- Thread starter
- #21
I'm home sick with the flu, and it's been forever since I've made any updates to my build/trip thread, so what better to do than to post some pics! The lack of updates doesn't mean the truck hasn't gotten some love.
Without fail, I arrive at camp after the sun has long gone down, so to alleviate the struggles of setting up in the dark, I installed some 18W LED camp lights on the left and right side of the truck, mounted to the back of the roof rack using some custom aluminum L-brackets. The lamps can be swiveled as desired with a quick loosening of the nut. We've been loving these, although they do emit an annoying high pitched noise. Cheap capacitors, maybe? I don't know. I didn't pay much for the lights.
With and without a camp light:
I also installed a 36W LED flood light at the front of the rack, although the install method (using hose clamps...) wasn't meant to be permanent. Was just a trial run to see if I liked the idea, and would come up with a more elegant solution down the road. Also have/had plans to install 2 narrow beam lights in the outer two rack openings up front. Not sure if or when I'll get around to that. If I go forward with the idea, I'll likely end up doing a hood blackout. The reflection off my hood is so bright that it nearly defeats the purpose.
Not as exciting as adding camp lights to the rig, but I spent a couple lunch breaks at work removing the Wipe/Wash switch, giving it a good scrubbing since the twist action wasn't grounding my windshield washer pump. Works now! Only downside is I scratched my dash trying to remove the retainer nut...

And thanks to the MUD forum search function and this old thread (link) that showed me how to get the AM radio out to get access behind the dash. Would've never figured that out! At least not over a couple 30 minute lunch breaks. Now to get the radio working... Powers on, but no sound.
While I was refurbing the switch, I installed a pre-78(?) hood mounted washer nozzle since I had read the windshield mounted nozzle tubing can leak and cause rust in the windshield frame. The hood mounted nozzle works great. Not sure why Toyota moved it to the windshield frame.
Without fail, I arrive at camp after the sun has long gone down, so to alleviate the struggles of setting up in the dark, I installed some 18W LED camp lights on the left and right side of the truck, mounted to the back of the roof rack using some custom aluminum L-brackets. The lamps can be swiveled as desired with a quick loosening of the nut. We've been loving these, although they do emit an annoying high pitched noise. Cheap capacitors, maybe? I don't know. I didn't pay much for the lights.
With and without a camp light:
I also installed a 36W LED flood light at the front of the rack, although the install method (using hose clamps...) wasn't meant to be permanent. Was just a trial run to see if I liked the idea, and would come up with a more elegant solution down the road. Also have/had plans to install 2 narrow beam lights in the outer two rack openings up front. Not sure if or when I'll get around to that. If I go forward with the idea, I'll likely end up doing a hood blackout. The reflection off my hood is so bright that it nearly defeats the purpose.
Not as exciting as adding camp lights to the rig, but I spent a couple lunch breaks at work removing the Wipe/Wash switch, giving it a good scrubbing since the twist action wasn't grounding my windshield washer pump. Works now! Only downside is I scratched my dash trying to remove the retainer nut...


And thanks to the MUD forum search function and this old thread (link) that showed me how to get the AM radio out to get access behind the dash. Would've never figured that out! At least not over a couple 30 minute lunch breaks. Now to get the radio working... Powers on, but no sound.
While I was refurbing the switch, I installed a pre-78(?) hood mounted washer nozzle since I had read the windshield mounted nozzle tubing can leak and cause rust in the windshield frame. The hood mounted nozzle works great. Not sure why Toyota moved it to the windshield frame.