alexb
New member
For my LED light bar and rear lights the signal wire is spliced into one of the accessory fuses in the cabin via an add-a-fuse. I can't remember which one off the top of my head, but it only comes on when the accessories come on.
AlexB's 2014 TE Build & Photo Thread
- Thread starter alexb
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For my LED light bar and rear lights the signal wire is spliced into one of the accessory fuses in the cabin via an add-a-fuse. I can't remember which one off the top of my head, but it only comes on when the accessories come on.
TSneakyPete
New member
Alex, curious if that is the full 3" lift with the BOSS kit, facilitating the need to replace the UCA's. Did you add a dif drop kit? Any issues with CV's? i just bought a 2015 Trail premium and looking to add a few extras right away. I have saved your pics and info as a great example of some of what I'd like to do. Superb looking 4runner!
alexb
New member
I started off with it at 3" but had to drop it .5" when I put the roof rack on in order to fit in the garage. I needed the UCAs to get the alignment within spec, and also have the diff drop. No issues with the CVs. Was under there last weekend rotating the tires and checked everything. All is still looking great.
Thanks man!
alexb
New member
Been contemplating peeling the dip of the flares and going back to more clean look. Like below. Yay or Nay?
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/95062182@N06/14839869477/in/datetaken/" title="Konig-06"><img src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/4/3854/14839869477_3490e5decc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Konig-06"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/95062182@N06/14839869477/in/datetaken/" title="Konig-06"><img src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/4/3854/14839869477_3490e5decc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Konig-06"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
2nd Chance
New member
I like it !!!
singletrackftw
New member
Dude. Your build inspired me and I too like the black fender look but the only thing keeping me from doing it is how clean our super white trucks look with white fenders. IMO, keep it all white!
Instagram @tcr_89 2016 SR5P 4wd 3rd row - FN wheels countersteer X - 265/70 BFG KO2 - Bilstein 5100 (1.75 setting) - NFab side steps - TRS Morimoto 4300k HID kit - NOKYA yellow fogs & DRLs - AVS hood visor
alexb
New member
Thanks for the input. I'm really tempted to do it, but then part of me is hesitant since it took so much work to dip them all the first time. I guess that's the nice thing about the plastidip is it's never permanent and can be reapplied much easier than paint.
I'm going to ponder it some more, but I have a feeling this weekend the dip is coming off. May also take the center caps off again. Kinda like the rugged look of the open caps.
I'm going to ponder it some more, but I have a feeling this weekend the dip is coming off. May also take the center caps off again. Kinda like the rugged look of the open caps.
singletrackftw
New member
AlexB's 2014 TE Build & Photo Thread
I kept wondering if I should do the same (no center cap) look because it looks mean, but the center caps also look so clean! ARGHHHHH first world problems.
Instagram @tcr_89 2016 SR5P 4wd 3rd row - FN wheels countersteer X - 265/70 BFG KO2 - Bilstein 5100 (1.75 setting) - NFab side steps - TRS Morimoto 4300k HID kit - NOKYA yellow fogs & DRLs - AVS hood visor
I kept wondering if I should do the same (no center cap) look because it looks mean, but the center caps also look so clean! ARGHHHHH first world problems.
Instagram @tcr_89 2016 SR5P 4wd 3rd row - FN wheels countersteer X - 265/70 BFG KO2 - Bilstein 5100 (1.75 setting) - NFab side steps - TRS Morimoto 4300k HID kit - NOKYA yellow fogs & DRLs - AVS hood visor
alyx_kat0913
New member
I like your plasti dip fenders. Ive had my 4runner a week and I love the bushwhacker fender flares but I currently dont have the money for that. I was wondering how many coats and cans did you buy to plasti dip your fenders? Thanks
alexb
New member
I think I did 4 coats and around 6 cans total? Can't remember for sure on the total can amount but 4-5 coats is about what I did all around.
alexb
New member
So, it's been a while since I've done much with the 4Runner. Well I can finally say where all the mod money has been going. My girlfriend of a little over 2 years and I got engaged last Friday! :dancin: Now I'll have a copilot for life.
Here's a pick of what could have been quite the nice list of 4Runner mods. I'd say it was quite worth it though :bounce:
Now to sneak a few 4Runner good into the wedding registry list....
Here's a pick of what could have been quite the nice list of 4Runner mods. I'd say it was quite worth it though :bounce:
Now to sneak a few 4Runner good into the wedding registry list....
mwray8909
New member
Congratulations sir. I'd say best addition you could make for you 4runner. Nothing better then the right copilot/navigator.So, it's been a while since I've done much with the 4Runner. Well I can finally say where all the mod money has been going. My girlfriend of a little over 2 years and I got engaged last Friday! :dancin: Now I'll have a copilot for life.
Here's a pick of what could have been quite the nice list of 4Runner mods. I'd say it was quite worth it though :bounce:
Now to sneak a few 4Runner good into the wedding registry list....
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
2nd Chance
New member
Pretty awesome and Congratulations, starting your own family is a lot of fun.
Wedding Registry idea could be camping stuff or something related like coolers and maybe even a few Yeti bottles as they are only slightly cheaper then China.
alexb
New member
Thanks! Haha true that, and would probably get a lot more use than some china.
Thank you! I will keep that in mind and discuss with her. She and her mom are already on top of a lot of it. Like most girls she's been planning it all in her head for years lol.
Thanks!
alexb
New member
Auxbeam F Series LED High Beam Upgrade
Lately I had been noticing that my high beams seem to be much less bright than they used to be. Driving the other night on some back roads they were barely even noticeable over my lows.
I've been eyeballing some of the LED options like the DDM Saber for a while now so I figured it was time to try something out. Auxbeam LED lights have become my go-to now for accessories. They make my 42" bar on the 4Runner and I've installed their lights on several 4x4 side-by-sides and a few golf carts with amazing results. I noticed recently they came out with some new LED headlight bulbs on Amazon.
I placed an order for both of their new F-S2 and F-S3 series bulbs. They are both listed as 72W (36W/bulb) 8000lumens total but the F-S2 are $18 cheaper. The only difference appears to be the type of LED. The F-S2 have a Bridgelux COB (chip-on-board) style LED whereas the F-S3 have an array of Phillips SMB style LEDs. Once I got them in and compared them out of the box they look identical side-by-side other than the LED style. The similarities continue on for their performance and light output. With the F-S2 in the passenger side and the F-S3 in the driver side they are pretty much identical. Insane amounts of light output at a cool white color temp. The built-in fans get pretty loud with the engine off, but cannot be heard at all with the car running. Driving around Saturday night still with one of each installed was pretty spectacular. Hitting the highs actually made a significant difference on how far down the road I could see again.
The only negative, if there is one, with these bulbs is the DRL function of the 4Runners. When looking closely, mainly at night, they have a very slight flicker when running at the lower DRL voltage. During the day, standing back from the car it does not seem to be noticeable. Also, running as DRLs they are much brighter than the OEM halogen bulbs. I don't think they are to the point of being too bright though. The LEDs look more like headlights now instead of DRLs.
I am torn between if the more expensive F-S3 series are worth the additional $18. Quality and light output are identical. The biggest difference will be the reliability and durability of the LED chips. We have all heard of Philips and they are known for quality, but I had never heard of Bridgelux before. I'll plan to do some more research and testing between the 2 for the next few days before settling on a set.
Here are some pictures of the old OEM halogen bulb vs the new Auxbeam LED 9005 bulbs.
Old halogen bulb after removal. Notice the black burned looking marks on the glass. I assume from running constantly as DRLs for the last 2.5 years.
New Auxbeam F-S3 Series 9005 LED.
New Auxbeam F-S3 installed in housing (notice the 9-3 positioning of the LEDs, based on various reviews of the DDM Tuning Saber LED this is the ideal positioning of the LED for best output.)
Old halogen on left, new Auxbeam F-S3 on the right
And the zombie apocalypse mode
In conclusion, my 2.5 year old OEM halogens looked to be on end of their lifespan. Both of the Auxbeam F series LED bulbs are very impressive. Even for the more expensive F-S3 series they are quite the bargin at $49.99. After I do some more comparisons between the 2 sets I'll probably place an order to replace my glitchy old DDM HID kits in my low beams.
Let me know what y'all think!
Lately I had been noticing that my high beams seem to be much less bright than they used to be. Driving the other night on some back roads they were barely even noticeable over my lows.
I've been eyeballing some of the LED options like the DDM Saber for a while now so I figured it was time to try something out. Auxbeam LED lights have become my go-to now for accessories. They make my 42" bar on the 4Runner and I've installed their lights on several 4x4 side-by-sides and a few golf carts with amazing results. I noticed recently they came out with some new LED headlight bulbs on Amazon.
I placed an order for both of their new F-S2 and F-S3 series bulbs. They are both listed as 72W (36W/bulb) 8000lumens total but the F-S2 are $18 cheaper. The only difference appears to be the type of LED. The F-S2 have a Bridgelux COB (chip-on-board) style LED whereas the F-S3 have an array of Phillips SMB style LEDs. Once I got them in and compared them out of the box they look identical side-by-side other than the LED style. The similarities continue on for their performance and light output. With the F-S2 in the passenger side and the F-S3 in the driver side they are pretty much identical. Insane amounts of light output at a cool white color temp. The built-in fans get pretty loud with the engine off, but cannot be heard at all with the car running. Driving around Saturday night still with one of each installed was pretty spectacular. Hitting the highs actually made a significant difference on how far down the road I could see again.
The only negative, if there is one, with these bulbs is the DRL function of the 4Runners. When looking closely, mainly at night, they have a very slight flicker when running at the lower DRL voltage. During the day, standing back from the car it does not seem to be noticeable. Also, running as DRLs they are much brighter than the OEM halogen bulbs. I don't think they are to the point of being too bright though. The LEDs look more like headlights now instead of DRLs.
I am torn between if the more expensive F-S3 series are worth the additional $18. Quality and light output are identical. The biggest difference will be the reliability and durability of the LED chips. We have all heard of Philips and they are known for quality, but I had never heard of Bridgelux before. I'll plan to do some more research and testing between the 2 for the next few days before settling on a set.
Here are some pictures of the old OEM halogen bulb vs the new Auxbeam LED 9005 bulbs.
Old halogen bulb after removal. Notice the black burned looking marks on the glass. I assume from running constantly as DRLs for the last 2.5 years.
New Auxbeam F-S3 Series 9005 LED.
New Auxbeam F-S3 installed in housing (notice the 9-3 positioning of the LEDs, based on various reviews of the DDM Tuning Saber LED this is the ideal positioning of the LED for best output.)
Old halogen on left, new Auxbeam F-S3 on the right
And the zombie apocalypse mode
In conclusion, my 2.5 year old OEM halogens looked to be on end of their lifespan. Both of the Auxbeam F series LED bulbs are very impressive. Even for the more expensive F-S3 series they are quite the bargin at $49.99. After I do some more comparisons between the 2 sets I'll probably place an order to replace my glitchy old DDM HID kits in my low beams.
Let me know what y'all think!
alexb
New member
Thought I'd post a few updates from the last few weeks. After testing the different LED bulbs a bit I settled on the cheaper COB style bulbs. They are just as bright and from the research I did on the googlez the COB style should be just as reliable, if not more than the SMB style bulbs. I also picked up a set of H11 to replace my cheapo HID kit that has been having issues. Sorry, no picks of those yet.
Also, I finally removed the plastidip on the fenders. 1 year and 7 months and they held up quite well. Honestly much longer than I anticipated. Overall it was pretty easy to peel the dip off. It did stick on the edges some, but with some GooGone and a towel followed by a trip to the pressure washer it came off pretty easily.
I will say, I do prefer the look with it off not that I have it again. The dip looks nice and aggressive, but I like the cleaner/classier look of the painted flares now that I look at it.
Here is a quick driveway pick after getting it all removed.
Also, I finally removed the plastidip on the fenders. 1 year and 7 months and they held up quite well. Honestly much longer than I anticipated. Overall it was pretty easy to peel the dip off. It did stick on the edges some, but with some GooGone and a towel followed by a trip to the pressure washer it came off pretty easily.
I will say, I do prefer the look with it off not that I have it again. The dip looks nice and aggressive, but I like the cleaner/classier look of the painted flares now that I look at it.
Here is a quick driveway pick after getting it all removed.
