Bandit Runner's Build Thread

[SCRunner12]

Your 4runner is looking great as always. How the stability of the plating on your sliders and did you just go to the hardware store and pick up some plating? Anything specific? My daughter is wanting to get out of my 4runner by herself now (she's 2) and keeps falling through the gaps in the slider. I'd be nice to have a flat platform for her to step on.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Your 4runner is looking great as always. How the stability of the plating on your sliders and did you just go to the hardware store and pick up some plating? Anything specific? My daughter is wanting to get out of my 4runner by herself now (she's 2) and keeps falling through the gaps in the slider. I'd be nice to have a flat platform for her to step on.

Thanks, the plating on the sliders is very stable. My neighbor had some scrap diamond plate 1/8" thick steel sitting around that he let me use. I had to cut each piece to fit just right into each opening. There was a lot of trial and error! But I really love the way they turned out. There are many benefits:

1. Wife/kids use them to stand on to get in/out of the truck.
2. They're great to stand on when strapping kayaks (or whatever) to the roof rack.
3. They stop the tires from kicking up stones onto the sides of the 4Runner.
4. They look great and are definitely unique.

I am extremely happy with them.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Got about 8" of snow overnight, so I decided to take the long way and hit a few dirt roads on the way to work this morning. A few pics:

 

[hungwin jza80]

Looks awesome!!! Those are some steamrollers!

 

[mizzle415]

Bandit your Runner is looking awesome. That snorkel is damn sexy. With the custom work you've done with, it's a crime you haven't won T4R of the month yet. Keep up the innovation and inspiration!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Looks awesome!!! Those are some steamrollers!

Bandit your Runner is looking awesome. That snorkel is damn sexy. With the custom work you've done with, it's a crime you haven't won T4R of the month yet. Keep up the innovation and inspiration!

Thanks guys!

 

[Bandit Runner]

So with all the lights I’m putting on my roof rack, plus my other lights, I find myself needing quite a few switches to activate everything. I am looking at like 10+ switches, but there is not really a good place to put them all. I’ll be using all OTRATTW Contura V switches like I posted in my roof rack build.

1. Fog Lights
2. Off Road Lights
3. Roof Lights
4. Left Alley Light
5. Right Alley Light
6. Rear Roof Lights
7. Backup Lights
8. Air Compressor (TBD)
9. Front Locker (TBD)
10. Rear Locker (TBD)

So my question is where do you guys put all your switches? I really don’t like the location of the cutouts on the lower left of the steering wheel. I have my offroad lights switch there now, and I sometimes bump it on with my knee when getting in/out of the truck. Also it is difficult to see when it is that low. I’d prefer something higher in plain view.

My solution is to build a custom switch housing that mounts just above the center dash vents/clock area. In this location, the switches would be easy to see and reach, yet unlikely to be switched by accidentally bumping them. Here’s a quick mockup of what I am thinking:

Let me know what you all think.

 

[smkd13]

So with all the lights I’m putting on my roof rack, plus my other lights, I find myself needing quite a few switches to activate everything. I am looking at like 10+ switches, but there is not really a good place to put them all. I’ll be using all OTRATTW Contura V switches like I posted in my roof rack build.

1. Fog Lights
2. Off Road Lights
3. Roof Lights
4. Left Alley Light
5. Right Alley Light
6. Rear Roof Lights
7. Backup Lights
8. Air Compressor (TBD)
9. Front Locker (TBD)
10. Rear Locker (TBD)

So my question is where do you guys put all your switches? I really don’t like the location of the cutouts on the lower left of the steering wheel. I have my offroad lights switch there now, and I sometimes bump it on with my knee when getting in/out of the truck. Also it is difficult to see when it is that low. I’d prefer something higher in plain view.

My solution is to build a custom switch housing that mounts just above the center dash vents/clock area. In this location, the switches would be easy to see and reach, yet unlikely to be switched by accidentally bumping them. Here’s a quick mockup of what I am thinking:

Let me know what you all think.

freaking sweet idea... that has been my main issue with adding thing (future planning) is where do all the switches go? lol cant wait to see it in real life

YOU MUST BUILD THIS!!!

 

[Kraze]

freaking sweet idea... that has been my main issue with adding thing (future planning) is where do all the switches go? lol cant wait to see it in real life

YOU MUST BUILD THIS!!!

:iagree:

 

[Bandit Runner]

Thanks guys. I will probably at least build a prototype of it, so I can see how it would look and fit in that location.

Anybody else have any suggestions on where to mount several switches?

 

[4ever4running]

Thanks guys. I will probably at least build a prototype of it, so I can see how it would look and fit in that location.

Anybody else have any suggestions on where to mount several switches?

That locaton looks pretty sweet! The only thing that might present a problem is all the wiring and how/where you would run them.

The only other option that I can think of (that has enough room for that many switches) is on top of the dash, right above your design.

 

[smkd13]

Honestly there really isn't a lot of real estate for switches. The other place you could put them is under the stereo in that unused area. (True in my truck)

 

[rideexileex]

That switch panel would be sweet! - only two thoughts cross my mind:

possible glare on the windshield while at night? (could tint the switch lenses a bit to take care of that)

maybe have one blank or space between the lights and the lockers/compressor? fingers tend to slip and its one thing I probably wouldnt want to inadvertently select

ive contemplated an overhead switch panel in the past too...

 

[4Running Daily]

I'd want the locker switches closest to the driver.

 

[mizzle415]

I agree with SMKD, under the stereo could fit maybe 6. I think I've seen this in someone's build on the forum. You don't have to fit all 10 switches in one location. Put the ones you use more often in the more accessible location, then you've got the spots near the steering wheel that you don't like and the center console to finish things off.

Or you could build some kind of hidden fold down panel that would have all your switches, missle launcher, passenger eject button, machine gunz, smoke screen, oil slick, etc.:uzi:

 

[zgensler31]

Only thing I've ever thought of would be the a pillar. Similar to the guage pods. Maybe in bundles of three 'per pod'

 

[Bandit Runner]

Thanks for all the switch location suggestions guys. I'll definitely be doing some more research on this before I make a final decision.

 

[blcktpgsr]

Thanks for all the switch location suggestions guys. I'll definitely be doing some more research on this before I make a final decision.

Hey Bandit, this guy has a sweet spot for his switches...and I really like it!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Hey Bandit, this guy has a sweet spot for his switches...and I really like it!

Yeah, I thought about doing something up there too, but there is not a lot of room there either. What vehicle is that in the pic? It appears to have quite a bit more space up there.

 

[blcktpgsr]

Yeah, I thought about doing something up there too, but there is not a lot of room there either. What vehicle is that in the pic? It appears to have quite a bit more space up there.

That there my friend is a 3rd Gen 4Runner