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As @Dave in AZ says, don't be scared of anything. Switching the hot (positive) or return (negative) side makes no difference in the circuit function electrically. You interrupt the flow of current just the same either way, the battery and load don't know the difference. Technically a fuse...

There are reasons and even advantages (in the case of electronic switches it's basically mandatory to do low side practically) to switching the returns (negative) on loads but be aware that there is a safety aspect. When you break the return side of a circuit what is left is a hot side just...

There's a lot of misnomers and confusion when people talk lithium. LiFePO4 (and lead-acid FWIW) is generally pretty safe and stable. You have to make an effort to cause an issue. Lithium-ions are the ones that you have to watch that can more easily go into thermal runaway. So it's...

The manufacturer will have recommended environmental conditions for use and storage. I'd speculate that it's likely they'll give a few working ranges. Charge probably something like 0°C to 45°C, discharge -20°C to 60°C and storage -10°C to 50°C. LiFePO4 batteries and cells, like all types...

Interesting. I also switched things up on the current tires going from BFG KO2 to AT3W. I'm happy overall, the snow performance was one reason, as was the 60k warranty. Looks like Falken offers a 3-ply sidewall on some sizes. That's one thing I liked about BFG tires. We haven't rigorous...

It might not be reassuring to search I8MUD about JT Outfitters. The caliper they use are single piston originally found on 80s Monte Carlos. When you look at Mud it often degrades into complaints about the company. But the kit supposedly works alright. My argument is someone invariably says...

You are not forced to be a ham. Next renewal you might consider spending $35 on GMRS instead of spending it on a ham license. It wouldn't be a contentious point if Baofeng just cleaned up their transmitters. But then it couldn't still hit the price point. From what I've seen they can be...

Many of the points you make are valid. Yaesu menus have long been confusing. That's an open secret. User interfaces are something engineers are terrible at doing and Yaesu is run by engineers and hams. However, as you no doubt will expect, I'd argue that amateur radio was never intended to...

It's probably not user error but where you mentioned the leads getting hot do suggest perhaps more than just aging batteries. What everyone's said about lithium is true but there's some important aspects to using lithium. In this case it's probably lithium-ion polymer (e.g. LiPo) packs inside...

And sold to many tens of people. There's a few on eBay if you want one. It wasn't popular I think because it's got all the hassle of a mobile but none of the power. I think the nail in its coffin was that breaking a whip meant you had to throw it away.

Toyota used basically the same Hi-Trac IFS on the Hilux/Pickup and 4Runner from 1986 to 1997. So it wasn't a new configuration when they put it on the 100 series. Having now 8 years with coil sprung IFS and 15 years before it on a torsion bar truck. If there was a choice of two Toyota trucks...

The plastic olive oil comes in would likely be PET. I don't know if it breaks down but it does allow oxygen through, which isn't good for the oil, and leaches phthalates, which aren't great for your health. Nalgene bottles are HDPE (the opaque white) or polycarbonate (hard colored ones) so is...

That RS radio adhered to the letter of the rule having a non-detachable antenna but it was clever in making the form factor work for mobile, which was skirting the FCC's intention. There was some question during the type acceptance (FCC ID AAO2101850) about it and the FCC initially rejected it...

That's exactly why GMRS exists. FRS and GMRS interoperate on the same frequencies but when you go to an external antenna, wider bandwidth and more power the FCC likes to know so they can have some chance at minimizing interference. If you want to do more elaborate things you can step up to...

Another thing I noticed was the noise all the bed bouncing around of a 2005+ Tacoma makes driving down the road. I put thin Delrin slip washers between the box and mounts to quiet it down.

You may in theory be able to extend the cable between the radio and hand mic on a BCA but it's not going to be an off-the-shelf option. Then how are you going to mount the radio body outside? Or you'll have to figure out how to rig up an antenna, which will require modifying and maybe breaking...

That's nonsense because prior to 1995 all Toyota truck in the U.S. were boxed frame and the HIlux and Land Cruiser ute always have been. And for their size and weight the Hilux and Cruiser have higher payloads, too. It's only the Tacoma and Tundra there were outliers. As has been noted having...

I'd prefer a more rigid frame for my reasons but I can't complain with how long my trucks last. Two Toyotas spanning 24 years and counting. So Toyota has their reasons, too. Frame-wise the corrosion is what irritates me. And I like drum brakes fine. And my vinyl records through tube amps...

Rigidity and strength are two different characteristics. There's no reason a rigid frame will necessarily last longer. You have to know the stress-strain of the material and design the geometry (tolerable flex) to be compatible. Leaf springs can last just as long as the frame, aircraft wings...

I really don't know why Toyota insists on it. When asked Mike Swears, who was at the time the chief engineer on Tacoma and Tundra, is the source for what I said. But even he is talking around it because he mentioned the 4Runner being more refined and it's got a fully boxed frame. So to your...