My expedition runner project

[calimobber]

In my disaster response group, I always seem to get comments about how well my radio sounds. As you can see, I have a nmo mount antenna just ahead of my rack. Thankfully, I managed to find a t4r without a sunroof hehe. We get enough sun here in Georgia, I don't need any more.

Have fun!

I looked at the roof today and idk if there is any room for an nmo mount in front of the rack like I thought there would be . Didnt realize how far back the sunroof goes. So might be thinking about a hood style mount. Anyone have any experience with them? Its either that or a clamp style on the roof but idk if I like that.

 

[the great him]

im gonna run mine of the brush guard like i did the one for my CB... seams to work very well up front.

 

[Maxil]

I looked at the roof today and idk if there is any room for an nmo mount in front of the rack like I thought there would be . Didnt realize how far back the sunroof goes. So might be thinking about a hood style mount. Anyone have any experience with them? Its either that or a clamp style on the roof but idk if I like that.

Yes that sunroof throws a wrench in the works for sure. If I were in that situation, I would probably go ahead with a NMO in the middle of the rack if it were me. It should still have good SWRs there and if you need to carry something on your rack, just put a NMO cap on it. Eventually I may have another in that location so I can have a 6 meter antenna in that spot as well, I do a bit of crossbanding from 2m to 6m sometimes anyway.

A good 1/2 wave antenna could be clamped almost anywhere and do a decent job, the best place of course is the roof. That size doesn't need a ground plane, I made a J-pole like that and it works great!

Just me $.02 anyway

 

[calimobber]

So I was planning on getting rear diff breather mod done and finishing up the ham radio setup but I got distracted and went rock climbing instead. I did end up getting the tube needed for the breather, so ill get it done tomorrow.

after climbing I got home to a package and it was my switches!! woot! 3 of them.

So I decided to finally get the Hella's wired up to a switch and Do the VSC,TRAC,ABS disable mod.

This is with just the vsc,trac disable. I put the hella switch in the top right spot.

here is a video of the switch in action. Its works good. Like previously stated by others, while driving if you want to reset the system and turn it back on just flip the switch and turn the key one switch back then back on again real fast and it wont kill the car but the system resets and goes back to normal operation

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o-vA2g58k_Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[calimobber]

OK Quick update. I got allot done this weekend!

Friday I drove out to the Ham Radio Outlet store in burbank and picked up all the things needed to finish the radio install. Guy at the store talked me into a rear hatch clamp style antenna mount. Im really happy with how it turned out and It seems to be working alright. swr is 1.2 or below on both bands.

The Parts laid out.

I ran the wire though the existing rubber tube for a clean look.

Radio and Blue sea fuse box mounted under the seat.

Clean look with this antenna, almost like an R/C car look lol



I did get the radio faceplate mounted but its only a temporary place for now. once I get a new radio, Ill use the bottom din slot for the radio faceplate. Its a much cleaner look and both passenger and driver can see and control it. Ill try get a pic of it tomorrow, its under the steering wheel mounted with sticky tape.

 

[calimobber]

While I had the rear panels off, I decided to mess with the air pump location. I saw this setup from another member's build and I liked it so much that I will copy him . It will get mounted here when im ready to hardwire the air pump.

 

[calimobber]

And now for the Dual Battery setup!! This is my favorite mod and the one Ive been looking forward to the most. Ive just been pushing it off since I knew how much work it would be since i had to fabricate my own tray and everything. This took up most of my day today. i spent my easter building this

So First I started With moving over the abs relay box. I just removed the screws and moved it over. There was an empty screw hole already there. I made that little bracket in the picture and mounted it to give me a starting point as well.

For the tray I just marked and cut angle iron using the battery for a temp-let. cut and welded one side at a time, until I had my square tray. then lined up the bracket I made earlier and welded that in place. sanded it all down and spray painted it. The welds aren't the greatest but they will hold lol

Right now Im using a stinger 80amp Relay wired to a switch in the cab. I just flip the switch when I want them connected.

 

[calimobber]

All In all, im pretty happy with how everything is turning out. Some time this week, Ill Get the 12v plugs on the second battery. Ill run a 4gage wire from the second battery under the passenger seat and wire it to my xentrex 1000watt Inverter. long day bed time.

 

[Maxil]

Looks like a good job there. I take it you used the extra heavy gauge wire to run that inverter or something?

The only other thing I would do is maybe run some split loom over that wire to help protect it. Also the fact that if it gets damaged it is annoying to replace it.

 

[fightman80]

Looks good man! That antena looks really clean too!

 

[nquaint]

While I had the rear panels off, I decided to mess with the air pump location. I saw this setup from another member's build and I liked it so much that I will copy him . It will get mounted here when im ready to hardwire the air pump.

Wow great idea man! (or to whoever did it first). I have the same pump and have been brainstorming for areas to hard mount and wire it. Are you going to incorporate a compressed air bottle with it? I wonder if those pumps even have the power to fill up a tank with enough air to fill 4 tires quicker... Use the tank to get aired up quick then just hook that up to the pump before you head out, and it would be wired with an auto shutoff switch to turn off after refilling the tank. Think that would work?

 

[the great him]

a couple of things... while yes i like the idea of putting the air compressor there, i had actually been looking for a place for mine and figured that would be best, but then i started thinking about all the noise it will make and it being inside = no good(for me) and the fact that it will heat up super quick and not really have any good way too cool it(sure your fresh air vent is right below it, but the back side of that interior panel is insulated just an FYI). and secondly what happened to all your ABS stuff? you put your battery right where all that stuff was. did your rig not come with ABS?!? did you relocate it? if so wouldnt it of been easier to put the battery in a different spot, like under the back where the spare tire is(thats where im putting my dual batteries and compressor -just built the case for the compressor so it wont get damaged by rocks and debris)? but over all it all looks good man

 

[calimobber]

what happened to all your ABS stuff? you put your battery right where all that stuff was. did your rig not come with ABS?!? did you relocate it? if so wouldnt it of been easier to put the battery in a different spot, like under the back where the spare tire is(thats where im putting my dual batteries and compressor -just built the case for the compressor so it wont get damaged by rocks and debris)? but over all it all looks good man

I have an 02 which has the Trac system. 01,02 4runners they moved all the factory ABS stuff over to the right side connected to the master cylinder. only thing there, was the square plastic abs,trac,vsc relay box that I just moved over with out changing anything.

I think my setup was the best setup because I didnt have to cut the radiator shroud to fit 2 in the stock location or worry about running huge cable to the rear of the vehicle. I had all the metal from previous projects. I bought the 2 gage wire from harbor freight for $20

As for the Air pump I will mount a 2.5 gal tank up under the spare tire and use an autoshut relay so the pump can turn on and off when needed. Ill Run hose to the front and back of the vehicle with air connectors. Ill run a switch for the pump up front off the relay. I thought about the noise and heat but the other guy who did it seems to have good results with his setup.

His Setup On Board Air (OBA) - Blank White Page

 

[calimobber]

Looks like a good job there. I take it you used the extra heavy gauge wire to run that inverter or something?

The only other thing I would do is maybe run some split loom over that wire to help protect it. Also the fact that if it gets damaged it is annoying to replace it.

Yea I was thinking #2 but I would imagine #4 would be plenty.

Those high gage wires seem tuff but, good thinking on extra protection with such thick wire. Dont need any fires!!

 

[Mr. Leary]

Nice truck. I like your style of build.

:snacker:


Might want to ditch the roof rack plans, though. These trucks get a little tippy when you start packing weight up top. I have sold my roof rack in favor of some Yakima bars and the stock roof load bars.

 

[calimobber]

Might want to ditch the roof rack plans, though. These trucks get a little tippy when you start packing weight up top. I have sold my roof rack in favor of some Yakima bars and the stock roof load bars.

Humm.. would you still consider mounting more lights on the roofrack bar or just put them on the bumper?

 

[Mr. Leary]

Humm.. would you still consider mounting more lights on the roofrack bar or just put them on the bumper?

Put the lights on the bumper. They work better in that location IMO and you don't have to worry about them being ripped off by branches.

Granted, they look cool up there, but as far as function you are better off mounting them on the bumper. The one thing is... it can get a little creepy if you are crossing a deep stream at night. Once those lights all go below the water level, I get the heeby jeebies!

 

[slomatt]

I have an 02 which has the Trac system. 01,02 4runners they moved all the factory ABS stuff over to the right side connected to the master cylinder. only thing there, was the square plastic abs,trac,vsc relay box that I just moved over with out changing anything.

I think my setup was the best setup because I didnt have to cut the radiator shroud to fit 2 in the stock location or worry about running huge cable to the rear of the vehicle. I had all the metal from previous projects. I bought the 2 gage wire from harbor freight for $20

As for the Air pump I will mount a 2.5 gal tank up under the spare tire and use an autoshut relay so the pump can turn on and off when needed. Ill Run hose to the front and back of the vehicle with air connectors. Ill run a switch for the pump up front off the relay. I thought about the noise and heat but the other guy who did it seems to have good results with his setup.

His Setup On Board Air (OBA) - Blank White Page

Excellent choice in compressor mounting location.

It's a bit loud but not too bad in my opinion. I have had zero issues with heat and have been using this setup for a while now. I'm in the process of turning my rear bumper into a 1 gallon tank with a computer controlled solenoid to fill the tires, I'll post pictures when that is done.

- Matt

 

[4-Ripcord]

Im kinda obsessed and Love to see the voltage of my batteries at all times . The scan gauge has volts but its not very accurate. A friend of mine used one of these and I liked the idea so I got one.

Digital Panel Meters by Martel - Products - Digital Panel Meters, Voltmeters, Ammeters, Digital Displays


My plan is to use a 3 way toggle switch and be able to switch in between both batteries but for now its just hooked up to the one yellowtop.

I just tapped into the 12v from my always hot cigarette plug. I compared the volts directly off the battery and they were the same.

I really like this little gauge, great size.
Excellent job on the whole 4runner too!

 

[calimobber]

So I finally got around to installing the 1000w inverter. I pulled the #6 wire and ran a #4 from the second battery. So the inverter and blue sea fuse box is running off the second battery :banana:


This is whats under my seat now