where to mount off-road lights, opinions and ideas??

[ewarnerusa]

OK, I want more light. It'a a guy thing. I've got little fog/driving lights already. They are great for fog, but as far as driving lights I want some more. But I don't have a bush guard or anything to mount them to. You can see where I put my fog/driving lights on my factory bumper, but that is only good for narrow lights. I was looking into some 6" off road lights, but don't really know where to put them. I have a roof rack, but I like to take that off from time to time, plus with the ski racks on there in a winter it would be a pain. I don't want to put them up there.

So what are some options? I've seen alot of stuff attached to plastic on the grills, but I personally want the light attached to some metal, something solid. How about light bars that mount in front? Any opinions, ideas, and PICS (!!!) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
http://home.bresnan.net/~ewarnerusa/wsb/media/7501/site1018.JPG

[allpro yota]

Dude, do what im doing to my bumper...Ill send u a pic of it, i need to scan it. It's kinda like a pre-runner bumper, but its not. I have an old 85' pickup and im putting this sweet bumber on it. It will have 4 lights on it, 2 on each side, and then 2 in the middle. Let me scan this picture, and ill see if i can post it up for u tomorrow. Thanks

[ewarnerusa]

cool, i'd like to see it.

[ewarnerusa]

some more info. My lights are a combo (2 lights in each lamp) fog/driving. sort of like hi beam/low beam. Both lights are 55W H3's. I want to keep them low on the truck since the fog light is their best feature and I think fogs should be as close to the road a possible. I want to spread them out someday, if I ever get the nerve to take all that plastic off again. I had an idea though..... 100W bulbs are available that fit into the same socket, cheap at Wal-Mart. I did some math and if I replaced the bulbs with 100-watters, I would be pulling (100W)/(12V)=8.3A per bulb, so ~17A versus what I'm pulling now 2(55W)/(12V)=9.2A. The fuse in the power line to the lights is 15A, so I could easily upgrade that. But would the relays be able to handle that extra current? I'm sure they are not top of the line relays, but does anyone know?
http://www.hellausa.com/optilux/images/opti2020.jpg

[allpro yota]

HAHAHAHA, all that math stuff...i dont understand too much, i just know how to get out of camp and back, HAHA...j/k ummm, i dont know, maybe someone else will help u out on that question. But, im trying to get that pic done

[Camotoy]

You could go this route if you are keeping the same bumper. GEt one of those tube grills or whatever and mount the lights bheind them

[ewarnerusa]

Originally posted by AZyoungToy
You could go this route if you are keeping the same bumper. GEt one of those tube grills or whatever and mount the lights bheind them

Whoa! you modded my truck! that looks pretty cool, I hadn't thought of that. what would the lights mount to behind that grill?

[Camotoy]

I really dont know. I dont have the same year yota. Just look and see what behind there. If there is nothing Im sure you could make some mounts easily just using parts found at a home depot.
I've seen lights mounted behind the grill before and it looks really clean. With that style grill it doesnt reall affect the light output either, Ive seen them at night and you cant even tell. It would be like a wall of light coming at you hahaha

[ewarnerusa]

sweet!! i stole the pics! that does look cool. I realize you say that it doesn't affect the light output, but it just seems like it would take a little away. sort of like a filter.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2427286053&category=33645

I found alot for cheaper, but that was a good pic.

[WildYoats]

You could buy this cool pre-runner bumper bar im selling on ebay and add a couple more lights. It has light tabs and "should" fit your bumper!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2427902927&category=33650&rd=1

http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_41cd6523b367a92de6706cec8e146f3e/i-1.JPG

Maybe something like this:

[WildYoats]

I mean this:

[ewarnerusa]

Originally posted by WildYoats
I mean this:

That is cool. I love how everyone photoshops my truck into something cooler than before! how does that light bar mount and how sturdy is it?

[WildYoats]

Well I wouldnt be running any desert races with it...But for the price. It mounts via four points. Two thru the bumper into the main bottom bar (which by the way is 1.5") and one top mounting bolt on top on each end. Should be way sturdy.

[ewarnerusa]

Originally posted by WildYoats
Well I wouldnt be running any desert races with it...But for the price. It mounts via four points. Two thru the bumper into the main bottom bar (which by the way is 1.5") and one top mounting bolt on top on each end. Should be way sturdy.

Cool. I don't really think I want to go that route, but I checked out some of your other auctions and I'm interested in that Thule bike rack that hooks into the 2" hitch receiver. It says "Add Thule's Bike Frame Adapter (see below) for bikes without traditional top tubes" and I would fall into that category. Does it have this adapter with it? Mine is a full suspension Giant Warp DS2 (http://mtbr.com/reviews/2003_full_suspension/product_121167.shtml) with funky frame, and I'm tired of taking the front tire off to prop it up in the back and still have room for dogs. It also says you have to take the bikes off to lower it, is that true? Do you have any idea what shipping would be to 59601?

[WildYoats]

Shipping would be $14. Im pretty sure the adapter bar for your FS in NOT included. In looking at the design, I see no issue with tilting it down with a bike on it, you just have to be coordinated enough to hold it back up when putting it up. Maybe harder with the bikes on it.

[ewarnerusa]

Originally posted by WildYoats
Shipping would be $14. Im pretty sure the adapter bar for your FS in NOT included. In looking at the design, I see no issue with tilting it down with a bike on it, you just have to be coordinated enough to hold it back up when putting it up. Maybe harder with the bikes on it.

yeah, i don't think it would be an issue. I'm "watching" the auction, so you can probably expect me to bid. Thanks. Ed

[WildYoats]

Oops, I meant to say "may be harder with FOUR bikes on it".

[ewarnerusa]

Originally posted by WildYoats
Oops, I meant to say "may be harder with FOUR bikes on it".

it was understood. it will most likely never be more than 2 bikes, because how many people can fit in the tacoma anyways!