Switch's 2022 Tacoma Access Cab Build

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After all of my work to add lights inside and outside the bed of my truck, my wife pointed out that she couldn't see the tailgate itself or use it effectively as a table with just the LED lights inside the truck cap. She asked if a light strip could be placed on the truck cap hatch. I could have run more of the LED light strip that I did inside the truck cap but in looking at various products I thought it would useful to have a dimmable light and it might be fun to have a light strip with different colors.

So I found this product which, with some testing, I learned can be hard wired to a switch so I don't need to use the remote unless I want to:

I opted to install it on the inside lip of the truck cap opening rather than on the hatch itself.



The fit was perfect on my ARE Z-Series truck cap. I almost wish I'd used this kit on the sides as well.



It has dimming controls as well a color options and annoying flashing patters. All controlled by a IR controller conveniently mounted on the shelf near the back.



It provides amble light on the tailgate even on the lowest setting.



And the colors are fun to play with.





In other news we just spent 5 days exploring trails and canoeing lakes and rivers in Northern California.






What a great start to an awesome summer. We are looking forward to many miles ahead!

 

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I also added a Dual Battery on the passenger side of the engine bay.

View attachment 777534

I finally got the parts to finishing the aux battery project. The Hellroaring auxiliary battery isolator has an LED indicator and uses remote switch for connecting the aux battery to the primary.

I needed a place to mount that LED and switch and realized I could also add voltage meters for the primary battery, aux battery, and solar panel on the left side of the center console.



I only needed one switch for the battery isolator but this would be a great spot for some extra switches. So I just added a handy mount for my iPhone.

 

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A few snap shots from summer camping trips. All made possible by our Tacoma:

















It's been a great Summer. Looking forward to Autumn...

 

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Today I figured out a stupid easy way to rig a table for cooking off my Yakima HD Rack


We always take this 2'x4' sheet of plywood to use a kitchen countertop on existing campground picnic tables or our folding aluminum table. Years ago I made a DIY awing that mounted the table in a similar position. Today I figured out how to mount is using just some cheap 1" webbing and two buckles.

The buckles allow to level the table even is the truck is not level



I just loop the strap through the horizontal bar on the end of the Yakima HD rack bar.



I had a couple of buckles left over from a forgotten project








I've also been working to mount my old DIY awning to the new Yakima rack. This is how it looked on my 2nd Gen Taco:

I'll post some more details on the awning after I get a chance to see how it works (along with the table) next weekend.

 

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Got a chance to test the new table and awning this weekend.



The awning is still a two person job to setup and I have not added mounts for the support legs to attach directly to the truck like on my old setup. I just wanted to get a feel for setup and take down time. It is just as sturdy and cumbersome as before. I'd really like to either improve my design or find something as sturdy but easier to set up.

Here at Artesia Dry Lake, I'm working on my model Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy Rockets.

Back at camp this new table proved to be crazy easy to set up and very stable.


Fajitas are always a camp favorite and aways hot using cast iron skillets.

 

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Last year I installed the VLEDS foot well lights and they are awesome. Chloe Kuo does a great review of them here:

I noticed that the kit has an unused female connector and that got me thinking about adding puddle lights to the bottom of the doors.

The install is pretty straightforward since it just requires drilling a small hole for the wire in the bottom of the door panel. The parts needed are:

SKU: BAR_21_SE_W_5K
Color Temp
5000K NATURAL WHITE
qty 2
EXTENSION WIRE 2 PIN WP STYLE

SKU: 2_WP_EXT_4
Extension Length
4 FOOT
QTY 2

EXTENSION WIRE 2 PIN WP STYLE
SKU: 2_WP_EXT_8
Extension Length
8 FOOT
QTY 1

2 PIN WATERPROOF HARDWIRE Y ADAPTER
SKU: 2_WP_Y_2
Y Adapter Type
2 WAY
QTY 1

This was an amazing uplift that just took a couple of hours to do. The wiring is literally plug-and-play and runs through the existing conduit from the door to the body.

View attachment 5719506

 

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My old DYI awning earned it's weight on our most recent trip to Anza Borrego. Although it takes a few extra minutes to setup, it proved it's worth on a recent desert trip when it rained. The rain was coming in from the North West so we angled the awning down to create a rain shadow. I don't know if this is possible with traditional awnings that appear to be designed for shade rather than rain.

 

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Here's a demo showing how my 360° 9 switch console works.




Each switch position corresponds to the geometric position of the light

Top center: Front LED light bar
Top corners: Left and right cornering lights on the bumper
Sides: Left and right side lights on the A Pillar
Rear corners: Left and right side lights on the ARE cap
Rear center: reverse light in bumper
Center: Rock lights[/MEDIA]