Austin Area TW Chapter (all gens welcome, even T4Rs; heck, just make it a Toyota and we're good)

@wagerhope and @harrisonfaulkner , I may take one of y'all up on the offer. I still have the base for mine, I just need a new whip and they seem to be cheap. Next time we hook up, I'll let y'all know. Really appreciate y'all's offer.

 

I've been carrying around the antenna in my truck for months. I'll likely have it next time we see each other so feel free to grab it!

 

Hell yeah! You gonna make it out for the weekend of the 28th with us?

 

I run a heavy spring with a 3' firestick... its nice for branches and well anything now that the trucks so tall but even the Alamo parking garage was an issue before i lifted the truck.

 

It's custom!

 

Okay I have a few wiring questions, maybe @tacopromatt or @Texoma or anyone else who knows what they're doing can weigh in.

1) On all of the lights that I've installed I have not tapped in to the fuse panel, nor have I tapped in to the dash lights. They only illuminate when I press then, which is fine. Is the no-fuse thing a problem? I'm wiring each with a harness and switch... And running out of space lol. If I did need to tap into the fuse panel, how do I do that when I have four or five different switches there?
2) I'm ordering some diffused LED pods that I want to use as combo reverse/camping lights. Is it possible- or worth it- to wire them in such a way that they automatically turn on with the reverse lights but also have a way to turn on/off regardless of being in reverse? I'm even considering two mounting points and a removable harness, so they're in the bumper for reversing and I move them to the roof rack when camping. Is that crazy?

Thanks!

 

1. You should be running fuses on everything. If there is any wiring problem, the 30 cent fuse will blow instead of your car catching on fire. There are in-line single fuses that you can simply splice into your current wiring. Pelfreybilt makes a nice mount for a Blue Sea fuse block if you want to wire a lot of additional mods. It is really nice and keeps everything organized. I have one myself, and would highly recommend it.

2. There are guides on how to splice into the reverse lights if you google it. It looks simple enough, but I haven't done it yet. Although, it might be better to have a simple on/off though since you most likely won't need them driving around town.

 

A) All depends on how you've wired your switches. The reason you tap your fuse box is to get a "trigger signal" such as ignition on, hot all the time, doors open, etc. Obviously illum is for your switches to light up with dash lights. If you run your switches to ground, trigger, and to relay, and your relay to switch/ground/battery/light, you're perfectly fine. Your wire from relay to battery should be fused. I tapped a single fuse under my dash that I'm using as hot all the time trigger for 3 switches. We can go through my setup next week.

B) This is a 3 way switch, like the rear cargo light switch on the 3rd gens. Something like this (I think):

 

I was at 495 and had a switch grip on the bar because I'm trying to use straps less. I had my left arm palm out and on the 2nd rep of 3rd set POP.

Now my arm looks all gimpy looking because the bicep isn't connected to my forearm like it should be. Hopefully on top of giving me full range of motion today it fixes the cosmetics

 

Dammit, I've fucked myself up lifting, but not like that. I truly hope that the docs fix you up good.

 

You want a fuse as close to the power source as possible, this protects your wire. Select the appropriate sized fuse for the rating on the wire.
I want to do the same thing with some reverse lights as you. I think that I may just use them on demand rather than coming on automatically, I may not always need that much light.

 

The more I think about it, the more I lean towards just having it be switched independently. Most of the time two additional pods would be way overkill.

 

That's what I thought my self as well. Figure I would blind some mother fuckers in a parking lot if they come on automatically.

 

Lol that would be fun at HEB at night, backing out of a parking spot...

Independently switched it is. Gonna mount em on the back of my roof rack so they can serve as combo backup/bed/camping lights.

 

Thanks man! I am trying to get everything finished up by the 20th/21st so I can make the Bonfire run at Hidden Falls (The heart of Texas guys are going, and are claiming that like 6 other clubs will be there too). Ain't no reason I can't go both weekends though! Will ya'll be there the whole Friday-Sunday or just the 28th?

 

Anything else I will need? How did you secure the coax? Zip ties?

 

Zip ties are your friend

 

Just used a coupe and finally fixed the "buzzing" I had behind the glove compartment

Crazy I drove around like that for over 2 years

 

Planing on spending the weekend there. Not sure if Friday night also.