WestCoastBestCoast Broke For Now Build

Thought I would start a build thread early on, before the mods to the truck get out of hand.

More to come as it progresses!

And here are some photos from the day after I bought it!

 

$700 Pioneer AVH-1400NEX 6.2" Double-Din in-Dash Nex DVD Receiver with Bluetooth, Apple Carplay and Siriusxm Ready

Pioneer AVH-1400NEX install with a Metra install kit. Honestly as long as you use the instructions from Crutchfield, it is insanely easy nowadays to swap your head unit.



And then routed the USB under the stick shift and into the center console. Install of the whole thing took 3 hours, but 2 of that was figuring out how to take apart and put all the center console back together.

 

Did a full LED Swap. Used

T10 194 168 2825 W5W 3SMD LED Bulbs, White 6000k Super Bright 3030 Chipsets Used for Dome Light, Map Light, Door Courtesy Light, License Plate Lights, Trunk Light（Pack of 12）

these for the map lights and used

Cutequeen Trading 2PCS White 5050 48SMD 48-SMD LED Panel Dome Light Lamp + T10 BA9S Festoon Adapter (pack of 2)

this for the dome.

I've used them both before in another car, and loved them. Figured I would put them in the truck!




A couple of weeks after swapping the interior for LEDs, I realized that LEDs were not enough when opening the door. I NEEDED the maps to come on with the domes. Super easy mod, can be easily followed here and here.



Only issue I ran into was breaking off the bracket inside the dome light, the bracket that holds the festoon bulb in. For those of you who get inside the dome light you will see what I mean. It is just soldered or thermal glued in.

 

Next up I did the

$17 Cocoon CPG5BK GRID-IT!® Accessory Organizer - Small 10.25" x 5.125" (Black)

Grid-It holder mod. It was pretty simple, just slightly cut the edges to fit the Grit-It. Here is the thread for it. I guess I need to start taking more photos of my installs, not just the finished product.

 

Didn't like the stock 05 Lower Dash (no switch blanks). Decided to buy a '13 lower dash (with switch blanks) to put in. Followed this thread mostly to figure out how to disassemble the whole thing. Honestly if you have an 05-09 you should do this too. Bought the lower dash from an auto wrecker for a little under $100.

 

Got Flyzeye LEDs installed. They're pretty cheap and easy to install. Honestly no real in-progress pictures because they are so easy. Pull off the 3m tape backing and stick it on. Just make sure the magnets are within range to turn the lights off.

I stuck my phone on video mode in both the center console and glove box to make sure.

 

Again another super easy one. Clean your window tracks with alcohol, peel the 3M tape, and stick on. They say to leave your windows up for at least 24 hours after install to make sure it sticks properly. Living in the PNW, that wasn't too hard...

 

Installed some backup LEDs, since I am having trouble seeing out the rear windows backing up at night. Didn't want to go full cutting into the bumper just yet, so instead I went with some small stick on little guys.

Tapped into the reverse lights, grounded inside the taillight.

 

Did the bed compartment lock mod. Used this for reference. Used 5/8" locks. Definitely is an annoying mod that when reading you think is simple. The locks were not initially long enough, had to cut some more. Not only that, but had to bend the tabs for the locks too.

Going to paint them black at some point, to match everything else.

 

Easily the best mod.

 

Added a Bird Dawg mirror riser @Tbird . And a dash cam. I can finally see out my windshield and can finally record any/all stuff on the road or when parked!

 

Installed the illuminated 4wd switch from @rcbs204 and I highly suggest it for anybody with the 2nd gen, not the 2.5 gen! It weirdly makes a world of difference for aesthetics and for switching to 4wd at night.

 

Did the diff breather mod found here. Tied mine up behind the tail light.

 

Added total chaos bed stiffeners. Got them on sale, and I really wanted their style. Higher rise than the rest, slimmer, and more tie down points.

 

Pulled all bed bolts, painted them black, and added D Rings for tie downs. If you get D rings with diameters smaller than the bed bolts (like I did) I high suggest using a vice to drill out the holes. Held the D ring like an idiot while drilling and ended up mangling my finger pretty bad.

Anyways, more tie down points!!

 

Did the ammo can mod found here. Additional lockable storage is key for my city living. Mainly because I don’t enjoy the looks of a tool box. Super easy and cheap too!

 

Added a much needed Softopper for living in the PNW. Never wanted to commit to a hard top, especially since I move just about every year and there is never a place to store a hard top if I wanted to take it off. I love it so far. Great water resistance, and easily removable!

 

Added magnets to the Softopper rear window. I didn’t want to cut both windows to insert magnets, so instead I made a Velcro magnet strip. Covered it in clear vinyl so that it doesn’t scratch.

Before:


Back of the magnet strip w/vinyl.


Velcro side


Velcro and magnet added to the window


Underside shot of the velcro magnet strip. Only been on a week, but so far there are no issues. Rear window stays taught at highway speeds, and no scratches.

 

Did the beep on lock for all of us pre-10 people. It is found here, and super easy also! (Kind of sensing a trend with my mods...)

First is my buzzer and wiring. Really easy, not enough power to warrant fuses or anything.


The original post said to look near the fuse block for the Blue/Pink wire, but I couldn’t find it.
Found the Blue/Pink wire in the kick panel pictured here:


And here:


Quick disconnect added from the positive wire on the buzzer to the Blue/Pink wire.


Wire running through the firewall plug.


And finally the buzzer installed and grounded! Put it closer to the front because I figure there would be less interference with any engine parts and what not.