Reason I ask is i had originally decided to buy a safari bar and use it, but I kinda like the way the 4runners on here look with them on the bumper. Just wodnering if its a PITA or the same as the 4runner install.

 

Sould be mostly the same. I believe the mount are similar enough that the difference is trivial. The fun part will probably be drilling through the bumper, unless you have a good sharp center punch. but them again, What do I know.....

 

Just look under the bumper as on the 4Runner (mine) there is a plastic top with some metal underneath and you want to make sure you hit metal underneath to secure the lights to, as plastic would just rip out. Other than that, it should be pretty much the same. I have a simple write-up on my website for my Hella 500 install on the bumper.

 

thanks.

 

I have my Lightforce's mounted to the bumper through the metal piece he mentioned above, and backed with a large washer for insurance.
My buddy has a '00 Taco and had to fab up a flat bar to mount the lights on the bumper, his bumper didn't have a good metal backing like mine did. It felt thinner and his KC Daylighters are much heavier than mine.

 

I had a 95 Tacoma with Hella 500's mounted on the bumper. I just drilled holes about 24" apart and far enough from the grille where the lights didn't hit. A metal drill bit will easily go through the bumper. They were plenty solid mounted this way.

 

No big deal, I helped a buddy of mine attach the same ones I have to his Tacoma last night...I used a bar grinder to sharpen a center punch, made a pretty good size dent in the bumper and then just gradually started drilling. I would definately recommend starting with a good bit smaller drill bit and then going up from there...I tried jumping up a couple sizes and it kicked so hard the battery came out of the bottom and it wrenched my arm around...no fun.

Post pics when you're through and you can PM me if you have any other questions, I would suggest reading waskillywabbits write-up just so you know what you're getting yourself into.

Just my $.02 as always guys!

Fink

EDIT: Unless you have tiny arms and long fingers I would suggest getting a REALLY long extension for your ratched...it will make things so much easier. On my rig I had to stick the ratched through the open part of the valence and go at it that way...needless to say it took about 45 minutes longer than it did last night when we had an extension...just a headsup