SDM Build Thread
- Thread starter SamCarroll
- Start date
Sorry next time I'll match some beautiful scenery with some fgt slayer. Get bent
Maybe it's just my young and pristine ears, but I can understand them just fine :so:
Slayer is grampy tone's era of metal, dnw
Nevertheless, footage was bamf. Resparks my interest to wanting a cheap dash cam
Installed some raptor grille LEDs today. I found a raptor and had my tape measure on me so I measured the width of the lights as well as the separation measurement. So I installed mine to "raptor spec". Here's my process and pics in progression.
Take the grille off.
Grabbed this from local hardware store. Was the right length and thin enough to work perfectly.
Three LED trailer marker lights from superbrightLED.com.
Measured and drilled mounting holes to line up with the OEM grille securing bolts. Also measured out and drilled the 3/4" holes spaced appropriately.
Scuffed and painted the metal to finalize the install. You can also see where I cut and dremel sanded the center bar on the upper grilled opening. Then I smoothed it down and shot it with some black paint to hide and not obstruct the LED in any way.
I daisy chained the LEDs and soldered them together and ran wire behind the under hood mat and ran down and under the fender and out by the headlight where I soldered in the wires that tap into the parking lights for the power feed. Bolted the grille on and loomed the exposed wire and secured it out of the way of the hood latch.
Night pics tonight!
Take the grille off.
Grabbed this from local hardware store. Was the right length and thin enough to work perfectly.
Three LED trailer marker lights from superbrightLED.com.
Measured and drilled mounting holes to line up with the OEM grille securing bolts. Also measured out and drilled the 3/4" holes spaced appropriately.
Scuffed and painted the metal to finalize the install. You can also see where I cut and dremel sanded the center bar on the upper grilled opening. Then I smoothed it down and shot it with some black paint to hide and not obstruct the LED in any way.
I daisy chained the LEDs and soldered them together and ran wire behind the under hood mat and ran down and under the fender and out by the headlight where I soldered in the wires that tap into the parking lights for the power feed. Bolted the grille on and loomed the exposed wire and secured it out of the way of the hood latch.
Night pics tonight!
I'll see how easy they are to spot without them being on and smoke them if necessary. Those were direct sunlight photos before the night pics.
Tonight I took the Toyota momentary traction control switch and converted it to an on/off switch.
I took the switch apart
Then I made two pieces. One straight to a 13/16" length, one Z shaped to a 1/4", 7/16", 1/8" shape.
Removed the switch stop that didn't allow the switch to fully seat.
Placed the 13/16" straight rod in first, it just sits there. Then place the Z piece long end in first by the rod. I filed the edges to not be sharp as it pressed against the plastic switch with a nail file.
Reassemble switch and tested it.
Switch worked great, can hear it engage when you press it down and it holds. Then releases once you press again. The switch is now an on/off switch.
I took the switch apart
Then I made two pieces. One straight to a 13/16" length, one Z shaped to a 1/4", 7/16", 1/8" shape.
Removed the switch stop that didn't allow the switch to fully seat.
Placed the 13/16" straight rod in first, it just sits there. Then place the Z piece long end in first by the rod. I filed the edges to not be sharp as it pressed against the plastic switch with a nail file.
Reassemble switch and tested it.
Switch worked great, can hear it engage when you press it down and it holds. Then releases once you press again. The switch is now an on/off switch.
I want to engage and disengage the VSC. Which essentially will be grounding the VSC trigger wire from the 4x4 module. I personally don't want to hold the button while I'm off-roading to keep VSC disengaged. So I need an on/off type switch. Some people have used a toggle switch but I wanted something a little more OEM.
I'm doing this so my VSC (vehicle stability control) will stop nannying my vehicle while I'm off-roading. In sand, snow, loose dirt if the vehicle is not in CenterDiffLock mode where it automatically turns off VSC it will kill engine power when it feels the wheel slip until it regains traction. I was messing around in the snow a few weekends ago and pulled out of a side street, which was wet so my wheel slipped and my engine power went basically into limp mode while pulling on to a main highway with oncoming traffic. Not ideal. Plus this will help in Pismo where I don't need my center differential locked but don't want to be governed by the VSC.
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Excellent, really love how simple yet effective that is, and that you kept the OEM look too.
+1 rep because that shit is what we need around here...even if it is a foreign truck :crazy:
+1 rep because that shit is what we need around here...even if it is a foreign truck :crazy:
I'd much rather this modification than buy a cheap kragen toggle switch. Sucks the switch was $45 but it's the price to look OEM.
Should have just used this switch if you wanted a simple on/off....
:cheeky:
Srs though, definitely worth it for what you do with the truck.
:cheeky:
Srs though, definitely worth it for what you do with the truck.