IM A HORSE - Definitely not a build.

[cynicalrider]

Been busy working on small things for the truck lately.

First up was building a Tauler Jack kit from Brennans Garage. It is a weld together kit based off an 8k lb trailer leveling jack.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

All painted up:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

And tested:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

The reason I pursued this solution instead of a high lift is for a couple reasons. 1. I love new products coming to market especially DIY stuff from small businesses/innovators. 2. The packaging of a hi lift for storage is not ideal on this truck. This thing is compact and I mounted it to my M2M attic shelf.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

I just need to remove the nose which goes in my other bag that is stored on the attic.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

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[cynicalrider]

Next up is the camp lights I installed for the exterior. I kept getting ads on insta for Kingpin lights so I decided to give them a shot. I mounted them to the back window with 3m vhb tape. I wanted to match the oem wire channel and ulitmately picked one I thought looked best.

This was the OEM drivers side channel:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

And two I got to try to match it:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Ultimately the more square one matched better IMO.

Channel comparison installed:

OEM:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Mine:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

I also used it inside to give the wiring a cleaner look:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

And wired it into a switch panel next to the 12v power source.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

The final outcome works really well.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Both interior and exterior on:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

 

[cynicalrider]

Finally finished my switch setup last night. Super stoked on the outcome.

I installed some interior switches in the back to control the interior and exterior lights a couple weeks back. I usually tie the lower position lights to my trucks lighting systems (lights on means switches on) but after some testing I learned about the CANBUS system and how typically the wires going to things are always hot and always grounded and the computer sends a data signal to control the on/off functions. (My other truck I modify is a 2001 Tacoma so think basic 12v system)

Through stubborness and experimentation I learned that the rear cargo light uses the same plug as the dome light. Well @IAG Performance made a module for their interior light kit that lets their system turn on with the dome so I figure maybe it was worth seeing if they had the same style plug. Sure enough they do, so I installed that and wired the hot for the lower LED's in the switches to come on and off with the domes. Power to the actual accessories are being powered via the 12v plug from 4dtech.

This gave me a clean solution that has the switch backlights independent of the power going to the lights themselves.

A little demo:



Links to the plug:

https://www.4dtech.com/12v-pnp-power-accessory-harness/

And the module from IAG:

https://iagoffroad.com/iag-dome-light-wire-harness-upgrade-kit-for-2021-ford-bronco/?gad_source=1

I wired the panel with these blocks so I can pull all leads off the switches at once:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Pics of the IAG module:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

The interesting part is if someone wanted an aftermarket cargo light to turn on when the rest of the dome lights turn on they can easily add this into the back too. (I take no responsibility for you doing this since IAG designed and tested this for the Dome Light but I don't see why it can't work)

Also my parents got my son a Bronco crawler for his bday, it's pretty damn sweet. I am going to build one that matches my Tacoma so we can take them when we go camping and wheeling.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Oh and a couple weeks ago we were in NH on vacation and I tried to recreate this photo of my Tacoma up on Mt. Washington but the clouds made it impossible.

IMG_3846 by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

The clouds were so bad when we were hiking up there that at times we couldn't see 20 feet in front of us.

 

[cynicalrider]

Enjoyed some recent camp trips and really feeling like I am getting this thing dialed in for comfort for dual sports and enduros.

This was a camping trip before going to ride at FRO in pa:

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

It's got a really cool fire tower nearby.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

The vents, fans and LED lighting all work great in conjunction with the @deepsleep Overland air mattress setup for sleeping in the cabin.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Not long after that I camped again to participate in my first enduro race ever and finally test out the lighting for cooking. I couldn't be happier with the outcome, the setup worked flawlessly.

Untitled by MJH Creations, on Flickr

I even got cool photos from the race too.

michaux_00236 by MJH Creations, on Flickr

michaux_00463 by MJH Creations, on Flickr

Super happy with the truck. Going to tackle welding on the slider push bars this weekend I think.

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