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The simplest (cheapest) ditch light brackets for 2nd+ Gen Tundras/Sequoias

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Mountun Goat, Mar 1, 2020.

  1. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:35 PM
    #1
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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    Here I explain, mostly in words as I didn’t take enough pictures, how to build a cheap easy set of ditch light brackets for your 2007-current Tundra or Sequoia.

    Allow yourself a couple hours as it took me around two hours to do. These brackets bolt the the hood hinge bolts. To do this with any rate of success, a good bench vice is needed. Along with these tools:
    -hammer
    -drill
    -steel drill bits
    -steel center punch
    -tape measure
    -marking chalk or silver Sharpie marker (I prefer)
    -steel hand file / grinder

    I used a bench grinder to clean my brackets up, as I have one, a file would work also.


    First, grab yourself a length of steel of choice gauge. I think mine was about 7 or 8 gauge. My steel piece is 3/4” wide as well.

    -measure from one square end and mark 5/8”
    -then pull the tape farther and mark 2 7/8”
    -then pull the tape farther and mark 4”
    -then pull the tape farther and mark 7”
    -then pull the tape farther and mark 10”
    -then pull the tape farther and mark 10 5/8”
    -then finally mark 11 1/8”

    Put your steel into a vice horizontally and flat to prepare for drilling holes. On your 5/8”, 2 7/8”, and 10 5/8” use your center punch to provide drill bit centering. I stepped up to a 3/8” hole to allow for minor adjustment.

    Now, put your steel into a vice vertically, and bend angles to match my pictures at the corresponding measurement mark. Nice weighted hammer will help provide nice sharp angles (sharp enough-this isn’t a piano). I don’t have an angle finder so eye balling will have to work for you all :thumbsup:

    Clean all the edges up and sand to paint of choice color.

    You will need to remove the rubber trim pieces that cap the ends of the cowl.

    Let me know if any of this is confusing and I’ll try to explain further.
    :hattip:

    B44763B0-46BA-4E17-A350-1D08D3DE33C4.jpg
    DDA39DC9-A2D4-4798-A065-54A0556B49D9.jpg
    You’ll notice the inside corners are ground off, this is to clear the end of the cowl.
    B02A9E9A-A526-4EC2-9BDB-86678F7EFD2E.jpg
    4DDDE764-CCDC-4D37-9E0E-5A9676B31E5D.jpg
    C0C1EE48-EAEF-4414-B6C6-728C91F5B7F2.jpg
    03EBD121-37C4-4DDF-9B44-A359F866C5D6.jpg
    851B52D7-10DD-4D7C-811E-B4F1153348A5.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2020
    chugs, Sunnier, BrandonL812 and 4 others like this.
  2. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:40 PM
    #2
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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    I would have grabbed more pictures of under the hood but removed to paint. Then I ran out of primer. I will post more once mine are painted and reinstalled.
     
    Sunnier, Rica25 and TruckyTruck like this.
  3. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:40 PM
    #3
    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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    Very nice! Much more satisfying than 80 bucks on brackets
     
  4. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:41 PM
    #4
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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    Agreed fully! I had some scrap steel laying around!
     
    Rica25 and TruckyTruck[QUOTED] like this.
  5. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:42 PM
    #5
    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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    You might start a trend... I've got some scrap steel laying around too!
     
  6. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:43 PM
    #6
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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    Do it!! Let me know if you have any questions:)
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  7. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:43 PM
    #7
    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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    Thanks!
     
  8. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:51 PM
    #8
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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  9. Mar 2, 2020 at 4:50 AM
    #9
    Black Wolf

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  10. Mar 15, 2020 at 10:28 AM
    #10
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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    I got the brackets painted and installed last night. Still need to wire in he lights but here’s the final install of lights for reference. :hattip:

    0097872B-B4D8-4573-8270-E6781085DFDD.jpg
    921362B5-3B66-4363-B500-1189CB7884D2.jpg
    3F74084A-E27B-46BF-ADBE-36365DBB825B.jpg
    268F8209-9F3B-4020-A13D-088E39C3C35E.jpg
    600A4AED-F8C9-4C2B-88D4-8797CE7D580A.jpg
    325AD866-ACC1-48A3-9DC6-9A9CE4FE8A8D.jpg
     
  11. Mar 15, 2020 at 10:45 AM
    #11
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    Curious how they fair down heavy washboard roads
     
    Mountun Goat[OP] likes this.
  12. Mar 15, 2020 at 10:50 AM
    #12
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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    Me too. They have some flex, so hoping they are ok. If not, I will gusset the corners for a major stiffening addition.
     
  13. Mar 15, 2020 at 10:51 AM
    #13
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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    @14burrito I will specifically go for a wash board run here soon and update.
     
  14. Mar 15, 2020 at 11:24 AM
    #14
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    I like my SDHQ set because they use a bump against the hood as a bumpstop/light pressure point.

    I like you making your own set though, that's great!
     
  15. Mar 15, 2020 at 11:37 AM
    #15
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat [OP] She baaaaaahd

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    Cool that’s a good idea! Thanks I like to stay busy:)
     
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