Cheap/Free Mods

Diameter seems to be the biggest concern here obviously but just curious if anyone can think of any reason why a 33x12 might not work? (305/70r16 vs 285/75r16)

 

Nice job!

 

Great idea!!

 

Finally completed mine. Couldn't sleep because the dogs woke me up, so I went out into the garage at 3:30am and did it.

Since where I live (Virginia) is really anal about such things, I'm going to buy another fog light relay and keep it in one of the unused relay sockets. That way when State Inspection time comes all I need to do is a quick switcheroo of relays, pass inspection, and then switch it back.

 

Finally did what?

 

The Fog Light mod. I thought I was posting in the Fog Light Mod thread, so that would be implied. Yes, I'm stupid.

 

Don't sweat the petty things.
Pet the sweaty things instead

 

Hardwire your portable GPS

My Entune head unit is not the NAV version so I still use my Garmin GPS to find my way around. I don’t like having that big clumsy power cable dangling from the windshield so like in my other vehicles, I decided to hardwire the power cable inside the dash and run the USB end of the cable out through the defroster vents so it can easily be connected to the GPS device hanging on the windshield suction cup mount.


Parts:

A spare GPS power adapter
A replacement cigarette lighter socket
Wire (18 – 20 gauge), preferably two different colors
Crimp-on connectors
Crimp-on wire taps


Tools:

Plastic trim tool prybar
Drill
3/4-inch spade drill bit
2-foot x 3/8-inch zip tie
Blue Masking Tape
Dremel Tool with cut-off wheel or saw blade (maybe)


Step 1.

Remove the radio head unit. Refer to this video on how to do this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQKfolm3FqM





Step 2.

Drill a 3/4-inch hole through the plastic defroster duct-work behind the radio head unit. Be careful to just drill though this side of the duct and not all the way through to the other side.




Step 3.

Using the big zip tie as a fish tape, secure the USB end of the GPS power cable using blue masking tape. Blue masking tape is desirable because it removes easily with no residue.




Step 4.

Bend the tip of the zip tie slightly and fish the zip tie end through the hole. If it is curved just right it will feed up through the defroster vent and back towards you. Note: depending on the width of the cable’s USB connector, you may have to remove one slat in the defroster outlet. I used the Dremel Tool and cut-off wheel for this. Be careful not to scratch the dashboard like I did. Pull the cable through until you have enough to reach where your GPS unit usually mounts.








Step 5.

One of the radio connectors is a 10-conductor plug that has both a white wire with a blue stripe, and a brown wire. These are the wires you will use to power the GPS power supply. The white/blue wire is +12V and the brown wire is the ground. Using the wire taps, connect a 12-inch piece of wire to the white/blue wire on the plug and another 12-inch piece of wire to the brown wire on the plug. (The brown wire and wiretap cannot be seen in this picture.)




Step 6.

On the opposite ends of each wire, crimp on a 1/4-inch wide female connector. Attach the wire leading from the white/blue wire on the plug to the center terminal of the cigarette lighter unit. Attach the wire leading from the brown wire on the plug to the side terminal of the cigarette lighter unit. Plug the power end of the GPS cable into the cigarette lighter unit. Make sure it is secure.






Step 7.

At this time it is recommended that you connect your GPS unit to the USB end to ensure that it is getting power. This is an “always on” type connection so there is no need to turn the ignition on. If you want to go to the extra trouble of locating a connection that is only hot when the ignition is on, that’s up to you. That option is not addressed here.


Step 8.

Stuff the remaining cable into the radio cavity in the dash behind where the radio sits, then re-install the radio. You’re done.

 

Some art to match the black, grey and orange interior. Speckled grey and black then tossed some orange at it(swish and flick method)

 

The dinger can be turned off... *milkcrate if you want to disregard your life /rant

 

Looking for write up on having my 12 v plugs in the cab to run at all times when truck isn't running and also a easier anytime fog light mod. The one I've found is a little complicated and seen one, one day where it was just one wire tapped. I've looked through this but sorry I'm kind of blind unless I'm on my computer thanks.

 

I believe all you have to do is change the ground. The fuse under the dash for it is hot all the time if I recall correctly.

 

Wow, very cool... I'm looking into bigger tires so I may do that.

 

I have a question. I have an 08 Tacoma. I was wondering if I can have my Dim light as my turn signal light so when I turn on my DIM light it's the middle turn signal that's comes on as my dim light

 

Piece Of Cake!
Love This Mod!
Picked up an automotive electrical multi pack at Wally World ($10, figured It couldn't hurt to have extra gizmos) & the test lead kit for the wires ($2 compared to the $6 for a roll of wire).

Worth noting: I missed catching both wires on the first quick splice, hence the two in the pic of the finished product. Watch out for that.

Also; I didn't drill, I notched out the top of the divider and added a little tape for extra protection.
Like a glove!

 

Haha, love the bottle hand rest!

 

I did the alternating turn signal mod today. Pretty cool and easy too!!

 

I posted this a in a few other threads. But it's my free bed light mod. If you have a Harbor Freight store. If not, probably any light with a magnet will work.

 

We have these at Walmart! Good idea are they water proof and they just snap on right?