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LED 9" Lights Behind Grille

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by LibertySand, Dec 28, 2016.

  1. Dec 28, 2016 at 1:00 PM
    #1
    LibertySand

    LibertySand [OP] IH Support Rig

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    Jason
    Montclair, CA
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    I was in need of some extra night lights and did not want a Light Bar. I'm fond of the 9" Hella's but not wanting HID nor regular Halogen heat lamps. LED Light Bar's are the in thing now yet everyone has them. So why not some LED Round Lights.

    Since my Grille was already cut out and replaced with an aftermarket metal mesh of some kind (I bought the truck like that) I decided that a good place to put some lights was behind the Grille. Plus I like the look of the Mustangs that have the 2 fog lights in the Grille. I even did my 98 Expedition like that also.

    After doing some research on how everyone else made brackets of what not and cross bars or pieced this with that I decided I'll try my hand at making my own brackets. It just so happens I work for an amazing company that has some pretty cool machines.

    LIGHTS:
    I started off with a pair of 7" LED lights that I got at a good deal from the Pomona Offroad Expo last Oct 2016. They were pretty bright and seemed of decent Chinese quality. I have no clue of the brand but they are a knock off and say LED all over them.

    BRACKETS:
    I'll just skip the "how I made them" part but I will say that they are one piece, bent, bolt on no welding required bracket. No cutting needed. The design is not final and when it is I may make some extras....

    ISSUES:
    The issues I had was the Horn's and the Hood Latch. Plus the un-symetrical bolt hole locations on the radiator support. I was trying to make a one design bracket that all I had to do was bend one for left side and one for right side but using the same flat cut design.

    This was what I came up with....
    Tundra%20Lights%209_zpstumdspic_2dcdac9764035a79634ea96c6598e7f66c6b8e14.jpg
    Tundra%20Lights%206_zpseguqwgii_a3119bb49619dd0ba4f32098e7cb3c10ea516493.jpg
    Tundra%20Lights%207_zpssolun76e_9a2632c00c3a4ae2cb80a2d861345e06908d8cbe.jpg
    Tundra%20Lights%208_zpsccq59ejz_c381772e3e2b7599d72fb4ee267b7b54a7c0e75d.jpg
     
    Les7311 and dcsleeper408 like this.
  2. Dec 28, 2016 at 1:01 PM
    #2
    LibertySand

    LibertySand [OP] IH Support Rig

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    Jason
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    However, I did not like them! As soon as I closed the hood I was very disappointed at the size of the Overall Light. I guess size really does matter... :muscleflexing:

    So I went to my favorite website, Amazon in search of some bigger lights. I ran across some ARB knock off's. I am huge advocate of buying the real deal and not someone's stolen designs but man, that price! Wow! One click and they were bought.

    Now I needed to make new brackets since the old ones mounted the light differently.
    Tundra%20Lights%201_zpssgc3ynbr_dcc80c471c131830e410526926f45553a03d7809.jpg
    Tundra%20Lights%204_zps2r2qgdtm_eafcdd9d4b36868ae418c5d6235357f8c110dcd8.jpg

    Side by side mounted on a test Bracket
    Tundra%20Lights%202_zpsxv8oyn2i_81f61ae4cdf4ffd3965d79547553f2d6a367b0f4.jpg
    Tundra%20Lights%203_zpshmcat9sz_8222cb4994c92ed21fecccc9a158257b6777d133.jpg

    Damn those look good in there. Much better than the 7" ones.
    Tundra%20Lights%205_zpsckgibj1v_0885e6b7247883ce12edfda1cf0857c9f6f719a6.jpg
    Tundra%20Lights%2010_zpsux2ux2oo_6e0619a4ba448473b68c00374002257b21be1012.jpg

    So that's where I am now. I will also be making a revision on them. I need to move the lights about 2" away from center. When the hood is completely closed the hood latch rest's on the drivers side light.

    Before anyone ask's.... I have not seen a change in engine temp. Yes they are close to the Radiator and they do visually look like they are blocking air flow but possibly because my Grille is completely gone and void of the stock cross plastic pieces that maybe I am scooping enough air. Who knows, it's working.

    FYI. I still need to wire them up for a test shot.
     
  3. Dec 28, 2016 at 2:32 PM
    #3
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    The 956, TEXAS
    None yet
    Let's see some night view shots
     
    Motor71 likes this.
  4. Dec 28, 2016 at 2:57 PM
    #4
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    How did you run the wires to the switches in the cab?

    Probably the firewall I know it's probably a stupid question. Do you do the coat hanger trick or is there some other secret to making it clean and simple running the wires into the cab?
     
  5. Dec 28, 2016 at 3:19 PM
    #5
    LibertySand

    LibertySand [OP] IH Support Rig

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    I'll get some posted next week after I get back from the desert over the New Years.

    I probably should have used the coat hanger trick. I actually temporarily ran wire through an existing firewall rubber grommet. I am looking at options now to run wire and also a temporary Switch location utilizing the Smoke Tray on the Dash Panel. I don't want to tare the dash apart just to put switches in.
     
  6. Dec 28, 2016 at 3:47 PM
    #6
    BlueFalconActual

    BlueFalconActual Field Day Inspector Extraordinaire

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  7. Dec 28, 2016 at 3:49 PM
    #7
    BlueFalconActual

    BlueFalconActual Field Day Inspector Extraordinaire

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    I saw a Tacoma with the same setup. Looks really nice.
     
  8. Jan 10, 2017 at 8:55 AM
    #8
    blizz86

    blizz86 New Member

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    Any output pics?

     
  9. Jan 10, 2017 at 1:21 PM
    #9
    LibertySand

    LibertySand [OP] IH Support Rig

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    So last weekend I went to sand capital of the world, Glamis Dunes in So CA. I had a chance to get some better pictures of the lights. I however didn't get any good pictures from inside the cab. On a different note, holy hell! This truck is bad ass in the dunes!

    Tundra at Olds Hill during the day.
    1%20Tundra%20Olds%20Hill_zpsnj2tssuw_62aed3a46612d1f216d10a5db33cffa8f5f7a66b.jpg

    At camp with HID Headlights On.
    4%20Tundra%20Glamis%20HID%20Lights_zpsed_293dfdc3e4bf67fc11d34f0083b2d168b822be67.jpg
    2%20Tundra%20Glamis%20Lights_zpsxjm5cq02_1af6114a1e515f0ebb0ad5415e7c18c8909e1f2e.jpg

    At camp with HID headlights Off.
    4%20Tundra%20Glamis%20No%20HID%20Lights__048142794c306b359bc371f1d1fadaa729dc8d83.jpg
    3%20Tundra%20Glamis%20Lights_zpsjwdey2m7_3b3924656ef5f3b00c5cf3b56656073b410c1291.jpg

    I was happy with the lights but not impressed. I think it had a lot to do about how far they were inset in the grille. I also need to move them up and point them up a bit as they seemed to be pointing down rather than up and out. I will integrate an adjustment slot in my next version of the bracket so that I can adjust the projection height of the light beam.

    Other than that, the lights are BRIGHT AS FAWK! If you look right at them or walk past them, damn they are bright.
     
  10. Jan 10, 2017 at 1:37 PM
    #10
    tomsinamerica

    tomsinamerica New Member

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    They look awesome and love that they're not an LED bar...

    I'm interested to see if you get an increase in engine temp in the summer months.. those things are huge - cover up half the radiator!
     
  11. Jan 10, 2017 at 2:04 PM
    #11
    LibertySand

    LibertySand [OP] IH Support Rig

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    So I have had these installed for at least 2 months now. Only recently I have wired them in (temporarily still). I daily drive this truck in traffic and also couple 100 mile weekend runs in 100 degree heat and so far I have seen NO change in Temp. Again, I've stated above in my first post, I think because the entire Grille is gone with no obstructions like the stock grille, there is a lot more air scooping to the radiator. Of course this isn't a Scientific Observation, more of a Driveway Beer Drinking Observation.
    :cheers:
     
  12. Jan 10, 2017 at 2:26 PM
    #12
    tomsinamerica

    tomsinamerica New Member

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    driveway beer drinking science is still science.

    I might have to go down this road... I like the look a LOT
     
  13. Jan 10, 2017 at 2:39 PM
    #13
    Porschetech29

    Porschetech29 New Member

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    I had lights behind the grill for about 5 years. Never had any issues. By the way, nice truck LibertySand.
     
  14. Jan 10, 2017 at 3:31 PM
    #14
    LibertySand

    LibertySand [OP] IH Support Rig

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    I'll let you know when I get some extra brackets made ;)

    Thanks!
     
  15. Jan 22, 2017 at 7:41 PM
    #15
    LibertySand

    LibertySand [OP] IH Support Rig

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    IMG_1475.jpg IMG_1477.jpg IMG_1476.jpg Got a package from good ole Amazon this weekend.

    In need of a power hub for the lights and eventually some other accessories on and around the truck. I was looking at the sPOD but that's a bit more than I want to pay for. So I'm making my own Power Source.
     
    dcsleeper408 likes this.
  16. Aug 7, 2017 at 12:17 AM
    #16
    calitundrajc

    calitundrajc New Member

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    I was looking to do the same thing as you have. Do you make the brackets available to purchase?
     
  17. Aug 7, 2017 at 3:47 AM
    #17
    Les7311

    Les7311 Look up, what do you see

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    Will the heat from the light melt / affect the grille etc....????

    I like your set up ...
     
  18. Aug 11, 2017 at 8:24 PM
    #18
    LibertySand

    LibertySand [OP] IH Support Rig

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    Thanks.
    I've had no issues with the motor heating up. Lights are not melted. LEDS are still bright as Fawk. Still loving my set up. Just need to locate the horns better.

    I'm looking to do a redesign soon. When I do I'll make a few extras and let you know.
     

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