Today's Mods...

[fpdsniper]

So, today was the day to do the LED lightbar install behind the grill and add a 2" Level lift to my truck. I bought the light bar here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131339208007?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

The lift kit here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221730560752?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

I chose this lightbar based on the excellent seller ratings, and after measuring the distance between the trucks support bars in front of the radiator. A 30" curved bar seemed to have just the right spacing between the lightbar mounts, and the curve radius did not appear to be an issue with clearance.

 

Lightbar:

 

Lightbar in place mounted to support bars:

 

Close up of mount attachment:

 

The lightbar is very sturdy, and the mounts come with a rubber pad to isolate from vibration, etc. Shipping was fast, and the unit appears to be very well made using Cree LED's. At $86.00, it seems to be a great bargain.

 

Here's the switch that I picked up at Autozone for $8.00. Due to the low amperage, no relay was needed.

 

After reading tons of reviews and posts on level lift kits, I decided that I wanted a 2" lift that would leave just a slight amount of rake. That way, I have clearance for bigger tires, a much better stance, more front end clearance, and a truck that doesn't look squatty with a load in the bed. I looked at the Rough Country kit, but had a little concern that the kit was made of plastic. After looking at lot's of options, I found this one for a paltry $32.00 made of billet aluminum with great reviews:

 

Thanks to my mechanic buddy, the install of all items was very smooth with no issues. He was also impressed with the quality of the items vs the low cost. Here's the front fender height before the lift:

 

Here's the lift in progress;

 

Here's the fender height after the lift:

 

Before the lift:

 

After the lift:

 

Side view after lift:

 

Front after lift:

 

Light bar on:

 

After night fall, I took her for a spin to check out the lightbar. One word: Awesome! My buddy and I were chuckling out loud about how bright it is, with a great throw and flood. I am one happy camper! On the other hand, he commented on how dim/yellow the factory headlights are! I explained that I already complained to the dealer about the headlights. They are installing different bulbs and turning up the voltage to fix this issue. They were well aware of the problem, and there is a bulletin on it. Those bulbs go in next Thursday. I should have some really good lighting after that. Thanks for reading this post.

 

[Maine-iac]

How did you cut out the hole to put in that switch? I have a 32" light bar custom mounted behind my grill, paid $85-$86 for it might I add as well, and also have a very similar switch. I have a dremel to do the work with, but would like some advice if there is any to be had.

 

Edit: how could I be so rude. Great post! Love the before/after pictures. It looks great

[SteveBBB]

Great post and pictures!!

[fpdsniper]

How did you cut out the hole to put in that switch? I have a 32" light bar custom mounted behind my grill, paid $85-$86 for it might I add as well, and also have a very similar switch. I have a dremel to do the work with, but would like some advice if there is any to be had.

 

Edit: how could I be so rude. Great post! Love the before/after pictures. It looks great

LOL, no problem, I appreciate the feedback. We took the bottom kick panel off and drilled I believe a 1" hole. Then took the dremel and slowly made it larger until the switch would pop in. It has a red LED when the light bar is on, as if you wouldn't notice it. Ha! It looks like a factory installed switch. I'll try to take some pics tonight after dark to show the awesome lighting this thing provides.

[SkiDooNick700]

How do you know where to mount the bar so it'll shine between the bars across the grill?

May be a silly question, lol. I plan on doing this same thing though. So you said it has a good flood pattern despite being "enclosed" on either side (since it is behind the grill)?

 

Nice truck and i love what you have done, looks great. Looking forward to a night time pic from the drivers seat.

 

Does the LED bar drown out the highbeams?

 

Does it throw light further than the high beam?

[fpdsniper]

How do you know where to mount the bar so it'll shine between the bars across the grill?

May be a silly question, lol. I plan on doing this same thing though. So you said it has a good flood pattern despite being "enclosed" on either side (since it is behind the grill)?

 

Nice truck and i love what you have done, looks great. Looking forward to a night time pic from the drivers seat.

 

Does the LED bar drown out the highbeams?

 

Does it throw light further than the high beam?

Great questions. Here's my answers: When I did my pre-purchase measuring, I marked the spot on the support bars behind the grill so that they were pretty close to centered between the nice, open spaces in the factory grill. I then measured the distance, and knew that I needed my mounts to be close to 31.5" apart. After weeks of researching lightbars and their dimensions, I picked a 30" curved bar that used Cree LED's, a great seller reputation, great product reviews, and had the right distance between mounts. That made it pretty easy to simply line up the mounts on the support braces, level the lightbar, and mark the drilling points. We then used a pop rivet tool with threaded inserts to fasten to the support bars. Now, it is true that the bottom row of LED's are partially blocked by the grill. However, once we tested it, we found that it had little effect on the light put out through the grill. The curve radius of the lightbar closely replicates the curve radius of the grill. Couldn't be happier at this point.

 

The lightbar definitely drowns out the high beams, which are ridiculously poor from the factory. I am getting this rectified under warranty, so it will hopefully improve soon. However, the LED drowning out the high beams is a good thing in my opinion. I'd be disappointed if it didn't.

 

As far as the throw, that could be subjective to the individual. For me, yes the throw is just as good if not further than these crappy headlights. The brightness is no comparison at all. Once you turn the lightbar on, then turn it off, you won't believe how dingy and yellow the factory headlights are. You'll also suddenly feel less safe realizing how much you can't see with them! I will post some pics tonight.

[fpdsniper]

Oh, just a little disclaimer here: You absolutely cannot have this lightbar on with any oncoming traffic, or vehicles in front of you. They will be absolutely blinded. Just sayin'...

[flyin99]

Looks the best!!

[fpdsniper]

Looks the best!!

Thanks! I can't wait until I can afford some real tires on it though. Probably going with 32 or 33" AT's. I'm pretty fond of the Goodyear Duratrac's....

[SkiDooNick700]

Great questions. Here's my answers: When I did my pre-purchase measuring, I marked the spot on the support bars behind the grill so that they were pretty close to centered between the nice, open spaces in the factory grill. I then measured the distance, and knew that I needed my mounts to be close to 31.5" apart. After weeks of researching lightbars and their dimensions, I picked a 30" curved bar that used Cree LED's, a great seller reputation, great product reviews, and had the right distance between mounts. That made it pretty easy to simply line up the mounts on the support braces, level the lightbar, and mark the drilling points. We then used a pop rivet tool with threaded inserts to fasten to the support bars. Now, it is true that the bottom row of LED's are partially blocked by the grill. However, once we tested it, we found that it had little effect on the light put out through the grill. The curve radius of the lightbar closely replicates the curve radius of the grill. Couldn't be happier at this point.

 

The lightbar definitely drowns out the high beams, which are ridiculously poor from the factory. I am getting this rectified under warranty, so it will hopefully improve soon. However, the LED drowning out the high beams is a good thing in my opinion. I'd be disappointed if it didn't.

 

As far as the throw, that could be subjective to the individual. For me, yes the throw is just as good if not further than these crappy headlights. The brightness is no comparison at all. Once you turn the lightbar on, then turn it off, you won't believe how dingy and yellow the factory headlights are. You'll also suddenly feel less safe realizing how much you can't see with them! I will post some pics tonight.

 

Thanks for the good answers. I was hoping you were going to say it drowned out the high beams, so I am glad to hear it. I like the idea of the curved bar, I feel it will throw more light to the sides of the roads, light up the ditches on the country roads hopefully.

 

Oh, just a little disclaimer here: You absolutely cannot have this lightbar on with any oncoming traffic, or vehicles in front of you. They will be absolutely blinded. Just sayin'...

 

That's what I like to hear lol

[flyin99]

285/65/18 Toyo AT Xtreme on mine........just in case you were looking at something like them. I like them. They balanced VERY well, but do have some road noise, if that's of concern. I've heard good things on the Goodyears!

[fpdsniper]

285/65/18 Toyo AT Xtreme on mine........just in case you were looking at something like them. I like them. They balanced VERY well, but do have some road noise, if that's of concern. I've heard good things on the Goodyears!

Got any pics?

[flyin99]

Got any pics?

Not too loud, like a mud tire, but they do hum a bit. This is with an RC 2" level in the front and stock Rancho shocks, so far.

[fpdsniper]

Looks great!

[flyin99]

Looks great!

Thank you! LED light bar behind the grille, tomorrow..........I hope!!