Cytronus 2016 4Runner Trail Premium Build Thread (Pic Heavy)
- Thread starter Cytronus
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Cytronus
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Camper trailer battery charger installed
Today I added new 6 AWG welding wiring from the aux battery to a 50 amp circuit breaker with wire running to the rear, terminating with a 50 amp Anderson plug and weather proof TrailerVision housing with spring loaded, sealed door and a nice red LED light indicating power. I made a custom bracket to hold the unit which can mount in multiple locations if need be.
This will charge 2 lithium polymer 12V batteries on a camper trailer that I'm taking delivery of this weekend in Las Vegas. I'm pretty stoked but not about the 20+ hour round trip drive.
It was important to have a circuit breaker in line so that when doing water crossings where the plug at the rear may submerge, power can be cut by maually switching the breaker to prevent a short. I'm planning to leave the breaker "off" unless I'm pulling the trailer.
Today I added new 6 AWG welding wiring from the aux battery to a 50 amp circuit breaker with wire running to the rear, terminating with a 50 amp Anderson plug and weather proof TrailerVision housing with spring loaded, sealed door and a nice red LED light indicating power. I made a custom bracket to hold the unit which can mount in multiple locations if need be.
This will charge 2 lithium polymer 12V batteries on a camper trailer that I'm taking delivery of this weekend in Las Vegas. I'm pretty stoked but not about the 20+ hour round trip drive.
It was important to have a circuit breaker in line so that when doing water crossings where the plug at the rear may submerge, power can be cut by maually switching the breaker to prevent a short. I'm planning to leave the breaker "off" unless I'm pulling the trailer.
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Cytronus
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Yes a spare will still fit up there. I can also move the bracket to a few different locations if needed.
Cytronus
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Camper Trailer Acquired! Patrior Campers X1 GT
Well, I've gone and got a camper trailer. I decided on the trailer after considering adding a fridge, roof top tent and other items to the rig would add too much weight, raise the center of gravity, making it more difficult to handle the 4Runner in moderate to aggressive off-roading, especially with passengers.
I've been a big fan of the Australian-made Patriot Campers for over a year, after finding them on YouTube. I haven't been really enticed with the U.S. camper trailer market so far, so I looked into importing an X1 but it was too complex and costly so I thought I'd wait and see how the nascent U.S. market develops over the coming year or two. But then I heard the news at SEMA early this year that Patriot Campers would be coming to the U.S. this summer.
I ordered one in early spring, becoming their first U.S. customer. Justin, the owner/founder personally delivered the first U.S. shipment with a full run down of the trailer operation. He's a class act and a great guy with a tireless work ethic.
I have to admit, photos don't do this thing justice. It's truly a masterful work of engineering, refined metal craft and a practical, makes-sense design all around. The attention to details are incredible and I'm stoked to take it out to remote locations where no running water or bathrooms exist while still being able to enjoy a convenient outdoor experience.
I wanted to be able to camp, set up quickly, unhook and roll out on the trails during the day, and that's just what I did with the X1 this past weekend for its first camping adventure at Shaver Lake and Bald Mountain.
I learned a lot about using the trailer efficiently, or rather inefficiently on this first trip. I'll share more photos of that trip soon but first,for the sake of linearity, the NV desert photos from delivery day where I drove it home from Las Vegas to the SF Bay Area. I took a short detour out in the desert to see how well it handled and it barely felt like it was there.
More soon!
Well, I've gone and got a camper trailer. I decided on the trailer after considering adding a fridge, roof top tent and other items to the rig would add too much weight, raise the center of gravity, making it more difficult to handle the 4Runner in moderate to aggressive off-roading, especially with passengers.
I've been a big fan of the Australian-made Patriot Campers for over a year, after finding them on YouTube. I haven't been really enticed with the U.S. camper trailer market so far, so I looked into importing an X1 but it was too complex and costly so I thought I'd wait and see how the nascent U.S. market develops over the coming year or two. But then I heard the news at SEMA early this year that Patriot Campers would be coming to the U.S. this summer.
I ordered one in early spring, becoming their first U.S. customer. Justin, the owner/founder personally delivered the first U.S. shipment with a full run down of the trailer operation. He's a class act and a great guy with a tireless work ethic.
I have to admit, photos don't do this thing justice. It's truly a masterful work of engineering, refined metal craft and a practical, makes-sense design all around. The attention to details are incredible and I'm stoked to take it out to remote locations where no running water or bathrooms exist while still being able to enjoy a convenient outdoor experience.
I wanted to be able to camp, set up quickly, unhook and roll out on the trails during the day, and that's just what I did with the X1 this past weekend for its first camping adventure at Shaver Lake and Bald Mountain.
I learned a lot about using the trailer efficiently, or rather inefficiently on this first trip. I'll share more photos of that trip soon but first,for the sake of linearity, the NV desert photos from delivery day where I drove it home from Las Vegas to the SF Bay Area. I took a short detour out in the desert to see how well it handled and it barely felt like it was there.
More soon!
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chillfancy
New member
I love your photos! IS there any way you can post the higher resolution photos so I can use them for a wallpaper?
Cytronus
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Thanks for the inquiry! The forum automatically compresses the images when I post. Do you know of a work-around to post larger photos? If not, I'm happy share via Google Drive or Dropbox.
chillfancy
New member
You could upload to imgur or another image host then link to it. I work at VW and everyone gets a kick out of the 4Runner background on my desktop.
Enjoy following your mods, detailed posts and writing style. May I ask what tool did you use to cut the brackets you made and how did you bend them? Thanks
Magnetic4R
New member
oh damn...sick! Jealous....my favorite trailer out there. =)
digging the rackless roof as well.
digging the rackless roof as well.
Last edited:
Cytronus
New member
Metalworking and bracketeering
Thanks for the note. Depending on the application, I will use 1/16" thick steel or 1/8" aluminum, sourced from OSH or Ace Hardware. I first make the bracket in cardboard. Then, before any bending, I drill any holes with a simple, cheap drill press from Home Depot with some oil, to preserve the bit.
After that, I place the metal vertically in a bench vise with smooth angle iron on both vise jaws, to prevent the naked vise diamond pattern from marring/imprinting the bracket metal. I use a cheap hand-held hack saw with metal cutting blade to make the cuts. You can only cut so far in, about 5"-6" before the hacksaw top stops the cut from going further. I cut into the metal at certain angles, often using triangle relief cuts to allow the saw to keep cutting. After some experience, you figure out the cut angles in your mind before even starting. I'll use a DeWALT 12" double bevel miter saw with a ferrous metal cutting blade to cut smaller pieces more quickly than a hack saw.
Next is bending in the vise by hammering the metal with a rubber mallet or with wood against the metal and a heavy duty hammer or small sledge hammer. More rarely, for thick steel, I heat the metal up with a Map gass torch from OSH, which softens the metal to help prevent breaking and makes for cleaner bends.
Last, I'll grind the corners and the edges smooth on both sides with a cheap electric stone grinding wheel, followed up by more precise filing in the bench vise. Always file aluminum, don't use the stone grinding wheel because aluminum clumps up on the stone wheel, rendering it useless.
Media blast or sand and then paint or powder coat! Done!
Thanks for the note. Depending on the application, I will use 1/16" thick steel or 1/8" aluminum, sourced from OSH or Ace Hardware. I first make the bracket in cardboard. Then, before any bending, I drill any holes with a simple, cheap drill press from Home Depot with some oil, to preserve the bit.
After that, I place the metal vertically in a bench vise with smooth angle iron on both vise jaws, to prevent the naked vise diamond pattern from marring/imprinting the bracket metal. I use a cheap hand-held hack saw with metal cutting blade to make the cuts. You can only cut so far in, about 5"-6" before the hacksaw top stops the cut from going further. I cut into the metal at certain angles, often using triangle relief cuts to allow the saw to keep cutting. After some experience, you figure out the cut angles in your mind before even starting. I'll use a DeWALT 12" double bevel miter saw with a ferrous metal cutting blade to cut smaller pieces more quickly than a hack saw.
Next is bending in the vise by hammering the metal with a rubber mallet or with wood against the metal and a heavy duty hammer or small sledge hammer. More rarely, for thick steel, I heat the metal up with a Map gass torch from OSH, which softens the metal to help prevent breaking and makes for cleaner bends.
Last, I'll grind the corners and the edges smooth on both sides with a cheap electric stone grinding wheel, followed up by more precise filing in the bench vise. Always file aluminum, don't use the stone grinding wheel because aluminum clumps up on the stone wheel, rendering it useless.
Media blast or sand and then paint or powder coat! Done!
IronSightsOnly
New member
Sub'd.
You have my dream build just FYI.
You have my dream build just FYI.
DesertEagle
New member
Cytronus - Can you post more pics of the X1 deployed with the options? I'm seriously considering the Patriot Camper (X2 vs X1). Did you see both X1 and X2 - what made you go with the X1? How does the 4runner drive off road with the X1 - did you look into re-gearing at all? Truck looks awesome and with the graphite X1 behind - off the charts!
Can’t help but add another post ....I just read through your whole thread and have to say you are one of the most thorough and detailed mod’ers on this whole forum. Everything you’ve done is unbelievable. I’m new to the forum and the 4runner world and wantEd to say thank you for all of the ideas, detailed write ups and fantastic pics !!
transistor
New member
Awesome 4runner! I was wondering if you had any trouble fitting the dual air compressor and the air pump in that spot. Was there any clearance issues?
Cytronus
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