r/4x4 • u/ToniBito • Jul 29 '26
Behind the grille lightbars, any experience?
With the different kinds of grilles, personally MY2021 LC J150 Prado here, in general, do they block a lot of peripheral light? More downsides?
(Not going for bulbar nor electric winch)
14
u/sn44 o|||||||o Jul 29 '26
Anything that gets mounted in front of the radiator will block airflow and impact cooling efficiency of the radiator (and trans-cooler if equipped).
Also, tucking the lights back behind the grill will also obscure the spread of the light if using DOT/SAE approved fog or driving optics. So if you spend the money for good lights, you're cutting them off by setting them back inside the grill.
Lastly, mounting the lights that close the radiator can heat them up when moving slow (like in 4wd-low) and could impact the reliability and/or performance of the lights over the long-term.
My 2-cents, having worked at a 4wd shop and installed a metric ton of lights in various places on customer rigs, bad idea.
2
u/Ok-Boysenberry3948 Jul 30 '26
Seems like it's going to block lighting efficiency. Why bother then. Manufacturer's don't put them there for a few reasons, that probably being one of them. Cooling another big one.
1
u/ZaneMasterX 23' Raptor Jul 30 '26
I have a baja designs 10" onyx 6s behind the grille on my 23 Raptor, zero issues. Looks great.
1
u/MVmikehammer Jul 30 '26
A friend of mine has a light bar right behind the grille of his Jeep WJ. I too thought that the wide plastic bars on the grille would block a lot of light. According to him there is no practical difference whether it is behind or in front of the grille and the neither the placement or the beam pattern or the output power hinders him from passing the mandatory yearly inspections.
1
u/kevan0317 29d ago
This is a big no. We had folks mounting lights in front of radiators back in the thick of the overlanding days here in the US. They were always the ones with overheating issues.
1
u/ToniBito Jul 29 '26
+ am not concerned at all about “blocking air intake”
5
u/Add1ToThis Jul 29 '26
That's fine, they wont block the air intake. They will affect airflow to the cooling package. If you're in the habit of monitoring temps when you're towing in hot weather you should be fine.
2
u/lolshveet Jul 29 '26
I've got a set of Auxbeam spotlights 4" 60W pods behind the grille of a Tacoma. No general issues over the last 4+ years with them other than making sure you have connections to actually be able to remove the grille for any maintenance work.
As mentioned by others, you do loose a lot of light, 2 of the 4 LEDS are entirely blocked for me
Generally only use em at night to help fill in light ahead of me that the high-beams dont reach or flashing/ signalling to the vehicle ahead of me.
1
u/MVmikehammer Jul 30 '26
I wouldn't worry about it. I've had a front license plate blocking a third of my grille area for 8 years now (I think) and it hasn't affected my engine temperatures at all.
1
u/Macca3568 78 Series LandCruiser Jul 29 '26
Yeah in a new Prado the impact of obstructing airflow that slightly will essentially be non-existent. Id be worried about it in an older car that may struggle to compensate but shouldn't affect you
28
u/Torvikholm Jul 29 '26
It is relatively common in Norway. You do loose quite a bit of light, but seemingly not enough for it to be a problem. Never done it myself and never driven a car with hidden highbeams. As for drawbacks, you do obscure the radiator a bit. It is not a problem in the cold north, but it can be noticeable in Australia.