Overland LJ
- Thread starter piratenation90
- Start date
piratenation90
Adventurer
It was a Trail Ready bumper back when they still made bumpers for TJ's. The rear bumper was also made by them too. I have only seen 1 other jeep online with that exact same bumper.
piratenation90
Adventurer
So for awhile now I had been trying to figure out how to do my electrical system. Up to now the only electrical accessory I had added was my CB radio, but I plan on doing rock lights, rear backup lights, front bumper fog lights and windshield spot lights. The basic model SPod seemed like the best choice for me but for what is just seemed like too much money. I stumbled upon the Switch-Pro on a thread over on WayaLife and instantly liked it.
1. The price for a Switch-Pros is only $479 vs. the $520 it'll cost you to get an sPOD with Bluetooth (additional $179) and illuminated switches.
2. Switch-Pro comes with 8 switches vs. the 6 you get with an sPOD.
3. Switch-Pro comes with Bluetooth built into the system standard - to get Bluetooth with an sPOD will cost you an additional $179.
4. The Switch-Pro panel and power module are extremely compact. The switch panel measures only 2" x 4" x .5" (excluding mounting tabs) and can be mounted just about anywhere in your Jeep... ANY Jeep of any model.
5. Switch-Pro is fully programmable. There's no need to physically change switches from on/off to mom or rewire for ignition to battery control.
6. Flash and strobe functions are programmable. Pressing the switch twice within 1 sec activates the flash or strobe function. Pressing the switch normal turns the output on normal. With the sPOD, you can only flash a switch through the Bluetooth app.
7. Switch-Pro current capacity is 100A - the sPOD is only 50A.
8. The Switch-Pro uses automotive grade Mosfets to switch the outputs which are monitored for overcurrent or a short circuit. No relays or fuses are needed. sPOD uses relays and fuses that are not sealed and can cause corrosion over time. This is especially true in cold climates where salt is used on the roads.
9. The power module is fully sealed and rated for use under the hood and at a temperature as low as -40° C and as high as 125° C (257°F).
10. All connections on the Switch-Pro power module are made through a sealed automotive connector - The sPOD uses basic screw on terminals.
This is one of 2 mounting locations I have come up with. Access to the switches is limited while vehicle is in Park but plenty of access when Drive, might have to take eyes off road to make sure I am turning on/off switches.
Second mounting location, like this one better but a clean install will be difficult. Basically the same mounting location as the SPod switches, access is unlimited and will not have to take eyes off the road. It looks better centered in the trim piece but I have to lean forward in my seat to reach it so I will more than likely offset it to the drivers side.
1. The price for a Switch-Pros is only $479 vs. the $520 it'll cost you to get an sPOD with Bluetooth (additional $179) and illuminated switches.
2. Switch-Pro comes with 8 switches vs. the 6 you get with an sPOD.
3. Switch-Pro comes with Bluetooth built into the system standard - to get Bluetooth with an sPOD will cost you an additional $179.
4. The Switch-Pro panel and power module are extremely compact. The switch panel measures only 2" x 4" x .5" (excluding mounting tabs) and can be mounted just about anywhere in your Jeep... ANY Jeep of any model.
5. Switch-Pro is fully programmable. There's no need to physically change switches from on/off to mom or rewire for ignition to battery control.
6. Flash and strobe functions are programmable. Pressing the switch twice within 1 sec activates the flash or strobe function. Pressing the switch normal turns the output on normal. With the sPOD, you can only flash a switch through the Bluetooth app.
7. Switch-Pro current capacity is 100A - the sPOD is only 50A.
8. The Switch-Pro uses automotive grade Mosfets to switch the outputs which are monitored for overcurrent or a short circuit. No relays or fuses are needed. sPOD uses relays and fuses that are not sealed and can cause corrosion over time. This is especially true in cold climates where salt is used on the roads.
9. The power module is fully sealed and rated for use under the hood and at a temperature as low as -40° C and as high as 125° C (257°F).
10. All connections on the Switch-Pro power module are made through a sealed automotive connector - The sPOD uses basic screw on terminals.
This is one of 2 mounting locations I have come up with. Access to the switches is limited while vehicle is in Park but plenty of access when Drive, might have to take eyes off road to make sure I am turning on/off switches.
Second mounting location, like this one better but a clean install will be difficult. Basically the same mounting location as the SPod switches, access is unlimited and will not have to take eyes off the road. It looks better centered in the trim piece but I have to lean forward in my seat to reach it so I will more than likely offset it to the drivers side.
Attachments
piratenation90
Adventurer
Southeast Overland
So for awhile now I have had to re-gear, the 315 tires, stock 3.73 gears and 4 speed auto tranny are not a very good combination. When I had my TJ I had 315's, 3.73 gears and 5 speed manual tranny it wasn't bad because I could just shift into whatever gear I needed but the auto likes to hunt for gears, a lot. There are a few local shops around me but I like Southeast Overland the best, I have bought all my recovery gear from them and some lights. I figured that since I was going to have them do the re-gearing I would have them take care of a few other things as well. I made an appointment with them to meet at their shop to go over everything I wanted done.
Re-gear to 5.13 gears (highest ratio I could go in the front D30) using Nitro Gear & Axle
Heat cycling of gears
TuffStuff front and rear diff covers (front D30 and rear D44)
Install Detroit Truetrac LSD in rear axle
Install Switch-Pros panel on drivers side fender
Install VisionX Tatrum rock lights in clear/white color (8 lights)
Wire rear bumper led cubes
Wire front bumper mounted KC gravity led's (these will be wired to the Switch-Pros so that I will be able to run fogs at the same time high beams are on)
Possibly an adjustable trac bar to correct a slight steering wheel wobble I have at 45mph and below.
Possibly replace a front driver's side wheel bearing
Will be dropping the jeep off at Southeast on Monday and picking it on on Thursday afternoon, the very next day I leave on a 3-day trip on the Georgia Traverse.
Chose to go with 5.13's instead of 4.88's because in the future I will have an offroad trailer on my trips (a couple of years from now). There will be times, mostly at highways speeds that the 5.13's will have the engine spinning high but for the little amount of highway driving it will be fine.
Ordered the LSD from Summit Racing (best price available $435) on Wednesday at 6:30pm and it was on my door step by 5:30pm the next day!
So for awhile now I have had to re-gear, the 315 tires, stock 3.73 gears and 4 speed auto tranny are not a very good combination. When I had my TJ I had 315's, 3.73 gears and 5 speed manual tranny it wasn't bad because I could just shift into whatever gear I needed but the auto likes to hunt for gears, a lot. There are a few local shops around me but I like Southeast Overland the best, I have bought all my recovery gear from them and some lights. I figured that since I was going to have them do the re-gearing I would have them take care of a few other things as well. I made an appointment with them to meet at their shop to go over everything I wanted done.
Re-gear to 5.13 gears (highest ratio I could go in the front D30) using Nitro Gear & Axle
Heat cycling of gears
TuffStuff front and rear diff covers (front D30 and rear D44)
Install Detroit Truetrac LSD in rear axle
Install Switch-Pros panel on drivers side fender
Install VisionX Tatrum rock lights in clear/white color (8 lights)
Wire rear bumper led cubes
Wire front bumper mounted KC gravity led's (these will be wired to the Switch-Pros so that I will be able to run fogs at the same time high beams are on)
Possibly an adjustable trac bar to correct a slight steering wheel wobble I have at 45mph and below.
Possibly replace a front driver's side wheel bearing
Will be dropping the jeep off at Southeast on Monday and picking it on on Thursday afternoon, the very next day I leave on a 3-day trip on the Georgia Traverse.
Chose to go with 5.13's instead of 4.88's because in the future I will have an offroad trailer on my trips (a couple of years from now). There will be times, mostly at highways speeds that the 5.13's will have the engine spinning high but for the little amount of highway driving it will be fine.
Ordered the LSD from Summit Racing (best price available $435) on Wednesday at 6:30pm and it was on my door step by 5:30pm the next day!
jeepster1407
Observer
Nice build man! good luck on your Georgia expo trip.I live in Dahlonega, GA.
piratenation90
Adventurer
Thanks really appreciate it, unfortunately due to a prospective client demanding they meet with me on Friday at 2am I will not be doing the Georgia Traverse this weekend. Technically I could do it if I booked it to Helen right after my meeting and started on the trail there but I would rather do it start to finish, plus my co-pilot dropped out at the last minute. I am going to do the Earthbound Overland ride on Saturday/Saturday night and hit up Hurricane Creek on the way back through Asheville. Will save the Traverse for another time.
piratenation90
Adventurer
FrontRunner tailgate table
I have been looking at fold down tailgate tables for awhile now and had all but settled on getting the Rock Slide Engineering table. I liked the table since it has 2 levels, I could put the stove on the top level and us the bottom one as a prep area. The only thing I didn't like about it was its size, is was narrower then most, but it would fit on a TJ tailgate while most only fit on a JK tailgate. However I can put a JK size table on my tailgate because I no longer have a third brake light so I don't need the third brake light grounding or power source device on the bottom left inside of my tailgate. I came across the Front Runner tailgate table a few months back and for $126 thought it was the best value I had seen, they were out of stock though. Well last Saturday I saw that they were back in stock so I ordered one right away. It should be arriving Friday afternoon but I am going to see if I can pick it up from the FedEx hub on Friday morning so I can install that afternoon and possible get in some camping on Friday night on the way to the Earthbound Overland meetup.
I have been looking at fold down tailgate tables for awhile now and had all but settled on getting the Rock Slide Engineering table. I liked the table since it has 2 levels, I could put the stove on the top level and us the bottom one as a prep area. The only thing I didn't like about it was its size, is was narrower then most, but it would fit on a TJ tailgate while most only fit on a JK tailgate. However I can put a JK size table on my tailgate because I no longer have a third brake light so I don't need the third brake light grounding or power source device on the bottom left inside of my tailgate. I came across the Front Runner tailgate table a few months back and for $126 thought it was the best value I had seen, they were out of stock though. Well last Saturday I saw that they were back in stock so I ordered one right away. It should be arriving Friday afternoon but I am going to see if I can pick it up from the FedEx hub on Friday morning so I can install that afternoon and possible get in some camping on Friday night on the way to the Earthbound Overland meetup.
piratenation90
Adventurer
Switch-Pro system install
Installation of the "switch" was fairly easy, just routed the wire loom through wire wall and up through the dash and the pillar to the windshield trim piece. Put my CB ground and power in the loom to the engine bay. For the rest of the install the awesome guys at Southeast Overland, they also re-geared the LJ and took care of a few other things.
Installation of the "switch" was fairly easy, just routed the wire loom through wire wall and up through the dash and the pillar to the windshield trim piece. Put my CB ground and power in the loom to the engine bay. For the rest of the install the awesome guys at Southeast Overland, they also re-geared the LJ and took care of a few other things.
piratenation90
Adventurer
With the Switch Pro there are a few good places to mount them in a JK but in a TJ there is no place to install for a clean look. I took the mounting place idea from the SPod, I am happy with the mounting location but it could be a lot cleaner and I am currently trying to find a better way of mounting it. I mounted the switches offset to the driver side so that they would be in reach while driving without me leaning forward in my seat. Southeast Overland did a great job of fabbing up a mount for the switch pro and fuse block. First let me say that the fuse block is not needed and I am only using it so that I can can the switches down the road. The bluetooth feature worked great! 150ft is the best range I got before losing signal.
Last edited:
piratenation90
Adventurer
Install of FrontRunner drop down tailgate table
Probably one of the easiest mods I have done where drilling into metal was required. If I was installing this in a JK it would have taken me 20 minutes, but since the tailgate vent in my TJ is exactly where the table went so I had to space it out with a few washers. The spacing probably wasn't needed but I didn't want to install the table only to find out that it created a vacuum in the Jeep. Measured three times and drilled once.
It was packaged very well.
The slide-out piece is nice but it is not sealed so I will probably use some butcher block wax and re apply as needed.
The two guys responsible for my packaging my table, one packaged the hardware and the other the table itself.
Probably one of the easiest mods I have done where drilling into metal was required. If I was installing this in a JK it would have taken me 20 minutes, but since the tailgate vent in my TJ is exactly where the table went so I had to space it out with a few washers. The spacing probably wasn't needed but I didn't want to install the table only to find out that it created a vacuum in the Jeep. Measured three times and drilled once.
It was packaged very well.
The slide-out piece is nice but it is not sealed so I will probably use some butcher block wax and re apply as needed.
The two guys responsible for my packaging my table, one packaged the hardware and the other the table itself.
piratenation90
Adventurer
Really pleased with how the rock light kit and backup lights turned out. I have it set up so if I double tap on the rock light switch it will start flashing at a slow rate and if I double tap on the backup lights they will flashing at a fast rate (I will not do this at night time just if someone is tailgating me during the daytime). The rear backup lights were very useful during the last Earthbound Overland meetup in Tennessee, with 15-20 rigs in a group (there were 4 groups for a total of 65 rigs!) the dust was so thick that the only way the guy behind could see me was when I had my lights turned on.
