SmoothLC
Explorer
Yup - front bumper round lights.
2003 Lexus LX470 "Overlander" built
- Thread starter Nikson
- Start date
Yup - front bumper round lights.
Nikson
Explorer
Those are nightvision lamps...
Nikson
Explorer
All in its own time... I'm far ahead of whats here already, just posting it as the time permits...
Good Luck - choose wisely...
Nikson
Explorer
Roof Rack / RTT style
main purpose of the roof rack was to mount a RTT on it once purchase at CVT,
incorporated a quick release system for the awning, and most likely eventually for the RTT as well.
so it started... (final weight of the rack came out to be 44lbs, and its heavy duty enough to hold its weight as needed)
lightbar tabs attached -
main purpose of the roof rack was to mount a RTT on it once purchase at CVT,
incorporated a quick release system for the awning, and most likely eventually for the RTT as well.
so it started... (final weight of the rack came out to be 44lbs, and its heavy duty enough to hold its weight as needed)
lightbar tabs attached -
Nikson
Explorer
Maxtraxx
While working on other stuff...
Asked around and found David Tung at AlphaExpedition to be a great guy to deal with...
ordered & received these (later found to be very useful) pretty promptly..
This came in not to long ago as well... very interesting pictures...
Figured the book would be a useful tool for the upcoming 2 week trip to Colorado/Moab in September...
While working on other stuff...
Asked around and found David Tung at AlphaExpedition to be a great guy to deal with...
ordered & received these (later found to be very useful) pretty promptly..
This came in not to long ago as well... very interesting pictures...
Figured the book would be a useful tool for the upcoming 2 week trip to Colorado/Moab in September...
Nikson
Explorer
Roof Rack / RTT style / Awning mounts / quick release
One thing was a sure item on my list - roof rack would stay mounted always...
and obviously its not fun to have to remove the RTT/Awning everytime one decides to run out...
so a quick release option was a MUST have in my case...
whats simpler than a typical hitch receiver style mount...
3 settings might have been an overkill, but while drilling 2 holes - 3 isnt much of a task...
its nice to be able to adjust it as needed while breaking camp, or having to move it out for other items on the rack...
pretty neat - i thought...
quick release pins are just perfect... (for the worrisome times - I think a lock on one of them would be not a bad idea)
prior to paint...
One thing was a sure item on my list - roof rack would stay mounted always...
and obviously its not fun to have to remove the RTT/Awning everytime one decides to run out...
so a quick release option was a MUST have in my case...
whats simpler than a typical hitch receiver style mount...
3 settings might have been an overkill, but while drilling 2 holes - 3 isnt much of a task...
its nice to be able to adjust it as needed while breaking camp, or having to move it out for other items on the rack...
pretty neat - i thought...
quick release pins are just perfect... (for the worrisome times - I think a lock on one of them would be not a bad idea)
prior to paint...
Nikson
Explorer
USB / Minor electronics / electrics
Some much needed upgrades now days...
ended up removing the center DVD entertainment center (roof mounted), made more sense to have a good working light there instead of the player. Kiddos prefer to look out the window more now days, along with other toys in their hands...
p.s. anyone wanting it - could sell that as well...
removing 2nd cigarette charge outlet was pretty simple...
installed a dual-USB charger instead, wired same as the factory with minor modification...
except having to drill out the mounting hole a bit larger - was a simple job, well worth it...
Got JUICE!!!
Cabin filter - seems like needs to be replaced "yesterday"
new vs old
Some much needed upgrades now days...
ended up removing the center DVD entertainment center (roof mounted), made more sense to have a good working light there instead of the player. Kiddos prefer to look out the window more now days, along with other toys in their hands...
p.s. anyone wanting it - could sell that as well...
removing 2nd cigarette charge outlet was pretty simple...
installed a dual-USB charger instead, wired same as the factory with minor modification...
except having to drill out the mounting hole a bit larger - was a simple job, well worth it...
Got JUICE!!!
Cabin filter - seems like needs to be replaced "yesterday"
new vs old
Nikson
Explorer
footwell lighting...
interior lighting has been a bit on the weak end... most of you might agree...
Ended up buying a LED kit from the guy (suggested of the forums)
found the map lights to be a bit TOO bright now, but still better than old...
footwell lighting ended up upgrading with some off eBay... $6/pair
remove old bulb / drill out a bit and fit the new...
camera shows it to be a more concentrated spot type fill, yet it didnt pick up all the surround lighting as it really is..
Rack painted...
sporting the all around Rigid lighting... (although might add some more to the rear)
rear LED bar (10in) nicely tucked in
interior lighting has been a bit on the weak end... most of you might agree...
Ended up buying a LED kit from the guy (suggested of the forums)
found the map lights to be a bit TOO bright now, but still better than old...
footwell lighting ended up upgrading with some off eBay... $6/pair
remove old bulb / drill out a bit and fit the new...
camera shows it to be a more concentrated spot type fill, yet it didnt pick up all the surround lighting as it really is..
Rack painted...
sporting the all around Rigid lighting... (although might add some more to the rear)
rear LED bar (10in) nicely tucked in
Nikson
Explorer
Dual Battery Setup / walkie talkie / flashlight / CB
dual battery setup is a must have? or is it not?
(considering the ArkPak option - for those who havent heard - do some research before you dump buncha money into a dual battery setup in your 4x4)
In my case - I do the setup in the simple way - many might not agree with it, or thing of it as unreliable... In my opinion/experience it always worked... I just dont use the expensive monitoring system...
A high AMP ignition activated breaker, along with the mechanical one on the other side... work just fine...
anyways - if you have questions - just ask.
cut off / adjusted / attached / welded stock mount for the powersteering to the outer bracket for the 2nd battery... works like a charm
due to small amount of useful interior space for CB,
went with this option, only problem I've found is that it gets HOT from using it a LOT...
rear driver's side got these put in...
looking good so far...
dual battery setup is a must have? or is it not?
(considering the ArkPak option - for those who havent heard - do some research before you dump buncha money into a dual battery setup in your 4x4)
In my case - I do the setup in the simple way - many might not agree with it, or thing of it as unreliable... In my opinion/experience it always worked... I just dont use the expensive monitoring system...
A high AMP ignition activated breaker, along with the mechanical one on the other side... work just fine...
anyways - if you have questions - just ask.
cut off / adjusted / attached / welded stock mount for the powersteering to the outer bracket for the 2nd battery... works like a charm
due to small amount of useful interior space for CB,
went with this option, only problem I've found is that it gets HOT from using it a LOT...
rear driver's side got these put in...
looking good so far...
Nikson
Explorer
roof rack light wiring / extra fuse panel
with all of the extra accessories needing juice, its always a good idea to use separate fuse boxes that have their own supply line from the battery itself, rather than overusing all the factory wiring, and causing possibly damage to circuits & running into electrical fires...
So best way to prevent those - run separate power supplies.
I've opted for 2, one in the front (driver's footwell) to power CB / all of the light switches / couple accessories
and the rear one to juice my 12v outlet for the fridge / all the rack lights & back up lights / walkie-talkies / flashlight
Now keep in mind that ALL of the extras are powered from my 2nd house battery, this way if need be, just run everything without EVER having to worry about the main starting battery not having enough juice to power something...
I've installed a manual switch, that allows me to disconnect the 2nd battery at any time, in my case I turn off the 2nd battery from sucking the recharge at the start of the car any time I've been draining it excessively, reason for such "manual" timer is to allow alternator to catchup on the charge for the main battery and be in "float" mode when I get the 2nd battery to charge again.
so here are some pictures of the works...
as always - feel free to ask questions, or review my YouTube channel - some videos are there for the review...
rear fuse panel - a good size supply wire been used to accommodate all the needs, actually been considering installing my pure-sine wave 600W inverter to be used on the go as well...
front switches for lights
front bar / rear bar / left & right floods
the little gray box in the upper left corner - is all that there is to the CB... rest is just the mic part...
capped off few extra leads from the front fuse box for "just in case"... been thinking of putting in a front cooler box, instead of the arm rest / DVD changer
plenty of wiring as it is... LOL...
can you spot the front fuse box?
dome light that replaced the entertainment center - its all LED with white/red option (hot all the time) with factory door timer (lengthy one too)
and this is the plug I ended up utilizing for a quick release option for the rack lights... drilled a hole in the body, grommet with lots of caulk/sealant to prevent any leaks...
ended up running a 12v / Hot-all-the-time / up into the RTT rack area as well, incase I want to power a tent fan, or have a night light powered from house battery as well...
with all of the extra accessories needing juice, its always a good idea to use separate fuse boxes that have their own supply line from the battery itself, rather than overusing all the factory wiring, and causing possibly damage to circuits & running into electrical fires...
So best way to prevent those - run separate power supplies.
I've opted for 2, one in the front (driver's footwell) to power CB / all of the light switches / couple accessories
and the rear one to juice my 12v outlet for the fridge / all the rack lights & back up lights / walkie-talkies / flashlight
Now keep in mind that ALL of the extras are powered from my 2nd house battery, this way if need be, just run everything without EVER having to worry about the main starting battery not having enough juice to power something...
I've installed a manual switch, that allows me to disconnect the 2nd battery at any time, in my case I turn off the 2nd battery from sucking the recharge at the start of the car any time I've been draining it excessively, reason for such "manual" timer is to allow alternator to catchup on the charge for the main battery and be in "float" mode when I get the 2nd battery to charge again.
so here are some pictures of the works...
as always - feel free to ask questions, or review my YouTube channel - some videos are there for the review...
rear fuse panel - a good size supply wire been used to accommodate all the needs, actually been considering installing my pure-sine wave 600W inverter to be used on the go as well...
front switches for lights
front bar / rear bar / left & right floods
the little gray box in the upper left corner - is all that there is to the CB... rest is just the mic part...
capped off few extra leads from the front fuse box for "just in case"... been thinking of putting in a front cooler box, instead of the arm rest / DVD changer
plenty of wiring as it is... LOL...
can you spot the front fuse box?
dome light that replaced the entertainment center - its all LED with white/red option (hot all the time) with factory door timer (lengthy one too)
and this is the plug I ended up utilizing for a quick release option for the rack lights... drilled a hole in the body, grommet with lots of caulk/sealant to prevent any leaks...
ended up running a 12v / Hot-all-the-time / up into the RTT rack area as well, incase I want to power a tent fan, or have a night light powered from house battery as well...
