Light Bar Interest? Anyone want one?
- Thread starter MojaveMadMan
- Start date
MojaveMadMan
New member
Thanks everyone for the interest and input so far! I am actually sitting at the hospital with my wife waiting the our son to be born today, using a little down time before the chaos over the next couple days... Haha so please chime in your thoughts, and if I don't jump in over the next day or two, you know why haha.
So here are my ideas so far based on talking. I have a 2014 donor but will need a 2013 and older one to set that up as well. The concept will be the same for both, except I don't think a 30" will fit on the older grill, we will see though!
Looking at more pics it does look like the perfect spot that will work on all models (SR5/Traill/Limited) for the 2014 will be right below the Toyota emblem. I am entertaining two options. One that mounts in the spot but keeps the bar behind the grill. It will be more stealthy, but still allow the bar to work great as the grill material is very minimal. This will also keep people from having to cut their grill.
The other option would have fingers that come through the grill and allow the bar to mount in front (does that part of the grill come up when the hood is opened?). This lets it be outside, a little more off-road look and makes the bar in a great spot to get the most out of the light. Still planning.
The 2013 and older will have the same two options, just a little lower in the lower grill spot. I need to see one in person though, maybe I'll go parking lot hunting for one to look at when I get a break.
Please keep telling me your thoughts. Who wants stealth, who wants out, or do most people want to cut their grill for a flush mounted bar? Thanks for the help guys and gals!!!
Chris
So here are my ideas so far based on talking. I have a 2014 donor but will need a 2013 and older one to set that up as well. The concept will be the same for both, except I don't think a 30" will fit on the older grill, we will see though!
Looking at more pics it does look like the perfect spot that will work on all models (SR5/Traill/Limited) for the 2014 will be right below the Toyota emblem. I am entertaining two options. One that mounts in the spot but keeps the bar behind the grill. It will be more stealthy, but still allow the bar to work great as the grill material is very minimal. This will also keep people from having to cut their grill.
The other option would have fingers that come through the grill and allow the bar to mount in front (does that part of the grill come up when the hood is opened?). This lets it be outside, a little more off-road look and makes the bar in a great spot to get the most out of the light. Still planning.
The 2013 and older will have the same two options, just a little lower in the lower grill spot. I need to see one in person though, maybe I'll go parking lot hunting for one to look at when I get a break.
Please keep telling me your thoughts. Who wants stealth, who wants out, or do most people want to cut their grill for a flush mounted bar? Thanks for the help guys and gals!!!
Chris
DocAdams
New member
The grille is stationary, the only thing that pops up is the hood itself.
Swarty
New member
balistikboy
New member
I would prefer out with little to no cutting required.
2010 trail.
I would be interested in a bar with tube and tabs. The tube would be more versatile with whatever I want to mount. I have a Defiant bar right now, even though the mounting points are stout (I can sit on it) it's connected at two points and just vibrate too much on the road. I wouldn't mind doing some cutting if it means a solid mount.
I would be interested in a bar with tube and tabs. The tube would be more versatile with whatever I want to mount. I have a Defiant bar right now, even though the mounting points are stout (I can sit on it) it's connected at two points and just vibrate too much on the road. I wouldn't mind doing some cutting if it means a solid mount.
MojaveMadMan
New member
First of all thank you everyone for the great words about my son. Born yesterday 7lb 2oz healthy boy. Now I got two boys and a mom/wife that has realized she needs to embrace she has 3 men in her life now haha.
Thanks!! And thank you for the input on what option you like.
Great news, thank you!
So are you saying you want the light bar to sit behind the grill and shine through an aftermarket mesh grill? Or would you want to cut some notches out?
My goal is to offer two that require no cutting. I am not a full up aftermarket parts store. But I know the majority of people, especially with newer rigs don't want to cut their stuff up. I am a huge fan of 100% bolt on stuff, even when I do custom work!
I may offer a couple rounds of ones with a piece of tubbing and tabs for round lights. Note that if I do sell these, they will not come powder coated because they tend to get scratched up in shipping, which makes everyone not so happy, haha.
Look above about the round tube option. Not I do mine with 3/16" laser cut plate vs the 1/8" that most places use. I also do gusseting to keep things nice and rigid. I know exactly what you are talking about with the vibration and I got a lot of good feedback on the Tacoma ones that they didn't move much at all.
Shoot me a PM if really interested. I didn't put the large one on here because I don't own a 5th gen to use as a template like I do the 4th gen. Plus they take a lot of time to make right and I don't always have the time to dedicate to a lot of large custom orders... If you are close to Albuquerque we can talk about a custom one...
Thanks!! And thank you for the input on what option you like.
Great news, thank you!
So are you saying you want the light bar to sit behind the grill and shine through an aftermarket mesh grill? Or would you want to cut some notches out?
My goal is to offer two that require no cutting. I am not a full up aftermarket parts store. But I know the majority of people, especially with newer rigs don't want to cut their stuff up. I am a huge fan of 100% bolt on stuff, even when I do custom work!
I may offer a couple rounds of ones with a piece of tubbing and tabs for round lights. Note that if I do sell these, they will not come powder coated because they tend to get scratched up in shipping, which makes everyone not so happy, haha.
Look above about the round tube option. Not I do mine with 3/16" laser cut plate vs the 1/8" that most places use. I also do gusseting to keep things nice and rigid. I know exactly what you are talking about with the vibration and I got a lot of good feedback on the Tacoma ones that they didn't move much at all.
Shoot me a PM if really interested. I didn't put the large one on here because I don't own a 5th gen to use as a template like I do the 4th gen. Plus they take a lot of time to make right and I don't always have the time to dedicate to a lot of large custom orders... If you are close to Albuquerque we can talk about a custom one...
MojaveMadMan
New member
Hey guys.
Posted this in the 4th Gen thread. I have one in my driveway so it goes a little faster. I have plans to meet up with a member 2nd week of Jan to get the 2014+ version sorted out. Still need a 2013 or older for templates. I looked at some pictures online, and the 4th Gen bumper mounts look very similar so they will be mounting like the 4th Gens. The only difference I see is the grill on the 5th Gen is up higher so there will be more rise for those mounts. But this gives you a good idea of what I will be offering. Please let me know if you have questions!
Posted this in the 4th Gen thread. I have one in my driveway so it goes a little faster. I have plans to meet up with a member 2nd week of Jan to get the 2014+ version sorted out. Still need a 2013 or older for templates. I looked at some pictures online, and the 4th Gen bumper mounts look very similar so they will be mounting like the 4th Gens. The only difference I see is the grill on the 5th Gen is up higher so there will be more rise for those mounts. But this gives you a good idea of what I will be offering. Please let me know if you have questions!
Managed to get some software on my wife's computer to do some drafting. Here are the FOUR options I drew up.
From top to bottom:
- Stealth, behind lower grill
- Flush, cut out lower grill
- Out front, 30" LED bar in front of bumper, no tube
- Tube, 30" wide tube for mounting round lights (up to four 7" lights)
30" LED Stealth and Flush mounts
Out front (hole in mount for LED bar to bolt) and Tube (no hole)
If you look at the pictures, the single drawing to the left of all the options is the mount plate. You can see the sideways "T" shape, and the triangle next to each option. That is a side gusset to keep vibrations from happening. Then on the tube option, there is also an additional gusset for the tube.
Hope you all like what I got so far. I will be printing templates this week and making sure they all fit. Then I will get quotes and finalize prices for all options. If you decide you want one, I will collect deposits, then get final payment when ready to ship. I will more than likely start a new thread in the "for sale" section when it comes time to offer them up.
Please let me know if you have questions, thanks all!!!!
Hadelson
New member
Very Interested! 14 TE
bittwiddler
New member
Yeah, I'm interested in a stealthy version for a 2012 if you can find a test vehicle. Sadly I'm a bit too far
MojaveMadMan
New member
Thanks for the good words!
Thanks for the congrats, we are very happy!
Thanks for speaking up! 14's will be set up 2nd week of Jan, still looking for a candidate for 13 and older. I am sure we will find one soon!
MojaveMadMan
New member
These are the bars I am modeling off of. Standard CREE 30" bar from Amazon. 30.7" wide at the mounting points. If anyone has a preferred source please let me know, I want to make sure they are designed to fit bars that most are using. The Rigid ones are different measurements, but I don't see as many people running them as the higher cost...
http://www.amazon.com/OPT7®-Off-Roa...d=1419824895&sr=8-2&keywords=30+led+light+bar
http://www.amazon.com/OPT7®-Off-Roa...d=1419824895&sr=8-2&keywords=30+led+light+bar
