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DIY S-pod

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Kujo1stgen, Apr 3, 2020.

  1. Apr 3, 2020 at 8:54 AM
    #1
    Kujo1stgen

    Kujo1stgen [OP] Active Member

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    Relentless fab front and rear bumpers Rigid pods 2 inch leaf spring lift
    Has anyone made a DIY S-pod for 1st gen Tacoma? If so can you share some ideas and pictures.
     
  2. Apr 3, 2020 at 8:55 AM
    #2
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    FWIW my friend made his own, and at the end of it, he wished he'd have just bought the spod to begin with.

    @Rome604
     
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  3. Apr 3, 2020 at 8:57 AM
    #3
    fatfurious2

    fatfurious2 IG: great_white_taco

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    (And then he bought mine)

    OP, you can get a knockoff one from Auxbeam on Amazon. I don't know the validity of them though. I like my sPod, and its definitely worth picking one up
     
    Rome604 likes this.
  4. Apr 3, 2020 at 9:01 AM
    #4
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Plenty of people have.

    S-pods are just glorified fuse blocks with some integrated switches.

    Get a Blue Sea systems fuse block, a master circuit breaker and some wire and switches.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/simpler-blue-sea-systems-auxiliary-fuse-block.502556/

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/blue-sea-fuse-block.639453/

    Your choice is to either spend some elbow grease and maybe $150 on the fuse block and some switches and relays (Blue Sea 12 circuit is like $45 on Amazon, circuit break is like $40), or spend like $550+ for a 6 circuit S-pod.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2020
    0xDEADBEEF likes this.
  5. Apr 3, 2020 at 9:12 AM
    #5
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    https://www.amazon.com/Feniex-Industries-4200-Mini-Controller/dp/B018UJHVEA

    I love my Feniex controller. It's a nice small package with 6 controls. I've got it in my 2nd gen, but hopefully the pic below gives you an idea of its size. It is simply six switches though, you'd have to run the wires to relays which is what I'm doing. It does have some cool functionality though. The top two buttons across from each other can control strobe functions (built in patterns, and the buttons flash to match the pattern. I'm in Search and Rescue). The buttons can also be set to momentary as well, for if you want a horn button or something.

    [​IMG]

    The buttons aren't usually this bright, since they come with a sheet of labels that fit into the indents of the buttons, which cuts out a lot of the light. They are all on when you press the "on/off" in the lower middle, but brighter when the specific button is set to "on"

    [​IMG]
     
    chrslefty likes this.
  6. Apr 3, 2020 at 9:25 AM
    #6
    Rome604

    Rome604 I am the Captain now

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    Spods make the whole thing so much cleaner and safer. They are worth the cost.
     
    fatfurious2 and EatSleepTacos like this.
  7. Apr 3, 2020 at 9:40 AM
    #7
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Maybe to you.

    I think they're overpriced. Come on, $750 for a 12 circuit box?! That's like 3rd gen Boverlander prices.

    If you spend an hour planning out your system, you can end up with something that does the same thing, and costs 1/4 the price.

    It's only safer if you don't know the difference between a + and - wire connection.
     
  8. Apr 3, 2020 at 9:44 AM
    #8
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    True, @Rome604 is pretty electronically incompetent.
     
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  9. Apr 3, 2020 at 10:08 AM
    #9
    Rome604

    Rome604 I am the Captain now

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    I feel like this is how this conversation is going...

    Me: "Dry aged steak is delicious"
    You: "Fuck that! The Golden Corral is all anyone needs"
    Me: "...."
    You: "I love cheap shit"
    Me: "...."



    If all you are connecting is a couple of Auxbeam ditch lights, then yes you are correct a sPod is overkill. If you want a system that works well and looks good then sPod is a great option.
     
    EatSleepTacos likes this.
  10. Apr 3, 2020 at 10:17 AM
    #10
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Meh. The spod seems nice, but it's still crazy expensive. If you've got some experience and a bit of patience, you really don't need to spend that much to wire up 6 circuits safely and neatly.
     
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  11. Apr 3, 2020 at 10:24 AM
    #11
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    To expand upon my initial post, and why I tagged Dave. He has a metric fuck load of electrical work into his truck. When he started out his build, he built his own fuse panel. That worked, but his needs grew and he was constantly expanding and adding onto the system. It finally got to the point where he decided to sit down and map out how he wants everything done, which is why he bought the spod and totally rewired everything. After that, that's when he said he wished he just bought the spod, to begin with. That's why I thought it was useful input, not to sway you from attempting to make your own or turn this thread into a pissing match.


    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2020
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  12. Apr 3, 2020 at 10:59 AM
    #12
    BeLance89

    BeLance89 Well-Known Member

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    I have this 6-gang switch panel and love it:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/223711722732

    it was super easy to wire up, comes with relays and fuses in a box, and was only $88.
    image.jpg
    image.jpg

    I’m sure the S-Pod is very high quality. But like King and ADS coilovers, that’s just not within everyone’s budget. If you spent ~$800 on an S-Pod, good for you. But also, if you spent ~$100 and that’s working for you, well good for you too. The point is to provide options, not bash on everyone because they can’t afford something.

    and no one goes to Golden Corral anymore,... we go to Cracker Barrel.

    edit: I’ve had this thing for about a year now with zero issues. And I’m powering Rigid Dually-SS Pro driving pattern lights, generic rock lights, and some generic fogs that I plan on switching to Diode Dynamics since they’re on sale right now.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2020
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    #12
  13. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:08 AM
    #13
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    mmm cracker barrel.
     
  14. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:09 AM
    #14
    BeLance89

    BeLance89 Well-Known Member

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    great for social distancing too since you can order online and even have it delivered. Lol
     
    EatSleepTacos[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:23 AM
    #15
    Rome604

    Rome604 I am the Captain now

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    I assume that's directed at me so I'll respond. I wasn't bashing anyone. I was tagged and responded that sPods are worth the money. This is a discussion as old as people have been spending money. Some people do not see the value in spending that kind of money on something that controls auxiliary equipment and that's understandable. I do and I'm very glad I changed from a DIY system to sPod.
     
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  16. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:35 AM
    #16
    BeLance89

    BeLance89 Well-Known Member

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    Didn’t mean to have it come out that way as they were saying you overpaid which is why I said “If you spent ~$800 on an S-Pod, good for you. But also, if you spent ~$100 and that’s working for you, well good for you too. The point is to provide options, not bashon everyone because they can’t afford something.”

    In my head I was thinking (can’t afford or paid more for) but the complete thought didn’t get translated.

    But yeah, totally agree with you last comment.

    For the record, I love cheap shit if it works. I’ll get rid of it it doesn’t. Like LED headlights :crapstorm: and knock off Amazon lights (rock lights turned out nice though).
     
    EatSleepTacos likes this.
  17. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:42 AM
    #17
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    If I had the money to drop on something like the S-pod originally I would have definitely gone that route. My issue is I've been spreading out the mods over long periods of time, meaning separate switches, wires, relays as I make one mod at a time. Hoping a few Baja Design lights and a winch will be in the not so distant future, but that'll probably mean in the next 2 years. Luckily Tacoma's last awhile!!
     
  18. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:44 AM
    #18
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    I loved my cheap Amazon pod lights... until I joined SAR and hooked up a Radio in my SxS. Moment I turn those lights on my radio goes NUTS! lol. Otherwise, they work great!! That's why I'm leaning towards keeping to higher end name brands for the truck... afraid I'll buy some cheap ones and have the same issue on my truck :(
     
  19. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:45 AM
    #19
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Kujo1stgen[OP], YF_Ryan and BeLance89 like this.
  20. Apr 3, 2020 at 11:48 AM
    #20
    BeLance89

    BeLance89 Well-Known Member

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    EatSleepTacos[QUOTED] likes this.

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