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Diode Dynamic 42” stealth light bar questions?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Rangergillikin, Sep 7, 2022.

  1. Oct 21, 2022 at 1:33 PM
    #31
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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  2. Oct 21, 2022 at 3:14 PM
    #32
    Rangergillikin

    Rangergillikin [OP] New Member

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    That should do it.
     
  3. Oct 23, 2022 at 8:19 AM
    #33
    Sh5rw9nd

    Sh5rw9nd New Member

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    Interested in purchasing
     
  4. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:26 AM
    #34
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    You vs the guy she tells you not to worry about :cool:. First prototype DONE! Had to make a couple on the fly design changes, but that ain’t no thing if I can source a suitable workaround. Fitment testing is next.

    1C59F35A-87BC-4D0A-84CA-46F483D34FF8.jpg 1FB0CC95-2D01-487E-9933-23F83F1A0D7E.jpg 0D3791B4-CF60-4788-804B-5D027425E321.jpg C8E38742-F21A-4FB7-BFA5-B31435170EFE.jpg
     
  5. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:40 AM
    #35
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    Diode needs to pay you to be their OEM for brackets. That looks awesome and should fix all the gripes we have about their current one.
     
    WillTunBlack20 and bulldog93 like this.
  6. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:52 AM
    #36
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    Just started dipping my toe into this world, but I'm certainly here to give it a whirl! If nothing else I can over-engineer the hell out of something :rofl:

    I have my fingers crossed that this should address everything we have been having issues with. We'll know soon enough!
     
  7. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:53 AM
    #37
    BiggHertz

    BiggHertz DZTLIMO

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    pretty sure @TRDFerguson will be happy to prototype...
     
    Mater and TRDFerguson like this.
  8. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:54 AM
    #38
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    Indeed. If nothing else, this would give me an excuse for a high speed night run.
     
    BiggHertz[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Oct 24, 2022 at 8:55 AM
    #39
    BiggHertz

    BiggHertz DZTLIMO

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    My thoughts precisely... :mudding:
     
    TRDFerguson[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:23 AM
    #40
    Mater

    Mater New Member

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    Do you have a full blown machine shop at your house? That’s badass!
     
  11. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:34 AM
    #41
    Mater

    Mater New Member

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    @Rangergillikin I believe the reason they did the mount this way is because they don’t manufacture the housing. Pretty sure they buy it from some manufacturer overseas and drop their lights in. It’s not proprietary to them either so they can’t really change it. How I came to this conclusion: I was cruising OfferUp for a light back for my rack when I saw a 42” DD light bar for $50! I couldn’t believe it. Upon inspecting the photos closer there was no DD written vertically on the sides and the LEDs were slightly different (could see through this lights clear lenses). It was some cheap knockoff light that uses the exact same housing as DD. DD doesn’t claim to have all parts made in the US, but I figured most parts were proprietary to them. Not trying to be a Baja fanboy (so far I only have DD on my truck), but BAja does mill each of their housings in house which is crazy (and explains their $$$). Just another piece of info for people to think about..
     
  12. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:39 AM
    #42
    Toe404

    Toe404 just a poser

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    Is anyone running a DD bumper light bar in conjunction with coach builder bumper spacers?
    I’m curious if there ends up being enough room for both?

    989306FD-88BA-4E5B-9C6F-4E04C1A717C7.jpg
     
  13. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:42 AM
    #43
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    Yep, I am and there's room. I think it about maxes out the threads, but the nuts do get fully threaded.
     
    Mater and Toe404[QUOTED] like this.
  14. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:43 AM
    #44
    Toe404

    Toe404 just a poser

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    Ok cool good to know. This light bar in combo/amber is on my wish list
     
    TRDFerguson[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:44 AM
    #45
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    I can confirm that there is NOT room for both, unfortunately. Already gave that a run myself. There's just no thread left after everything is stacked up.

    I kicked around the idea of trying to address both issues and make the light bar bracket and bumper shim one single piece (which is the only way this could be accomplished), but convinced myself that the juice wasn't worth the squeeze in terms of potential units sold.
     
  16. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:45 AM
    #46
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    2 plates? I tried that and was like... NOPE
     
  17. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:46 AM
    #47
    Toe404

    Toe404 just a poser

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    i wonder if @Coachbuilder1 could make a bumper spacer/ light bar bracket in one. I’m sure that’s a small market but I’d buy one for sure
     
  18. Oct 24, 2022 at 9:52 AM
    #48
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    Yeah that's what I was referring to. Making one that incorporates both items. I suppose I could probably do it without a ton of issue though. I seriously doubt you'd talk David into it though as that's not really his market, but you never know! Once I get these brackets dialed in I'll see if there's an easy adaptation I can make. Seems pretty easy though. Just make the same brackets with a thicker backing plate, and make the arms of the brackets a bit longer to account for them now starting further back.
     
    Toe404[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Oct 24, 2022 at 10:05 AM
    #49
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    This is how mine ended up
    AD0BBC6D-7829-472C-9545-5E38BEC577FE.jpg
     
  20. Oct 24, 2022 at 10:51 AM
    #50
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    Now looking at this I'm wondering how much thread I really have... hmm. I technically don't need both plates for clearance, but it would be nice to leave as-is.

    Edit: I'm comfortable with the amount of threads holding it on. YMMV
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2022
  21. Oct 25, 2022 at 3:09 AM
    #51
    Rangergillikin

    Rangergillikin [OP] New Member

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    Yes. But I’m just a hobby Machinest/welder/fabricator/blacksmith and wood worker. I just love tools, have too many hobbies, and no kids. I’m glad you liked my solution. It’s probably a little over built but that’s how I like things to be. I’d have to crash my truck before my light moves.
     
    bulldog93 likes this.
  22. Oct 25, 2022 at 3:34 AM
    #52
    Rangergillikin

    Rangergillikin [OP] New Member

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    Yeah I knew they didn’t build them because they use the phrase “assembly in the US” or something like that. I just hope they have better quality control over some of the cheaper Chinese lights. I’m very happy so far with the light itself but they really shouldn’t sell that bracket. They could out source something better than that. They have to know by now that it does not work well but they keep selling it anyway. The only other thing that I don’t like about their lights is that grey Deutsch plug sticking out the back. Just looks unfinished to me. I wish they just had a pig tail with a plug instead. I was able to dress that up too. I did my research before buying the light bar and pod lights and had a plan to fix the bracket and plug before I even purchased them. I plan to buy more of their lights in the near future. I thing they are a good light for the price.
     
    Mater[QUOTED] likes this.
  23. Oct 25, 2022 at 11:19 AM
    #53
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    For those that are interested in picking up a new bracket here's a teaser addressing the stability issue. Left the audio in just so that you could understand how hard I was hitting at it :rofl:

    For those who might want to pick one up... Would you prefer the bar to be resting along the bottom edge of the bumper plastic while being secure, or would you prefer that it be "floating" within the lower bumper space. This is a very small difference as far as measurements are concerned, but wasn't sure if folks would be passionate about this one way or another.

    https://youtu.be/CZgsiELsIZc
     
  24. Oct 25, 2022 at 11:22 AM
    #54
    BiggHertz

    BiggHertz DZTLIMO

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    wiggle wiggle wiggle

     
  25. Oct 25, 2022 at 11:25 AM
    #55
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    I'd prefer it floating, but either way is fine, honestly. Resting on the plastic helps hide the clips a little.
     
  26. Oct 25, 2022 at 11:52 AM
    #56
    PomDad

    PomDad we having snacks?

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    Will there be a similar bracket available for the 30" bar? Does it experience this issue as well (I'm guessing so, to a lesser extent)?
     
  27. Oct 25, 2022 at 3:02 PM
    #57
    Sh5rw9nd

    Sh5rw9nd New Member

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    I would prefer it floating but as long as it's better than the bracket they sent I don't care!! Where do I send my money !?
     
  28. Oct 26, 2022 at 8:54 AM
    #58
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    Right now we don't have immediate plans for a 30" application, but we also understand that there may be a want/need for it. After we get this application dialed in we may look into it. Since we have a Tundra here at our fingertips it makes R&D a bit easier.
    SOON. SOON I WILL TAKE YOUR MONIES :devil:

    Okay - V1 testing is complete and I'm pretty happy with the result thus far! It is definitely more stable and secure than the DD brackets. No doubt about that. Still has a bit more deflection than I would like. I am going to assume that I will not be able to engineer out all vibration when someone is on a very washboardy road, but I fully intend on this experiencing little to no movement when traversing most forest service roads, onto/off of bridges at highway speeds, etc. Here's what we're working on now:
    • Height adjustability - Not sure why I didn't think of this initially, but we're engineering an easy fix to allow for height adjustment. We're just going to move the slotted holes down on the back flat plate 1/2". That will allow the end user to be able to make the light bar "float" or rest on the lower bumper plastic as they see fit. This will also allow you to adjust for variability in bumper/frame fitments across different trucks.
    • Deflection Defense - We are going to widen the area of the plate where the bracket meets the frame on the top-most bolt. During our testing the flex that we are experiencing now seems to be driven almost entirely by upward flex being allowed where the top bolt is located. Strengthening this location should support the overall structure for upward deflection. We've already gusseted for downward movement.
    • Fit and finish - We are going to narrow the section of the bracket between the "horseshoe" and the outermost bolt. This will allow the headroom for up/down mobility for those who want to have the bar floating. Otherwise you'll be impacting the plastic on the upper side.

    More to come!

    IMG_7964.HEIC.jpg
     
  29. Oct 26, 2022 at 11:06 PM
    #59
    Rangergillikin

    Rangergillikin [OP] New Member

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    When I built my bracket I also made a rectangle plate, the same width, height, and bolt pattern as the bracket, that sandwiches the bracket to the truck frame when you tighten the nuts. Like a over sized fender washer to spread the pressure of the nuts to the entire bracket against the frame. That will stop any flex that the bracket has where it mounts to truck.
     
    bulldog93 likes this.
  30. Oct 29, 2022 at 1:54 AM
    #60
    Kenny1794

    Kenny1794 New Member

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    Please let me know when this becomes avail? I would like to purchase!!!!
     
    MedCityMoto likes this.

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