T&H Low Bull bar lighting

[Bobby]

live4swell - I saw that pic before and asked you for a part #. I have the part # on a post-it on my desk . I was trying to get something that looked more rounded but I might just end up using the switch that came with the kit.

I'm definitely putting the switch in the center console. I think it'd be more convenient there.

 

[Colemanfu]

I used a switch identical to the green one (but red) on the 1st page of this topic. I had to have one that sat a bit lower so I could open the center flip down all the way with out hitting the switch. You can drill a hole in the center and just trim the tabs on the under side to put the back screw on the switch. I did add one strip of electrical tape to the sides of the plug just to give it a super tight fit. When you trim the tabs and add the switch to the top it makes it a bit loose.

 

[Luxury]

Just FYI the JDM fog switch is something like $29 and the 115V Switch is something like $39. But when they ordered the 115V Switch came in, it was the wrong one, and I haven't heard anything lately. Has anyone successfully got the new tacoma foglight switch? That is probably the cleanest and cheapest (next to the dirt cheap $10 switch) option.

 

[live4swell]

live4swell - I saw that pic before and asked you for a part #. I have the part # on a post-it on my desk . I was trying to get something that looked more rounded but I might just end up using the switch that came with the kit.

I'm definitely putting the switch in the center console. I think it'd be more convenient there.

Yeah, i had the feeling i was repeating myself...after the fact i realized you had asked that in the other thread...sorry for the repeat. I was hoping for a rounded switch too but that was the best "stock" Toyota switch I could find and the stock look was more important to me...good luck with your install...i am definitely eager to see some pics, even of the switch in the center console, and how the install was...if I like the look in the center I may move the switch

 

[Bobby]

So I tried to fit/install the lights tonight but there's some bad news. The lights don't fit. I sat there for about 20 mins just looking at it to see how else I could mount them. I took some pics of where I thought might be good.

Here's option 1:

 

[Bobby]

And Option 2:

I like this option better than the first since I don't have to drill into the bumper. Instead, I'll be drilling into the bull bar which leads to a question. Would 2 holes on top compromise the integrity of the bar or am I just being too anal? I think it would be fine unless someone has a good arguement against it. I noticed that the newer T&H bull bars have the tabs on top now. Bastages.

 

[TranceKrayz]

i think you'd have to worry about oxidation, especially since you have the powder coated bar with only a 2-year warranty. May i ask why they don't fit? it looks like they should.

also, with the first option, you don't have to drill into the bumper. you can make a bracket to try and mount them from the front grill.

 

[Bobby]

I would use some silacone sealer to prevent corrosion. They're too tall with the bracket. I thought about modifying the bracket but the bolt that holds it to the mount sticks up too much. Well, it would work but the lights would point about 10' in front of the car.

I was looking at it to see if I could make a bracket or something to hold the lights and I can't figure a way that would work and not vibrate and move. I played with the idea of welding the bracket on so the bolt won't interfere. They won't mount from the bottom either.

 

[Luxury]

My concern with drilling into the bar would be moisture getting inside the bar. The silicone should take care of that, but I think I'd worry about it.

Does the bracket have a slot that adjusts the height and it is still too tall?

How much clearance are you short? Maybe you could buy a flatter head bolt? Sites like McMaster and another one that had something to do with small parts should have something really flat.

Good Luck. Oh, btw, I think Option 1 (mounting to the bumper) reminds me of the lights I see on tons of Jeep Grand Cheorkees.....which isn't necessarily a good thing. If you are mounting on top I think you might as well have a larger light.

Have you tried mounting them, using the existing mounting locations, so the hang below the bar? Sorry to keep rambling on with question after question.

 

[Bobby]

There's a hole at the bottom already so moisture isn't much of a problem. The bracket doesn't adjust height but I could go at it with a dremel but there's still not enough space. It's about 1/8th" too short. The flatter bolt probably won't help much.

If I were going to mount on top I should just go with a 6" light. I thought of that already.

Can't do it below the bar because the tabs have sides for support.

I'm not done yet. I'll figure it out somehow.

 

[Luxury]

Originally posted by Bobby - If I were going to mount on top I should just go with a 6" light. I thought of that already.

Sorry.

Originally posted by Bobby - Can't do it below the bar because the tabs have sides for support.

I figured it would need some sort of extension......which might not be a very good idea since it might not be that stable.

Originally posted by Bobby - I'm not done yet. I'll figure it out somehow.

Cool, I'll stay tuned and will anxiously await your solution........so I can copy you! Thanks.

 

[greasefingers]

Bobby: You have all time you need to make a decision, so don’t rush it. You must face the fact that you have the wrong light for your original assessment. You want them mounted on the original bull-bar brackets, so explore this option first. You can always sell them on ebay. Have you researched other manufacturers for a something that might fit…even if it means a slightly inferior product? At least give yourself till the weekend so you can stare it for some time in the daylight; I know you will be outside during your lunch break today Knowing that you have access to a shop, have you considered grinding the bracket?

 

[Bobby]

I'm not rushing into anything. I've had the lights for over a month!

I've looked enough at the brackets for the lights and on the bull bar. If anything, I'd have to fabricate something to work with the original tabs.

I've looked at other lights and these (FF75) and PIAA 2100XT were the only ones within spec. Only they didn't mention that the bracket added a 1/4" to the height.

I really don't want to install cheap lights (the ones from Pepboys, Autozone, etc) and then have them fail when I need them.

I think I just need time to think about it. I'm sure something will come to me soon.

 

[Bobby]

Update:

So I went back and measured and looked and thought. I went to Home Depot and was thinking of getting spacers to hang the lights below the tab but I wasn't crazy about that idea since the lights are small. I found these:

 

[Bobby]

Now I drilled and grinded the side holes to slide the mount all the way down so there's a minimum of lift from the bracket.

 

[Bobby]

And here's how it looks attached to the lights.

 

[Bobby]

One last pic:

 

[Bobby]

I haven't mounted them yet and since it'll be raining tomorrow, I'll probably wait a couple of days to install them but I think this will work.

Hella measures just the light housing dimensions not including the brackets. PIAA measures overall dimensions including the brackets so I think the 2100XTs might fit better but they're also much more expensive. If the Hellas don't fit, I'm going to order some PIAAs.

Stay tuned...

 

[Luxury]

Nice work. They look good. My oak twin bed had those when I was a kid. I took them out to saw down the footboard when I got too tall for it. Not that you would actually care about that. Hopefully they won't corrode too much since they are intended for furniture (I'm assuming indoor). I believe that style bolt is called something like shoulder bolts and if you do have a problem with corrosion you should be able to find another material of the same design on mcmaster. I like that they are allen heads so that someone is less likely to be able to steal them easily. Thanks for sharing your solution and I look forward to seeing them on your bull bar.

 

[Bobby]

I wasn't too thrilled with the bolts but they're the only ones I could find with a flat head. It looks like I'll need to get some more washers though.