2nd Gen Hunting Rig Build - Drawers,Rack, Bumper, Bags

Definitely a great skill to have in your back pocket. I plan on doing the same this summer.

Unlike mig, tig was getting my hands ridiculously hot because they were in the heat zone for a prolonged period. I found that the traditional goat skin gloves suck at protecting from the heat, so I bought a set of these:

Premium Knitted Heat Resistant Gloves - Perfect Non-Slip Kitchen Cooking Oven Mitts - Professional BBQ Grilling Potholder 1 Pair (Cute White) (White)

https://www.amazon.com/VBELKHV-Prem...8&qid=1528934450&sr=8-13&keywords=oven+gloves

They are the single best tig welding safety investment I've made. They're like a tig finger (weldmonger.com), but for your whole hand.

 

Excellent point. Thank you!

I'm going to put this on my list for the next few weeks.

 

Electrical.

I had big plans for electrical features on this rig, light bar, switchback DRL, retractable light bar with HIDs, dual battery switch, etc, and I needed a few switches to run those different components. My initial plans were to make a small switch panel to fit into the cubby hole underneath the radio, but later realized that I like that spot to hold extra ammo, sunglasses, etc. I decided to go overhead with a new switch console. Some key features I was looking for were; 6 switch locations, low profile, LED indicators, and simplicity.

Looking at the configuration of the existing overhead console, I figured that I could get a thin piece of sheet metal between the headliner and the edge of the plastic console with attachment points to the reinforced roof section above.

I took measurements and did a quick sketch what I was going to do.


I began with a small piece of left over 18ga sheet metal, cut it to width and started bending it using clamps and scrap metal bar on the edge of my table. This is the Z shape to snake between the headliner, existing console and reinforced roof.





Next was to prep small metal sections for the sides and weld them in place.




The rear of the console got two tabs welded at an angle to hook onto the front of the headliner and provide support. Most of the weight will be supported by the tabs on the front of the console. Test fitting:


Keeping the front about 1/4" away from the windshield.


Mocking up switch configuration.



Final product ready to be primed and painted.



Beginning the wiring. LED indicator lights were drilled and installed. The console was too small for the LED to go directly underneath the switches, so I offset them to the right. 5 switches are simple on/off toggles. The big switch on the right side is a double pole single throw to control the linear actuator (future retractable light bar).


Switches loosely in place.



LED ground wires in. I also cut a small opening on the drivers side of the console for the Blue Sea battery switch. You can see it here on the right.


The rest of the toggle switch signal wires connected to their respective color in the 18-5 cable.


Installed. The wires from the console run across the headliner to the drivers side A-pillar, then down around the dash fuse box.




The end of the line. 5 relays mounted to a simple plate on the passengers side of the engine compartment. Two 12ga positive wires run from the battery and have inline 30 amp bus fuses. The relays are setup and ready to accept their respective jobs. Right now they're hard wired to the battery. Next week I will be adding two additional relays to control the power source off of the ignition switch.

 

So much good fab work! Nice job. I am a big fan of DIY truck stuff.

 

I was just browsing your build and saw the trailer plug relocation to the bumper. I'm stealing that idea since my trailer plug ripped off while wheeling in Colorado and its been dangling via a piece of paracord for the past few months.

 

@SwampDonkeyBait dude you're killing it. Great job with your build and it's all you. A+ on DYI.

 

Dude I wheeled my rig pretty hard since last Aug never had an issue with ripping it off. Then one of the guys I wheel with all day was saying how he couldn't believe I hadn't ripped it off. Last trail of the day yep.wouldnt ya know it ripped it right off. He jinxed me.

 

Very impressive. Mine will tun into a hunting rig someday...

 

Awesome build, inspiring me to spend more time in the shop creating stuff! Love the thought going in to everything.

One thing I did notice (correct me if I misinterpreted) is that you ran your air bags to a T then to a single Schrader valve? I've heard that this is actually not the best idea, because when you flex your suspension ( for instance, body roll around a corner), the compressed side forces the air into the unweighted airbag, actually increasing your body roll. Best practice is 2 fill points, or check valves, to isolate the airbags from each other.

 

Great point. I'll be changing this on Saturday.