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Extra ground/ground bar

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by WesLikesTacos, Apr 20, 2021.

  1. Apr 20, 2021 at 5:02 AM
    #1
    WesLikesTacos

    WesLikesTacos [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm nearing the need to stop stacking grounds on the same bolt for all the random lights I've become addicted to. I'm thinking just adding a ground bar, right? Does anyone have a pic of where they mounted theirs under the hood? I'm aiming for simple and clean and preferably cheap.
     
  2. Apr 20, 2021 at 8:38 AM
    #2
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    Ive been using the truck as a ground bar... just using what ever bolt is closest to the item that needs grounding. No need to run a wire all the way to the ground near the battery when there are 5 more open bolts on the way there.
     
  3. Apr 20, 2021 at 8:45 AM
    #3
    Bertw192

    Bertw192 Well-Known Member

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  4. Apr 21, 2021 at 4:42 AM
    #4
    WesLikesTacos

    WesLikesTacos [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i really like this idea. you have any pictures of places you've used under the bed for this?
     
  5. Apr 21, 2021 at 6:53 AM
    #5
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    I dont have pictures, but there are a few good bolts under there to use. Most of my grounds are in the front of the truck or in the cab.

    But, behind the tail lights there are some, along the rear edge of the bed there are some.
     
  6. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:05 AM
    #6
    Dubdaddy86

    Dubdaddy86 Well-Known Member

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    I have the same set up. Installed it Monday evening. Silly question... where did you get your labels from? Thanks!
     
  7. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:12 AM
    #7
    brandon78lusch

    brandon78lusch Well-Known Member

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    I have a relay holder but I can't get the metal prongs off the relays so its just all sitting there on one bolt lmao
     
  8. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:13 AM
    #8
    Bertw192

    Bertw192 Well-Known Member

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  9. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:16 AM
    #9
    brandon78lusch

    brandon78lusch Well-Known Member

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  10. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:21 AM
    #10
    caribe makaira

    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    Move those relay tabs to another bolt, they don't do or need ground. A few threads is not a good connection for the battery.
     
    vicali likes this.
  11. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:22 AM
    #11
    brandon78lusch

    brandon78lusch Well-Known Member

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    Im trying to find another place to ground them. Where can I do that?
     
  12. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:26 AM
    #12
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    You dont ground them with that tab. Those are just mounting tabs to keep the relays from flopping around. The ground is pin 86 on the bottom.

    See the first picture in this post, at the top of the picture you can see the relays are just zip tied to the brake booster harness.
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/extra-ground-ground-bar.717970/#post-25553480
     
  13. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:32 AM
    #13
    brandon78lusch

    brandon78lusch Well-Known Member

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    interesting. I will have to splice in longer cables so the positive can reach the battery though

    or I can just buy one of those switch things and forget about all the wires :cool:
     
  14. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:33 AM
    #14
    5nahalf

    5nahalf I build dumb things

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    You can zip tie them anywhere you want really. Some people just screw them into the top of the OEM fuse box.

    I would say zip tie them anyplace that is open, and you can reach with the wires.
     
  15. Apr 21, 2021 at 7:37 AM
    #15
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

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    If you ground to the chassis end of the negative battery cable it’s a good idea to upgrade the cable. Blue Seas makes a number of buss bars you can use with 5-6 spots.
     
  16. Apr 21, 2021 at 8:57 AM
    #16
    therealprotaco

    therealprotaco Always Skeptical

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    I would strongly recommend a BUS bar or some other similar solution. 3rd Gen Tacomas are extremely sensitive to electronic "noise" and when you ground all sorts of equipment all over the chassis you are creating ground loops that may cause issues with the vehicle.
     
  17. Apr 21, 2021 at 9:03 AM
    #17
    vicali

    vicali Touch my camera through the fence

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    I put my relays on a plate mounted to the empty bolt holes on my fender;
    [​IMG]

    I ground everything to the batt. It isn't necessary but I've got a mobile radio so I want to reduce any extra loops and wires..
     
  18. Apr 21, 2021 at 9:18 AM
    #18
    TacoMike

    TacoMike Well-Known Member

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    Rago Fab and CaliRaised make a neat relay holder for that same spot. I have the Cali one which holds up to four relays. I'm gonna mount it closer to the battery with a couple of rivnuts.
     
  19. Apr 21, 2021 at 9:19 AM
    #19
    dagobert

    dagobert Well-Known Member

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    a2lowvw likes this.
  20. Apr 21, 2021 at 9:49 AM
    #20
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a Cooper-Bussman RTMR. Tacozord started an incredible thread for an assemble/install of one here:https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-build-and-install-a-bussmann-rtmr-fuse-relay-block.399454/
    Plus there’s other ideas here:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-off-your-aux-fuse-panels.308677/
     

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