Lx470 mounting Offroad lights with stock bumper

[CreasyBear]

While I save and wait for a aftermarket front bumper I would like to add some extra lighting.

Has anyone mounted larger lights either on their stock bumper or mounted to the hood itself. The way the grill is attached to the hood I could see building a mount that comes through the grill.

 

[nakman]

Are you pretty set on those big round ones? I would think they'd be in the way of the hood opening, and if mounted to just the plastic they're going to flop around a lot.

If you wanted another approach and want to play with some of the smaller square lights, I bet you could hide those behind the factory bumper.. possibly making a hole for them, or maybe not?

is that your GX you're parked by? this is what I did on mine, might give you an idea...

 

[CreasyBear]

Hey Nak, I have 12 inch combo LED bars in the same air openings on my LX, but they don't have any range. Thats what you see covered in green tape. I say offroad lights but I really use them for backroads. Here in Texas we have very long distances and lots of deer trying to share the road at night.

GX - yup that is the wife's. So far I'm not allowed to touch it mod wise. We'll see....

 

[Jfcol]

I'm wanting to do the same thing with some 5" round lights. I ordered this bracket and am hoping that bolting it in with some decent sized washers will keep the lights from vibrating when mounted through the top of the plastic bumper. I might also flip it around so that the top of the plate sits above the bumper to tuck the lights in more. They also have some license plate brackets with mini bull bars on them, but I thought those looked kind of silly. I'll post photos once I get it done. I don't think the bracket ships for a few weeks though. Good luck. And let me know if you figure out something better. Jeff

 

[spaber05]

It's an interesting idea but I'd be a little concerned about decreasing airflow to the radiator, especially in hotter climates. I'm not an expert and this is not based on any empirical evidence, but blocking that much of the grill just seems like it might be asking for trouble!

 

[geanes]

It's an interesting idea but I'd be a little concerned about decreasing airflow to the radiator, especially in hotter climates. I'm not an expert and this is not based on any empirical evidence, but blocking that much of the grill just seems like it might be asking for trouble!

I don't think it would be that much of an issue. I'm in Austin, TX and currently run 9" LEDs on my bullbar. I've not experienced any overheating issues running in the middle of the day in places like Big Bend (95+ degrees) and daily driving around Austin (100+). My Scangauge showed no difference in Water or Transmission temps from before I had the lights to after. Of course, my pods are further forward since they are on the bumper. So, maybe they restrict air a little less than ones on the grill. But, I know that @kelly saad has created customer LC grills with integrated lights and I have never read or heard anything about airflow issues. Just my 2 cents.

 

[kelly saad]

I’m using these 6” lights and no problem so far, but it’s not hot yet. I was running 3.5 inch lights in my grille last year with 115+ temp, stop and go and no temp increase, but those are pretty small. Not that this helps but just some info.

 

[spaber05]

I don't think it would be that much of an issue. I'm in Austin, TX and currently run 9" LEDs on my bullbar. I've not experienced any overheating issues running in the middle of the day in places like Big Bend (95+ degrees) and daily driving around Austin (100+). My Scangauge showed no difference in Water or Transmission temps from before I had the lights to after. Of course, my pods are further forward since they are on the bumper. So, maybe they restrict air a little less than ones on the grill. But, I know that @kelly saad has created customer LC grills with integrated lights and I have never read or heard anything about airflow issues. Just my 2 cents.

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Thanks for chiming in with some real world experience. Like I said it was really just a hunch and not based on facts, but it's good to know the airflow isn't that interrupted even with larger lights, although I'm a bit surprised there isn't any difference in temps.

 

[Cargo1234]

I am planning on doing the same thing on my LX
My current idea is a metal bracket that I can bolt to the bumper (on the actual metal behind the bumper cover) and bring it up to just below the spot where I plan to attach the lights..I am going to use the same lights geanes has on his rig

 

[thetimmer]

I'm wanting to do the same thing with some 5" round lights. I ordered this bracket and am hoping that bolting it in with some decent sized washers will keep the lights from vibrating when mounted through the top of the plastic bumper. I might also flip it around so that the top of the plate sits above the bumper to tuck the lights in more. They also have some license plate brackets with mini bull bars on them, but I thought those looked kind of silly. I'll post photos once I get it done. I don't think the bracket ships for a few weeks though. Good luck. And let me know if you figure out something better. Jeff

View attachment 1713774

Bumping this thread, did any of these metal plates work out? I would love to find a way to mount round lights to the stock bumper and grill. I think it fit the "look" of the 100 series and I could use the extra light while heading to camp this winter.

 

[Lndcrzr100inTN]

I installed 4 Rigid pods in my stock bumper until I am able to order one of Bens.

 

[Jfcol]

I like the old school round lights so I went with these. It might have been overkill, but I bought a piece of angled aluminum bracket to reinforce things from underneath. I was able to keep it as a single piece, which also tied the lights together, if that mattered. Rock solid with no vibrations. Also check out CH4x4 for a switch. Lots of styles to choose from. They look like they might have been stock as they fit perfectly in one of the existing blanks

 

[87warrior]

I welded a light weight bracket to hold a pair of IPF lights on my rig. Initially i wanted to mount the lights directly to the plastic bumper, but since the top of the bumper has little to no support, I scrubbed that idea. The legs of the bracket are bolted to the support on either side of the radiator and the tabs stick out between the grill and bumper. They have been on my Cruiser for nearly 3 years and I've not had a problem. These lights get used every night on my 12 mile trek home through deer country.

 

[thetimmer]

View attachment 1842574 View attachment 1842576 I like the old school round lights so I went with these. It might have been overkill, but I bought a piece of angled aluminum bracket to reinforce things from underneath. I was able to keep it as a single piece, which also tied the lights together, if that mattered. Rock solid with no vibrations. Also check out CH4x4 for a switch. Lots of styles to choose from. They look like they might have been stock as they fit perfectly in one of the existing blanks

View attachment 1842573

THanks guys these look great! JCol and pics of the install you can share?

 

[ClassyJalopy]

I love both the hidden winch mount and the light mount bracket. I would pay to get my hands on a bracket like this.

I welded a light weight bracket to hold a pair of IPF lights on my rig. Initially i wanted to mount the lights directly to the plastic bumper, but since the top of the bumper has little to no support, I scrubbed that idea. The legs of the bracket are bolted to the support on either side of the radiator and the tabs stick out between the grill and bumper. They have been on my Cruiser for nearly 3 years and I've not had a problem. These lights get used every night on my 12 mile trek home through deer country.

 

[Jfcol]

THanks guys these look great! JCol and pics of the install you can share?[/QUOTE

THanks guys these look great! JCol and pics of the install you can share?

The switch is LED, which is brighter than the other lights, but I don't mind it. Plus it's wired to only light up when turned on. I particularly like how it replaces the blank. I screwed up and ordered it with a white light but you can also get the florescent green. I imagine it would be brighter as well.

With the bracket image, I wasn't able to shoot far enough away to show both ends, but imagine another bolt coming through on the left. The nice thing about the bracket was that it made a great template for drilling the holes. Just position it on the top of the bumper and trace the two holes at whatever span you want to put the lights. The sharpie mark in the middle of the bracket helped me get it centered. And to keep the drill from slipping, I started with a small bit and worked my way up. You're just drilling through heavy plastic so it's not bad. I just didn't want it to slip any so it would line up perfectly when I moved the bracket underneath.

 

[thetimmer]

The switch is LED, which is brighter than the other lights, but I don't mind it. Plus it's wired to only light up when turned on. I particularly like how it replaces the blank. I screwed up and ordered it with a white light but you can also get the florescent green. I imagine it would be brighter as well.

With the bracket image, I wasn't able to shoot far enough away to show both ends, but imagine another bolt coming through on the left. The nice thing about the bracket was that it made a great template for drilling the holes. Just position it on the top of the bumper and trace the two holes at whatever span you want to put the lights. The sharpie mark in the middle of the bracket helped me get it centered. And to keep the drill from slipping, I started with a small bit and worked my way up. You're just drilling through heavy plastic so it's not bad. I just didn't want it to slip any so it would line up perfectly when I moved the bracket underneath.

View attachment 1842609 View attachment 1842610

This is great! Thank you very much Jcol!

 

[Shree]

The switch is LED, which is brighter than the other lights, but I don't mind it. Plus it's wired to only light up when turned on. I particularly like how it replaces the blank. I screwed up and ordered it with a white light but you can also get the florescent green. I imagine it would be brighter as well.

With the bracket image, I wasn't able to shoot far enough away to show both ends, but imagine another bolt coming through on the left. The nice thing about the bracket was that it made a great template for drilling the holes. Just position it on the top of the bumper and trace the two holes at whatever span you want to put the lights. The sharpie mark in the middle of the bracket helped me get it centered. And to keep the drill from slipping, I started with a small bit and worked my way up. You're just drilling through heavy plastic so it's not bad. I just didn't want it to slip any so it would line up perfectly when I moved the bracket underneath.

View attachment 1842609 View attachment 1842610

The switch is LED, which is brighter than the other lights, but I don't mind it. Plus it's wired to only light up when turned on. I particularly like how it replaces the blank. I screwed up and ordered it with a white light but you can also get the florescent green. I imagine it would be brighter as well.

With the bracket image, I wasn't able to shoot far enough away to show both ends, but imagine another bolt coming through on the left. The nice thing about the bracket was that it made a great template for drilling the holes. Just position it on the top of the bumper and trace the two holes at whatever span you want to put the lights. The sharpie mark in the middle of the bracket helped me get it centered. And to keep the drill from slipping, I started with a small bit and worked my way up. You're just drilling through heavy plastic so it's not bad. I just didn't want it to slip any so it would line up perfectly when I moved the bracket underneath.

View attachment 1842609 View attachment 1842610

Hi Jfcol,

this is a great idea Jfcol. I see there is Bolt on the left and right holding the lights on top of the bumper, that i get it. Where did you bolt both ends of the bracket for the extra support? are they bolted to somewhere to the body/bumper frame? how its holding up!!

Thank for your time.

 

[Jfcol]

Hi Jfcol,

this is a great idea Jfcol. I see there is Bolt on the left and right holding the lights on top of the bumper, that i get it. Where did you bolt both ends of the bracket for the extra support? are they bolted to somewhere to the body/bumper frame? how its holding up!!

Thank for your time.

The bolts that come down from each light are the only ones holding the bracket. My thought was that the little bit of extra reinforcement would be enough. It would also make a firmer surface to tighten the washers and bolts down. If I remember correctly, I was able to push the lights through the new holes and then carefully slide the bracket over them from underneath. Of course, a second set of hands holding the lights would make things even easier. It's held up great. Lights haven't moved a bit and no vibration at higher speeds.

 

[Shree]

The bolts that come down from each light are the only ones holding the bracket. My thought was that the little bit of extra reinforcement would be enough. It would also make a firmer surface to tighten the washers and bolts down. If I remember correctly, I was able to push the lights through the new holes and then carefully slide the bracket over them from underneath. Of course, a second set of hands holding the lights would make things even easier. It's held up great. Lights haven't moved a bit and no vibration at higher speeds.

Great. Thanks mate for the reply. Really appreciate it. I was going through so many forms and I got the exact idea but bolting something the body for extra support. I like your idea better simple and easy. I’ll try to share my mod sooner.

Thanks again