Connecting lights to battery

As long as each accessory harness has a built-in fuse connection to the battery, you will be safe. Never connect a high amp draw accessory to the battery without a fuse.

FYI, A relay is a switch that controls a high amp draw accessory via a low amp trigger line connection.

If you have any doubts about installing the wiring yourself, I suggest you take it to a custom shop or mechanic to perform the wiring for you. Good luck.

 

A Bussman setup like @Rooster OG posted is a great way to cleanly and safely manage all of your accessory wiring and eliminates the need for multiple relay harnesses. Installing just 2 relay harnesses begins to really start looking like a mess under the hood and can get difficult to perform good wire management.

The Bussman has both fuses and relays so all of your connections are made directly to it, then a single power wire is run to your battery. Our trucks also have a prefect spot to install a Bussman and mounting plate just behind the battery, in front of the firewall, making it easy to run wires into the cab for your switches. When/if I end up adding more than 2 switched lights to my truck, I'll certainly add a Bussman.

If you're fine with using the separate relay harnesses for each item, I would look at getting a relay mount like this to help keep things organized. Clean, organized wiring usually = safe wiring.

Cali Raised LED Bolt-On Relay Holder for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner

https://www.amazon.com/2005-2017-Toyota-Tacoma-Auxiliary-Holder/dp/B07198SJ65

 

Thanks for the reply.

All good, appreciate the reply!

So if i was to go the bussman route, i just wouldn't use any of these relay harness's correct?

 

No, you don’t need them. You run the wires once into the cab from the bussman as a group and wire accessories to the unit in the engine bay. Then just wire switches inside when you add whatever. It’s a clean, safe way to do it.

 

That is correct.

 

I haven’t had time to really look at the bussmans yet, but would I need a specific one for my application. And since i won’t be using the harness’s I’d just buy longer wire for each product?

 

I've done a little more research because of your thread. When I did mine (last year) I couldn't find any Switch Pro or Switch Pro type product (bussmans, etc.) that would meet all my requirements (amp rating, aesthetics, single point of failure, etc). So I wired each device separately and installed oem looking switches and switch panels. I'm very happy with how it turned out but it was a lot of work.

My son-in-law just bought a new 4runner and wants to add some accessories. Before today I would have told him to do it the way I did, but after looking at the new Switch Pro 9100 I'm on the fence. They have corrected some of the short falls of their last offerings; it looks like an impressive product. It also has an impressive price, but since I'm spending his money I may have to give it a try.

Anyway, if you hadn't posted this thread I probably wouldn't have looked into it. Just proves old dogs can learn new things...........Thanks

 

I like the switch pro, but I’d prefer not to spend another $550 lol, I’ve already dropped almost 15k in mods on my truck this year lol

I still want to see those pics of your setup haha

 

The products should come with enough wire, at least that’s been my experience. I mean, you could get a relay box and use that to keep everything tidy. It’s really up to you, it sounds like you have everything you need to properly wire it right now.

I prefer things nice and neat, especially when it comes to wiring. The neater it is, the easier to work on and more importantly, troubleshoot.

Here’s a relay box:

MICTUNING 12-Slot Relay Box,6 Relays,6 ATC ATO Fuses Holder Block with 41pcs Metallic Pins for Automotive and Marine Engine Bay

https://www.amazon.com/MicTuning-12...19945695&sr=8-3&keywords=Waterproof+relay+box

That would require more effort on your part because you’d need to wire everything, but there are a bunch of YouTube videos on how to do it right. It ain’t rocket science. I bought the prewired box so I didn’t have to do all that.

 

Not much to see. I connected the starter cable to the battery and run it around to the Blue Sea Bus Bar. I used stainless self taping screws to bolt the buss bar to the fender well.

Then hooked the hot wires to the buss bar. I silicone taped all the relays where the connectors meet and filled up the bottoms where the wires come out with JB Weld Black silicone. Then put silicone around the connections on the buss bar.

That's it, simple but solid.