Light Bars

[Thorgan112]

Need advice! I am looking to get a big light bar to go on the top of my 4runner, to project forward in front of the vehicle for offroading purposes. And I also want to get one or two smaller ones that can supplement my existing headlights. My headlights are terrible and instead of redoing them and installing a whole HID kit, I wants to just add led lightbars instead, was think psossibly two of the 6 led square ones, or maybe one a little bit bigger.

Any advice one what brands are good? And what I should be looking for? Not too familiar with these lights and which brands a reputable.

Thanks!

 

[Ducmonsta]

I can understand the need for a light bar for off-roading purposes mounted on the top. However, mounting a set to supplement your headlights may be more difficult. I'm not aware of any DOT street legal led bars. You'll end up blinding on coming traffic. Technology is always advancing but I've haven't seen a led bar company release one yet that's intended to run on the road.

Quality companies are Rigid Industries, Baja Designs, and Vision X. Everything else is usually Chinese knock offs. For some, the Chinese bars are enough light if you can deal with the quality. It also helps that you'll spend 40-60% less for the same size light bar.

 

[snivilous]

I've run a variety of LED bars, though nothing smaller than 20". In my experience, if you just go on eBay and search the size you want like "6 inch LED bar" you will find cheap LED bars that hold up great and have good light output. There is no reason unless you have a race vehicle or gobs of cash to buy an LED bar over $300 (in my opinion).

With that said, they are mostly Chinese made running Cree/Epistar LEDs. I originally got a Tuff LED 20" bar off Amazon and the light output sucked and the paint faded really fast. My other bars (unnamed essentially running Cree/Epistars) have held up fine, being a combination of 30", 40", 50", using under mounted and side mounting rails with no issues in hot temperatures at Moab or below zero snow wheeling in CO and Northern Utah. The paint has held up fine, great light output, and all but the 50" for under $200.

I wouldn't underestimate HIDs though, I have read a few race truck/buggy guys who got rid of their other lights since the HIDs put out so much light. Also, LEDs don't have great penetration it seems (at least going 50-60mph I want something that punches through more). And on that note, I recommend going with a "spot" patten instead of a "flood" pattern if you can, since LEDs have so much stray light anyways the dedicated flood pattern isn't much better (flooding everything with light) than a spot pattern, and it doesn't penetrate as well. Food for thought, hope that helps.

Technology is always advancing but I've haven't seen a led bar company release one yet that's intended to run on the road.

As I understand it this bar is street legal, but only in Canada or something..... http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/auxiliary-light-bars/#product=500368

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

I would think the only light bar that would be even close to being street legal would be a really dim one, thus defeating the point of a light bar.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I would think the only light bar that would be even close to being street legal would be a really dim one, thus defeating the point of a light bar.

Hey I've been called a really dim one, and I'm still street legal!

:der:

 

[Mcleod]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A13GV43BQXAUUP

Would this fit on my 99 4Runner Highlander?

 

[mountain mike]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A13GV43BQXAUUP

Would this fit on my 99 4Runner Highlander?

Depends where you want to put it.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Amazon.com: 2016 #1 42 inch Curved 240W CREE LED Light Bar by Arsenal Offroad TM spot flood combo beam Great for Offroad Trucks 4x4 radius fog, JEEP, Trucks, UTV SUV 4x4 Polaris Razor 1000 Tractor Marine Raptor RZR, FREE LED LIGHT BAR SWITCH KIT: Aut

Would this fit on my 99 4Runner Highlander?

It would fit on the roof ok, but that's about it (that would involve drilling into the roof I think) unless you have an aftermarket bumper you can bolt it on to. If you are thinking stock bumper, it needs to be 30" or less unless you want to do some serious modding.

My 24" was super easy to install since on the bottom side of the chrome bumper (I know you don't have one) it had two pre-drilled holes that were not used and fit almost perfectly. I just have to move one and enlarge the other.

 

[Mcleod]

Depends where you want to put it.

I'd want it probably above windshield, but not behind the sun-roof. It seems like a lot of light is wasted with it being so far behind you.

 

[MtnT4R]

There's been a lot of light bar threads lately.

check out Super Bright LEDs for some great options. All made in the USA with none of the brand name upcharge. I have a quad row spot/flood that puts out a pretty insane 15,500 lumens, and just bought a set of 5" amber LED auxiliary lights for snow driving. Excellent quality, great prices.

If you get caught with a light bar on when you are on road, expect a ticket. If you want something to supplement your driving lights take a look at some Hella or PIAA driving lights.

 

[Tyota89]

You probably can get a led bar with no flood light and all throw to compliment your headlights. I seen a jeep do it and it wasnt blinding at all.non projector hid in stock housing is worse at least with a throw led you can aim it.
I had led bar on top of my 05 but the reflection off the windshield was too much.
As for brands if you dont want to spend a lot of money go on amazon and look at reviews.

 

[mountain mike]

I'd want it probably above windshield, but not behind the sun-roof. It seems like a lot of light is wasted with it being so far behind you.

It will fit well there. You will need some brackets specific to the 4Runner. There are multiple options out there, I have ones from Relentless Fab ones but there are other option out there. There is a guy on here that sells them, and I have seen them other places as well. Or there have been people on here that make there own.

 

[Kotrin]

Every state is different but you can't run a LED light bar in Oregon. You can run a 'spot/flood light type light as these aren't classified as a 'BAR'. If you go with quality be aware that you won't be able to run it (unless its is a cheaper 30.00 amazon/ebay special) If you buy the d2 HD of the RIgid they are illegal to run due to lumenout put. I've done a lot of reserach and unfortunately Oregon has a footcandle rule. Now I know LED's are not measure in FC, but you can do the calculations to convert to FC (yes the police aren't going to but, their is also a stipulation that lists impacting other motorists). I only run my LED's when driving at night when I don't see anyone else ( Treat them like highbeams =D)

That's just my reserach and 2 cents i've come across.

PS- one other thing. If your wanting LED for lighting up distance at 40mph + be VERY careful. LED's (minus a few specific ones) aren't setup for high speed light output. Now if you were to go with like a D2 HD (like i have) they are designed to do speed/distance. I will also say I have a ebay and a Rigid. My two little D2 HDrigid's do a better job of lighting stuff up than my 42" Ebay light bar...

 

[JeepKiller]

I'd want it probably above windshield, but not behind the sun-roof. It seems like a lot of light is wasted with it being so far behind you.

Just so you know, you're going to be getting a lot of hood and windshield reflection if you mount it forward of the sunroof. That's why a lot of people mount it behind.

 

[MStudt]

Rigid has some SAE (DOT) Compliant LED's that are street legal. They have a 6" LED, and some fog lights that are DOT approved.

 

[dirteater4]

Need advice! I am looking to get a big light bar to go on the top of my 4runner, to project forward in front of the vehicle for offroading purposes. And I also want to get one or two smaller ones that can supplement my existing headlights. My headlights are terrible and instead of redoing them and installing a whole HID kit, I wants to just add led lightbars instead, was think psossibly two of the 6 led square ones, or maybe one a little bit bigger.

Any advice one what brands are good? And what I should be looking for? Not too familiar with these lights and which brands a reputable.

Thanks!

Love this thread was brought back to life. I have a 20" Chinese ebay led bar that I mounted over a year ago. It's awesome. I even purchased clip on amber shields for it when it snows or rains. That being said, the best mod I have ever done was the HID retro-fit. I just finished and installed it over Thanksgiving break. IMO the install was stupid easy. I went with the mini kit and thus, didn't have to drill or cut anything! Another check in the plus column, they're street legal.

 

[Twisted Sid]

Love this thread was brought back to life. I have a 20" Chinese ebay led bar that I mounted over a year ago. It's awesome. I even purchased clip on amber shields for it when it snows or rains. That being said, the best mod I have ever done was the HID retro-fit. I just finished and installed it over Thanksgiving break. IMO the install was stupid easy. I went with the mini kit and thus, didn't have to drill or cut anything! Another check in the plus column, they're street legal.

What was the total cost on this?

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Rigid has some SAE (DOT) Compliant LED's that are street legal. They have a 6" LED, and some fog lights that are DOT approved.

We were reading thru and going to mention this but you beat us to it!

KC is coming out with a whole line of SAE/DOT compliant led lights as well.

 

[absalom]

OP, I wouldn't even consider a light bar until you've done a HID projector retrofit. The output is staggering, you can use them all the time, and they are very affordable.

Here's the kit for our trucks It totals about $169 for the options you'd want. It's a very simple install, but if you'd rather not mess around with em, there are guys on this forum who will perform the retrofit for ~$100.

HID's are actually more efficient (lumens per watt) than LED's, and tend to have better color temperature and a better color rendition than commonly available light bars.

If you performed a traditional HID headlight projector retrofit and STILL wanted more light, say desert racing at night, than I'd recommend some Hella 500's with a 55w HID retrofit. They'll have unmatched distance and penetration, and again that amazing color temperature.

 

[dirteater4]

What was the total cost on this?

Because I bought a new set of TYC headlights, it increased the total cost by $75. Out the door with shipping was $302.00. I purchased the kit from retrofitsource.com out of Georgia when they were running a sale.