KEWW Pro's Build Thread

[KEWW Pro]

Lighting Upgrade

Last week I solved the issues I had with the "Quick Disconnect" options on the cube lights. "What issues?" you may ask well the PITA system of opening the panel and remembering what color was + and what color was - and then when disconnecting risking pulling it all apart. Well problem solved by snapping on a cig lighter female and installing a port in the panel that is now powered by the same Aux 4 button on the Code 3. Yes, there is a new AOB "rear light" switch in the same panel. I thought I was cool and would be able to figure out how to wire that f'r up but no, after cutting a hole in the plastic and mounting it I remembered I am not an electrical engineer and the "easy" tutorials on the Tube were useless (to me) so I decided to bypass it entirely. If I were a liar I would say I installed it for a future project... well it is now, that was just not my intention.

Now that I don't have a mile of wire on each light they both ride easily in the seemingly useless hole in the passenger side of the truck. That, and either of them can be used from my all time powered outlet or from any other outlet and do not require a propitiatory system like I had.

I also did finally decide to mount the extinguisher near the back door. I would love to have kept it on the frame mount "under" the back seat but I still have kid passengers who value that space too much.

 

[KEWW Pro]

What dosen't make us stronger...

I will admit right now this is one I should have researched a bit more...

Interior LED Light upgrade. Okay, as of now I am pretty sure I paid too much by going to Autozone/O'Rileys and paying for each light rather than getting a kit from an online, forum sponsored dealer, but my intention was not to do the whole thing. Once I started though the rest had to be done.

Start to finish it was a good learning process, I am still not really impressed with the trunk lighting or the back seat. I did add a cig lighter split pair of quad blue lights for them to turn on at their leisure mounted by 3M tape on the C pillar for reading etc. that will not blow up my night vision on trips or otherwise. (last pic with the rest of the lights on)

I am pretty sure I will be adding a pair of LED strip lights to the rear soon enough, probably as soon as I build my drawer/changing table/wheel chair mounting system making use of the 10 gauge wire I pre-wired... To Be Continued I guess

 

[WallyT4R]

Very nice and well done mods so far. Look forward to more. :usa2:

 

[N2TRKYS]

How do you like the fog light tint? I'm wanting the yellow fog light look, but has to be useful.

Good looking rig.

Thanks.

 

[KEWW Pro]

How do you like the fog light tint? I'm wanting the yellow fog light look, but has to be useful.

Good looking rig.

Thanks.

Thank you!

The Lamin-X film was the best option for an easy fix. I say fix on purpose because a white fog light is practically useless, in the fog (or blinding snow). Yellow cuts through the fog differently and almost negates the snow reflection.

I do think the yellow "looks" cooler from the other end, but I am more concerned with how it looks from through the windshield.

I am going to wait for running the fog & headlights together per manufactures specs to see how it looks in the snow, but I am pretty sure I will be doing the solo fog light mod after driving in the first substantial snow.

(For what it's worth, I am leaning heavy towards just giving the lights their own power source from a switch by my left knee as opposed to the "bend a pin" option)

 

[N2TRKYS]

Thank you!

The Lamin-X film was the best option for an easy fix. I say fix on purpose because a white fog light is practically useless, in the fog (or blinding snow). Yellow cuts through the fog differently and almost negates the snow reflection.

I do think the yellow "looks" cooler from the other end, but I am more concerned with how it looks from through the windshield.

I am going to wait for running the fog & headlights together per manufactures specs to see how it looks in the snow, but I am pretty sure I will be doing the solo fog light mod after driving in the first substantial snow.

(For what it's worth, I am leaning heavy towards just giving the lights their own power source from a switch by my left knee as opposed to the "bend a pin" option)

I guess what I'm asking is did the film hurt the light output or do you think it would be better to do a total replacement? I'm not looking to be changing bulbs every few months, so the factory option is appealing.

Keep us posted on how they do for you.

 

[KEWW Pro]

I guess what I'm asking is did the film hurt the light output or do you think it would be better to do a total replacement? I'm not looking to be changing bulbs every few months, so the factory option is appealing.

Keep us posted on how they do for you.

Definitely no reduction in light output, and for $14 or so and absolutely minimal effort you get to trial the yellow for the effect.

I am starting to fall for the LED light look though, and without anyone around in the rain I tend to turn off my factory headlights and run the lights on top or Heise bar. Visibility with LED's seem to be much better. If I swap my headlight bulbs I will probably go with LED yellow Fogs too.

 

[Brittrick]

I will admit right now this is one I should have researched a bit more...

Interior LED Light upgrade. Okay, as of now I am pretty sure I paid too much by going to Autozone/O'Rileys and paying for each light rather than getting a kit from an online, forum sponsored dealer, but my intention was not to do the whole thing. Once I started though the rest had to be done.

Start to finish it was a good learning process, I am still not really impressed with the trunk lighting or the back seat. I did add a cig lighter split pair of quad blue lights for them to turn on at their leisure mounted by 3M tape on the C pillar for reading etc. that will not blow up my night vision on trips or otherwise. (last pic with the rest of the lights on)

I am pretty sure I will be adding a pair of LED strip lights to the rear soon enough, probably as soon as I build my drawer/changing table/wheel chair mounting system making use of the 10 gauge wire I pre-wired... To Be Continued I guess

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Really like that LED look. Any advice on where to get a whole kit? Also, def get the rigid duallys for the fogs. I just replaced mine and crazy bright

 

[Mikeson]

Interesting build thread... Digging the hammock setup!

 

[KEWW Pro]

Really like that LED look. Any advice on where to get a whole kit? Also, def get the rigid duallys for the fogs. I just replaced mine and crazy bright

No, I never even researched it. It was a total impulse buy at the auto store after feeling the T4R.org envy knowing others could see better than I can at night. I am quite sure there are better full kits out there, and at a better cost, I just don't want to add regret to envy haha.

Interesting build thread... Digging the hammock setup!

Thank you, I have used it way more than I thought I would already.

 

[m1ssm0rgan]

Love the way you have your 4Runner set up. I saw on your first post that you had someone in SoCal that made your "Gobi style" roof rack. Is he making more of these? I would love to get my hands on one... just wasn't sure about the price tag on the Gobi one. I would love to support a smaller local fabricator and save some money too!

Thanks for sharing your build! Makes me excited to get started on mine! :banana:

 

[aelarson]

[MENTION=168138]KEWW Pro[/MENTION] Have you had any issues with your burtman industries spacer lift? Thanks!

 

[KEWW Pro]

Love the way you have your 4Runner set up. I saw on your first post that you had someone in SoCal that made your "Gobi style" roof rack. Is he making more of these? I would love to get my hands on one... just wasn't sure about the price tag on the Gobi one. I would love to support a smaller local fabricator and save some money too!

Thanks for sharing your build! Makes me excited to get started on mine! :banana:

[MENTION=220729]m1ssm0rgan[/MENTION] Last time I got on instantgram i believe he was doing racks again. Outgearsolutions

I am still super satisfied with the rack and would strongly suggest NOT trying to powder coat it yourself, that was a mistake and I had to take it off and get the whole thing done correctly.

[MENTION=168138]KEWW Pro[/MENTION] Have you had any issues with your burtman industries spacer lift? Thanks!

[MENTION=147480]aelarson[/MENTION][/MENTION] None whatsoever... other than other non-lifted 4-runner families having to look up to us when we pass them HAHA!! j/k

If I have the time I will be putting together a first year update post in the next couple of weeks summarizing pros/cons from everything I did to the truck, but on the whole I still look out the window at my it happy like a kid on his birthday looking at presents... love this rig.

 

[m1ssm0rgan]

[MENTION=220729]m1ssm0rgan[/MENTION] Last time I got on instantgram i believe he was doing racks again. Outgearsolutions

I am still super satisfied with the rack and would strongly suggest NOT trying to powder coat it yourself, that was a mistake and I had to take it off and get the whole thing done correctly.

Found him! Thanks for sharing