Strength of OE bumper for mounting lights

[DrSolar]

I have some large and deep off-road lights and I was wondering if the stock bumper is strong enough to mount them too. They are too deep to mount to the support bar at the back of the bumper, so they would be on the plastic front. I was thinking of putting a large flat washer under and on top of the bumper for support, but I am not sure that would be enough.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

[cruiserlarry]

DrSolar previously said:

I have some large and deep off-road lights and I was wondering if the stock bumper is strong enough to mount them too. They are too deep to mount to the support bar at the back of the bumper, so they would be on the plastic front. I was thinking of putting a large flat washer under and on top of the bumper for support, but I am not sure that would be enough.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

THe bumper is useless for mounting lights - it is plastic, with no inherent strength whatsoever. But PIAA makes a light kit with brackets that mount to factory holes and properly support the 520 series lights that are in the kit. Otherwise, I'd recommend you use a bumper / grill guard assembly to support the lights, especially if you are planning on using anything big. (I've installed light set-ups on 50+ FJCs already, so this isn't heresay...)
Good Luck

[Sun Fusion Cruiser]

PM Dragon and ask him nicely to make you some of his patented light brackets or give you schematics to make you own.

[5150 Cruiser]

cruiserlarry previously said:

THe bumper is useless for mounting lights - it is plastic, with no inherent strength whatsoever. But PIAA makes a light kit with brackets that mount to factory holes and properly support the 520 series lights that are in the kit. Otherwise, I'd recommend you use a bumper / grill guard assembly to support the lights, especially if you are planning on using anything big. (I've installed light set-ups on 50+ FJCs already, so this isn't heresay...)
Good Luck

So are you saying the the mounting holes in the support bar are not strong enough for lights? I mounted my Piaa 520 lights this way with no problems. Or were you talking about mounting them to the plastic only? If so, i apologise.

DrSolar previously said:

I have some large and deep off-road lights and I was wondering if the stock bumper is strong enough to mount them too. They are too deep to mount to the support bar at the back of the bumper, so they would be on the plastic front. I was thinking of putting a large flat washer under and on top of the bumper for support, but I am not sure that would be enough.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

You might be able to mout some brakets to the underside of the bumper suport that extend forward a couple inches, or enough to clear the lights you have.

[Lucrum]

I have had two 6 inch lights mounted in the plastic of my bumper for months and have not had any problem. Unless you are using some 20lbs lights or something, I would not be concerned. I used some 2 inch washers and pads that came with the lights. Just make sure you distribute the load across enough surface area of the bumper. Just my 2 cents

[ZFJCruiser]

Lucrum previously said:

I have had two 6 inch lights mounted in the plastic of my bumper for months and have not had any problem. Unless you are using some 20lbs lights or something, I would not be concerned. I used some 2 inch washers and pads that came with the lights. Just make sure you distribute the load across enough surface area of the bumper. Just my 2 cents

How about some pics?

[DrSolar]

Lucrum previously said:

I have had two 6 inch lights mounted in the plastic of my bumper for months and have not had any problem. Unless you are using some 20lbs lights or something, I would not be concerned. I used some 2 inch washers and pads that came with the lights. Just make sure you distribute the load across enough surface area of the bumper. Just my 2 cents

I would love to see some pics.

I thought about using brackets to extend forward from the support bar, I just am unable to fab anything and I can't find a place that sells all kinds of brackets pre-fabbed.

[the magnetguy]

there are 4 holes already marked from factory which are located on steel support bar under bumper. Look under bumper with a flashlight and you can easily see them. I mounted my PIAA driving lights through these and they're solid as a rock!! All you gotta do is punch a tiny marking hole from underneath with an awl or nail through the plastic then drill down from top with a small drill bit. Very easy to do!

[DrSolar]

the magnetguy previously said:

there are 4 holes already marked from factory which are located on steel support bar under bumper. Look under bumper with a flashlight and you can easily see them. I mounted my PIAA driving lights through these and they're solid as a rock!! All you gotta do is punch a tiny marking hole from underneath with an awl or nail through the plastic then drill down from top with a small drill bit. Very easy to do!

Yeah, I tried that, but my lights are not flat, they are square and deep, so they dont line up with the holes. I am trying not to buy new lights, the ones I have are pretty expensive ones and extremely bright.