Because We're Not North Enough To Be NOVA, We're Just Stuck Between the North and the True South

Hey guys so this is the first time i have seen this thread and i really wish i would have come here earlier moved to the Spotsylvania area (off route 3 and orange plank road) a couple months ago and i don't really know anyone out here

 

Has anyone around here done a prerunner 4x4 conversion? I am in the research and planning phase and if someone lives close by who cpuld potentially help me out that would be awesome

 

Happy new year and welcome. We’re a pretty broad geographic area but hopefully somebody can chime in and help ya out.

 

Thanks, im not looking for any advice. Ive gotten the "trade it in and but a 4wd" more times than i can count. I have my reasons for wanting to do a conversion. I am looking more for someone to physically help me turn the wrenches and figure out the wiring. Its going to be a long gradual process i know but it will be worth it in the end. In the meantime though i would like to hit some trails around here

 

Those look really nice!

 

This was funny as s#@t! I read it to my wife, but I had to read it a few times to her because I was laughing too much while reading it! Thanks for the holiday cheer!!

 

Where are you located? Your profile on the left side doesn't have your city listed. There are a lot of guys on here that are pretty good with all the technical mumbo-gumbo so hopefully they can help you set it up the way you want.

Me on the other hand, not so much.

 

Since he is in Spotsy he is likely about 15 min away from you depending on his actual address. I do roll down to Spotsy from time to time as my chic is down there.

 

The only person I know of that has done a 4x4 conversation, that is local-ish, is @jowybyo. He works for Mobtown in MD by the DE boarder.

There are a number of threads documenting the conversation scattered around the forum.

 

Oh yeah that's pretty close. I missed where he is in Spotsy. I can always come for moral support and bring beer. This is beyond my limited know-how. Hell, I got some ditch lights (or whatever they are called) for Christmas and have no idea how I'm going to wire them up. I bought the wiring harness and light switch, so it will be fun. But I'm definitely waiting until it gets warmer!!

 

Sounds good man, I have wired up my ditch lights along with others. Honestly its pretty straight forward, did they provide any instructions or one line diagrams of the component layout? If not, the wiring harness should be plug and play for the most part with having to route your leads to the battery.

This is a simple breakdown...you will simply route the positive (power) and negative (ground) to the battery through the fire wall. There is a little grommet for you to do this that is behind the drivers floor panel by the door. You can also see and access it just by getting up in the corner of your floor where your pedals are and use a flash light. The wiring harness will be designed with an enclosed fuse should a surge take place, it will sever the fuse and not damage anything from your battery or surrounding electronics. The relay will be mounted in the engine bay normally along the drivers side. Only thing left will be to mount the switch which many use a blank location piece and then drill and attach it or they mount somewhere on the drivers plastic bezel. I have done the later and have 4 switches now due to having no extra space.

 

Yup, I've done a 4x4 conversation. Really wasn't that difficult. I'm by no means an expert mechanic. It's totally doable for less than you'll lose on trading your truck in. You just have to be patient finding the parts. My advice is, bit the bullet and do an FJ t-case. You have to cut a hole in your floor but you eliminate pretty much all the wiring. If you decide to use the stock Taco t-case. I have one in my garage I will sell you for cheap.

 

Thats a big give and take for me. I like not having to deal with all the wiring, from what i have read it creates more issues than anything but cutting a hole dosent sound all that appealing. Ill most likley end up with the fj tcase though

 

Im decent at the wiring and im sure once i get started with the swap it will be easyer than im telling myself. Beer and moral support sounds good though haha

 

I've haven't heard of any issues. I originally went with a stock taco t-case and the wiring sucked. After about 2 years, I just recently swapped to an FJ case. Same thing, I wasn't sure i wanted to cut a hole in the floor. In the end, it really wasn't that bad. I bought the rubber boot from the 4-runner and just took my time. I like the way it turned out.

 

Can you post a pic?

 

When you guys push the button for the bed power outlet, does each light ON the switch light up? Only the bottom 100w light comes on, not the 400w light. Not sure if I blew a fuse or something else happened.

 

Is the truck running when you turn it on?

EDIT* So I was under the impression that if the truck was running than only one light would come on. I dont know where i got that from but i just went out and checked and under no load both running and off both lights do infact come on

 

To answer your question, yes it’s when it’s running. If not running, it doesn’t come on at all.

 

That is weird. With the engine on and off but the key in the on position both lights come on. Maybe a fuse?