Alpine Hoo Ha
Observer
Before I embark on my ExPoordition (the ExPoordition is described in the trip planning section of the forum) around the 4 corner states, I wanted my truck (95 4Runner) to have a few foundational and basic modifications. The idea is to keep things simple, enhance capability, and stay with in budget. Notice how didn't say "cheap". I am a firm believer in the "cry once" mentality, and believe its cheaper in the long run to fork out for the best, especially when traveling solo.
Alas, my limited budget would only allow two primary purchases.
The most “major” addition I chose was an ARB air compressor. With open diffs, no electric winch, and zero safe "hi-lift" jack points, tire deformation is going to be only of my only friends in the traction department.
The other, "major" addition I chose was to replace my stock battery (group 25) with a new and slightly larger Odyssey deep cycle battery (Odyssey PN 34/78-PC1500, group 34/78). I'm informed that the new "dry cell" technology will significantly increase the amp/hour availability.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTKoAcWfI/AAAAAAAABNM/5Dz293tyu7U/s800/P7202512.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTKVSoDJI/AAAAAAAABNI/xkS6MA5eI5g/s800/P7202511.JPG
In addition to this installation I wanted to include a few more minor items that will serve as good foundation for future upgrades. It made sense to run the wiring now, while everything would be torn open.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVOw4CXWRI/AAAAAAAABL4/4aUOA_Crh0c/s800/P7202494.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVQCMHoAkI/AAAAAAAABMU/cM3Cn5-txxs/s800/P7202499.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVQS2G0Q4I/AAAAAAAABMk/LcJKU6XurpQ/s800/P7202503.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVQTFIekVI/AAAAAAAABMo/y0awuSixbzA/s800/P7202504.JPG
The compressor was the most complicated, and required opening up all the interior paneling to access the center 12v outlet/cigarette lighter. The reason being the compressor switch needs to tap into a dimmer circuit as well as a circuit controlled by the ignition. I tapped the dimmer at the ash tray light, and the ignition at the cigarette lighter. This was the closest place with the amount of wire length available from the compressor switches which I mounted in the center consul.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVP9OVirgI/AAAAAAAABME/Lizibn0ZS7I/s800/P7202495.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVQAAOpblI/AAAAAAAABMQ/Ya2TQSX5Chw/s800/P7202498.JPG
The new driving light harness was pretty simple, except for the figuring out which wires went were, to attach to an OEM Toyota light switch (I used this for “stock stealth factor” as well as the fact that I like an “on-off” indicator light, which didn't come with the harness).
With the wire run, and the various appliances hooked up, I held my breath and... most everything worked: inverter had power and would charge this lap top... check. 12V outlet turned on a drop light... check. Driving lights fired up... after some connector switching... check. Compressor... silent...rats. Advice was given and taken. “Check the simple things first”, and when all else fails plug the relay in... check. Success at last, my first significant wiring job at least turns on.
Lastly new battery needed installing. The new Odyssey is a different shape and size requiring bracket modification. With some head scratching I “fabbed” a funky little piece of angle stock with some hardware and rubber stripping to accommodate the new battery.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTK06f2tI/AAAAAAAABNQ/ND-WfFNDgFE/s800/P7202513.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTLYiIhfI/AAAAAAAABNU/Z6CfVC4Ovys/s800/P7202514.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTLmW-MLI/AAAAAAAABNY/yA6jXUpohmY/s800/P7202515.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTL8i2aCI/AAAAAAAABNc/FcS5k_NtGbg/s800/P7202516.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTMDFIGKI/AAAAAAAABNg/Dz7xn7WiSYs/s800/P7202517.JPG
While much work remains, installation of the drive shaft, securing of roof rack, and reassembly of interior will be the agenda for tomorrow. And as soon as the idler, parking brake cable, and back up switch arrive in the mail, that will probably finish the bulk of my truck work. An oil change, tire rotation and
spark plug replacement with finish it off.
With that work done, I plan on being in good shape for a month of exploring.:smiley_drive:
Alas, my limited budget would only allow two primary purchases.
The most “major” addition I chose was an ARB air compressor. With open diffs, no electric winch, and zero safe "hi-lift" jack points, tire deformation is going to be only of my only friends in the traction department.
The other, "major" addition I chose was to replace my stock battery (group 25) with a new and slightly larger Odyssey deep cycle battery (Odyssey PN 34/78-PC1500, group 34/78). I'm informed that the new "dry cell" technology will significantly increase the amp/hour availability.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTKoAcWfI/AAAAAAAABNM/5Dz293tyu7U/s800/P7202512.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTKVSoDJI/AAAAAAAABNI/xkS6MA5eI5g/s800/P7202511.JPG
In addition to this installation I wanted to include a few more minor items that will serve as good foundation for future upgrades. It made sense to run the wiring now, while everything would be torn open.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVOw4CXWRI/AAAAAAAABL4/4aUOA_Crh0c/s800/P7202494.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVQCMHoAkI/AAAAAAAABMU/cM3Cn5-txxs/s800/P7202499.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVQS2G0Q4I/AAAAAAAABMk/LcJKU6XurpQ/s800/P7202503.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVQTFIekVI/AAAAAAAABMo/y0awuSixbzA/s800/P7202504.JPG
The compressor was the most complicated, and required opening up all the interior paneling to access the center 12v outlet/cigarette lighter. The reason being the compressor switch needs to tap into a dimmer circuit as well as a circuit controlled by the ignition. I tapped the dimmer at the ash tray light, and the ignition at the cigarette lighter. This was the closest place with the amount of wire length available from the compressor switches which I mounted in the center consul.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVP9OVirgI/AAAAAAAABME/Lizibn0ZS7I/s800/P7202495.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVQAAOpblI/AAAAAAAABMQ/Ya2TQSX5Chw/s800/P7202498.JPG
The new driving light harness was pretty simple, except for the figuring out which wires went were, to attach to an OEM Toyota light switch (I used this for “stock stealth factor” as well as the fact that I like an “on-off” indicator light, which didn't come with the harness).
With the wire run, and the various appliances hooked up, I held my breath and... most everything worked: inverter had power and would charge this lap top... check. 12V outlet turned on a drop light... check. Driving lights fired up... after some connector switching... check. Compressor... silent...rats. Advice was given and taken. “Check the simple things first”, and when all else fails plug the relay in... check. Success at last, my first significant wiring job at least turns on.
Lastly new battery needed installing. The new Odyssey is a different shape and size requiring bracket modification. With some head scratching I “fabbed” a funky little piece of angle stock with some hardware and rubber stripping to accommodate the new battery.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTK06f2tI/AAAAAAAABNQ/ND-WfFNDgFE/s800/P7202513.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTLYiIhfI/AAAAAAAABNU/Z6CfVC4Ovys/s800/P7202514.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTLmW-MLI/AAAAAAAABNY/yA6jXUpohmY/s800/P7202515.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTL8i2aCI/AAAAAAAABNc/FcS5k_NtGbg/s800/P7202516.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wgkK2KO2kAU/SmVTMDFIGKI/AAAAAAAABNg/Dz7xn7WiSYs/s800/P7202517.JPG
While much work remains, installation of the drive shaft, securing of roof rack, and reassembly of interior will be the agenda for tomorrow. And as soon as the idler, parking brake cable, and back up switch arrive in the mail, that will probably finish the bulk of my truck work. An oil change, tire rotation and
spark plug replacement with finish it off.
With that work done, I plan on being in good shape for a month of exploring.:smiley_drive:
Last edited:
