2nd battery, custom center console/ fused Nightrider switchboard

[4cruzer]

Finally (almost) finished my latest project. Awhile back I bought a 4x10 piece of .060(I think) aluminum sheet for some interior rear panels I made for my first generation 4runner (MUCH more storage). With those done I found myself with quite a bit of sheet left over. It was time for a second battery, and the wheels started to turn.. I had 12voltguy.com (who RULES) build me a custom switchboard, incorporating controls for his dual battery kit. It has 8 fused switches with LED's and the 3-way switch for the solenoid...



It came fully labeled and ready to go...12voltguy is super pro. I found that we have an old press brake at work, so i dusted it off and went to work cutting and bending and re-bending...here's one of few pics of the main bit during construction.



I decided to move the rear window switch from the old location to the rear of the new console so I could easily access it while sleeping in the back of the truck. I made the console hinge toward the front of the truck for this reason as well. I also moved the rear wiper switch to an empty spot on the dash.



I put the second battery behind the passenger seat to keep it out of the elements, better distribute its weight, and keep it closer to all of the accessories I haven't yet started to run from it... the mount is temporary as I need to get the interior roll cage out to mount this the way I want it (exo/ rack on the way!)...



A lot of drilling, bending, riveting, hammering, and it started to take shape, though I found out midway through the project that he only way to do this right was to replace the brittle cracking plastic shifter surround as well, which was a bit of a PIA. I had a neighboring sail maker sew some leather I had into the shifter boots, powdercoated it at work, and it came out decent.









I's been in for a few weeks and a couple trips have been made with the dual battery setup, and it works killer, though I think my optima has about had it. Might have to buy a big odyssey..
any tips on bringing an old yellow top back to life?

I have some lights rigged through the switches, but this is it so far...fridge/ inverter/ whatever else coming soon...

fun project; glad to be done (except for some sort of a top)....
cheers!
gb

 

[Grim Reaper]

DELUX!

Nice job...when will mine be ready? :jumping:

What direction is the harness for the back window and rear wiper coming from? I would like to move mine up to the dash and I hope they are routed along the tunnel making it easy.

 

[4cruzer]

Grim, if I remember right, they both T out of a loom on the tunnel going towards the back. What I don't remember is if it's a dead end circuit going from the switches back to the dash, or if it keeps going down the middle towards the back of the truck. I'm thinking the former. Was only a matter of marking which go where, and lengthening wires. When I get the interior cage out, I can't wait to jump the wires in the rear window relay module (a trick from 4crawler.com) so I won't need the key at all to use the rear window from the inside. It sucks that you need to have the IGN on to use that switch....
I'll get right on making that other console..

 

[4Rescue]

That is some amazingly nice work. I really want to re-do my center console. It's not broken tyoo bad (except down the sides right below the Gear shift) and I just think that it could be engineered better.

I love your console, you should make a few more of them

Cheers

Dave

 

[Dave Bennett]

Nice work!!! :costumed-smiley-007

 

[Grim Reaper]

Grim, if I remember right, they both T out of a loom on the tunnel going towards the back. What I don't remember is if it's a dead end circuit going from the switches back to the dash, or if it keeps going down the middle towards the back of the truck. I'm thinking the former. Was only a matter of marking which go where, and lengthening wires. When I get the interior cage out, I can't wait to jump the wires in the rear window relay module (a trick from 4crawler.com) so I won't need the key at all to use the rear window from the inside. It sucks that you need to have the IGN on to use that switch....
I'll get right on making that other console..

I'm sort of torn on the window switch mod. While I can see the convenience I can also see the convenience to a thief and making it easier to get stuff out of the back. Right now they cannot get my tools because they cannot get the gate open to get the drawer open. Even if they bust out the window they can’t get the gate open. The window has to hit a leaver when it opens fully to allow the gate release to open.

I have been looking at a small sentry safe to use as a center consol. Something to secure small stuff like my Camera etc. Then put a bigger safe in the back that is big enough to handle my laptop.

 

[slosurfer]

Very nice work! I have some questions about the 12voltguy dual system, does it work in the way that whichever battery is selected is the one getting charged or can both be charged at the same time? I'm still kind of confused on duals.


That console rocks!:wings:

 

[4cruzer]

thanks for the compliments!

Slo,
12 volt guy's setup uses a solenoid isolator with a three way switch. Off means the truck is back to stock. The second battery is isolated and will not be charged. 'NORM' (or On) means that the second battery charges with the starting battery if the truck is running or if the ignition switch is in the ON position. If the truck is off or the key is in the ACC position, the batteries are isolated. 'EMER' mean the batteries are banked together to provide extra voltage in an "I left my lights on" situation...

 

[slosurfer]

4cruzer,
thanks for the explanation, that's exactly what I needed to know. I need to figure out where that second battery is going to go Pretty soon I'll have a gm 100amp alternator installed, then it's time to convince my wife that I need two new batteries for "safety". :costumed-smiley-007

 

[Arivalsend]

I am just taking another look at this console build and it really came out nice. I would love to work up something to incorporate a similar use of the space between the seats. Mine is so ratty and worn out I need to begine work on something soon. I have started putting one together and this has given me some great ideas. Great work:victory:

 

[Willman]

I like it!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Super Clean!

Nice work! I dig it!