papawhellie
New member
For some reason I cannot subscribe to this thread nor move tom page 2 and see todays post. Sucks. I like the holster and led light. Building ideas for a first gen. Where do you get that stuff for the holster.
Budget Build Thread
- Thread starter SunnyMcBlock
- Start date
SunnyMcBlock
New member
I'm new to the forum. If there is somewhere that I have some settings that need changed? If that's what is preventing you from subscribing let me know and I'll see what i can do to go about changing them.
The stuff is called Kydex and it is really popular for knife sheaths and holsters but I have found a lot of uses for it that go beyond that. I bought a sheet of it locally at a place called Interstate Plastics. Looks like you can order online from them also. It was about $30 for a 2'x4' sheet. Best deal I've found.
Kydex - Thermoforming Sheets and Multi-Packs - Interstate Plastics
SunnyMcBlock
New member
SO next project is one that I have been putting off for way too long. Camping season is here and I want this thing hooked up now. Problem is I have no idea where to put it.
Here's the story. First let me remind you all that when I started this project I had no idea what I was doing. I'm internet/self taught. So last fall I decided i wanted an power inverter to power stuff. Honestly I'll probably only use it for charging phones, and cordless batteries, maybe a heating blanket. I knew it would be nice to be able to run things like blenders and coffee makers. Whatever. So in my naivete I decided I was just going to buy the most powerful inverter I could afford... more is better right? Amazon was having a black Friday or cyber Monday sale and I found this for like $250 shipped and of course was like DUDE SWEET! I need THAT!
(Sorry for the sock photo, I'm at work and the inverter is in my garage.)
One click shopping and research/reasoning do not go hand in hand.
So then I went to work learning how and sourcing the parts for my dual battery set up and let the inverter start collecting dust on the shelf. Finally this spring I'm ready to start the project of learning and sourcing parts for the inverter. It doesn't take me long at all to realize that I bought an inverter that is way too big for my application. Hippies use this thing to power their yurts and whatnot. I've only got 2 12v batteries and people use banks of 6+ to run this thing. So i go to return it to Amazon but i'm past the 90 days and they won't take it back. SO.... oh well. This is what's going in the beloved 4runner.
So now I need help from the forum. I have searched and searched the net for ideas on where to locate this thing and most of what I have found is very sound advise for people in my predicament. "You bought too big of an iverter dumby." "What the heck do you need to power?!" "0/0 to the back of your rig and mount it with quick disconnects." ect. ect.
Well that's horse scat.
I know you guys have some imagination out there. I really would like to mount this thing in the cab. Less wire to run and I don't sacrifice cargo space. If i mount it someplace that's kinda tough to access can I just run short extension cords to more accessible plug in areas? Some odd ball ideas I had were to dremel out the sides of the glove box and mount it in the dash. Maybe fab up some metal spacers and raise the passenger seat enough to fit it under? Mounting it under the dash on the passenger side, sacrificing a little toe room? I've even considered removing the guts for the rear air that are in the center console and trying to fit it in there. The thing is 13.8 x 3 x 7.7 inches and weighs 8lbs. So what do you guys think?
Here's the story. First let me remind you all that when I started this project I had no idea what I was doing. I'm internet/self taught. So last fall I decided i wanted an power inverter to power stuff. Honestly I'll probably only use it for charging phones, and cordless batteries, maybe a heating blanket. I knew it would be nice to be able to run things like blenders and coffee makers. Whatever. So in my naivete I decided I was just going to buy the most powerful inverter I could afford... more is better right? Amazon was having a black Friday or cyber Monday sale and I found this for like $250 shipped and of course was like DUDE SWEET! I need THAT!
(Sorry for the sock photo, I'm at work and the inverter is in my garage.)
One click shopping and research/reasoning do not go hand in hand.
So then I went to work learning how and sourcing the parts for my dual battery set up and let the inverter start collecting dust on the shelf. Finally this spring I'm ready to start the project of learning and sourcing parts for the inverter. It doesn't take me long at all to realize that I bought an inverter that is way too big for my application. Hippies use this thing to power their yurts and whatnot. I've only got 2 12v batteries and people use banks of 6+ to run this thing. So i go to return it to Amazon but i'm past the 90 days and they won't take it back. SO.... oh well. This is what's going in the beloved 4runner.
So now I need help from the forum. I have searched and searched the net for ideas on where to locate this thing and most of what I have found is very sound advise for people in my predicament. "You bought too big of an iverter dumby." "What the heck do you need to power?!" "0/0 to the back of your rig and mount it with quick disconnects." ect. ect.
Well that's horse scat.
I know you guys have some imagination out there. I really would like to mount this thing in the cab. Less wire to run and I don't sacrifice cargo space. If i mount it someplace that's kinda tough to access can I just run short extension cords to more accessible plug in areas? Some odd ball ideas I had were to dremel out the sides of the glove box and mount it in the dash. Maybe fab up some metal spacers and raise the passenger seat enough to fit it under? Mounting it under the dash on the passenger side, sacrificing a little toe room? I've even considered removing the guts for the rear air that are in the center console and trying to fit it in there. The thing is 13.8 x 3 x 7.7 inches and weighs 8lbs. So what do you guys think?
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SunnyMcBlock
New member
Threw together a quick mod last night. I say quick but it was about a 6beer job, took me all evening.
Months ago I bought a 16ft length of LED light wire off amazon for about $12. My plan was to install it inside the 4runner to beef up the interior lighting. I mocked it up and decided it looked like cheap limo lighting and didn't like it. So the Light wire went to the spare parts bin.
Another time last fall I was sitting alone at a bar having a couple beers and...what else... shopping amazon and I found this 12v 4 channel remote relay for around $30. I had no idea what I would use it for but i decided it was freaking sweet and had to have it. I ordered it and it promptly went to the parts shelf to collect dust.
Last night I was bored and wanted a project and really just wanted to finally see if this remote relay thing would work. I'v been reading a little bit about Rock lights on this Forum so i figured "Why not?"
I took out the glove box and mounted the Relay box to the underside of my passenger side dash. I ran the little antenna wire between the dash and windshield for maximum exposure and fair concealment. It is a 4 channel relay and I only needed 1 but I wired up the rest for future yet-to-be-determined requirements. I left 2ea wired into the glove box and ran 2 through the firewall. Then I wired 3 strips of the lights to the #1 power wire and mounted them with 3M double stick tape. The hardest part was soldering new wires to the light strips after I cut them to length, but I am pretty new to soldering.
Turned out ok. Its a little "Disco" for my taste but I think it will be useful for camping trips on moonless nights, we will see. I like the remote so I can find my bed in the back of the 4runner easily when I'm stumbling into the dark from the campfire.
All in all cost me <$40. If I get motivated I'll wire the last of the strip in the back for 4 sided coverage.
Months ago I bought a 16ft length of LED light wire off amazon for about $12. My plan was to install it inside the 4runner to beef up the interior lighting. I mocked it up and decided it looked like cheap limo lighting and didn't like it. So the Light wire went to the spare parts bin.
Another time last fall I was sitting alone at a bar having a couple beers and...what else... shopping amazon and I found this 12v 4 channel remote relay for around $30. I had no idea what I would use it for but i decided it was freaking sweet and had to have it. I ordered it and it promptly went to the parts shelf to collect dust.
Last night I was bored and wanted a project and really just wanted to finally see if this remote relay thing would work. I'v been reading a little bit about Rock lights on this Forum so i figured "Why not?"
I took out the glove box and mounted the Relay box to the underside of my passenger side dash. I ran the little antenna wire between the dash and windshield for maximum exposure and fair concealment. It is a 4 channel relay and I only needed 1 but I wired up the rest for future yet-to-be-determined requirements. I left 2ea wired into the glove box and ran 2 through the firewall. Then I wired 3 strips of the lights to the #1 power wire and mounted them with 3M double stick tape. The hardest part was soldering new wires to the light strips after I cut them to length, but I am pretty new to soldering.
Turned out ok. Its a little "Disco" for my taste but I think it will be useful for camping trips on moonless nights, we will see. I like the remote so I can find my bed in the back of the 4runner easily when I'm stumbling into the dark from the campfire.
All in all cost me <$40. If I get motivated I'll wire the last of the strip in the back for 4 sided coverage.
Attachments
SunnyMcBlock
New member
interior light enhancement.
I ordered the stuff to wire in my inverter and while I was waiting for amazon to come through I had to tinker with something! I wired up some of the left over LED light wire I had to supplement the sad little dome light. I wired it into the switch so it comes on whenever the factory dome light would, either manually with the switch of when the tailgate is opened. As always... lots of pics.
i'm not very good at soldering but i'm getting better.
Freaking 3M tape is expensive!
Trim away the excess
Not too bad.
I ordered the stuff to wire in my inverter and while I was waiting for amazon to come through I had to tinker with something! I wired up some of the left over LED light wire I had to supplement the sad little dome light. I wired it into the switch so it comes on whenever the factory dome light would, either manually with the switch of when the tailgate is opened. As always... lots of pics.
i'm not very good at soldering but i'm getting better.
Freaking 3M tape is expensive!
Trim away the excess
Not too bad.
Attachments
Red Leader
New member
Man, super nice truck. I have nearly the exact same thing (1990 4runner, 22RE, 5 speed 4x4) -
Love the thing. Mine is in a little worse shape though
. Currently working on body rust repairs (basically replacing the entire windshield channel with a donor piece). Oddly enough the frame is in incredible shape.
Your list of mods is great too. Right up my alley. I picked up my 4runner on the cheap and have a list of cheap mods to do as well. They include the dual battery setup, HAM radio install (mobile rig), rear tire carrier swap, roof rack rail install, steelie wheels and new tires.
One thing to mention, thinking about it. Don't ever leave that .45 in your kydex dash holster if you are gone, even for 5 seconds. I'm betting that Idaho is a little different place than Colorado (
), but thieves are everywhere. Would hate to see such a fine piece end up in the wrong hands.
Love the thing. Mine is in a little worse shape though
. Currently working on body rust repairs (basically replacing the entire windshield channel with a donor piece). Oddly enough the frame is in incredible shape. Your list of mods is great too. Right up my alley. I picked up my 4runner on the cheap and have a list of cheap mods to do as well. They include the dual battery setup, HAM radio install (mobile rig), rear tire carrier swap, roof rack rail install, steelie wheels and new tires.
One thing to mention, thinking about it. Don't ever leave that .45 in your kydex dash holster if you are gone, even for 5 seconds. I'm betting that Idaho is a little different place than Colorado (
), but thieves are everywhere. Would hate to see such a fine piece end up in the wrong hands.SunnyMcBlock
New member
Red Leader, nice looking 4runner. I'm told these are the coveted ones. Thanks for the kind words.
I have been trying to figure out what I'm going to do about a roof rack. Are you thinking you are just going to install factory bars out of a junk yard or try and come up with something more custom? I've be going back and fourth with my options for a while and just can't seem to make up my mind.
And I will admit I usually just toss the pistol in the glove box while i'm away from the rig during the day but of course I bring it in at night. Depending on where you are, vehicle break-ins are pretty rare around here, but it does happen.
I have been trying to figure out what I'm going to do about a roof rack. Are you thinking you are just going to install factory bars out of a junk yard or try and come up with something more custom? I've be going back and fourth with my options for a while and just can't seem to make up my mind.
And I will admit I usually just toss the pistol in the glove box while i'm away from the rig during the day but of course I bring it in at night. Depending on where you are, vehicle break-ins are pretty rare around here, but it does happen.
SunnyMcBlock
New member
Inverter
I finally, finally got the inverter installed. As I stated in an earlier post. I bought this damn thing during a "black Monday" cyber sale for 50% off before doing any research. Honestly its stupid. I should have gone with maybe a 800W or 1200W. It would have left me many more install options simply because this thing is so BIG! After much him-hawing around I finally decided just to get it in there, wasn't doing any good on a shelf in the garage.
Ran 0/0 amplifier cable from the battery through a 200w 12v circuit breaker and then through the firewall and along the trim under the carpet next to my CB antenna cable. It was a big pain in the A$$ but with a fair amount of coxing and swearing the bulge from the cable isn't all that noticeable, until you get over the wheel well. I ran the negative cable strait down through the floor and bolted it to the frame. The unit itself is just attached to the wall paneling with some big washers on the back, not ideal, but honestly it's plenty stout.
This whole thing took me about 4 hours so I finished around 9pm last night and havent had a chance to play with it much. I will tell you that it ran a Dremel tool and cellphone charger(no surprises) fine but it wouldn't run the charger for my cordless tools or my heat gun. The heat gun says 1200W on the side so I don't know. I'm sure I lost a lot of performance mounting it so far away from the battery but I just didn't know where else to put it, i'm a rookie.
Anyway... here's the pictures.
I finally, finally got the inverter installed. As I stated in an earlier post. I bought this damn thing during a "black Monday" cyber sale for 50% off before doing any research. Honestly its stupid. I should have gone with maybe a 800W or 1200W. It would have left me many more install options simply because this thing is so BIG! After much him-hawing around I finally decided just to get it in there, wasn't doing any good on a shelf in the garage.
Ran 0/0 amplifier cable from the battery through a 200w 12v circuit breaker and then through the firewall and along the trim under the carpet next to my CB antenna cable. It was a big pain in the A$$ but with a fair amount of coxing and swearing the bulge from the cable isn't all that noticeable, until you get over the wheel well. I ran the negative cable strait down through the floor and bolted it to the frame. The unit itself is just attached to the wall paneling with some big washers on the back, not ideal, but honestly it's plenty stout.
This whole thing took me about 4 hours so I finished around 9pm last night and havent had a chance to play with it much. I will tell you that it ran a Dremel tool and cellphone charger(no surprises) fine but it wouldn't run the charger for my cordless tools or my heat gun. The heat gun says 1200W on the side so I don't know. I'm sure I lost a lot of performance mounting it so far away from the battery but I just didn't know where else to put it, i'm a rookie.
Anyway... here's the pictures.
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I'm no electrical expert, but I don't know if the wattage on the side of the heat gun is accurate. When I got my inverter I read about how to calculate what I needed. I wanted to run the 4.5 amp grinder from harbor freight, so you multiply 110 (the volts) by the amps to get the watts. Check those specs and see what you get. Or perhaps mount it closer to the dash. I don't know how to calculate the loss, but I know my compressor sounds less powerful in the hatch as opposed to when I just clipped it straight to the battery.
SunnyMcBlock
New member
All valid points. Ideally I would have mounted it closer. First choice was under the glove box but it just took up too much room. If it proves to be useless in the back then I may move it up there anyway... not like i need the leg room from the drivers seat. Thanks for the tip.
Red Leader
New member
Thanks man. Honestly, I love driving the thing. I dunno what it is. We've got a couple 3rd gens to, but I like this one the best out of all of them. It just has the mojo goin I guess:fro: Hopefully I'll get glass back in it and get it back on the road sometime this year. I need to find a welder (person or tool) and get that thing back together.
As far as the roof rack, I just pulled a stock rail system from a better equipped 4runner from the yard. It was around $20 or so, so I couldn't really go wrong. I haven't installed it yet and I've also wondered if I should just go custom. I don't like the way that the racks I've seen mount to the rails. There is usually a lot of junk in-between the connection. I want it mounting solidly right to the rails. I don't have the $$ to have a custom rack built, but then again if I find a welder (tool
) then maybe I can make one on the cheap and mount it right to the top. I'm looking for a low profile. With the pistol, ya it totally depends where you live I'm sure. I remember reading about a car thief talking about finding guns in cars and how you wouldn't believe how big of a source stolen firearms out of cars is - I think I remember hearing that it was even more prevalent than the straw purchasing. I don't have any numbers, though. Just be careful!:cheers:
SunnyMcBlock
New member
Voltage Meters
I thought it would be nice to have a couple voltage meters on my dash(besides the stock one) to monitor my 2 batteries. I ordered 2 LED 12v voltage meters in green, to match-ish the rest of the dash, from Amazon.
First I pulled apart the whole dash to get at the little cubby under my stereo I thought this would make a good place to mount up the little screens.
Next I wired up the screens for a test. I used 1 switch and 2 relays to keep the circuits separate. I drew power for the switch from my constant on stereo wire. Under the hood I hooked leads to each side of the 200amp solenoid that separates my batteries. Those leads ran in to their corresponding relays and then from the relay to the corresponding LED meter.
Here is every thing wired up for the test. Sorry its a little blurry.
Once I was satisfied that was all working I went to work on a little kydex panel to try and make it look presentable.
I cut a rectangle of Kydex and trimmed it to the shape I needed then used a heat gun, the edge of the table and a book to bend a strait 90* angle. Then with some measuring and marking I drew out a template to cut up the holes for the screens and switch. rough cut with the Dremel and trimmed with a utility knife.
I wish I had gotten a picture of this next part... I guess i was caught up in working on it. But next I took the Dremel and cut out a section of the back of the cubby. I mounted both relays inside and to the back of the cubby. Then the front panel I made bolted to the top inside of the cubby via the 90* tab. Once all the wires were connected inside the cubby the whole thing was one unit ready to hook up and mount in place.
Here is the final product.
Here is is on. This picture makes it seem way brighter than it is, but it is quite bright.
All in all I'm happy. However, I figured that with the ignition on, car running(solenoid closed) both batteries would show the same voltage and with the ignition off both batteries would show slightly different voltages since they were no longer connected. The result is precisely the opposite. With the car running the primary battery reads ~14v and the aux ~12.3-12.7v. When I shut the car off they both slowly return to 12.3v. I need to play with it a little more to convince myself it is working properly. More reason to tinker i guess.
I thought it would be nice to have a couple voltage meters on my dash(besides the stock one) to monitor my 2 batteries. I ordered 2 LED 12v voltage meters in green, to match-ish the rest of the dash, from Amazon.
First I pulled apart the whole dash to get at the little cubby under my stereo I thought this would make a good place to mount up the little screens.
Next I wired up the screens for a test. I used 1 switch and 2 relays to keep the circuits separate. I drew power for the switch from my constant on stereo wire. Under the hood I hooked leads to each side of the 200amp solenoid that separates my batteries. Those leads ran in to their corresponding relays and then from the relay to the corresponding LED meter.
Here is every thing wired up for the test. Sorry its a little blurry.
Once I was satisfied that was all working I went to work on a little kydex panel to try and make it look presentable.
I cut a rectangle of Kydex and trimmed it to the shape I needed then used a heat gun, the edge of the table and a book to bend a strait 90* angle. Then with some measuring and marking I drew out a template to cut up the holes for the screens and switch. rough cut with the Dremel and trimmed with a utility knife.
I wish I had gotten a picture of this next part... I guess i was caught up in working on it. But next I took the Dremel and cut out a section of the back of the cubby. I mounted both relays inside and to the back of the cubby. Then the front panel I made bolted to the top inside of the cubby via the 90* tab. Once all the wires were connected inside the cubby the whole thing was one unit ready to hook up and mount in place.
Here is the final product.
Here is is on. This picture makes it seem way brighter than it is, but it is quite bright.
All in all I'm happy. However, I figured that with the ignition on, car running(solenoid closed) both batteries would show the same voltage and with the ignition off both batteries would show slightly different voltages since they were no longer connected. The result is precisely the opposite. With the car running the primary battery reads ~14v and the aux ~12.3-12.7v. When I shut the car off they both slowly return to 12.3v. I need to play with it a little more to convince myself it is working properly. More reason to tinker i guess.
Attachments
SunnyMcBlock
New member
the switch wire for my solenoid had come loose and was intermittently engaging/disengaging the solenoid. That accounts for the bizarre readings. The system diagnosed a problem right from the get go haha!
*edit*
fixed loose wire... intermittent problem persisted. Trouble shooting with the multi meter narrowed it down to the solenoid thats supposed to connect the batteries. So yeah I need a new one of those now....
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SunnyMcBlock
New member
Camping
Thought I would post a couple pics of some of these mods in use. Took a week long camping trip up to Dead Wood Reservoir in the Boise National Forest.
Near the top of Scott Mountain, you can see the beginning of the SawTooths in the far distance. Also the dog wondering why we are stopping so often.
I also thought I would treat the camp to a full(ish) bar complete with blender for margaritas and daiquiris and of course...red solo cup lights. It was a fun addition to the week.
Every day for 5 days we ran the blender, coffee maker, various lights for hours at a time and charged my phone on the 4RUnner without starting it once. Sunday afternoon it fired right up. I don't know if the dual batteries had anything to do with that but it definitely built my confidence in my setup.
Cheers.
Thought I would post a couple pics of some of these mods in use. Took a week long camping trip up to Dead Wood Reservoir in the Boise National Forest.
Near the top of Scott Mountain, you can see the beginning of the SawTooths in the far distance. Also the dog wondering why we are stopping so often.
I also thought I would treat the camp to a full(ish) bar complete with blender for margaritas and daiquiris and of course...red solo cup lights. It was a fun addition to the week.
Every day for 5 days we ran the blender, coffee maker, various lights for hours at a time and charged my phone on the 4RUnner without starting it once. Sunday afternoon it fired right up. I don't know if the dual batteries had anything to do with that but it definitely built my confidence in my setup.
Cheers.
Attachments
Scalded_Dawg
New member
Wow! That is quite large... it's hard to visualize it just by dimensions. :madgrin:
How'd it do running the blender? No trouble I'm sure.
Great use of Kydex! I have a few projects I could implement that into.
Also, great to see another Amazon addict too - there are always packages showing up at my house.
SunnyMcBlock
New member
Yeah that Inverter is too big. Running the blender didn't even phase it. About 1/4 if it's capacity. Should have gone with the 1000/2000w :doh: but whats done is done haha!
I will admit that I use amazon so much that my friend has dubbed it my "Uncle Amazon"... as in "Oh! I see your uncle sent you another package today!" Good times.
