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Lights in front of lower grill?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Deuxdiesel, Jan 7, 2023.

  1. Jan 7, 2023 at 4:43 AM
    #1
    Deuxdiesel

    Deuxdiesel [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2020
    Member:
    #13584
    Messages:
    396
    Gender:
    Male
    SE MI
    Vehicle:
    '18 SR5P
    I have a set of 6" round LED driving lights that I am about to install. I am fabricating the mounts myself, so I have the option to mount them either behind or in front of the lower grill. I sure do like the retro look of the in-front lights, but most people mount them behind the grill. What are the reasons for that? Security is not an issue at all for me fortunately. Looking forward to your opinions.

    D.
     
  2. Jan 14, 2023 at 8:51 AM
    #2
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2021
    Member:
    #23370
    Messages:
    424
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 SR5 Premium
    I started with a set of Cibie Oscar 6" round driving lights behind my lower grill because I knew I needed additional distance lighting and I didn't like the look of something hanging out in front of the grill. That said, I knew Diode Dynamics was coming out with something new in a few months, so I installed the Oscars to figure out some of the issues with brackets, wiring, etc. Here's what that installation looked like:

    IMG_1884%5B1%5D_290d3132b0fe626fcf803730d6f33af8a161f14a.jpg

    IMG_E1885%5B1%5D_a10e81a790692dfddc2c300b8589aea815fe5126.jpg

    Did the (100-watt Halogen) Oscars work? Yes, but they clearly weren't as good as newer lighting products. Did I like the (behind the grill) look? Yes, very much so.

    When Diode Dynamics finally came out with their SS5 LED pods, I quickly ordered and installed a set with Driving pattern lenses. I liked the output, but wanted a tighter pattern with more reach, so I ordered and swapped in a set of Spot pattern lenses. This is the installation before I changed to the Spot lenses:

    IMG_2763_1__cd0fa35d53b86a32f7ca5a63493f65440bb8c60e.jpg

    Here's what the Spot lenses look like behind the grill:

    SS5_Spot_Lenses.JPG_3e13d29d881460bf0a3576b59c3c0c2fb0719301.jpg

    And here's the combined output of the SS5's and my high beams as they're wired to come on together:

    IMG_3592_1__18e46fc8384ad639246547fd939098f5f14b6b1c.jpg

    Hope that helps.
     
    Broll and TrailSpecial22 like this.
  3. Jan 15, 2023 at 3:31 AM
    #3
    Deuxdiesel

    Deuxdiesel [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2020
    Member:
    #13584
    Messages:
    396
    Gender:
    Male
    SE MI
    Vehicle:
    '18 SR5P
    Thanks for posting that. The Rago mounts look great, but it sure seems like a lot of parts for just two lights (Hella VF500 LED). The advantage I see in having them out front is I can cover them completely or put yellow covers on them easily. I inquired about the Pakrax mount, but haven't heard back from them yet.
     

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