Hood Light Mounts Install Walk Thru (Lots o pics!)

[BigJ]

Working great. Looks good too!

PS: I'm the OP, so no worries

 

[FarFromStock]

Great write-up BigJ and thanks to others that have provided additional tips. I'm finally going to do this and have a couple of questions for BigJ and others that have done the install:

1. I ordered the mounts but they won't be arriving before next Monday. I have the studs and 8mm nuts and want to get a head start on the install this weekend. Am I correct in my thinking that if I grind down opposite sides of the 8mm nuts to be 10mm across, they would fit into the slots on the mounts?

2. Do I need the mounts in hand before doing the modifications to the cowl plastic? Or should I just wait to do that once I have the mounts in hand?


Thanks in advance!

 

[iSurvive]

Great write-up BigJ and thanks to others that have provided additional tips. I'm finally going to do this and have a couple of questions for BigJ and others that have done the install:

1. I ordered the mounts but they won't be arriving before next Monday. I have the studs and 8mm nuts and want to get a head start on the install this weekend. Am I correct in my thinking that if I grind down opposite sides of the 8mm nuts to be 10mm across, they would fit into the slots on the mounts?

2. Do I need the mounts in hand before doing the modifications to the cowl plastic? Or should I just wait to do that once I have the mounts in hand?


Thanks in advance!

Yes, you can grind down the nuts. That's what I did. You will notice that the grind has to be made almost to the threads themselves. I had to throw a few away because getting them parallel to each other is difficult with a large grinder and a small nut.

You must have the mounts before you mod the cowl. Unless you want a gaping hole that would fit anything.

Getting the nuts ground and installed perfectly is challenging. The slots will not fit correctly if these are not lined up just right. Someone mentioned enlarging the slots, but they didn't want to remove any of the protective coating on the brackets.

Patience is required! The final look of the mounts is amazing. It makes you think they were meant to be there!!

Good Luck!

 

[FarFromStock]

Great insight thank you! It sounds like I should just wait until the mounts are here before I do any of it.

 

[BigJ]

Yup, iSurvive said it better'n I could have

 

[iSurvive]

I would re-read the entire thread several times while you wait. So many time saving tips and tricks. You may just save your sanity!

I got burned by the "that won't happen to me" syndrome. There are large openings in the frame pillars that eat tools and parts during this install. Shove some towels in the holes before you start.

The VisionX HIDs require extra tips and tricks (although they are worth it). I believe they add another level of complexity, but I won't bore you with the details. Save those curse words and anxiety for another project.

 

[Kanakry]

I did my install on Tuesday night. I ground down two nuts as I was planning on reusing the factory rear nut on the brackets.

As others have said you have to grind the nuts down almost to the threads to get them to work. My driver side went great super easy. The passanger side when I tightened the nut down onto the M8 set screw/stud I didn't notice the nut had split. I then pulled the rear bolt out and the hood shifted. I ended up popping of the hood strut and pulling both bolts of the passanger side positioning the hood bracket and the raptor claw bracket while the hood was held up in the middle by a plastic rake.

Lined everything up and tightened down, works just like it came from the factory.

The lights are great I found them on a Baja racing forum from a guy in California.

Thanks for the tips on the install everyone.

 

[strafe]

Thanks for this whole thread it made the install so much easier yesterday. It took myself and my cousin about 45 minutes and they look great.

 

[RaptorSpartan]

Ok fellas.... just got done doing this solo in the dark in the driveway.... you guys got me really worried about the whole alignment thing and having two people and stuff. Let me tell you what I did that made it super easy...

- Open Hood
- Cut away plastic to allow mount to slide into place
- Take a 8' 2x4 and prop the hood way up... at the end of the travel of the hinges. Braced the 2x4 against the front grill ridges.
- removed drivers side bolts
- put on mount
- tightened bolts
- removed passenger side bolts
- put on mounts
- tightened bolts.

The hood didn't go anywhere.... there was no slippage. I was also careful not to jostle the hood or anything... but it didn't move. After tightening everything down and slowly closed the hood and it was lined up perfect.

no muss... no fuss...

really like the way these things fit... they are very nice. Now I can't wait to get my leds from WSI!

Maas

 

[Madcowranch]

Trying to trim my cowling with my Roto Zip but this thing is too wide to get down in there. I guess I gotta buy one of thos dremel things.