Expedition Essentials

I just bought and installed the 3TPAM accessory mount from Expedition Essentials.
It is a little spendy for what it is, but its a local company to me, and I do understand that it isn't easy to run a small business and make a quality product in the US. I also just thought for me it solved number of problems in an elegant way that I couldn't do as nicely for the same amount of money.

1. The guy (or guys) running this place I think do a great job. You can tell they are continuously improving their product and making it better. I saw on Youtube that he has already 2 revs of the product for the Tacoma 3rd gen, and I got a even newer one that, while slightly more complicated to install, is stronger and better than the previous version. It is easier as well, but to me seem slightly more complicated to grok. Harder to screw up though I guess. There is now a baseplate that the mount screws to and a couple additional brackets (for a total of 5). You still have to buy the wire cover separately, which I think he should bundle in with the product and it should be cheaper...but what do I know. I guess he got me to pay for it.

2. I thought I had got short changed on the screws so I called up the place and talked to a guy there. He was super nice and really helpful. (Turns out all the screws where there, btw). He even called again the next day to make sure I got it on there right.

It's on there. I gave the guy (Jeff I think) some recommendations on how to make things better (like including the screws for the mounts), but other than that I'm pretty happy with this thing. You can hang an iPad off it with a RAM mount for nav , which is pretty sweet.

 

Oh and they don't use Blue Sea for the power anymore, they use Powerwerx. Apparently Blue Sea had a fire is having trouble filing orders. I didn't like the blue light on this one so I just put some black tape over that and it looks really clean man....

 

How was the install?

 

took about 45 minutes to an hour going slow. then I wanted to change things by running my control wire for the Yeasu radio up there so I took it apart again so I could file a knotch with a chainsaw file. Went together really quick the second time.

 

Oh I just noticed he has a thread on here with bunch of pics of install. Thar you go:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-tacoma-powered-accessory-mount.577287/

 

Thanks for the Feedback Porter. It is me Jeff and my wife Melissa that own and work for the company.

this recent change really was brought out for two reasons. One was: we have a track mount version that uses the same base plate and inner supports.

some customers had expressed interest in wanting the full version after some time.

since they shared some of the same components we designed a way that this could be upgraded by bolting on the extra parts.

While there are more components now, it actually made the install even easier.

it didn’t sacrifice strength and we think was a positive change.

Enjoy the new mount and if you ever need anything don’t hesitate to reach out.

 

do you have a writeup for second gen install somewhere?

 

Do you need install instructions?

 

I think so

 

Send us your email address. Can send you a PDF.

also a install video on the product page.

https://expeditionessentials.com/co...acoma-powered-accessory-mount-2tpam-2012-2015

 

video helps a lot.

The dremel part, where the panel needs to be shaved off.

Is this only for the driver side of the radio, not the passenger?

 

or both sides?

 

Correct. Driver side only.

 

I just ordered one for my ‘14. Hopefully I don’t get one with the blue light.

 

As a matter of fact. Yes the Powerwerx chargers have a blue power led light. You can always black it out as the OP has done.

 

Hmm okay.

I’ll see how bright it is before I mess with it.

 

It’s really not bad. Not like it’s a strobe light at the club or anything. Black paint marker or small piece of electrical tape if it’s too much.

It has a cover for when it’s not in use.

 

Hello,

I just bought the 3TPAM for my 2017 Tacoma. I have been looking for info on running extra wires. I appreciate this post, as you mention using a chain saw file. Great idea!

I actually plan on running several wires up through this mount. HAM radio needs two, power for dash cam, and a cable to hook rear camera to dash cam. So, does anyone where else I should notch the bezel and base plate? Any physical obstructions I should avoid? I’d like to notch the base plate before I actually start installation.

I plan to just drill a hole in the wiring cover, ironically, to get these cables to my devices.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

Troy

 

I just notched the optional wiring cover. If you didn't get that then the wires are actually exposed so you wouldn't need to knotch anything.

 

Thanks, the whole reason I got the 3TPAM is so everything looks very clean. So, I want the wires to travel down through the base plate and run behind the head unit.