The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

I ran 10-AWG from the starting battery terminals all the way to the bed of the truck. The CTEK Dual 250S will take up to 20 Amps (verified with ammeter) from the alternator and boost the voltage and charge the auxiliary battery. What is great about that is when I pulled the data sheet for my deep cycle battery, it stated that 20 Amps was the max charging rate. So it's perfect!

 

I wasn't sure how the d250s wouldn't continue to draw from the starter battery when the engine was off. I didn't initially realize that the d250s electronics must sense when the engine is on by simply measuring the incoming voltage (starter battery) and only draw from the starter battery if the voltage is above a certain voltage (12.8ish?).

I like the updated setup and diagram, thanks!

 

I recently read your whole thread! It was awesome and thank you for all the detail.
Build, trips and including your family! Awesome!!

 

Welcome. That's right.

The charger starts charging the target battery when the supply voltage exceeds 13.1 V for 5 sec (engine on).
The charger stops charging the target battery when the supply voltage drops below 12.8 V for 10 sec (engine off)

It's all in the D250S manual.

That's awesome!

You're welcome.

Reading build threads is fun. I don't have as much time as I used to, but I still love reading them when I can. I've discovered that some of the best innovative gems are tucked away in builds.

 

So awesome. I wish I had half your electrical knowledge. I just installed a sweet custom switch panel that replaces the clock piece and it was a struggle getting the wiring figured out. Got the switches working but still haven't figured out how to respond wire the hazard switch.

Keep up the good work.

 

Thank you. I'm sure your switches look a million times better than mine. I like to mix and match different hardware, and I prefer micro switches. Good luck with the hazard, I'm sure you'll figure it out. Wiring diagrams are a savior for me.

When I was a little kid in the early 1980's I'd take apart radios and other electronics to see what was in there. Now I'm an adult who likes to take apart the Tacoma. lol

Last night I took out the radio and I've been studying the dash construction. It looks like just a piece of curved injection molded plastic. Inside the dash, behind where the stereo was, it is very easy to access the underside of the dash for placement of washers, nuts, backing plates, etc. It's plenty strong around the edges. None of it is flat though. :/

I'm trying to decide if I want to mount a mount to the dash.

 

The Tech deck was easy and seems solid. I am waiting on some Ram mount bits to install other peripherals. Of course I only have one radio to accomidate.

 

Here's a pic. I've had my dash apart 1000 times since I started this project it seems. I need to build a harness plug and make a couple other tweeks but I think it turned out nice.

 

Looks great! I like your custom mount. I have a Tech deck too, waiting to go in, shot it with fresh paint this morning.

If you're anything like me, the Ram bits can be a little bit addictive. Like Lego's for adults. I went from $0 in Ram to ~$100 in two weeks. I'll have to go to Ram mounts Anonymous soon.

I've found some good deals on open box stuff to save $$.

I too am waiting on more Ram parts to be delivered.

In the mean time, I've been converting my existing cradles.

Pictured below, a mobile phone cradle adapted for Ram. It began life as an iOttie Smart Tap suction cup mount that served me really well for over three years. It is still fully functional and will continue life in the truck now that it's been adapted.





Same goes for this OEM Garmin cradle for my GPS 60CSx. Drill one hole, to pass a zip tie thru. Don't care how it looks, since nobody is ever going to see the back. I only care that it works. lol

The Ram stuff is really great quality.

 

I too am waiting on a few Ram mounts pieces. I need to find these open box deals you have found. I have the X-grip on my bike, my wife's bike, and in her T4R. I may need to order another one for my Taco.

 

in.

 

I like that fuse block install. I think I may have to steal that idea and mount one underneath the seat like you have when I install a mobile VHF/UHF Radio running off my auxiliary battery in my truck. Right now I'm getting by with a handheld Baofeng BF-F8+(UV5R) with a Nagoya mag mount antenna. It works decent, but I'm looking to upgrade to something more powerful and permanent before a trip in September.

I also just ordered the "Tech Deck" for my truck. Looks like a great product. It should help clean up my dash and center console a bit. I have a tablet, a similar Garmin GPS and possibly my radio (current and future) that I'd like to mount to it. Where are you ordering your ram mounts from?

 

Your switches look like straight out of Star Wars! Very nice!!! I've had my dash fully apart twice now, and I hope I never have to do it again.

Thanks. Fuse block has been great. Just hooked up some new circuits.

Different sellers through the Amazon Market Place. GPS City has been excellent. I always check the used / new with damaged packaging, etc.

 

RAM Mount in the drivers left corner.

I tried to like the idea of attaching a RAM 1" ball to the A-pillar grab handle lower mounting bolt, but no matter how many times I simulated a mount there I was unhappy with it. It either blocked my view out the window, or was too close to the steering wheel. So here is what I came up with instead.

For me, it is perfect. It does not block my view, nor the AC vent, and is out of the way. Pavement pounder tested. Off-road test will come soon, but I expect no problems based on how sturdy it is.



Diamond mount with 3M Super strength molding tape.



Easy peasy lemon squeezie as my kids say.

 

Extreme-Duty Tacoma Tech Deck installed.

This is a fantastic, well made product by two guys here on TW who formed BirdDawg Industries. They have a for sale thread over here.
Fit is excellent. I shot it with flat black paint, just my preference, it's anodized aluminum. I added three diamond RAM mounts. I'm not yet decided how I'm going to utilize each mount. For now I want options, and now I finally have some.



Here it is prior to mounting the RAM mounts.


The screws for mounting the tech deck are included.
I found fasteners for the RAM mounts.

• I used M5 -0.8 x 20mm socket cap screws for the double mount.
• I used M5 -0.8 x 14mm socket cap screws for the single mount.

I've only done some brief testing, with the Tech Deck and so far I'm quite pleased. I can't wait to get things all dialed in.

 

Unlimited Auxiliary Power in the dash

This next series of mods dovetails with my new 6-circuit fuse block under the seat.

Here is what I've done.

• Added a brand new 12v socket.
• Added a two-gang Anderson power pole fitting, with contacts, fed with auxiliary power.
• Rewired the factory 12v socket in the dash to a new SPDT ON/OFF/ON 3-position switch.
• Rewired an aftermarket 12v socket in the rear cab to a new SPDT ON/OFF/ON 3-position switch.
• Epoxy'd the aftermarket 115v AC sockets in rear of center console, something I didn't do six years ago.
• All cabling was 16 AWG copper.

First I had to do this one more time.


Then this:

• 2-Gang Anderson Power Poles
• 
• SPDT switch,
  • Position 1 is factory voltage from alternator / starting battery.
  • Position 2 is off
  • Position 3 is Auxiliary power.

Backside view.

And here is a neat example of the SPDT switch in action.
Position 1 Alternator voltage

Position 3 Auxiliary Battery voltage.
And the proof that my CTEK Dual250S is doing its job.

​

Rear of center console.

I used epoxy to secure everything in there. This was me fixing my work from six years ago. The new switch here works the same as above. I can select either battery to power the accessory power socket.


I added a new12v socket here.

Trace and dremel.


I used 2-part epoxy here, as it was too tight for retaining nut on socket. Super secure.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_DqV1xdf-Y

 

Looks great! I really like the Tech Deck, but I think my knuckles my be too close with my short shifter.
Now lets see something attached to every mount.


I'm planning my own custom mounting system and ordered a couple of mounts from Amazon, GPS City was the seller. While looking at the invoice I realiized that GPS City is located less than a mile from where I work. I'll be taking a trip down there after work very soon.

 

Holy cow! I want this so bad. I MIGHT do this when I get the courage to open up the entire dash and console!
Still gotta do my soundproofing project. All the soundproof stuff is sitting in my garage.

 

awesome thread- subb'd for the dope mods and amazing adventures

 

Holy smokes! Your dash is gonna look like the front display area at a Mac store. Well done.