LexusAllTerrain
Expedition Leader
...and I thought you were getting ready for an offroad trailer when I saw your cruiser naked!
Mauka2Makai - Our Quest Begins...An 80 Series Adventure
- Thread starter Mauka2Makai
- Start date
Mauka2Makai
Explorer
Mauka2Makai
Explorer
Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx
Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx
LT285/75R16
Load Range = E
Max Load - 3750 lbs.
Tread Depth - 18.5
Overall Diameter - 32.9
Section Width - 11.65
Tire Weight - 61 lbs
First impression...They are a lot quieter than the Toyo's, We can all hear each other now. The Toyo's never failed us in any way while out on the trail or anywhere else for that matter. I'm fairly confident that the Cooper's will perform to that same level of reliability. Looking forward to getting some trail time on them for a better comparison.
Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx
LT285/75R16
Load Range = E
Max Load - 3750 lbs.
Tread Depth - 18.5
Overall Diameter - 32.9
Section Width - 11.65
Tire Weight - 61 lbs
First impression...They are a lot quieter than the Toyo's, We can all hear each other now. The Toyo's never failed us in any way while out on the trail or anywhere else for that matter. I'm fairly confident that the Cooper's will perform to that same level of reliability. Looking forward to getting some trail time on them for a better comparison.
Mauka2Makai
Explorer
IBS-DBS w/ RBM Installation
In preparation for the IBS installation I had a new OEM alternator, starter, fusible links and alternator cable, along with Fourrunner's Heavy duty cable set which includes: Battery to starter cable, Negative to block (with 90 degree lug) cable, Negative to chassis cable, Ground strap from head to firewall, and Ground strap from battery to fender installed. I also installed Slee's 2nd battery tray and washer bottle relocation kit. The IBS kit was purchased from Sierra Expeditions over a year ago during one of the group buys, I've just been waiting to find the time to do this installation.
The installation was fairly straight forward with no requirements of an electrical engineering degree required. I did run into one big minor hiccup though... with all the terminal end crimping and heat shrinking I overlooked one connector... I missed crimping it and just heat shrank the cable and terminal end together. It was the positive cable to main battery from the battery monitor wiring harness. This gave me a constant low voltage on main battery indication. I spent the next day trouble shooting every component of the system and even checked that positive connector a couple of times. George from Extreme Outback is the US distributor for IBS and provided a level of customer service that was well above going above and beyond. Narrowed it down to the Battery Monitor and sent it to George so he could perform all the system tests and try and find a problem. Couple of days later... no problems found everything worked as advertised. We concluded that it could be nothing other than the red cable on the Battery Monitor harness going to main positive. I decided to just cut the terminal end and open it up. Once the heat shrink was off noticed that there was no crimp on the connector... problem solved.
IBS-DBS Dual Battery System with Microprocessor allows visual indication of main and auxiliary battery charge with power on and off, allows visual indication of charge voltage, allows automatic charging of both batteries, allows manual battery linking during high power consumption requirements such as winching which reduces the load on the alternator, the wiring and the batteries. Audible and visual alarms are also present during low battery or link failures.
IBS Relay Boost Module allows link starting with auxiliary battery if main battery is completely discharged (dead).
IBS Test procedure This should be included with the installation kit.
Main battery.
Auxiliary battery grounded to fender well and to main battery.
Positive, Negative, and battery monitor wires ran under forward top cross member.
IBS 200 amp relay and RBM mounted just behind 2nd battery tray.
Battery Monitor installed on IBS swivel mount. That wire mess will be cleaned up with the installation of a couple USB charger sockets.
I'm very happy with the outcome of this installation and the IBS DBS ease of use. Another big Thanks to George for all his help. I didn't have the tools to cut or crimp the big wire, so West Marine is the place to go if you need to use some big wire tools. The directions for the IBS-DBS RBM installation supersedes the IBS-DBS instructions also it's recommended to run a ground from main to aux. along with having both batteries grounded at the fender wells. It's also nice to know that I have a back up for the main battery while out on the trail and a solid foundation for future electrical needs. Next up a Blue Sea 100 amp circuit breaker and 12 circuit fuse block don't know where there going to be located yet though.
In preparation for the IBS installation I had a new OEM alternator, starter, fusible links and alternator cable, along with Fourrunner's Heavy duty cable set which includes: Battery to starter cable, Negative to block (with 90 degree lug) cable, Negative to chassis cable, Ground strap from head to firewall, and Ground strap from battery to fender installed. I also installed Slee's 2nd battery tray and washer bottle relocation kit. The IBS kit was purchased from Sierra Expeditions over a year ago during one of the group buys, I've just been waiting to find the time to do this installation.
The installation was fairly straight forward with no requirements of an electrical engineering degree required. I did run into one big minor hiccup though... with all the terminal end crimping and heat shrinking I overlooked one connector... I missed crimping it and just heat shrank the cable and terminal end together. It was the positive cable to main battery from the battery monitor wiring harness. This gave me a constant low voltage on main battery indication. I spent the next day trouble shooting every component of the system and even checked that positive connector a couple of times. George from Extreme Outback is the US distributor for IBS and provided a level of customer service that was well above going above and beyond. Narrowed it down to the Battery Monitor and sent it to George so he could perform all the system tests and try and find a problem. Couple of days later... no problems found everything worked as advertised. We concluded that it could be nothing other than the red cable on the Battery Monitor harness going to main positive. I decided to just cut the terminal end and open it up. Once the heat shrink was off noticed that there was no crimp on the connector... problem solved.
IBS-DBS Dual Battery System with Microprocessor allows visual indication of main and auxiliary battery charge with power on and off, allows visual indication of charge voltage, allows automatic charging of both batteries, allows manual battery linking during high power consumption requirements such as winching which reduces the load on the alternator, the wiring and the batteries. Audible and visual alarms are also present during low battery or link failures.
IBS Relay Boost Module allows link starting with auxiliary battery if main battery is completely discharged (dead).
IBS Test procedure This should be included with the installation kit.
Main battery.
Auxiliary battery grounded to fender well and to main battery.
Positive, Negative, and battery monitor wires ran under forward top cross member.
IBS 200 amp relay and RBM mounted just behind 2nd battery tray.
Battery Monitor installed on IBS swivel mount. That wire mess will be cleaned up with the installation of a couple USB charger sockets.
I'm very happy with the outcome of this installation and the IBS DBS ease of use. Another big Thanks to George for all his help. I didn't have the tools to cut or crimp the big wire, so West Marine is the place to go if you need to use some big wire tools. The directions for the IBS-DBS RBM installation supersedes the IBS-DBS instructions also it's recommended to run a ground from main to aux. along with having both batteries grounded at the fender wells. It's also nice to know that I have a back up for the main battery while out on the trail and a solid foundation for future electrical needs. Next up a Blue Sea 100 amp circuit breaker and 12 circuit fuse block don't know where there going to be located yet though.
NM-Frontier
Explorer
That is a nice set up. Its funny you posted this as I just order up a set of Fourrunner's Heavy duty cables also. I can't wait to get them is as my original ones are a bit corroded at the terminals.
Driver-Navigator
Explorer
Holy carp, I've been having the low voltage indication on my IBS setup too, despite my batteries seeming just fine... Also mine was giving a link error and started beeping every 5 minutes until I did the manual override. Thanks for posting the test procedure and other info, it's given my a nudge to get back to debugging the issue!
Mauka2Makai
Explorer
Dave, Are you showing low voltage on the main or aux. battery? Identify the cause of your low voltage indication first and that should correct the link error. I would recommend disconnecting the battery monitor harness quick disconnect and checking voltage at either the red wire for the main or the blue wire for the aux.. Rule out the harness and terminal ends, I'd be willing to bet it'll be you terminal end. I used a low voltage tester the kind with the light in the handle when the circuit is complete to check mine. It'll either be the red or blue wire thats giving you a hard time depending on what side is showing you the low voltage. If this doesn't fix the problem... then depending on whether or not you have just the DBS system or DBS w/ RBM will determine your next phase of troubleshooting (red jumper or green wire). If the system was installed by PO or if wires were disconnected recently, I would also ensure all wires are connected to the correct positions as per the DBS or RBM installation instructions/diagram. Hope this helps, I'm interested in what you find.
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Mauka2Makai
Explorer
Nice tires! Duratracs and ST MAXX are my fav tire at the moment. But with those massive flares you need like 35s now
I'd love to get 33's for my truck but 60lbs is probably a bit much (my tire+wheel is 60lbs) for the IFS components designed for 29" tires.
35's/315 do look great on the 80 series, they are just overkill for my needs. You know you could get the Coopers in 225, 245, 235, or 265 on 16" rim. Shoot for a 245.
The Toyos are great tires that really shine offroad... that being said, Initially the hum was bearable then they just started getting a bit too loud for our liking. My wife was just not having it. The LC is also my daily driver... The Toyos are just too aggressive of tread for my needs as a daily driver and my specific style of offroad use. I finally came to the realization that an AT would better suite my driving/offroad style more so than an MT tire. What I wanted was an all terrain tire that could perform equally well on my daily commute as well as while out on the trail. One that wouldn't drown out our thoughts or voices with tire roar. One thats mud and snow rated for those rare occasions as well as being able to handle high payloads and fend off side wall and tire punctures. Great looks would be key as well. The Coopers have met those requirements. The Cooper ST Maxx have a very aggressive tread pattern and look for an all terrain tire, the sidewalls are functional, protective, and look equally as sharp as the Toyos do in my opinion. Yeah, I think the Cooper ST Maxx will continue to gain popularity... especially in the overland community. I'm still anxiously trying to find time to test them out in there natural environment though.
Sounds good to me.
Mauka2Makai
Explorer
The cables are high quality, made well, and way big. You'll like them.
Mauka2Makai
Explorer
A-Pillar Quick Fist Maglite Mount
Yes I know... There are many other hand held lights options that provide much better illumination than a Maglite, but few lights can offer a level of inconspicuous security a 3-5 cell can. When I first bought my LC one of the first mods I planned to do was find a place for my Maglite... on the door? beside the seat? or maybe in the cup holder (drilled open)? I opted for just keeping it in the lower center counsel until that perfect place could be found. I had a ah-ha moment while driving home from work the other day and found my perfect location... the driver side A-pillar hand hold with Quick Fist.
I just happened to have a pair of screws that were the same thread pitch just longer for the Quick Fists.
Your light will always be easily accessible and at the ready.
Strong enough for still using as a hand hold for getting in if need be.
While I was at it, I removed the upper blanks and installed a hand hold from the third row that had been previously removed.
Lots of space still available for a longer Maglite.
This was one of those Mods that was quick and easy. I just happened to already have everything, so install was done in around 5 minutes. I love how I can still use it as a hand hold for getting in, the Maglite is readily accessible, and it just looks good there. At a minimum, I'll always know where the Maglite is at least when I'm looking for light at night.
Yes I know... There are many other hand held lights options that provide much better illumination than a Maglite, but few lights can offer a level of inconspicuous security a 3-5 cell can. When I first bought my LC one of the first mods I planned to do was find a place for my Maglite... on the door? beside the seat? or maybe in the cup holder (drilled open)? I opted for just keeping it in the lower center counsel until that perfect place could be found. I had a ah-ha moment while driving home from work the other day and found my perfect location... the driver side A-pillar hand hold with Quick Fist.
I just happened to have a pair of screws that were the same thread pitch just longer for the Quick Fists.
Your light will always be easily accessible and at the ready.
Strong enough for still using as a hand hold for getting in if need be.
While I was at it, I removed the upper blanks and installed a hand hold from the third row that had been previously removed.
Lots of space still available for a longer Maglite.
This was one of those Mods that was quick and easy. I just happened to already have everything, so install was done in around 5 minutes. I love how I can still use it as a hand hold for getting in, the Maglite is readily accessible, and it just looks good there. At a minimum, I'll always know where the Maglite is at least when I'm looking for light at night.
stephen13
XDrive
I have really enjoyed reading your write ups and seeing your vehicle evolve and progress. Your work so far has been first class. If i may pass one small comment. In your dual battery installation, you have placed the red (positive) terminal close to the fender wall. We normally use reverse pole batteries and make sure that the positive terminal is inboard (facing the engine) This prevents any short circuits or fire hazard should you be involved in any incident that pushes the bodywork against the positive side of the battery
Hope that this helps
I look forward to seeing more of your build in the future
Best regards
Stephen
Hope that this helps
I look forward to seeing more of your build in the future
Best regards
Stephen