Additional circuits

[ducktapeguy]

Rainy saturday + free time = I finally get around to finishing some needed improvements on the cruiser

The stock fuse box just wasn't up to the task of handling...well, anything. Since I had a list of electrical items that eventually need to be wired, I was looking for a clean way of adding more circuits. Although there are plenty of aftermarket choices, I wanted something stock looking and easy to install. This fuse/relay box is out of a 95 4runner which happens to work well because it mounts easily on a flat plate, but almost any fuse box would work. Picked up the box complete with all the fuses and OEM relays for $35 on ebay, and the best part is it came with part of the wiring harness attached, so all you have to do is solder your wires together. I found out that this particular year 4runner uses switched negative for some of the relays, but a little cutting and rewiring fixed it. This gives me 5 relay positions, 5 fuse spots, and a couple 30/40 amp fuse positions.

I did relocate the ignition coil to put the fuse box closer to the battery, but in hindsight I should have just left the coil and moved the fuse box further back. I thought I could attach the input wire (the one sticking up with the ring terminal) directly to the positive post of th battery, but found out extending it and connecting it directly to the alternator output is a better choice.

 

[mossman40]

Very clean looking. Looks great and I don't see any ducktape ! I was wondering where you'd relocated the coil but I now see it in the background.

 

[73fj40lc]

Excellent idea

Excellent idea and very clean install. I have relays running wild around my engine bay. Can you take a pic or list connections that are written on the tops of the fuse panel? Also is the fuse panel waterproof? I might have to steal this idea. It would really clean up the eletrical underneath my hood an look alot more factory.

 

[ducktapeguy]

Here's a pic of the cover. There's a site somewhere on the web with a really good wiring diagram to see how things were hooked up, it helped when planning which circuits I wanted to use. For this fuse box, the input wire goes through the 80 amp fuse, then all the other circuits are tapped off of there. The fan relays and fuse are a completely separate "mini-box" which just attaches to the side, I took the insides out which is why you don't see any wires coming out the bottom of it. I haven't finished all the wiring yet so there are still some loose wires laying around.

The box is not waterproof, but the design of the box is pretty splash resistant. If any water did get inside, the actual fuses and relays sit above the bottom of the box, so I don't think you'd have to worry about that. I suppose you could seal up the openings with some silicone if you were really worried.