, but it seems that most of them have been just above the windshield or in the front bumper. Does anyone know of anybody that has put them on the stock roof rack? I don't really want to drill any holes into the body itself, so if I could get away with just drilling into the roof rack that would be preferable. (See attached picture)

Also, are there any recommended brands/sizes LED Brands? I don't really want to spend a ton on it, maybe less than $200?

Thanks!
 

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mwm695 said:
I've been looking around the forum for people that have installed LED light bars, but it seems that most of them have been just above the windshield or in the front bumper. Does anyone know of anybody that has put them on the stock roof rack? I don't really want to drill any holes into the body itself, so if I could get away with just drilling into the roof rack that would be preferable. (See attached picture)

Also, are there any recommended brands/sizes LED Brands? I don't really want to spend a ton on it, maybe less than $200?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Check out my build thread, i just installed mine. its a 50" bar from amazon for about $180, its mounted with bracket but not how you would like it. above the windshield. but sorry i couldn't help much with mounting ideas.

its not as far as i had hoped but it spreads the light like soft butter on a warm blue berry bagel. yumm.
 
Mounting it that far back on the cab makes for too much of a cutoff due to shadow from the cab. Your not trying to just throw light out there, you want to light up your path, the light comes out like a cone or wedge and mounting it there would only allow light past the cab like _\ vs > if my text jiblits make sense. Your far view may be lit at cab height but your near path and future tracks will be shadowed. It may provide enough light for what you want to do but I would hardly call it optimal.
 
mwm695 said:
I've been looking around the forum for people that have installed LED light bars, but it seems that most of them have been just above the windshield or in the front bumper. Does anyone know of anybody that has put them on the stock roof rack? I don't really want to drill any holes into the body itself, so if I could get away with just drilling into the roof rack that would be preferable. (See attached picture)

Also, are there any recommended brands/sizes LED Brands? I don't really want to spend a ton on it, maybe less than $200?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

This is your best option if you don't want to drill into the roof directly. These use self tapping screws into the gutter, so if you ever decide to remove the light bar there will be no visible holes or anything. And your bar will be closer to the front of your vehicle allowing for more light to reach your immediate path and look better IMO. Downpour's got what you need. :tongue1:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/164987-rooftop-light-bar-mounts.html
 
Thanks Guys!

shootmymime said:
Check out my build thread, i just installed mine. its a 50" bar from amazon for about $180, its mounted with bracket but not how you would like it. above the windshield. but sorry i couldn't help much with mounting ideas.

its not as far as i had hoped but it spreads the light like soft butter on a warm blue berry bagel. yumm.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input anyway! Your thread was quite interesting to read, you put a lot of work into your 4Runner!


zonedriven said:
I did a custom bracket and mounted my 20" behind the grill. Plenty of light.
Click to expand...

Do you have any pictures? I wanted to do the same thing, but i thought the roof mounted one would look cooler. :guitar3:

Troybylt said:
Mounting it that far back on the cab makes for too much of a cutoff due to shadow from the cab. Your not trying to just throw light out there, you want to light up your path, the light comes out like a cone or wedge and mounting it there would only allow light past the cab like _\ vs > if my text jiblits make sense. Your far view may be lit at cab height but your near path and future tracks will be shadowed. It may provide enough light for what you want to do but I would hardly call it optimal.
Click to expand...

The main thing is that I don't want to drill any holes directly into the body. That far back should still light up farther down the road, rather than directly in front of the truck and farther down. [MENTION=90528]BannerBuilt[/MENTION] did something similar to his 4th Gen, here's the thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/139354-stealth-led-light-bar-install.html

JeepKiller said:
This is your best option if you don't want to drill into the roof directly. These use self tapping screws into the gutter, so if you ever decide to remove the light bar there will be no visible holes or anything. And your bar will be closer to the front of your vehicle allowing for more light to reach your immediate path and look better IMO. Downpour's got what you need. :tongue1:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/164987-rooftop-light-bar-mounts.html
Click to expand...

I would actually like to mount it using brackets, but those brackets are a bit steep (poor college kid here), so roof rack it is haha. :violin: It's a never ending struggle of "I would but...Wells Fargo and Penn State says no."
 
mwm695 said:
I would actually like to mount it using brackets, but those brackets are a bit steep (poor college kid here), so roof rack it is haha. :violin: It's a never ending struggle of "I would but...Wells Fargo and Penn State says no."
Click to expand...

We will be running a sale pretty soon for holidays that should get the price down. I'll post the sale in a couple weeks.
 
lol super cheapo mainboards and very low quality parts.

I had one, here is what happens:

Condensation behind the lens, then burn marks on the reflectors, then bulbs start burning out.

But hey people still buy them, but you pay for what you get.
 
Just got another light bar off ebay. Got one off ebay like that before and it seems to be holding up pretty good after two years. I cut a little slit through the rear hatch wire boot on the driver side so I wouldn't have to drill any holes. Will mount light up on my basket this weekend.
 
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zonedriven said:
Let me see what I can find or I will go snap a pic! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...828696.-2207520000.1414465937.&type=3&theater
photo.php


So what this pic shows is you can't see it. I think thats the way to go. Just mount a flat bar off the center support in front of the radiator and mount the light to it. Pretty easy!!!
Feel free to email me as I don't get on here every day and I can get you some more detailed pics and answer any questions. [email protected] I'll be happy to help.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, the Facebook link didn't work (why would it be so easy? lol)
 
GO CHEAP! I bought one off amazon for 50$ and it works great! We have had 3 heavy storms since i got it and not an ounce of condensation behind it. Its been through puddles mud literally best purchase and the light gives out plenty. Look on amazon at eyeyourlife and thy usually have a 2 year warranty on theirs and for 50$ with a 2 year warranty can't complain!
 
its is a [MENTION=77764]Whitson Metalworks[/MENTION] rack. he is on the forums here. Its just a ebay 30" combo bar with some amber covers on it.
 
zonedriven said:
Let me see what I can find or I will go snap a pic! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...828696.-2207520000.1414465937.&type=3&theater
photo.php


So what this pic shows is you can't see it. I think thats the way to go. Just mount a flat bar off the center support in front of the radiator and mount the light to it. Pretty easy!!!
Feel free to email me as I don't get on here every day and I can get you some more detailed pics and answer any questions. [email protected] I'll be happy to help.
Click to expand...

Hey, I was bored today (lull before finals) so I was thinking about the light bar again. :thumb3: What light bar did you purchase? And could you send the picture again? The original doesn't seem to be working anymore.

Thanks!
 
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