Ditch Lights, Rock Sliders, Roof Rack, Chase Lights, Switch Panel and More Installed

[mcd_ovrlnd]

My 6g4r TRD PRO has been in the shop for the past few days as I get a bunch of upgrades done. Some update photos from the shop.

- Diode Dynamics SS3 ditch lights
- Diode Dynamics C2 2.0 chase lights
- Wescott Designs rock sliders
- Prinsu Pro roof rack
- Diode Dynamics D-Switch panel
- Baja Designs S2 fog lights mounted using Wescott Designs bracket
- Bluetti Charger 2
- Prinsu external molle panels

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[soulsea]

Very cool.

Out of curiosity, what is the purpose of the switch panel when the Pro already comes with four aux switches?

I’m asking cause I’m about to start a build with Wescott with a bunch of lights but we’re just using the stock switches.

 

[mcd_ovrlnd]

The aux switches are great, for sure. I don’t think you can go wrong making use of them. I am using a switch panel instead because of what else I plan on installing in the future. On the aux switches you only have four and they have amp limits. If you install a couple of lights and nothing more, then you are good. I could have done the same here.

But I very likely have a winch coming next year. That means a new front bumper and probably some other lights. With all of this, you and I have to factor in the fact that we have hybrids and our 12v batteries are in the back of the car. The winch alone will draw significant amps and will need a direct battery hookup.

So I decided to run wires from the battery to the engine bay and use a KC power plate to basically mimic having the battery up front. That will allow a future winch hookup plus with the switch panel I now have more accessory hookups than I would with the aux pigtails. Plus, the switch comes with the ability to do more with the accessories I hook up than I could do with the aux pigtails. I can set backlights, dim, strobe, etc.

 

[miggonza]

how does the KC power plate looked hooked up. I have the 4Runner Trailhunter and just bought the dswitch myself for more light installs. Just trying to get what I need before I start installing

 

[zgreen]

The aux switches are great, for sure. I don’t think you can go wrong making use of them. I am using a switch panel instead because of what else I plan on installing in the future. On the aux switches you only have four and they have amp limits. If you install a couple of lights and nothing more, then you are good. I could have done the same here.

But I very likely have a winch coming next year. That means a new front bumper and probably some other lights. With all of this, you and I have to factor in the fact that we have hybrids and our 12v batteries are in the back of the car. The winch alone will draw significant amps and will need a direct battery hookup.

So I decided to run wires from the battery to the engine bay and use a KC power plate to basically mimic having the battery up front. That will allow a future winch hookup plus with the switch panel I now have more accessory hookups than I would with the aux pigtails. Plus, the switch comes with the ability to do more with the accessories I hook up than I could do with the aux pigtails. I can set backlights, dim, strobe, etc.

Great explanation! Thank you.

 

[mcd_ovrlnd]

how does the KC power plate looked hooked up. I have the 4Runner Trailhunter and just bought the dswitch myself for more light installs. Just trying to get what I need before I start installing

Here’s a video from the shop that is doing mine based on a hybrid LC250 they worked on.

 

[mcd_ovrlnd]

Here are two other ways you can address the same issue.

 

[soulsea]

The aux switches are great, for sure. I don’t think you can go wrong making use of them. I am using a switch panel instead because of what else I plan on installing in the future. On the aux switches you only have four and they have amp limits. If you install a couple of lights and nothing more, then you are good. I could have done the same here.

But I very likely have a winch coming next year. That means a new front bumper and probably some other lights. With all of this, you and I have to factor in the fact that we have hybrids and our 12v batteries are in the back of the car. The winch alone will draw significant amps and will need a direct battery hookup.

So I decided to run wires from the battery to the engine bay and use a KC power plate to basically mimic having the battery up front. That will allow a future winch hookup plus with the switch panel I now have more accessory hookups than I would with the aux pigtails. Plus, the switch comes with the ability to do more with the accessories I hook up than I could do with the aux pigtails. I can set backlights, dim, strobe, etc.

Thank you for the explanation.

The way I'm having mine configured on my TRDP is:

Aux 1 - Big Baja light bar on Wescott roof rack
Aux 2 - Small Baja light bar inside Rego lower bumper
Aux 3 - Baja ditch lights

Presuming I also have the high beams and the stock light bar on all at the same time as the above,, do you think that's going a be an issue?

I am also toying with the idea of adding a winch in the Rego bumper, but I'm weary of adding 100lbs of weight for something that might never be used cause I can solve most instances where that might be needed with a simple recovery kit. But if I do add the winch it would be going into Aux 4. But my assumption is that if I was using the winch I wouldn't also have all the Aux lights on at the same time.

Can I get away with this setup without adding a switch panel?

 

[mcd_ovrlnd]

Thank you for the explanation.

The way I'm having mine configured on my TRDP is:

Aux 1 - Big Baja light bar on Wescott roof rack
Aux 2 - Small Baja light bar inside Rego lower bumper
Aux 3 - Baja ditch lights

Presuming I also have the high beams and the stock light bar on all at the same time as the above,, do you think that's going a be an issue?

I am also toying with the idea of adding a winch in the Rego bumper, but I'm weary of adding 100lbs of weight for something that might never be used cause I can solve most instances where that might be needed with a simple recovery kit. But if I do add the winch it would be going into Aux 4. But my assumption is that if I was using the winch I wouldn't also have all the Aux lights on at the same time.

Can I get away with this setup without adding a switch panel?

you’ve probably exceeded some of my working knowledge, which is why I am working with a shop (plus doing tons of online research so I can gut-check what they are doing). I will say that a winch can pull close to 200-450 amps when using it. You might be able to wire that to a aux pigtail to turn it on but you are going to need to consider how you hook that to a battery for the actual power. If we didn’t have hybrids you could just wire direct to the battery in the engine bay. You are probably good on all the lights but I’d suggest researching the lights for amps and then make sure you are within the limits on each pigtail.

the winch is the bigger question. I am with you, I may not end up getting one. But since I was doing the work anyhow I thought might as well design it so it can handle a winch in the future.

 

[anhnguyen310]

My 6g4r TRD PRO has been in the shop for the past few days as I get a bunch of upgrades done. Some update photos from the shop.

- Diode Dynamics SS3 ditch lights
- Diode Dynamics C2 2.0 chase lights
- Wescott Designs rock sliders
- Prinsu Pro roof rack
- Diode Dynamics D-Switch panel
- Baja Designs S2 fog lights mounted using Wescott Designs bracket
- Bluetti Charger 2
- Prinsu external molle panels

What did it cost you to get the KC power plate done? Do you know what gauge wire they used? Where are you located? I want to get it done too, was gonna do it myself but its a pain so I want to see how much it'll cost for a shop to do it. Thanks in advance

 

[mcd_ovrlnd]

What did it cost you to get the KC power plate done? Do you know what gauge wire they used? Where are you located? I want to get it done too, was gonna do it myself but its a pain so I want to see how much it'll cost for a shop to do it. Thanks in advance

The KC plate was part of a larger install so I’d have to try to break out the cost. They used 2/o wire. I worked with Main Line Overland in West Chester, PA. Happy to give you my contact’s info if you wanted to get a quote.

 

[anhnguyen310]

The KC plate was part of a larger install so I’d have to try to break out the cost. They used 2/o wire. I worked with Main Line Overland in West Chester, PA. Happy to give you my contact’s info if you wanted to get a quote.

sent you a dm

 

[Trose_808]

love the look! Are you planning on upgrading the suspension and wheel/tire combo? How do you like the Prinsu roof rack? Does it make any noise when on the freeway?

 

[miggonza]

Thanks for post. Do you have pictures of how they ran your cable to the back to the battery. Just trying to see if an installation process.

 

[mcd_ovrlnd]

love the look! Are you planning on upgrading the suspension and wheel/tire combo? How do you like the Prinsu roof rack? Does it make any noise when on the freeway?

I know everyone goes suspension and tires first. I am not doing that. Going to spend a year figuring out what I’ll be carrying on most trips before I choose how I want to change the suspension. I think the stock on TRD PRO is good enough at the moment. I’ll really struggle with the tire question. I see lots of value in replacing the tire since I am convinced OEM versions are cheaper versions of the real thing. But I am not convinced switching to 35s is the best decision. It really does have an overall impact on the SUV.

I don’t have the SUV back yet, shop still has it and sent me those pics. Will let you know about rack once I drive it.

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