2004 Tacoma dual battery set up

been scouring the web for info on a dual battery system for my tacoma. got in touch with sierraexpeditions about the IBS system. looks pretty spiffy. i'm waiting on delivery of the dual batt tray, first.

 

I know its kind of old...but I wanna know about this!! Did ya end up getting it?

 

Yes. Tray by Columbia Overland, the IBS system, and two yellow optimas. Works perfectly.

 

got pictures or a write up?

 

I can do pix, but might be a few days. I'm reinstalling the lumber rack and trying to better dustproof the shell/tailgate from our trip to Moab and surrounds.

 

This is for my 2004 Tacoma. Columbia Overland provided the tray ($150), and IBS was close to $390. Both are excellent. Columbia Overland has an install page on their site, and it is fairly easy to follow. The only thing I did differently was add a support for the inner battery as there is considerable weight and I didn't want the tray flexing constantly with offroad bouncing. I had that problem with the roof rack cracking the bed support beam up front as well as some sheet metal.

Once the fuse box support leg is removed (per instructions) and the fan shroud moved slightly to the passenger side, the tray fits right in. I made the support out of flat stock from Lowe's and 2 inch aluminum angle. I c-clamped the support to the frame as shown, with the aluminum angle snug against the tray bottom, and then drilled through the frame and secured the support with 5/16 bolts. The tray was also secured to the existing tray support on the truck and also to the aluminum angle.

The coolant overflow tank fits on an already included mount, but I felt there was something wrong, so I put white paint on top of the tank hoses and closed the hood, only to see paint on the hood when I raised it. There is a second set of holes for the mount, so I moved the mount to the lower hole position. Problem solved. Also, I had to trim the front right corner off the Columbia top piece as that corner was hitting the hood also.

I installed the IBS system close to the batteries (less wiring problems) and the control against the right side of the console.

I think the Columbia unit looks great.

Hmmmm. I'll post this text, but now I have to figure out how to include photos. Help!

I'll just use Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/twodeserts/sets/72157627376928333/

 

Thats pretty freaking sweet...don't know if I can do dual batteries on the 1st gen like that...i'm already sportin the "tacoma lean" pretty good. lol

 

Only reason I did this was for the ARB fridge/freezer.

 

that cockpit is a crows nest!!! haha sweet setup man

 

I just posted another photo into Flickr of the engine bay, as it looks now (18October2017), after installing some LED lights on the lumber rack. I need to still try to tidy up the wiring....haha