Jangoforhire's Build and Pictures

[jangoforhire]

Alright, who' ready for lots of pictures of wires and switches (becasue everyone knows by now that I LOVE switches...:banana


Here is some more info on the center console switches:


You have to cut out the top black trim piece as I detailed earlier in my build, but you also have to cut out more of the console in the larger console piece (the part with the cup holders and all). Also, there is one little issue with putting switches here that I soon discovered....but don't worry, it's a quick fix.

This is the console with the black trim removed, you can see that you have to cut out more plastic for the switches to fit:

So after some horrible Dremel work...you get this!

Once that is cut out, the switch plate will slide right in.

Now for the trick part. The switches fit, and work great, BUT it causes an issue with shifting the transmission. Our shifter has a piece of plastic that moves with it so you don't see into the console when we are in "P" or "D". It's kind of confusing until you see it, but this is the piece of plastic I am talking about:

So when you are in "Drive" this piece of plastic doesn't stick out the front like this, but when you are in "Park" it does.

Obviously this is a problem, the first time I put my dash back together and drove around a bit, when I tried to shift to park it wouldn't let me (that plastic piece was hitting the base of my switches) and then threw a bunch of lights on my dash. So I turned my truck off and ran the codes with my iPhone, it gave me a "transmission range of motion code" so I cleared it, and figured out what was wrong.

This is how I fixed it, SUPER COMPLICATED:

it took two zip ties, and a SLIGHT trimming of the plastic piece

The zip ties just act to guide the plastic piece DOWN, instead of FORWARD into my switches.

After that, I have had absolutely no issues at all!

 

[jangoforhire]

So now down to wiring, this is the general wiring diagram that I used for my switches and lights with a few minor adjustments here and there:

Here is a link to the pictures that is actually readable:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/58059700/4Runner/Build/Wiring/Wire%20Diagram1.jpg

So, I started in the front mounting my two Wired Wagon fuse/relay boxes. These give me 10 additional circuits to do whatever I want with. These fuse boxes are wired directly the the AUX battery. I made some little brackets to hold them in place at the same height as the stock fuse/relay box so things will still look stock and also got them welded together at the corner:

Next I wanted to keep things somewhat modular, so I went to radio shack and picked up some 8 wire push connectors. So I crimped the end onto the wires and got them all set up, now I can just plug, and unplug my fuse boxes.

Now that the fuse boxes were done, I had to run a big bundle of wires all the way to the back. four 14. gauge wires for the lights, and about ten 18. gauge wires for the switches.

I made it easy on myself with the switches by making a bunch of harnesses like this, so by the time I was done, everything is basically plug and play.

Here is running wires with one my favorite tools...this thing has saved me SO much time finding lost bolts and fishing wires.

Wires coming out at the dash:

While I was under there I plastidipped my bracket and rounded over all the sharp edges:

Front switches all plugged in!

Now for that rear control panel...

Here is the panel I designed and had made from Front Panel Express

marking the rear wheel well for cutting:

Holes cut, wires fished through, and switch wiring harnesses ready to go:

Air gauge ready in the panel:

 

[jangoforhire]

Here is the finished product! I am very happy with how this turned out. It makes switching on the lights and using the air compressor super easy!


Activation switch is off the side so no cargo can hit the panel and accidentally trip my lights, once the activation switch it turned on, all the switches and the gauge light up and become active.

Also, the quick connect for my air compressor is located right below the panel activation button.

Switches and gauges lit up!

A look inside the wheel well....

 

[jangoforhire]

Last but not least, my rack finally got here. I love it, quality is outstanding and all the custom light mounts look perfect! I feel like I am best friends with Sandra at Gobi from calling her so much to ask questions and getting updates, but it was worth the wait. Also thanks to RiDE for helping me design the rack the way I wanted.

We had to move some lights around to get things to fit right but the final arrangement is:

1 20" SR flanked by 2 6" SR's in the front
1 6" SR flush mounted on each side
2 10" SR's on the rear.

I also got the ladder, beefier Gobi struts, and Hi-lift jack (not on the rack yet).

I also got the water and gas 2 gallon rotopax (same setup as Okki) and followed his writeup to get them installed. I didn't want the red gas tank sticking out like a sore thumb on my roof so I painted it black to match. I mean, color scheme is more important that safety right! Haha

Getting ready to put it on:

Here are the pictures of the custom side flush mounts:

Here are the pictures of everything complete! I chose white light covers and really love the way they look. I'm very happy with the way this turned out!!

Done for a while now (meaning a few weeks) and can't wait for dark! :hungry:

 

[FactoryRide]

Done for a while now (meaning a few weeks) and can't wait for dark! :hungry:

You can't be done just yet. You already mentioned you put in an order for some coilovers!! The rack looks good though! and very elaborate wiring (had plenty of time to think about it when they had to start over on your rack??). Rear panel came out great.

Looking forward to more updates.

 

[phillyd2]

Capt. Kirk would be proud. Very well done but fair warning: the switch jokes will NEVER end. :cheers:

Two questions:

1. Part Number / Make of the air Pressure Gauge
2. What did you use to pain the gas packs?

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

Three things:

1. Love how your rig is coming along! Awesome bro!

2. Love the rear switch panel in the back, I am DEFINATELY gonna copy you :cheers:

3. Love the lights, I actually just ordered two more 6" rigid SR floods for the left and right!!!!! Can never ever have too much light:reddance:

Awesome work man!!!!

 

[Mtn.Rush]

God you gents are amazing. AMAZING work, outstanding.

 

[Antman]

Make sure you aren't aiming those lights towards my neighborhood tonight. I gotta get up early.

I love the Gobi/Rigid side mounts- great idea! Nice work:thumb3:

 

[Ducmonsta]

Looks fantastic! Small recommendation...I know thats how rigid wants the orientation of the lights. I would flip them over so that the fins aren't catching debris. Put the smooth side up.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

Looks fantastic! Small recommendation...I know thats how rigid wants the orientation of the lights. I would flip them over so that the fins aren't catching debris. Put the smooth side up.

I was wondering this myself...

 

[jangoforhire]

You can't be done just yet. You already mentioned you put in an order for some coilovers!! The rack looks good though! and very elaborate wiring (had plenty of time to think about it when they had to start over on your rack??). Rear panel came out great.

Looking forward to more updates.

Thanks! Yea I had PLENTY of time to think about how I wanted to wire these and I think it really paid off!

And yes, I will be done working for a little while, but only because I am waiting for more parts to come in! My final list of things to do is...

1. TE Conversion
2. Icon Stage 6 with wheels and tires
3. Budbuilt hidden winch plate with winch
4. Budbuilt bump out sliders
5. Shrockworks Skids.

Then I think I will be completely done!

Capt. Kirk would be proud. Very well done but fair warning: the switch jokes will NEVER end. :cheers:

Two questions:

1. Part Number / Make of the air Pressure Gauge
2. What did you use to pain the gas packs?

ha ha i figured! I can handle it.

Two answers:

1. Here is the air pressure gauge I used, it has selectable colors (one is close to the factory amber, but its not a perfect match) and not to expensive! Black 7 Color 200 PSI Air Pressure Gauge

2. It was a last minute decision, so I used some spray paint from my hardware store that was good for plastic. 3 coats of primer, and 3 of matte black. I can already tell you though that I don't expect this to last...I may have to come up with another option down the road.

Three things:

1. Love how your rig is coming along! Awesome bro!

2. Love the rear switch panel in the back, I am DEFINATELY gonna copy you :cheers:

3. Love the lights, I actually just ordered two more 6" rigid SR floods for the left and right!!!!! Can never ever have too much light:reddance:

Awesome work man!!!!

1. Thanks a lot! I really like how its going as well

2. Haha yea I don't really know how I came up with that idea, I think I just wanted the quick connect for the air back there and then the entire panel just kind of was born from that. It's really nice though to be able to just pop the hatch, hook in an air line, and then flip the activate and air compressor button and then I can use my compressed air for whatever, all while keeping an eye on my pressure. I like it because it still keeps everything looking very clean.

3. I can't agree with you more, I went a little overboard here, but I will get a lot of use of these!

God you gents are amazing. AMAZING work, outstanding.

Thanks a lot!

Make sure you aren't aiming those lights towards my neighborhood tonight. I gotta get up early.

I love the Gobi/Rigid side mounts- great idea! Nice work:thumb3:

Haha i'll make sure not to! :hatsoff:
Yes I really like how they turned out, they are perfectly tucked into the sides!

Looks fantastic! Small recommendation...I know thats how rigid wants the orientation of the lights. I would flip them over so that the fins aren't catching debris. Put the smooth side up.

Thanks! Ya know I was thinking about which was to put them, and honestly the only way I hooked them up the way I did was because the label was facing up. You make a good point though, I will probably flip them around when I make sure they are aimed properly. Thanks for the tip!

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Thanks! Yea I had PLENTY of time to think about how I wanted to wire these and I think it really paid off!

And yes, I will be done working for a little while, but only because I am waiting for more parts to come in! My final list of things to do is...

1. TE Conversion
2. Icon Stage 6 with wheels and tires
3. Budbuilt hidden winch plate with winch
4. Budbuilt bump out sliders
5. Shrockworks Skids.

Then I think I will be completely done!

It will never be done! There will always be something to do or add or change. And why not go with the BudBuilt skids? You got everything else from him.

 

[jangoforhire]

It will never be done! There will always be something to do or add or change. And why not go with the BudBuilt skids? You got everything else from him.

This is true, I know I will always be doing little things here and there, but that is the list of BIG things that I want to get done before next summer.

Good questions about the skids, I am not sure which I am going with to be honest, but my thinking with schrockworks is that I will have a better tie in with a front bumper if I ever go there in the distant future. Other than that there doesn't seem to be to many differences...

 

[Okki]

This is true, I know I will always be doing little things here and there, but that is the list of BIG things that I want to get done before next summer.

Good questions about the skids, I am not sure which I am going with to be honest, but my thinking with schrockworks is that I will have a better tie in with a front bumper if I ever go there in the distant future. Other than that there doesn't seem to be to many differences...

Better oil change access on the Shrokworks as well compared to the BudBuild's if I recall correctly.

Okki

 

[jangoforhire]

Better oil change access on the Shrokworks as well compared to the BudBuild's if I recall correctly.

Okki

I think Bud has an access hole in his for changing oil now too. But yea I've just always liked the looks of the schrockworks a little better. I mean no one is going to see them really, but I'll know whats down there.

Who knows what I'll get when i actually have the money in hand though.

 

[49runners]

since you have a blizzard white LTD, there is something extremely cool look about the white runner with TE bumpers.

 

[jangoforhire]

since you have a blizzard white LTD, there is something extremely cool look about the white runner with TE bumpers.

Yep I've already got 95% of the TE parts I need. I should hopefully have the full conversion done by the end of the month. Hopefully

 

[jangoforhire]

Started laying all the parts out for the TE conversion today just so I know where things go. I also visited two local dealers and two local auto body/paint shops to get quotes for the front/rear bumper cover parts and paint.

The dealers are up charging the parts a TON, almost 100$ more than online and local body shops.

Hopefully I will get the finished bumpers by the end of next week and finish the conversion over the weekend! Thats the plan as of now.

Here are the parts laid out:

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

Can't wait to see another "Storm Trooper" Runner out there. Awesome build. I may have the plagiarize the air quick connect for the rear along with the gauge and maybe some of the switches at least to use for rear and side lights (when I get to that point). Great job, again. Look forward to seeing more.