Front License Plate Bracket Light bar - Anyone use this before?

[vjr021]

been seeing this pop up more and more... Anyone ever use one?

Any pics?

What is everyone's thoughts?

I'd like to do a small brush bar, just to have some aux lighting.

 

[lhommec13]

Looks cool but I'd caution against calling it a "brush bar". Just looking at the design, even the smallest impact (like parallel parking) will likely bend it. I do like how it looks and the utility it offers though. I'd just be cautious about it's durability.

 

[vjr021]

Looks cool but I'd caution against calling it a "brush bar". Just looking at the design, even the smallest impact (like parallel parking) will likely bend it. I do like how it looks and the utility it offers though. I'd just be cautious about it's durability.

I wouldn't call it that anyway... I was just saying that I wanted brush bar, but only to mount a light...

I have seen these on ebay as cheap as $20 - usually around $40...

Just wonder what it would look like on a 100, or if the plate mounts on our LC's are strong enough...

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Plate nuts are only mounted in the bumper plastic, they don't back up to any steel behind them. So with weight of bar and lights, you're probably in for some hefty wobble and maybe tearing out of the plastic. If you went all the way through to the metal bumper support, you'd be way better off.

 

[TXLX100]

Plate nuts are only mounted in the bumper plastic, they don't back up to any steel behind them. So with weight of bar and lights, you're probably in for some hefty wobble and maybe tearing out of the plastic. If you went all the way through to the metal bumper support, you'd be way better off.

Might be alright with some reinforcement. I might actually try this on my 4runner, not a look I'd like on my 100 series.

 

[Manhattan]

Seems like about $19 too much. That thing is essentially an "L" bracket for a couple lights. The cross-bar is doing nothing - or worse - turning any small hit into a point load.

 

[hankinid]

I've got one on a '13 Land Cruiser. You DEFINITELY need to fasten the bracket to something metal. Not sure how you'd do that...I did not happen to eyeball fit and places to drill more mounting holes in my 100...just bolted it to the 200's license plate holes and went from there. I drilled two more holes on each side of the bracket, which allowed bolts and locknuts to tie into steel.

The bracket arrived chrome plated. Once I had bolt locations marked and verified the fit, I removed the bracket, hit it with a 3M roloc pad, and resprayed it with a couple coats of primer and 2-3 coats of the truck's Midnight Metallic Gray paint.

I've got a couple of Hella 4000's bolted to the bracket, the suckers weigh just under 5 lbs. each. Zero movement of the bracket before and after mounting the lights. Euro beam in one, pencil beam in the other...both bulbs are 100 watts. The bracket comes without holes punched for U.S. license plates, so you'll need to drill your own.

 

[SmoothLC]

Any photos @hankinid? Sounds interesting. Thanks.

 

[nnnnnate]

I don't hate it but don't know how much I'd like it hanging off the front as much as it does. I just ordered a couple of the little light bars that I'm going to try and mount in the bumper. We'll see how it goes. Have you considered that for lights?

I am curious to see legit pics of it in use though. Post them up @hankinid

 

[Greenbean]

I'm here for the pics,

 

[hankinid]

Any photos @hankinid? Sounds interesting. Thanks.

Tonight winter temps begin in SW Idaho...rain, rain, rain. and I leave around sunrise for g'daughter's wedding in SAC. Weather permitting, pics should be up next week.

I don't hate it but don't know how much I'd like it hanging off the front as much as it does. I just ordered a couple of the little light bars that I'm going to try and mount in the bumper. We'll see how it goes. Have you considered that for lights?

I am curious to see legit pics of it in use though. Post them up @hankinid

The flat light mounting surface is 2-1/4" wide and a bit more than a foot or so long. The tubing adds another 1-1/4" approx to the overhang...so not much overhang.

I used aircraft grade rivnuts backed by fender washers to replace the oem nuts that mount the license plate.

I did consider led's, but I haven't seen any yet that can throw light as far as a halogen or hid (beyond my budget) lamp. I may also add a single PAR 36 lamp mount with a 4509 landing light mounted dead center on the bottom of the bracket...in my experience, landing lights are the best bang for the buck, especially in areas where you're driving through sleet and ice...100 watts means zero ice buildup.

I'm here for the pics,

While you wait for the pics, drop $30 or whatever on the bracket...mine took around a week and a half direct from China. Cover the flat parts with masking tape so you're set to measure and drill holes.

 

[nnnnnate]

Its on amazon prime for $34 and 2 day shipping. What am I supposed to do the other 5 days? lol

link

 

[hankinid]

Its on amazon prime for $34 and 2 day shipping. What am I supposed to do the other 5 days? lol

link

You could start by checking your conversations here.

 

[nnnnnate]

@hankinid delivers... but wants to clarify that these are on a 200.

 

[hankinid]

Thanks, Nate.

Steve

 

[Kofoed]

I wonder how much it shakes......

 

[SmoothLC]

Seems like someone w/ skillz should be able to create something similar but mounted to the steel bumber behind the plastic thingy. Something a little more secure. Just a thought. (I got no fab skillz.)

 

[hankinid]

I wonder how much it shakes......

Definitely not enough to bother you. What little I've seen can be eliminated by adding a simple brace to each end. That's on my winter list.
Either that or take a look at lighter weight lamps.

Seems like someone w/ skillz should be able to create something similar but mounted to the steel bumber behind the plastic thingy. Something a little more secure. Just a thought. (I got no fab skillz.)

That's what I'd like to see for our '01 LX.

 

[nnnnnate]

I was pretty close to ordering this the other day but missed the window to get it yesterday. I ended up just mounting (2) 12" combo light bars to the crash bar behind the bumper cover and am fairly pleased with how it turned out. It probably took me about as long as this would have taken with some reinforcement.