Need some wiring and tire input

[jstim]

So for the tire input, I need some new shoes, and have been looking at the AT2s, and the duratracs. The duratrac is about 150 bucks more, but for the most part it's my dd, and it sees firebreak roads, and forest service roads, and maybe the occasional harder wheeling trip. Oh let's not forget the sand in NC. So what do you guys think? How long are your tires lasting you, and what do you think fits the bill?

As far as the wiring question, I'm about to add my cb next weekend probably. It's not going to be the last of additional electronics, and would like it to be connected to a fuse box. So what and who did you buy your accessories fuse boxes from, and did you connect them right up to run on full time power, or switched power? Looking for some input.

 

[lhsoulrebel]

Bunch of people on this site and FJ forums have used blue sea products... Water resistant, you can modify to fit your needs, easy to use, quality etc... I'm currently installing mine 12 (circuit version) with an 80amp relay to only be powered when the ignition is on. There a few really good write ups out there if you google search 12v fuse box install.

 

[UnderFire]

I run a blue seas 12 circuit fuse panel, the panel is always hot, just make sure you're not running anything that has a parasitic drain or you'll have a dead battery a lot.

 

[CentralFL4Runner]

Are you trying to go with an all terrain or just any suggestions? I'm running the cooper STT and I love them. One of the quieter MTs I've experienced, I'm two years into mine and still have a good bit more than half tread probably closer to 3/4, ~10k miles a year. I'm on a 15" wheel so the tire prices are a bit cheaper. I believe it was 1050 for 4 installed. 35x12.5

I've heard good things about the duratracs as well though.

 

[jeremyc74]

I have been running Duratracs for a while now, and while I love them they're starting to get a little more noisy. I probably have about 15k on them, and have rotated them twice already. They're not bad, but you defiantly know you're not riding around on straight tread SUV tires.

It's a trade off though, because they're damn sure capable off road. I haven't done any heaving mudding with them, but they were unbelievable in the snow last winter. (No FL jokes, I spend several months every year in the mountains in western TN and eastern VA, and it was a good snow year)

And they look great IMO. I get complements on the truck all the time since I put them on. You can click on my garage for a couple of pics.

 

[jstim]

I run a blue seas 12 circuit fuse panel, the panel is always hot, just make sure you're not running anything that has a parasitic drain or you'll have a dead battery a lot.

What would be considered parasitic drain? It'll probably end up just being for the lights that are added later, the cb, but that should be about it.

 

[jstim]

Are you trying to go with an all terrain or just any suggestions? I'm running the cooper STT and I love them. One of the quieter MTs I've experienced, I'm two years into mine and still have a good bit more than half tread probably closer to 3/4, ~10k miles a year. I'm on a 15" wheel so the tire prices are a bit cheaper. I believe it was 1050 for 4 installed. 35x12.5

I've heard good things about the duratracs as well though.

See I'm looking for something that will take me anywhere. I looked at the stt, but a 285/75/16 is pretty pricey for that tire. I kind of want to be at 1100 or less installed.

 

[jstim]

I have been running Duratracs for a while now, and while I love them they're starting to get a little more noisy. I probably have about 15k on them, and have rotated them twice already. They're not bad, but you defiantly know you're not riding around on straight tread SUV tires.

It's a trade off though, because they're damn sure capable off road. I haven't done any heaving mudding with them, but they were unbelievable in the snow last winter. (No FL jokes, I spend several months every year in the mountains in western TN and eastern VA, and it was a good snow year)

And they look great IMO. I get complements on the truck all the time since I put them on. You can click on my garage for a couple of pics.

Do they track all over the road? Others one guy I talked to has at2s as his dd tire, and has a crazy aggressive tire for off road. I only have one set of tires money, so I'm looking to get the most out of what I'm getting.

 

[MTD]

Go with the AT2's and don't look back. By far the best tire I have ever had on any of my vehicles I have the LT version (265/75/r16) and I have 40K miles on them and they are maybe half tread. Great bite for an A/t offroad and cheap the way to go for sure.

Also look at my build thread I run all BSS products and would not suggest anything else. If you need any help picking out fuses and stuff just PM me.

 

[jstim]

Go with the AT2's and don't look back. By far the best tire I have ever had on any of my vehicles I have the LT version (265/75/r16) and I have 40K miles on them and they are maybe half tread. Great bite for an A/t offroad and cheap the way to go for sure.

Also look at my build thread I run all BSS products and would not suggest anything else. If you need any help picking out fuses and stuff just PM me.

Thanks man, will do. Electricity and me are not the best of friends, so I will definitely do that.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I just installed a CB radio to my auxiliary fuse box last week. Check out my build for more information, included handy wiring diagrams for both the fusebox and the Radio.

Use blue sea fuse box with 100A breaker from Amazon

 

[jstim]

I just installed a CB radio to my auxiliary fuse box last week. Check out my build for more information, included handy wiring diagrams for both the fusebox and the Radio.

Use blue sea fuse box with 100A breaker from Amazon

Looks pretty straight forward, I just have to figure out where I am gonna put my loose change after I remove the ash tray. And yours is constant power, no switch?

This rig is shaping up great too, I'm excited to see more on it.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Looks pretty straight forward, I just have to figure out where I am gonna put my loose change after I remove the ash tray. And yours is constant power, no switch?

This rig is shaping up great too, I'm excited to see more on it.

This is correct, constant power. You can add an ignition relay between the fusebox and battery though, simple enough.

and thanks

 

[jeremyc74]

Do they track all over the road? Others one guy I talked to has at2s as his dd tire, and has a crazy aggressive tire for off road. I only have one set of tires money, so I'm looking to get the most out of what I'm getting.

I haven't noticed any issues with them tracking any worse than the all season tires I had before.


Just out of curiosity, why are you going to add a fuse box for a CB? You're talking about adding about a 3 amp load (max!) and you could easily piggyback on an existing fuse. Nothing wrong with adding a fuse box for additional loads, but it's really WAY overkill for a CB.

 

[jstim]

I haven't noticed any issues with them tracking any worse than the all season tires I had before.


Just out of curiosity, why are you going to add a fuse box for a CB? You're talking about adding about a 3 amp load (max!) and you could easily piggyback on an existing fuse. Nothing wrong with adding a fuse box for additional loads, but it's really WAY overkill for a CB.

Well I'm adding the fuse box now for future additions. At some point I'm going to do a roof rack and put ditch lights on the 4 corners, and a light bar up front, not sure how much more in the realm of electronics that I'm going to add. I want to make sure though that it's clean, easy to trouble shoot, and of for some reason something happens, I'm not damaging the goods, just the fuse.

 

[jeremyc74]

Well I'm adding the fuse box now for future additions. At some point I'm going to do a roof rack and put ditch lights on the 4 corners, and a light bar up front, not sure how much more in the realm of electronics that I'm going to add. I want to make sure though that it's clean, easy to trouble shoot, and of for some reason something happens, I'm not damaging the goods, just the fuse.

Nothing wrong with that, just know that you could use an "add-a-fuse" kit and be done with it in a matter of minutes, and it would be just as safe as far as the CB goes. For that matter you could jump off the existing stereo wiring and be fine too.

A lot of people don't realize it, but the sole purpose of a fuse is to protect the downstream wiring from over-current. As long as the fuse you're supplying it with is sized to blow before the wire burns, you're good to go.

 

[UnderFire]

What would be considered parasitic drain? It'll probably end up just being for the lights that are added later, the cb, but that should be about it.

Anything that has something that's always on, even a tiny little light or clock or something can kill a battery in no time. Most CB's are always off once you turn them off, and any lights should be on a switched relay, so you shouldn't have any troubles.

 

[CentralFL4Runner]

See I'm looking for something that will take me anywhere. I looked at the stt, but a 285/75/16 is pretty pricey for that tire. I kind of want to be at 1100 or less installed.

It should be do-able. Tire kingdom and the like will price match any prices found online, and i found them for 229 a tire with just a quick search.

However, they are a true MT. So the AT2 will last longer, quieter, and give a smoother ride. Definitely post up the pictures once you decide a tire and mount them!

 

[revox92]

Go with the AT2's and don't look back. By far the best tire I have ever had on any of my vehicles I have the LT version (265/75/r16) and I have 40K miles on them and they are maybe half tread. Great bite for an A/t offroad and cheap the way to go for sure.

+1 on this, lots of us here are very impressed with AT2's. And you can't go wrong too with Cooper for their well known durable tires, especially their new STT Pro, compare their performance ratings:
TreadDepot.com: Cooper Discoverer STT Pro Tires
Toyo Open Country A/T II Tire

 

[jstim]

So I pulled the trigger on the AT2s. For the price, under 750, I really couldn't shake a stick at it. So the tires will make it home a couple days before me. I have to do some labor to the runner, new lbj, outer tie rod ends, and crank up the damn coil overs, then throw my new kicks on. I'll keep you updated on the cb install that will happen shortly after.