<Build Thread> Kenai, AK '99 SR5
- Thread starter psraff
- Start date
psraff
New member
Thank Guys, for the comments! I think it came out pretty good. I need to clean up a few places but overall I like it.
psraff
New member
New Battery and Distribution Block. Didn't want to wire up my winch to the old battery. The routing of the wiring may change. I messed up the (+) to the Block so I didn't route it the way I wanted. I wanted to make sure there's enough slack to remove that cover to get to the fuses under it.
I also wanted to reinstall my Electric Fans and test them again now that I have better wiring installed. Even though they claim they run at 2500CFM (same as stock) I noticed my temps getting higher. I bought the Flex-a-lite before I knew better...
I also wanted to reinstall my Electric Fans and test them again now that I have better wiring installed. Even though they claim they run at 2500CFM (same as stock) I noticed my temps getting higher. I bought the Flex-a-lite before I knew better...
BillIam
New member
T4Rfirefighter
New member
I really like what you did with the solenoid box.
psraff
New member
If I remember right, it's the 620. Made for the Tacoma. I put it in when gas up close to $4.50 a gallon a few years ago. Bit it was more trouble then what it's worth. I wouldn't mind trying the Lincoln Mark VIII fan sometime in the future. I just love the extra room you have with the EFans. You can reach so much more on the engine....
psraff
New member
Thanks, but I can't take all the credit... I stole the idea from another's build thread. It was a great idea and it cleans up the wiring so much (plus you have the fuses right there).
psraff
New member
Have to be honest... I stole a few things from this guy.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/87847-my-expedition-runner-project.html
One was the distribution block, and another was the digital voltage gauge.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/87847-my-expedition-runner-project.html
One was the distribution block, and another was the digital voltage gauge.
T4Rfirefighter
New member
I meant the winch solenoid box.
theBEAR
New member
Hey man, I wanted to ask you a question about your tire selection but I am really impressed with your grill mod!! It is by far the coolest i have seen on here! I'm trying to do something similar. I love the raptor ambers and i'm working through a satoshi/raptor mod right now. Anyway, your amazon led mod is really impressive and it has given me some new inspiration.
Back to my question, have you felt any driving differences on your 255/85s? Stability? Highway driving? I'm considering my tire options, but I'm assuming you cannot mount 255/85s on stock 01 wheels, correct?
Thanks
psraff
New member
psraff
New member
I did feel a difference between my old and new tires. I wouldn't say it was only the size though. I had Nitto's Terra Grapplers A/T before. When I changed over to my Toyo's, it was quieter, smoother (even with the M/T tread) and because they were narrower, the ruts in the road didn't pull my truck as much. I even got pulled over the first day I had them on from speeding. It wasn't the size difference, it was just so much smoother that I was driving like 10mph faster and didn't even feel it.
I picked the 255\85 because of what I use the truck for. I set it up for exploring so I'm on paved roads, plus dirt \ mountain roads. I don't go on the beach very often nor go mudding. The Toyo tires are heavy. I don't have the exact numbers anymore but I think it was like 12lbs heavier for each tire for the same 33" but wider like so many people have. I just figured I didn't need that extra rotating mass for my DD (which because of a company van, this sits in the shop all week). I love these tires. And I think this is the brand \ style \ size I'll stick with. I even gave my winter tires to my brother because he needed them more then I did (though we haven't had much of a winter the past two years). I can't vouch for other brands, though when I did research them, I posted the question between the Toyo's and the K2s. Everyone told me the Toyo's due to the colder conditions (plus most all after market tires around here are Toyo's so that much say something in itself).
Thanks for the comments on my Grill. I really like how it came out and even though it's a '99 grill it wasn't that hard to smooth out the lines. I know if you really get up and close you will see all the flaws, but I admit this is mostly a prototype to see how the lights hold up and the spray on Duplicolor Bed Liner. I know of several area's I need to clean up and improve.
Hope this Helps.
theBEAR
New member
Yeah - this definitely helps! One more quick question. I do tend to find alot of mud on my offroad excursions and my girlfriend loves the beach. Do you know the extent of the reduction in traction with the thinner tires?
Theoretically, could I just deflate to make up for the thinner contact patch? I plan to install an inverter and keep an electronic tire pressure pump in the 4Runner.
psraff
New member
Everyone's mud and beaches are different. Up here, Our mud isn't very sticky, but in Missouri, it was a nightmare.... Beaches can be the same way. But up here we have swamp land on the side of a mountain (seriously... I've had to winch going downhill on a 4 wheeler before...)
I can run on the beach without airing down for the most part. The worse part is leaving our beach so you're going uphill and the sand is loose. I just have my locker engaged and get a run at it.
As for mud, I know I could handle what I would run into with no problem. Which would be mostly in or around streams, or a spring so it's always wet. Even still, they are mostly gravel bottoms.
I would read this here to understand tire widths better.
Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel
psraff
New member
Just an update on my LED Grill Lights. The more I look at the "Amber" lights, they aren't very Amber. In Daylight they look more of a "Peach" color. The white is much better in my opinion. I was hoping to use the Amber more, but the color just isn't there. Maybe a different product is out there that has a better more intense Amber \ Orange color to them.
psraff
New member
Another idea, because I couldn't sleep the other night....
I've been thinking of removing my Subaru Compass Thingy and making a spot for gauges. (So I'll be selling it soon, with all paperwork \ instructions FYI)
I didn't want the normal round gauges in that area so I was looking for something a bit different. Didn't even know what they would monitor. Maybe put several switches there as well. So I found these Digital Thermostats on Ebay and picked up two of them (only $5 each so if they were garbage, no great loss).
They are actually for computers but 12V DC is 12V DC so I was going to use one for my engine compartment temps and another for my cab temps. Yes, I know... Neither is really needed, but.... To be honest, I was hoping to find something like these and use them to monitor water temp, and tranny fluid temp.... But for only $5, I didn't want to rely on them for something that important.
The probe is about 3' long, and in testing, they are VERY RESPONSIVE! The second you hold one the temp starts to rise. They are pretty accurate as well. I haven't set it up right next to my shop thermostat yet, but if they're off, I think it's only a few tenths...
I plan on starting to work on these this weekend. I'll keep you all posted. Maybe add something like this in between them for water temp... If I can find a red one, since all my other lights are red.
Amazon.com: Koso BA024B11 Super Slim Style Thermometer: Automotive
I've been thinking of removing my Subaru Compass Thingy and making a spot for gauges. (So I'll be selling it soon, with all paperwork \ instructions FYI)
I didn't want the normal round gauges in that area so I was looking for something a bit different. Didn't even know what they would monitor. Maybe put several switches there as well. So I found these Digital Thermostats on Ebay and picked up two of them (only $5 each so if they were garbage, no great loss).
They are actually for computers but 12V DC is 12V DC so I was going to use one for my engine compartment temps and another for my cab temps. Yes, I know... Neither is really needed, but.... To be honest, I was hoping to find something like these and use them to monitor water temp, and tranny fluid temp.... But for only $5, I didn't want to rely on them for something that important.
The probe is about 3' long, and in testing, they are VERY RESPONSIVE! The second you hold one the temp starts to rise. They are pretty accurate as well. I haven't set it up right next to my shop thermostat yet, but if they're off, I think it's only a few tenths...
I plan on starting to work on these this weekend. I'll keep you all posted. Maybe add something like this in between them for water temp... If I can find a red one, since all my other lights are red.
Amazon.com: Koso BA024B11 Super Slim Style Thermometer: Automotive
psraff
New member
Many Thanks! Heading out to the shop now to work on lightening up my Lightforce a little bit.... Just a bit too much Night Shade on them still....
