front grill mounted spot lights

[Devilmans Hand]

Hello everyone

I'm considering adding some front facing pencil beam spotlights to aid in night driving and seeing crossing wildlife.

I figure that the cleanest install would be to remove the outer edges of the front plastic grill and somehow put some lights in there. Likely i'll just remove the front grill all together and build some mounts for lights and add the oldskool Toyota "TEQ" symbol.

A roof rack/bar w/ lights would be easier, but impractical on this vehicle due to the decrease in fuel economy from increased air drag.

I'm not wanting to mount the lights in front of or below the front bumper, as they'd get ripped or knocked off fairly easily.

Upgraded driving lights would not solve my problem and they'd cost far too much. The hotter bulbs would require replacing too frequently as well.

Has anyone here added pencil beam aux lights to their camry?

I'm planning on using a self built fuse protected harness with relays, using a master on/off toggle switch, then tying them into the hi-beam switch.

I doubt that I will run into cooling issues from partially blocking airflow into the tran cooler and radiator.

Anyone have any good ideas or previous projects related to this project?

btw, this is my beater commuter car.

[white90dx]

I've only done fog lights on my car, attached under the bumper using the bumper skin brackets. Very easy. If you find small enough lights and sit them behind the front of the bumper a bit, they should stay pretty safe.

I used PIAA 1400 series fog lights though - I need the lights for city, fog and snow more than high-speed driving.

-Charlie

[atobe]

yeah i just put them under the bumper there's 10mm bolts down there you can use to hold on the brackets. i've never had a problem with them ripping off or anything through all the years. i used catz MSP lights

[Devilmans Hand]

I'll likely use a hella(left) or lightforce(right) pencil beam


these will be a bit difficult to stick under the bumper and not get ripped off. The projector beam mentioned will not meet my long distance throw and visibility needs.



In my everyday driving I must make a few very sharp descending turns where the bumper touches. A skidplate wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Not unlike this classic pic for spotlight placement...and driving style


this is also the "teq" toyota in katana script that i mentioned earlier.

[Sturdavj]

As mention earlier I also mounted under bumper fog lights on my 86' Corolla, I live in the OR Cascade mountains and it is rainy/fog = wet; wet; wet; & more wet, nine months out of twelve.

No mine there is an optimum height of 14"> 20", mine are sitting at 18" ( I got lucky.. )

You may want to check your mounting recommendations for height.

I do like your grill mounting idea , let us know if it works out. If I get my Camry settled down I will need/want to install a set on it

[white90dx]

If you are going to use those 5"-7" housings, there is no way they will go under the bumper... I don't think they would fit behind the grill either. I think you are stuck with the 'rally' mount style.

Lucky for me, my Australian headlights already have an H3 spot beam built in to them... I'll be able to get 350W of light down the road after I add fog lights...

-Charlie

[Devilmans Hand]

well, I scored 4 6" daylighters from craigslist. Looks like i'll have to get creative.

['88 All-Trac]

Originally Posted by white90dx

If you are going to use those 5"-7" housings, there is no way they will go under the bumper... I don't think they would fit behind the grill either. I think you are stuck with the 'rally' mount style.

Lucky for me, my Australian headlights already have an H3 spot beam built in to them... I'll be able to get 350W of light down the road after I add fog lights...

-Charlie

Where would I go about finding a set of these Australian headlights?

[Sturdavj]

Originally Posted by Devilmans Hand

well, I scored 4 6" daylighters from craigslist. Looks like i'll have to get creative.

Serves you right...

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by '88 All-Trac

Where would I go about finding a set of these Australian headlights?

Australia?

Actually, another old forum member had them imported years ago from a junkyard down under... so I don't have any contacts - and they are the only set in the country that I'm aware of. JDM Camry headlights are similar. Keep in mind the beam pattern isn't perfect for US roads for the low beams.

-Charlie