Questions on Rigid grill versus behind the grill mounts and winch bumpers

[rob_dixon]

Yes, i know its very expensive, but that aside, I am intrigued with the rigid grill set up light bar versus a behind the grill low profile off road lights.
Aesthetically, with a midnight series light bar it would look badass.
However, it does raise questions in my mind as this is like fitting a awesome fun puzzle together:

1) If I later want to upgrade to a C4 low pro (ALSO has a light grill) or SSO grill to add a winch, is this rigid grill compatible with that future upgrade? Or is the rigid grill/bar no longer useful and/or blocked by the bumper?
I am thinking whites on the Rigid, and Ambers on the bumper.

2) What are your thoughts on the light blocking aspects of BEHIND the grill set up? This is more low profile but is a large portion of the light blocked?

3) I want a secure setup, does the exposure allow them to be stolen easier? (can it be popped out) Is theft is a concern?

4) Would this set up be overkill on function? All of this would make for a VERY expensive front end (bumper/winch/two lightbars). Does it make more sense to get the winch bumper with light bar and skip the behind the grill or rigid grill light bar?

 

[MeefZah]

#2 - there is no noticeable diminishing (or shadowing) of light from behind the grille.

#4 alternate - you can also do a behind the grille light AND winch...

 

[TexasTJ]

So I can't comment on the shadowing of the grille, because I just installed this about an hour ago and it is still day light. I got a single row 20" light bar "black series" and it mounted perfectly to two of the pre-existing holes for the grill plastic push pins. It was mounted in just a few minutes. I also have a hidden winch similar to Meefzah.

 

[Manfred]

So I can't comment on the shadowing of the grille, because I just installed this about an hour ago and it is still day light. I got a single row 20" light bar "black series" and it mounted perfectly to two of the pre-existing holes for the grill plastic push pins. It was mounted in just a few minutes. I also have a hidden winch similar to Meefzah.

Can you provide some pics on the install? Did the light bar come with the mounts and did you have to open up the holes?
Thanks,

 

[Kazzy4RNR]

When I installed the Southern Style Offroad Slimline bumper and winch, I had to remove my behind the grill light bar - because of interference with the winch control box. I tried putting the light bar in the upper grill position like one of the other posters, but I have the SR5, so the oval Toyota emblem prevented that position. I replaced the bar with the light pods, which conveniently mounted to pre-drilled holes in the SSO bumper.

I never noticed any shadowing of the light caused by the grill when I had the behind the grill light bar.

 

[Kazzy4RNR]

Manfred: can you tell me what front license plate holder that is? Thanks in advance!

 

[Phade]

So I can't comment on the shadowing of the grille, because I just installed this about an hour ago and it is still day light. I got a single row 20" light bar "black series" and it mounted perfectly to two of the pre-existing holes for the grill plastic push pins. It was mounted in just a few minutes. I also have a hidden winch similar to Meefzah.

What light kit / bracket is that?

 

[angerbot]

When I installed the Southern Style Offroad Slimline bumper and winch, I had to remove my behind the grill light bar - because of interference with the winch control box. I tried putting the light bar in the upper grill position like one of the other posters, but I have the SR5, so the oval Toyota emblem prevented that position. I replaced the bar with the light pods, which conveniently mounted to pre-drilled holes in the SSO bumper.

I never noticed any shadowing of the light caused by the grill when I had the behind the grill light bar.

Can you post a close up of the pods mounted on your bumper? Much prefer the look of that to a bar in theory.

 

[TexasTJ]

Can you provide some pics on the install? Did the light bar come with the mounts and did you have to open up the holes?

Thanks,

Light bar came with the standard "L" brackets. I took some scrap metal that I had laying around, and secured it using a bolt in the stock hole for the upper grill piece. I basically used the scrap metal to extend the mounting hole for the light bar so it could be flush with the grill "mesh". No permanent modifications.

Manfred: can you tell me what front license plate holder that is? Thanks in advance!

I'm assuming you're talking about the picture he quoted of my 4R. It is the Cascadia 4x4 Flipster V2. If you're interested in one, do some forum googling and it's not hard to find a promo code. I found one on the JL Wrangler forums.

 

[Kazzy4RNR]

Can you post a close up of the pods mounted on your bumper? Much prefer the look of that to a bar in theory.

Here’s a blowup of the other photo. I used the brackets that came with the Rigid light pods. As I mentioned, the Southern Style Offroad Slimline bumper had the holes to which I mounted the pods. Let me know if you can’t see what you want and I’ll take an actual photo.

 

[angerbot]

Here’s a blowup of the other photo. I used the brackets that came with the Rigid light pods. As I mentioned, the Southern Style Offroad Slimline bumper had the holes to which I mounted the pods. Let me know if you can’t see what you want and I’ll take an actual photo.

That looks great, thanks!

 

[JA50N]

When/if you get a slim line bumper you can always drill your own holes and do like I did:

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr