40th Birthday Present

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To go along with the electronic brake controller, I installed a dual 4 pin and 7 pin trailer outlet (from Etrailer.com). Since I didn't want to (i) cut into my rear bumper or (ii) decrease my ground clearance, I installed it back up under my bumper and ran the wires up into the driver's quarter panel and attached them to the taillight controller and distribution blocks there.

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In this last pic, you can see the ground I created. Due to discussion in an earlier thread, there is no good ground to frame in the rear. So I drilled a hole and used a stainless 3/8" bolt (covered with dielectric grease) and ran a ground up into the driver's quarter panel. That way my distribution block is grounded to the frame.
 
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I never took a pic of my tuffy I installed. It is mounted as far forward as possible. It contacts the rear/right corner of the shifter, but allows for the rear seat to fold down. A 20oz drink in the cup holder also doesn't interfere with the shifter at all.

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What else? I got new tint yesterday. 5% rear, 20% front. I've added some security devices (won't tell what I did).

I'm installing the CB tomorrow (ran the wires already, but waiting on the SWR meter to show up).

I also got today a speedometer/odometer correction device. I'll install that tomorrow and report back. I'm pretty pumped about this. Simple things make life better and having a speedometer that isn't 13% off will be nice.

I'll add pics of these things soon.
 
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Great looking ride. Obviously.

I was reading through the thread and was going to ask if you had installed a kill switch...I'll take it that was covered under the "security devices". Hope so as it looks like it would be worth stealing for some thug.

While you were spending all the dough did you consider a 5 speed?
 
Yeah. I'm pretty paranoid about theft. So all I can say is that I've taken some of the best ideas on this board. And then added some of my own. There are multiple things that one would have to do to steal this.

Nothing is impossible to steal, but they're REALLY going to have to spend time to steal this one. And either that'll give me time to catch them (and shoot them) or for them to give up.

The keyed alike panels are some indication as to my passion (ahem, obsession) with security.
 
Few new updates today.

Finished wiring in the CB. Previously I installed the Wagongear antenna mount and FM/CB splitter. Today I actually wired in the CB.

Without the splitter, I get a SWR between 1.2-1.5 (1 and 40, respectively). With it, the best I can get is 1.8 and 2.0. I suppose that's good enough. But would appreciate suggestions on getting this combo to a lower SWR.

The extra antenna cable is hidden in the passenger footwell (up against the firewall). The splitter is attached via velcro under the passenger dash. The CB box is hidden back behind the heater duct.

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I added the handset mount to the side of my Tuffy.

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One of the best mods I've done to date took me literally 5 minutes today.

Because I have 33" tires, my speedometer/odometer are off by about 13%.

So Tuesday, I ordered a Ratio Adapter (P/N 800F 1.1555) from CSS (Commercial Speedometer Service) in Sacramento, CA.

Greg Burlin was my contact (916.371.5873) and shipped me out the adapter same day. Because I'm in Nor Cal, I got it next day via UPS.

Total cost? $69 plus tax and shipping = $85.48.

I climbed under the rig, unscrewed the speedo cable (note, it's greater than an inch, so needed a large set of channel locks or the like) and screwed the adapter in between.

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Now my speedo/odometer are accurate (per my GPS). Biggest smile I've had on my face in a while.

While under there, however, I noticed this:

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It runs along the speedo cable. Any idea what it is (or what it was supposed to be)? Why is it cut off (I'm assuming someone cut it off)? What does it do (or not do now)?

Thanks.

R
 
biomax said:
Few new updates today.

Finished wiring in the CB. Previously I installed the Wagongear antenna mount and FM/CB splitter. Today I actually wired in the CB.

Without the splitter, I get a SWR between 1.2-1.5 (1 and 40, respectively). With it, the best I can get is 1.8 and 2.0. I suppose that's good enough. But would appreciate suggestions on getting this combo to a lower SWR.
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What type of antennae are you using?
 
Looks like its an old speedo cable someone cut off haha.

Cool on the adapter. I kinda wanted one for a while but my miles are already off.
 
biomax said:
I'm using the 4' Firestick Kevin Rowland recommends on his website.
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The antenna is tunable, pull the top cap off and there should be a tuning rod. Move it up or down and keep checking your SWR. Of course, you may have done all this already. Lot's of great info here: CATALOG Main Page (Frame Setup)
I usually tune my antenna for the channel I use most (channel 4), I very seldom use anything above 10. I prefer Larson antenna's, probably due to my Ham experience.
 
Yup, give that a shot, the antenna needs to be adjusted as well. I find that the splitter actually lowers the SWR on the instals that I've done, kinda weird.
And don't forget to check that your splitter is even working, there are a bunch of faulty units (but firstik is supposedly making them right now, they were very good to deal with).

Nice to see some panels finally in place on your truck!
:cheers:
KR
 
Kevin,

How do I check that the splitter is working? If I get FM radio and can use the CB, then presumably it's working, right? I am able to "tune" the splitter and my SWR changes as well. Is there anything else to do to verify it's working?

If the splitter actually lowers the SWR, then there may be a problem, as it's clearly at least .4 higher with it, than without it. No matter how I try to tune the splitter.
 
Late last week I added 2 new accessories to my rig.

The first is a H3R Performance Halguard 2.5 lb. fire extinguisher (in black). It came with a matching black mounting bracket that (with a little diligence) bolted right under the driver's seat. Out of the way of legs. And definitely snug and secure.

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The 2nd is a handy little tailgating accessory, an ARB bottle opener:

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WOW you have the longest birthday ever! This thread is quickly approaching a year old!!
Whats the long term goal here, for it to be the first $100,000 FJ62 :D
 
I look at this thread whenever I start to feel like my cruiser is nice and start to lose motivation to work on it. This thread puts me back in my place.
 
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