Found a sorta easy way to install a LED bar in the valence of a 4Runner

New member here, but I think this will save a heartache of people around and thinking about installing a LED bar in the valence of your 4Runner.

I was looking at a thread somewhere, I think it was here sometime ago, but I really liked the idea of an LED being in the valence area of the bumper. It got me the courage and planning out to actually carry it out, which I'll explain briefly here. I think this way is also the most non-destructive way, in the sense of not wanting to drill holes in your 4Runner's frame or any part of the body.

My 4Runner is nothing special of the sorts. 20 years old, dinged, banged, scratched, faded, and quite possibly a little bit of rust, but still runs like a hot damn. It's been up and down from San Antonio, TX, to San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and has never failed once. It's a 2WD but I do take it offroad, not quite to the point where I'll end up upside down, but to at least get me through the forest trails and a nice trip to the beach, and to come back home comfortably in the same day. As far as I am aware, this applies to 3rd Gen 4Runners from 1996 to 1998, but won't work for 1999 to 2001, as they have the fat lip bumper.

THE PLANNING​

It didn't really take much. Just thought of a simple as hell way to do it with this list of materials here.

• Steel flat bar (Home depot: avg. $5-8 bucks)
• Approx. 2-3 bolts and matching nuts.
• 32 inch Nilight LED Bar (
  $41 Nilight LED Light Bar 32" 180W 12600LM Spot Flood Combo Driving Lamp Roof Bumper Off Road Lights LED Work Light Pods for Van Camper Wagon Car Pickup Golf Cart ATV UTV SUV Truck Boat 4x4
  https://www.amazon.com/Light-Nilight-Driving-Lights-Warranty/dp/B01DNYCJQW)
• Cheapo-Walmart brand wiring harness, premade because I don't have a clue about wiring or electricals other than flicking a ligthswitch (More specifically: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Auto-Drive-AP00528G-ONE-To-ONE-DT-Wire-Harness/827742814)

Tools used

• Electric drill with step drill bit
• 12mm wrench (combination ratchet wrench is nicer to use)
• wooden block wrapped in a old shop towel.

Optional

• Procrastination
• Constant trips to Wally World and back
• Extra wire
• A full pack of Mtn. Dew

Total cost?
Approx. $60 bucks (depending if you have the materials on hand and tools.)

​

More will be posted later because I am typing this out at like 1:06 in the morning in my time zone.

 

Any update on the write-up and/or pictures of how all this went together?

 

I like that harness. It comes with a relay, fuse and makes it a quality job. 99% of everyone else just hacks in to the wiring harness and wonders why they have blown fuses or their switch burns out.