TheCochese's Project Con Queso

I still have to finish settin' up this phone. Do You have Car Play? I heard that iPhone 12's don't need to be plugged in to access car play. If they don't, I'll need wireless charging as well.

 

Depends on the head unit. My Joying runs wireless CarPlay on my XS Max and my 12 Pro Max.

 

Ah, so it's true then. Just gotta see if my Pioneer does that. Thanks.

 

Some small updates:

Eleven weeks on the bumper. Thought that the lead time when I ordered would be three months, so I should hopefully see an update soon. It feels like forever. Still have to either PC or prep/paint. New poll?

After spending entirely too long staring at my engine bay on Sunday, looking for a spot to mount this battery cutoff, I was informed someone already solved this issue for me. This is the way.

Bussmann will be installed in the next few days, after I get delivery of just a bit more 10AWG. Just need to make one more fused pigtail, and I'm not trying to do that after it's in the truck. If I were to redo one thing about this, it might be to make the pigtails a bit longer to make them easier to direct. Something to consider, and something that's fairly easily done with a few more materials. I'll know after it is all in.

Cab wiring will likely be first weekend in March.

Debating moving my USB/3.5mm over to the glove box. I need to see how well an iPod, Zune, or USB stick works with the Joying radio. Last I checked, I don't think the iPod format worked well with the Android file system, but it's worth a revisit. If I did, this would open up a blank in the dash for some purpose.

Still researching comms. Still need more recovery gear - tree savers, snatch blocks, rope blankets, D rings.

Still planning for the gas tank skid. Still need to get the recall done and order straps.

Getting closer to hitting the trails, but still a long way to go.

 

Two USB’s on mine. On old iPod gets plugged into one & Phone into the other. Gonna reconfig. things once it warms up come Spring.
....and that settles it. Buildin’ my own bumper. Three months is just Not acceptable even with a steep discount.

 

Which reminds me of the phone thing. I at one point had a USB-C to A adapter that I use in the truck for this MagSafe charger. Certainly wouldn't provide enough for a good charge, but it would at least keep me topped up. In the center console wouldn't be an awful spot, there's a perfectly sized space. Otherwise I need to grab a 12v adapter and the phone mount will have to be out. Still thinking.

And on music needs, I honestly don't need to use the USB or 3.5 really ever. Streaming covers me to almost all my needs, but at times service fades. I had an ultra small USB stick, but can't find it. Testing the iPod and another USB stick on the drive to the gym.

 

So, initial testing.

iPod is pretty much out. It’s the file system, which I expected. Zune is out, too, which was a bit surprising. Didn’t mount the device like a drive.

USB stick had poor results at first, the stock music app didn’t recognize many files. Downloaded another one and it was much better. Third attempt with YT music didn’t recognize metadata.

So if I want a clean look the best bet would be USB in glovebox or center console and use a flash drive. Was hoping to make some use of these old music players, particularly the iPod. Might keep in the center console anyway.

 

Crazy. The iPod still works at -30 with NP. Bummer, you couldn’t get ‘er to Click.

 

Steve and his dumb file system.

New poll.

 

I voted, where’s my sticker?

 

I use as 16 GB USB 2.0 Sandisk flash drive, FAT formatted. All MP3s, usually 256K.

Any YT music I want, I simply use https://yt2mp3.cc/en13 and rip it down. Works fantastic.

 

I really only stream anymore, but I do have a 196GB music library on my computer. Wouldn't be a bad idea to grab a 256GB USB drive, load up everything as a backup, and put it in the truck. That would certainly last me until I got cell service back.

I'd also use it to load up Gaia maps so my head unit could have offline maps as well. I think I'm seeing a plan form here.

 

Only third gens get stickers. We don't count.

 

While I wait for USPS to meander to my house, I am sending irritated emails about my orders with Southern Style Offroad and Mouser. Mouser I have a bit more sympathy for due to the weather.

I should have emailed Eddy at @SOS CONCEPTS to see if I could get a bumper without the access holes. It might already be in my hands.

 

I have been told late next week or early the following week for shipping on the bumper.

We'll see.

 

OK, it seems I am in a holding scenario for anything I want to do right now, and I have to relearn patience. A bit hard to do with work stressors and organizing a bunch of home repair issues.

• Bumper realistically three to four weeks out by the time I receive and get it powdercoated. That means I'm likely not able to hit up the scheduled trip to AOP at the end of March.
• Wiring arrived today, but I'm missing one solitary tangless terminal to install the Bussmann fuse box. That needs to go in before I start running the cab wiring. (Just got an email that the shipment won't go out until at least Monday)
• Also started on the replacement Heise wiring lead, but I need it (and the bumper) installed so I can properly route the lead with the right length.
• New winch cutoff to fit the mounting plate I have yet to order will be here...some day. So realistically mid-March install on that.
• My BAMF bed mounts did come today, and I've got the X-Bull boards mounted on them. Might have to get some more for a shovel and axe.

I know I'm a bit frustrated that things aren't happening quickly, and I think some of it is that when the items are installed, I can start cleaning up my mess around the house. Take my jack and stands back over to my parents, find a spot to store all this wiring stuff. I'm ready to go out adventuring, too. Get some father son time while he still gives a shit.

 

Attempting to make this thread actually useful instead of me complaining.

The Bussmann auxiliary fuse box build

I followed the absolutely fantastic write-up here. Wanted to share my thoughts on the process, the changes I made, and suggestions for future efforts. The first few posts are absolutely massive, and you should probably have at least a basic understanding of how wiring works. I've not worked that much with 12v systems, but I'm decent at 110v. Thus, I took the shot. If was a bit hard to follow at first because of how in depth it is, but a second read through made things click.

I was able to do most of the terminal connections with this crimper. https://www.amazon.com/vdp/7af805fdc76c4d7b922b8a5a87ac260c

Unfortunately, I can't link to it directly because Amazon combines similar listings and this one isn't currently available. I also bought a second crimper, thinking I would need it for non weather pack terminals, but this one did everything but the 4ga wire. TBD if it will work with the Molex connectors, I'll update whenever those show up and I'm able to start. I had two terminals that didn't turn out perfect - the very first one I did which snapped in two, and another one that was slightly bent. Unfortunately the one I snapped was the one set of terminals I didn't order extra of. Lesson learned. After that snapped one, I adjusted my grip and loading location. It crimps around the wire and the weatherseal in one crimp. It was great, but once you get the first ratchet lock going, you're committed. The crimper also works with Deutsch plugs, but I felt like if I squeezed it the wrong way it would break them. Thankfully it worked out and I was able to make a custom length lead for my bumper light.

I made a spreadsheet of the parts I needed, and found the best prices to get near the minimums I would need from Waytek Wire, Mouser Electronics, Amazon, CE Auto Electric Supply. The latter was especially handy, as you can get wiring by the foot instead of by the reel. I didn't need 90+ feet of 10ga wire sitting around in two different colors.

There is one part of the tutorial I would change, and that would be to make the standoff wiring for at least the fuse portion of the box longer. With my Pelfrey mount, I can access the relay standoff wiring fairly easy. The fuse only side is next to the fender, and is harder to get at. I'd say the red wires need to be longer and match the black wires. If I redo anything on this build, it might be that. I also don't think I'll need that many fused standoffs, but it was easier to build them now vs just plug the holes in the fuse box. I would also build in room for mistakes when you order. If the build calls for 20, get at least 25. This doesn't really apply to things that can be easily removed (like the hole plugs), but it does allow for one or two to bounce under the filing cabinet and not cause cursing. And since you'll be paying for shipping from all these places except for maybe Amazon, it makes sense to throw another buck or two for each part number the first time.

I spent a considerable amount more than it would cost to have someone build it for me, but I consider that money very well spent. I learned a new skill, and feel confident I could address anything further electrical on this or any other vehicle going forward. I also improved my woeful soldering skills, as I tinned each of the terminals before seating them.

Total tools used:
IWISS Weather Pack Crimp Tool
Side cutting pliers
Irwin Vise-Grip wire stripper
Basic wire stripper/crimper (for 10ga ring terminals)
Shears (for stripping/cutting 4ga and cutting heat shrink)
Solder gun station
Heat gun
Helping hand w/ magnifier
Coax crimper (4ga crimping, all I had)
Angled needle nose (helps insert wires into Bussmann)

Total cost: approx $550 including tools I didn't have.

 

Supplies arrived, and the Bussmann portion of the build is officially done. Now I move on to interior wiring, and the first thing to determine is how this is going to be wired up. I'm not completely confident I can crimp the Molex connectors with what I have, but perhaps the other crimper will finally make an appearance.

I had to work out a small difference between the daisy chain harness I ordered and the AOB switch (red and green are reversed), but I think I am good now.

 

Lower dash harness complete.