Let's talk ditch light brackets.

inspired by this thread
https://www.4runners.com/threads/lets-talk-front-steel-bumpers.46521/
and the great information sharing I figured a healthy conversation around ditch light brackets would be good.

I have been combing the previous conversations in an attempt to
1) document all the different types of ditch light brackets
2) learn what makes a $100 pair of brackets "better" than the $12 generic versions.

So far this is what I have found:

4Runner Ditch Hood Light Bracket (generic)

$20 KANGIKX 4Runner Ditch Hood Light Bracket for Mounting Auxiliary Off-Road LED Pod Light Hood Brackets Fits for Toyota 4Runner 2010+

https://www.amazon.com/KANGIKX-Mounting-Auxiliary-Off-Road-Brackets/dp/B09V9ZJ2QR

4Runner Ditch Light Bracket (generic)

$20 KMFCDAE 4Run Ditch Light Bracket LED Pods Hood Mount Brackets Compatible with Toyota 4Runner 2010+

https://www.amazon.com/KMFCDAE-4Runner-Bracket-Brackets-Compatible/dp/B096ZYXY84

4Runner Ditch Light Bracket (generic)

$20 KMFCDAE 4Run Ditch Light Bracket LED Pods Hood Mount Brackets Compatible with Toyota 4Runner 2010+

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZYXY84
https://www.4runners.com/threads/wh...-gen-4runner-today.2261/page-1289#post-718453

Aeon Iron Work Ditch Light Mount
https://www.aegonironwork.com/4runner/ditch-light-mount-toyota-4runner

Bevinsee Ditch Mount A-Pillar Light Brackets For Toyota 4Runner 9132012801
https://www.bevinsee.com/products/d...ets-for-toyota-4runner?variant=40734330945571

Bison Gear
https://bison-gear.com/en/home/111-ditch-light-brackets-4r5g-5904624779302.html

Cali Raised LED Low Profile LED Ditch Light Mounting Brackets
https://caliraisedled.com/products/...low-profile-led-ditch-light-mounting-brackets

CBI Offroad Ditch Light Brackets
https://cbioffroadfab.com/product/toyota-5th-gen-4runner-ditch-light-brackets/

Country Mile Offroad 5th gen 4runner Ditch Light Brackets
https://www.countrymileoffroad.com/product-page/5th-gen-4runner-ditch-light-brackets?

Diode Dynamics Stage Series Backlit Ditch Light Kit (light + bracket)
https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage-series-backlit-ditch-light-kit-for-2010-2024-toyota-4runner.html

Front Runner
https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...h-gen-ditch-mount-a-pillar-light-vacc035.html

Greenlane Offroad 4Runner Ditch Light Bracket Set
https://greenlaneoffroad.com/products/4runner-ditch-light-bracket-set

HPS Ditch Light Bracket Kit Toyota 2010-2023 4Runner, DTC-100
https://hpsperformanceproducts.com/...-kit-toyota-2010-2022-4runner-4-0l-v6-dtc-100

HRG Offroad Ditch light brackets for 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner
https://hrgoffroad.com/product/ditch-light-brackets-for-2010-2024-toyota-4runner/

KC Hilites Bracket Set - Pillar / Ditch Mount - Pair
https://www.kchilites.com/toyota-4runner-ditch-bracket-set-10-20.html

Lightforce 4Runner Gen 5 Hood Ditch Mount
https://tgmoverland.com/products/lightforce-4runner-gen-5-hood-ditch-mount

Morimoto Toyota 4Runner (14-24) Ditch Light Brackets
https://www.morimotohid.com/morimoto-4banger-led-a-pillar-brackets-toyota-4runner-14-23

MinWin3d
https://minwin3d.com/products/side-mirror-ditch-light-mount-pair

Nilight Ditch Light Brackets (generic)

$18 Nilight Ditch Light Brackets Hood Hinges Mount Bracket Kit for Auxiliary Offroad LED Pods Work Lighting Compatible with Toyota 4Runner 2009-2023 Tundra 2007-2021

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Auxiliary-Compatible-2009-2023-2007-2021/dp/B0DSKDYHTL/

ORACLE Lighting 2010-2023 Toyota 4Runner (5th Gen) A-Pillar Hood Mount Brackets
https://www.oraclelights.com/collec...-4runner-5th-gen-a-pillar-hood-mount-brackets

Rago Fabrication 2010-2024 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner Ditch Light Brackets Rago Fabrication 2010-2024 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner Low Profile Ditch Light Brackets RCI Metal Works Ditch Light Brackets | 10-24 4Runner
https://rcimetalworks.com/product/ditch-light-brackets-10-24-4runner/

Ronin Metal 2010 - 2024 Toyota 4Runner Ditch Light Brackets
https://roninmetal.com/products/2010-current-toyota-4runner-ditch-light-brackets

Rough Country (light + bracket)
https://www.roughcountry.com/product/configurable/toyota-4runner-led-lower-windshield-kit-70796c

SDHQ Offroad 03-24 Toyota 4Runner SDHQ Built A-Pillar Light Mounts
https://sdhqoffroad.com/collections...yota-4runner-sdhq-built-a-pillar-light-mounts

https://www.4runners.com/threads/inexpensive-ditch-light-bracket.27363/#post-378206

StreetRays Hood Ditch Side Cube LED Light Pod Brackets Mount
https://www.ebay.com/itm/305948114560
https://www.4runners.com/threads/streetrays-contact-info.34102/

TEQ Customs
https://teqcustoms.com/products/2010-2024-4runner-ditch-light-brackets?

Velox 5th Gen 4Runner Under Mirror Ditch Light Brackets
https://offroadalliance.com/Velox-4Runner-5th-Gen-Under-Mirror-Ditch-Light-Brackets/

Victory 4x4
https://www.victory4x4.com/product/V4RDLM.html

Westcott Designs 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen Ditch Light Brackets
https://westcottdesigns.net/product/2010-24-toyota-4runner-5th-gen-ditch-light-brackets/


I know there is a fair amount of brand loyalty for some of the above solutions, and then there is less enthusiasm for others.

My question(s):
Did I miss a solution?
What solution did you use and why?

 

MinWin3D has a set of under mirror mounts. They don't look goofy like all the others. Those hood mount ones remind me of Cornholio Beavis.

https://minwin3d.com/products/side-mirror-ditch-light-mount-pair

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I took note of it in the knowledge sharing document.

 

Got these installed. Love them. I didn't want the goofy above hood ditch lights and this delivered. It's pricey but the how to and supportive parts were amazing. He printed pieces just to hold the bit when drilling out the wiring path. So great. Fitment is superb.

 

very interesting
more 4R light loads I didn’t know I needed

 

I went with Rago on my tank.

 

I mainly got them for being on the road early or late in the mountains so I don't hit a moose, elk or deer. This is also effective for Texas 2 lanes roads. My overhead lights are so effing bright and push a narrow beam so the wider beams are very nice.

 

I really like this design. The price tag hurts! It is a very slick integration.

maybe someone will get me a kit for Xmas.

 

I bought the GGLighting ditch light brackets. They currently are on sale and I also wrote up the instructions for them. I chose them because I had a discount at one point and they mount to the body. They are extremely sturdy, my only dislike is the shape of the mounting area since I cut myself pretty good while cleaning my windshield. Great bracket though because they do not bounce around with the hood and you do not need to dork around with removing hood hinge bolts.

2009+ Toyota 4Runner Ditch Light Brackets – GGLighting

 

I got the Cali Raises LED brackets. I’m only going to use one though, as a platform for the NMO mount for a Midland Ghost antenna.

 

OOO another option I hadn't seen yet (added to the ever growing knowledge sharing document). Are there other body mounted solutions or is GG Lighting the only one?

 

I do not know of any other body mounted brackets out there. If there are I would highly recommend that style no matter the brand.

 

If it is truly the superior solution ... why haven't other big(ger) names used a similar mount point? Is is more difficult to fab? Introduces another failure? Just curious, I have 43 different ditch light brackets listed now and besides a 3d solution it is the only other unique solution.

 

The main drawback of the minwin3d is that you cannot adjust the light. I suspect 70%+ of users prefer the adjustability. I don't need it so I don't care. I like how it looks and the effectiveness of the lights.

 

It’s also probably not common cuz look at the wire harness involved, I’m assuming you gotta tie in with mirror wiring and take apart mirror cover

 

The wire harness was no different than having the lights anywhere else. You just snake through the sidewall on the outside of the truck rather than being directly under the hood. You never go into the door.

 

It was a very difficult install would be my guess. Had to take the wiper arms off, cowl and then reach into the abyss and hope you do not drop the nut haha. But I sure do not see these lights shake at night when I hit bumpy roads.

 

I didn’t speak to any of that I just said the mirror has to come apart does it not?

 

I was really asking about why other manufactures are not using the mounting solution that GG Lighting is using .
2009+ Toyota 4Runner Ditch Light Brackets – GGLighting

Why haven't other big(ger) names used a similar mount point?
Is is more difficult to fab?
Introduces another failure?

43 ditch light bracket solutions found (a few generic repeats)
of which
1 attaches below the mirror
1 NOT attaching to the hood hinges

 

Yes...the mirror has to come apart. The how to video breaks it down step by step so it wasn't difficult. I also like to take things apart so I may not be typical.

 

Ahh gotchu, understood. Good there’s a video, some of my lighting had a surprising lack of instructions.
I also really enjoy taking things apart, but not so much the plastic trim and clip parts

 

Always a bit nerve wracking I find.

 

The MinWin3D install video is one of the best of its kind.

 

Indeed.
I’ve snap clips and such even when I know the removal method, or, I get overly frustrated it ain’t coming out and I start breaking things.
If I removed the interior like I believe @Thacrow did, it would be destroyed lol

 

oh wow that’s interesting, doesn’t use hood bolts, but my word the install instructions are long. At step 25! - you have to wrap your finger in duct tape and stick a nut to it lol can’t say I’ve seen that in instructions before

 

this list, and your content is always quite impressive. use AI?

 

Thanks for the feedback. No AI. I simply copy / paste out of the knowledge sharing document when appropriate.
If / When I use AI I always state so. Like this post: https://www.4runners.com/threads/5t...wap-now-cranks-won’t-start.47379/#post-784125

 

Here here. That there are folks generous enough to do some heavy lifting is one of the things that make this community great. Thanks Oscar.