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

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

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.




You’ll notice the inside corners are ground off, this is to clear the end of the cowl.

 

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.

 

Very nice! Much more satisfying than 80 bucks on brackets

 

Agreed fully! I had some scrap steel laying around!

 

You might start a trend... I've got some scrap steel laying around too!

 

Do it!! Let me know if you have any questions

 

Thanks!

 

@PRO BLANCO
@Black Wolf

 

Kuul

 

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.

 

Curious how they fair down heavy washboard roads

 

Me too. They have some flex, so hoping they are ok. If not, I will gusset the corners for a major stiffening addition.

 

@14burrito I will specifically go for a wash board run here soon and update.

 

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!

 

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