TRD_MIKE's Build thread.
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Rago Ditch Light Bracket w/ Baja Designs Squadron Pro Pods
Once run across and in the position I wanted, I cut off the original passenger side wire set. I then spliced in the longer set I made with the driver’s side, using weather proof butt splice crimp connectors that I also put extra heat shrink on as a safety precaution. It then became a 2 to 1 connector again, it looked and would function as it did before just with a longer passenger side wire connector. From there I used the BD supplied power cables that already had connectors for the battery with an inline fuse, I ran it and set it up but did not connect to the battery just yet.
I routed all the wires that connect to the factory replacement switch through the fire wall and into the cab (don’t mind the pictures I pulled everything out to be seen once tucked away they are not easily seen.)
I then routed the wires to where I was placing the factory switch and yes there was a lot of extra wire but I bundled a zip ties it together to no get tangled or be messy. From there I wired the switch according to the schematic on the Rago website. I used my power source for my running lights by using a t-tap connector on the green wire of my wiper heater switch. This is the power source for the running lights on that circuit. As shown in the pictures you’ll see my wire routes on both sides along the firewall and through the firewall. You’ll also see the switch illuminated and the t-tap connector.
The switch itself is great quality and a quick install. My only dislike is the blue running light only seems to illuminate the words and not the actual feature of the ditch lights on the switch so it is as if half of it is not illuminated when my running lights come on. Not a big deal just my own ocd and gripes this may not bother others.
Now as far as the lights, these things are POWERFUL at about 4500 lumens each they are insanely bright. I put them to the test and went to a football field in the dead of night and turned them on I could see the opposite end zone and then some pointed straight forward. I did buy the spot lenses and an extra pair of wide cornering and have yet to try out the wide cornering. The Rago product is amazing coupled with a truly fine lighting product and these are near perfect so rating time. Quality of Rago fab brackets 10/10 quality of BD Squadron pros 10/10 quality of factory replacement ditch light switch 8.5/10. Ease of install I give this a 2 out of 5 and a total time of 1.5 hours because I took my time and extended the harness. All and all amazing amazing amazing.
Rago Fabrication Ditch Light Brackets w/ Baja Designs Squadron Pro Pods
I purchased my Rago Fab ditch brackets as part of their black Friday and Christmas sale event. I received them about 5 business days after order which impressed me during the holiday time they also came with the ditch light factory replacement switch. I received the BD Squadron Pros two days after since I ordered everything as a package. Rago was extremely informative the entire time and answered a ton of questions I had pre and post purchase. Pricing was fair for what I was buying especially with the incentive of a mail in rebate from BD themselves and the discounts from Rago. I can say though it’s been a month and I haven’t received a rebate yet but am not worried about it right now coming out of the holidays. Packaging from Rago was perfect they had the ditch brackets labeled and padded to ensure a flawless delivery with install. Installation of the ditch brackets themselves is straight forward especially following the Rago written directions delivered in the package and YouTube videos linked on their website. The light install was not as straight forward unfortunately. The wiring harness that comes from BD with the lights is too short to reach both sides while tucking away and leaving a factory look. Luckily this was an easy fix while considering myself to be slightly mechanically inclined and BD offering spare connectors with the products I extended the harness. The harness that comes is to join the 2 lights into one connector so they can both turn on and off simultaneously, there is a longer set of wires (passenger side) with a connector for the pods and a shorter set (drivers side). I used some spare black and red 16-gauge wire and attached a new male connector to one side. After measuring the length so I could run the wires along the factory main harness on the firewall I wrapped it in plastic flex wire loom to be a bit safer and give a more factory look.
Once run across and in the position I wanted, I cut off the original passenger side wire set. I then spliced in the longer set I made with the driver’s side, using weather proof butt splice crimp connectors that I also put extra heat shrink on as a safety precaution. It then became a 2 to 1 connector again, it looked and would function as it did before just with a longer passenger side wire connector. From there I used the BD supplied power cables that already had connectors for the battery with an inline fuse, I ran it and set it up but did not connect to the battery just yet.
I routed all the wires that connect to the factory replacement switch through the fire wall and into the cab (don’t mind the pictures I pulled everything out to be seen once tucked away they are not easily seen.)
I then routed the wires to where I was placing the factory switch and yes there was a lot of extra wire but I bundled a zip ties it together to no get tangled or be messy. From there I wired the switch according to the schematic on the Rago website. I used my power source for my running lights by using a t-tap connector on the green wire of my wiper heater switch. This is the power source for the running lights on that circuit. As shown in the pictures you’ll see my wire routes on both sides along the firewall and through the firewall. You’ll also see the switch illuminated and the t-tap connector.
The switch itself is great quality and a quick install. My only dislike is the blue running light only seems to illuminate the words and not the actual feature of the ditch lights on the switch so it is as if half of it is not illuminated when my running lights come on. Not a big deal just my own ocd and gripes this may not bother others.
Now as far as the lights, these things are POWERFUL at about 4500 lumens each they are insanely bright. I put them to the test and went to a football field in the dead of night and turned them on I could see the opposite end zone and then some pointed straight forward. I did buy the spot lenses and an extra pair of wide cornering and have yet to try out the wide cornering. The Rago product is amazing coupled with a truly fine lighting product and these are near perfect so rating time. Quality of Rago fab brackets 10/10 quality of BD Squadron pros 10/10 quality of factory replacement ditch light switch 8.5/10. Ease of install I give this a 2 out of 5 and a total time of 1.5 hours because I took my time and extended the harness. All and all amazing amazing amazing.
Updates Updates Updates
Well, a lot has been going on in the last 4 months since I have updated. Road trip to Fl a few wheeling events to Rausch Creek Off Road Park some camping and trips to Cannan Valley WV and a bunch of other things I'm probably forgetting.
I've installed my OrangeBox Fab Storage panels, purchased a Pelican IM3220 waterproof case for the top of the roof rack; this is where I store my camp table grill and kitchen needs since the dogs are always on our expeditions and take up all the room in the truck. I have also received my ARB AWNING 2500 (814101) and ARB 2500 X 2500 DELUXE AWNING ROOM WITH FLOOR (813108A) I will link these below.
There are a lot of things happening and going to happen the build has ramped up a bit and I'll be posting more as time goes along.
Purchased and installed:
1. Pelican IM3220 without Foam
2. ARB AWNING 2500 (814101)
3. ARB 2500 X 2500 DELUXE AWNING ROOM WITH FLOOR (813108A)
4. Gobi Racks ARB Awning Mount
5. Orange Boxx Fabrication Storage Panels
On order as of this week.
There is a lot happening here we go:
1. Powertray
2. Blue Sea 6 Circuit Fuse Block
3. Blue Sea 8 Circuit Terminal Block
4. Blue Seas 10 Screw Common Bus Bar with Cover
5. Stubby Cables For Switch Pros/ Blue Sea PowerTray
6. Switch-Pro SP-9100
7. Switch-Pro Quick Connect Harness for ARB Compressors
8. Bandi Compressor Mount
9. Slee Off Road Battery Terminal Extensions
10. PelfreyBilt Battery Cage
11. Odyssey 31M-PC2150
Well, a lot has been going on in the last 4 months since I have updated. Road trip to Fl a few wheeling events to Rausch Creek Off Road Park some camping and trips to Cannan Valley WV and a bunch of other things I'm probably forgetting.
I've installed my OrangeBox Fab Storage panels, purchased a Pelican IM3220 waterproof case for the top of the roof rack; this is where I store my camp table grill and kitchen needs since the dogs are always on our expeditions and take up all the room in the truck. I have also received my ARB AWNING 2500 (814101) and ARB 2500 X 2500 DELUXE AWNING ROOM WITH FLOOR (813108A) I will link these below.
There are a lot of things happening and going to happen the build has ramped up a bit and I'll be posting more as time goes along.
Purchased and installed:
1. Pelican IM3220 without Foam
2. ARB AWNING 2500 (814101)
3. ARB 2500 X 2500 DELUXE AWNING ROOM WITH FLOOR (813108A)
4. Gobi Racks ARB Awning Mount
5. Orange Boxx Fabrication Storage Panels
On order as of this week.
There is a lot happening here we go:
1. Powertray
2. Blue Sea 6 Circuit Fuse Block
3. Blue Sea 8 Circuit Terminal Block
4. Blue Seas 10 Screw Common Bus Bar with Cover
5. Stubby Cables For Switch Pros/ Blue Sea PowerTray
6. Switch-Pro SP-9100
7. Switch-Pro Quick Connect Harness for ARB Compressors
8. Bandi Compressor Mount
9. Slee Off Road Battery Terminal Extensions
10. PelfreyBilt Battery Cage
11. Odyssey 31M-PC2150
Here are some pictures from the past few months!
