TRD Pro/Trailhunter light bar upgrade to aftermarket lightbar?

[Bryce0291]

Has anyone swapped out the factory light bar in their rigs with a better one? If so, was it plug and play or was cutting required.

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[Twisted]

Search around for folks who have done the entire grill swap on non Pro/TH models. You may find more info. I don't see many Pro/TH folks swapping out the OEM setup.

I can tell you in my experience you'll need a bracket to mount whatever bar you choose to upgrade too and you'll need to wire it separately from the OEM setup. I believe the OEM bar takes the CANBUS signal right into it and deciphers it internally. There is no real traditional 12v trigger wire to it.

 

[Dead Horse]

Search around for folks who have done the entire grill swap on non Pro/TH models. You may find more info. I don't see many Pro/TH folks swapping out the OEM setup.

I can tell you in my experience you'll need a bracket to mount whatever bar you choose to upgrade too and you'll need to wire it separately from the OEM setup. I believe the OEM bar takes the CANBUS signal right into it and deciphers it internally. There is no real traditional 12v trigger wire to it.

I can't speak to the aftermarket, but the factory light bar does indeed require an entire wiring harness and an act of congress to turn on.

Source: Me. I've ripped one apart to make it work on a non-Pro or Trailhunter.

 

[josiahg52]

I can't speak to the aftermarket, but the factory light bar does indeed require an entire wiring harness and an act of congress to turn on.

Source: Me. I've ripped one apart to make it work on a non-Pro or Trailhunter.

It uses CANBUS power to operate? Or the CANBUS signal provides an internal trigger to apply the external 12V power? So, you'd need a separate, external, and compatible CANBUS controller to function as an intercept.

 

[Dead Horse]

It uses CANBUS power to operate? Or the CANBUS signal provides an internal trigger to apply the external 12V power? So, you'd need a separate, external, and compatible CANBUS controller to function as an intercept.

I got sick of trying to get all the information and/or suss out what the actual F kind of signal (and to what pins) it wanted...And just cut that entire part out of the equation. I directly wired all the internals. Made my own harness.

Here's the thread: https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...ro-grill-and-light-bar-onto-lower-trims.9159/

 

[Twisted]

I got sick of trying to get all the information and/or suss out what the actual F kind of signal (and to what pins) it wanted...And just cut that entire part out of the equation. I directly wired all the internals. Made my own harness.

I followed along your journey as well as everyone else who tried to make an aftermarket lightbar work the way I wanted. Ultimately I used my SPOD BantamX to control the BD bar and an XBB module to trigger on with my high beams. I have a normal OEM style lightbar switch in between the XBB module and SPOD so I can turn the "lightbar on with high beams" feature on or off. I never turn it off.

Added bonus. The BantamX gives me strobe and dimming features as well. Deeper into the rabbit hole, my fogs and rear lighting is also controlled by the SPOD so I have those features on all lights. I can make it look like a rave.

 

[Dead Horse]

I followed along your journey as well as everyone else who tried to make an aftermarket lightbar work the way I wanted. Ultimately I used my SPOD BantamX to control the BD bar and an XBB module to trigger on with my high beams. I have a normal OEM style lightbar switch in between the XBB module and SPOD so I can turn the "lightbar on with high beams" feature on or off. I never turn it off.

Added bonus. The BantamX gives me strobe and dimming features as well. Deeper into the rabbit hole, my fogs and rear lighting is also controlled by the SPOD so I have those features on all lights. I can make it look like a rave.

I've been through your threads too. Your setup is badass! You're far deeper than I'll ever need/want to be on lighting though. I started with simply wanting the Heritage grill...And then I ordered the top and bottom grills because it was cheap and on sale. Then my brain said "HEY LET'S DO ALL OF IT" and found the light bar on eBay.


Next thing you know there was a good sale and I bought the higher-cut body panels and Trailhunter headlights. So now I've got to buy the fender flares (waiting on another sale LOL) and get the new body parts painted. THEN maybe I'll install all of this. But it'll look silly with the factory Michelins (on Trailhunter wheels) and rake. So I also need to raise the front a bit and get new tires.

I should have just swapped the upper grill and been happy. Or just gone aftermarket on the light bar

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