Off-Road Lights mounted to Bumper?

nathannookie

nathannookie

New member
Just wondering if anyone has ever mounted off-road lights to the front 2003-04 4Runner bumper?

I'm thinking of drilling holes into, the (what seems to be plastic) bumper, just in front of the grill, putting large washers below, to stabilize them, and inserting the threaded light mount.

Bad idea? Just thinking...
 
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I have actually been toying with this idea, if i don't get a brush guard. If you open the hood and look behind the bumper, there is a beam that runs behind it. Now look at that beam through the grill in the bumber. I was thinking about making some brackets that would mount to the beam, come out through the grill and hold the lights. They would actually be in front of the bumper, but I think it would look pretty cool. I was thinking about using the Hella 500's since they are slim, so they don't stick way out, but I just haven't bitten the bullet and bought them yet. I would like to try it out before I bought the lights, so it is catch 22.
 
Did it last night to put on a set of Lightforce 170's. Turned out to be a bit of a mess. I scratched the plastic screwing the lights on. They spun as I tightened and left what looks like a circle groove around the base. The other 2 problems were the distance between the lights and grill - very tight - have to tilt lights forward to open hood. The Lightforce lights sit back from the mount - you can see how it sits back in any photos. the last issue was the amount of plactic on the underside of the bumper. I had to drill so far out to clear the lights it was hard to get the nut on. today I will hit it with a drummel and take off enuff plastic to get a washer on the bottom to secure the light a bit more. I may also get a rubber washer for the top to cover the little ring marks. I will check if I can get a washer between the top cover plastic and the bottom so the lights fit super tight - a wee bit of play now and you can see it cover pinch or push down a bit. No pix - not that smart - I did just drill into the bumper of my new ride!!!
 
Sorry - not very computer skilled- just goof off on the web at work. Makes me look productive when people pass by the office. I guess it's time to upgrade to a digital cam. Give me time.

I think it looks wicked with the lights added to the bumper - the Lightforce's are clear and match the stock head lights very well. Both modern round and super clear. I think they were 6 inches in form the outer grill so about 2-3 inches in from the inside of the headlights.

The only thing I don't like is how close they are to the grill. I just have to remember to tilt them fwd a little befor I pop the hood. I don't think that would be an issue with other lights that are thin or have a different mounting system.

I am trying to resist too many mods - went bonkers with my old rig. But.............. some type of center protector or brush gard with light tabs would be perfect!
 
hey momo,

photochop what you were talking about with the
fogs on the front. I kinda see you vision but
not really.

btw... STOP putting ideas in my head!!
:headslap: :jester:
 
I thought about this too and I think it's a bad idea.

First, if you go with the big lights like PIAA's 510 and 520 it's going to look like a fly. Second, the bumper is not designed for such modification: water could get in, might not be that strong, etc.

If you want to put lights on the front go with a Safari bar (which is what I did) or the Grill cover (which I thought was too much metal).

That reminds me, I need to clean her up, put on the sticker, and take some pics since my PIAA install.
 
I have been there too: not exactly like you but I can relate on many things. I marked up my 4 Runner in a few places and kick myself in the butt too. But hind sight is 20/20: but hey, it gives it character.. I too bought the Lightforce, and due to their design, did not fit how I would like on the Safari Bar: you could tilt down, but not up because of that molded angle base it has. It pushes against the front of the car, so I went with really small PIAA's, and to be honest, they look a lot nicer.


Colemanfu said:
Did it last night to put on a set of Lightforce 170's. Turned out to be a bit of a mess. I scratched the plastic screwing the lights on. They spun as I tightened and left what looks like a circle groove around the base. The other 2 problems were the distance between the lights and grill - very tight - have to tilt lights forward to open hood. The Lightforce lights sit back from the mount - you can see how it sits back in any photos. the last issue was the amount of plactic on the underside of the bumper. I had to drill so far out to clear the lights it was hard to get the nut on. today I will hit it with a drummel and take off enuff plastic to get a washer on the bottom to secure the light a bit more. I may also get a rubber washer for the top to cover the little ring marks. I will check if I can get a washer between the top cover plastic and the bottom so the lights fit super tight - a wee bit of play now and you can see it cover pinch or push down a bit. No pix - not that smart - I did just drill into the bumper of my new ride!!!
Click to expand...
 
jgrimball said:
hey momo,

photochop what you were talking about with the
fogs on the front. I kinda see you vision but
not really.

btw... STOP putting ideas in my head!!
:headslap: :jester:
Click to expand...

i will chop something tonight when I get back in town. I am out at the track right now and havemy hands full.
 
I love how the Hella 500's look on Brian's 4runner(waskillywabbit)
I think if we could figure out how to intergrate them into
the fourth gens front without looking like crap and making
the car cluttered looking, they will look awesome!!!
 
Here is two chopped versions. I can't decide if I like 'em spread apart of close together.
 

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I like them spread out. I THINK I really like how it looks.
I am just worried if it will look to cluttered or outta
place. What does everyone else think?

Momo,
You get the door sills and Ill get the fog lights.
How could we mount them in this spot?
 
momo.75 said:
I have actually been toying with this idea, if i don't get a brush guard. If you open the hood and look behind the bumper, there is a beam that runs behind it. Now look at that beam through the grill in the bumber. I was thinking about making some brackets that would mount to the beam, come out through the grill and hold the lights. They would actually be in front of the bumper, but I think it would look pretty cool. I was thinking about using the Hella 500's since they are slim, so they don't stick way out, but I just haven't bitten the bullet and bought them yet. I would like to try it out before I bought the lights, so it is catch 22.
Click to expand...

wink.gif
 
I will look tomorrow when its daylight.
So kinda like how the skidplate is done with the brackets.
 
Last edited:
Yep. That beam is plenty big enough, so it would just be a matter of drilling the holes, making the brackets, mounting and wiring the lights.
 
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