Light/Light bar options

[4RnR Grl]

As I'm putting my wishlist together (yeah, I said wishlist), something I can't seem to find in the 5th gen section is a guide for different types of setups for off road lights. I really appreciate the sticky's that refer to other mods and am looking to see if there's something I've missed. I want to see the different options you all have out there for your truck... light output, opinions on behind the grill or rack mounted, what needs a bracket, what doesn't, the difficulty of installation, etc. I've read a few writeups on lights, but was wondering if there is a central place I've missed. TIA!

~Corey

 

[c2one]

http://www.fourwheeler.com/product-...lighting-test-festival-of-leds/?__federated=1

http://www.lightforceusa.com/images/pages/4WD 161 LR2.pdf

Here are some light reviews.

 

[4RnR Grl]

Off-Road Lighting Test - Festival Of LEDs - Jp Magazine

http://www.lightforceusa.com/images/pages/4WD 161 LR2.pdf

Here are some light reviews.

This is a great start! Thank You [MENTION=98089]c2one[/MENTION]

 

[Intruder]

I want to see the different options you all have out there for your truck... light output, opinions on behind the grill or rack mounted, what needs a bracket, what doesn't, the difficulty of installation, etc.

Some of this depends on whether you're talking aftermarket roof rack and bumper or stock. My lights were easy to mount on the bumper, but that's because the ARB already has the holes for them. I think harper7 mounted lights behind his grill if you look at his build thread. I personally won't mount forward-facing lights on my roof rack because I think they'd reflect a lot off the TE hood scoop.

 

[1engineer]

Some of this depends on whether you're talking aftermarket roof rack and bumper or stock. My lights were easy to mount on the bumper, but that's because the ARB already has the holes for them. I think harper7 mounted lights behind his grill if you look at his build thread. I personally won't mount forward-facing lights on my roof rack because I think they'd reflect a lot off the TE hood scoop.

Amen. I don't ever use the dome light because it reflects off the hood scoop...

 

[philsey]

Couldn't ask for a better platform than this ....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...rid-series-bumper-2014-sr5-trail-edition.html

 

[4RnR Grl]

Couldn't ask for a better platform than this ....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...rid-series-bumper-2014-sr5-trail-edition.html

I'm in a 2013 and not looking to do a bumper swap..... just yet. I did see this thread and I do like it.

 

[Jeremy556]

Some of this depends on whether you're talking aftermarket roof rack and bumper or stock. My lights were easy to mount on the bumper, but that's because the ARB already has the holes for them. I think harper7 mounted lights behind his grill if you look at his build thread. I personally won't mount forward-facing lights on my roof rack because I think they'd reflect a lot off the TE hood scoop.

I think it depends on where you mount it, you might want to try it out. I have mine mounted to the rear bar in the front of my Baja rack and the glare is barely noticeable because the deflector blocks the light that would be hitting the hood. Having it mounted up high seems to make a big difference for how far it throws and allows you to see much further when cresting small hills.

 

[Intruder]

I have mine mounted to the rear bar in the front of my Baja rack and the glare is barely noticeable because the deflector blocks the light that would be hitting the hood.

Great. Now I need to go out and buy a light bar for my roof rack. Which clamps are those?

 

[Jeremy556]

Great. Now I need to go out and buy a light bar for my roof rack. Which clamps are those?

Don't remember. Any 1" universal clamp mount should work.

It's a little noisey with the sunroof open, but when closed I don't notice it, except if there is a strong side wind, it makes a whistling noise.

 

[Omar RVA]

Great. Now I need to go out and buy a light bar for my roof rack. Which clamps are those?

They look like Fourtreks mounts to me: Modular LED Light Mounts

OA

 

[Jeremy556]

They look like Fourtreks mounts to me: Modular LED Light Mounts

OA

Yep, that's exactly what they are.

 

[AZrunner11]

Defiant Light Bar (3rd pic down on first page)

here's my buddy's setup with the Defiant light bar on the front of his 5th gen


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/130582-factoryrides-second-attempt-thread.html

 

[philsey]

Classifieds:

Bump...Still for sale
........ 2) SoCal's behind the grill light mount, NIB $100

There is a huge thread on this custom-made light bracket by member socaltrail.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...erested-behind-grill-light-mount-bracket.html

It's the one I'd want for lights.

 

[barryhiram]

Hello 4RnR Grl,

Lots of choices out there (with prices to match), guess it depends on what your budget allows and what intended use will be. What look are you going for, off road, brush guard mount, or stealth? Quality of lights, cheap Chinese or high end (i.e. Rigid to name one)? Lots of opinions on which is better, there are pros and cons to both, been discussed to death……………so I’m not gonna go there. Good luck on whatever decision(s) you make!

Here’s a great thread for upgrading your factory fog lights, might be a good place to start………… http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...-fog-light-assemblies-2014-other-5th-gens.htm

For my ride I wanted the stealth look, decided on a quality 20” Baja Designs Stealth LED light bar ($500, well worth the money IMHO). Installations wasn’t bad (sorry no write-up), removed lower plastic grille insert (bumper cover does not need to be removed), added two ½” spacers under mounting brackets to raise light high enough to allow for adjustment. Center light bar in opening, mark mounting holes, drill and tap aluminum bumper, mount light, install wiring harness http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/159174-factory-style-fog-light-switch-fits-knock-out.html
, turn on and aim light bar for proper adjustment. Cut plastic grille to fit around light (leave a little extra room so future adjustments can be made (up/down), reassemble, enjoy your new light bar!

 

[Miguelon]

Recommend you take a look at The Retrofit Source. Quality product, very bright and minimalistic in size. If you want that low profile, modern look, they are the right light.

 

[Rhino11]

Light Bar Advice

About to add an aftermarket back-up camera and monitor to my ride. After the lift, I'm not as confident backing up. Feels like the sensors are not as effective as they were previously. All that to say, I will be adding two small 4" LED cubes on the rear of my cargo basket that will be wired in with the reverse lights to come on when backing up. This also got me to thinking about adding a bar to the front as I feel like it could look odd with just those on the rear. I know a couple of users have put a bar on a basket or used windshield mounts. I, however, am looking to somehow mount one underneath my fairing in the gap between the stock end caps. You can see where I am looking at in the below pictures. Eventually I may add a Prinsu or a Gobi or something of the like, but not ready to commit to that quite yet. I believe I have 40" so as long as the bar and mounts do not exceed that, I think I should be fine. I have removed the stock crossbars and the stock rails and end caps are now blacked out. I have seen the fourtreks mounts and a couple others, but not sure if they will work for my application specifically. Anyone used these or something that may be useful?

Anything that I am not thinking of? Would love advice as this this will be a new thing for me to tackle.

 

[Alex_808]

Made my only brackets to fit in a 32" curved lightbar flush with the grill

 

[Rhino11]

Any advice? Hoping to order a light bar today.

About to add an aftermarket back-up camera and monitor to my ride. After the lift, I'm not as confident backing up. Feels like the sensors are not as effective as they were previously. All that to say, I will be adding two small 4" LED cubes on the rear of my cargo basket that will be wired in with the reverse lights to come on when backing up. This also got me to thinking about adding a bar to the front as I feel like it could look odd with just those on the rear. I know a couple of users have put a bar on a basket or used windshield mounts. I, however, am looking to somehow mount one underneath my fairing in the gap between the stock end caps. You can see where I am looking at in the below pictures. Eventually I may add a Prinsu or a Gobi or something of the like, but not ready to commit to that quite yet. I believe I have 40" so as long as the bar and mounts do not exceed that, I think I should be fine. I have removed the stock crossbars and the stock rails and end caps are now blacked out. I have seen the fourtreks mounts and a couple others, but not sure if they will work for my application specifically. Anyone used these or something that may be useful?

Anything that I am not thinking of? Would love advice as this this will be a new thing for me to tackle.

 

[Engineer]

Any advice? Hoping to order a light bar today.

I am not sure if you are still talking about rear or forward facing lights. Assuming rear, a couple comments. Your basket looks slightly taller then my Gobi but I assume its not any further rearward other wise the hatch would start to hit the basket when opened. The problem with mounting reverse lights on the roof/rack is that the rear hatch "spoiler" is so long it stops the light from getting near the rear of the truck. My rear rack lights are a joke for helping back up. The closest the light comes to the back of the truck is likely 40ft. If you want back up lights I think the best thing to do would be integrate them into the stock rear bumper (its been done on the forum before) and I think it looks ok, another option would be somewhere lower by the hitch but that its just asking to get scraped off if you off road.

Front lights: I love my 40" bar uptop, I got a chance to really use it over the holidays during a long drive home (over night so traffic was minimal in the UP) and the bar was on for hours, it made driving much more enjoyable with the extra light/depth and width. I have now installed 4 spot lights up front and they do a great job at extra deep throw but if I had to chose one or the other it would be the 40" mounted high over the spots mounted infront of grill.