Electrical illiterate. Try as I may, I cannot figure out how people are wiring their 12v systems. I like the idea of a dedicated 12v system. Would you mind drawing a wiring diagram of your setup? Pictures I can read, words not so much.
Builds Project F u k u s h i m a... my 1990 HZJ73 build thread
- Thread starter sbechtold
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Electrical illiterate. Try as I may, I cannot figure out how people are wiring their 12v systems. I like the idea of a dedicated 12v system. Would you mind drawing a wiring diagram of your setup? Pictures I can read, words not so much.
The googles is a great place to start with tons of ideas.
how to set up a 12v fuse box system. - Google Search
how to set up a 12v fuse box system. - Google Search
You will need a reducer at the front point of any system in between the two batteries. Then run whatever system you find on the internet
Think of the reducer as the gateway into a 12v fuse system.
Again, the googles help
how to set up a 24v to 12v reduction system - Google Search:
Think of the reducer as the gateway into a 12v fuse system.
Again, the googles help
how to set up a 24v to 12v reduction system - Google Search:
- Thread starter
- #145
I started by reading this entire thread. Then I poached the drawing in that thread. (Image below).
Then I purchased the Redarc BCDC1220 instead of using the solar controller that others were using. Their wiring diagram is below. With the Redarc you do not need the charge regulator in the diagram above. The Redarc unit will manage the charge on the 12v battery.
For the fuse block I use a blue sea dual fuse block. See link below for more details. The wiring diagram above shows how this is wired.
ST Blade Split Bus Fuse Block - Blue Sea Systems
- Thread starter
- #147
Started working on my front bumper today. Hoping to get it finished before I go back to work on Tuesday. 
The bumper is a 4x4Labs DIY front bumper kit. Luke is now producing these bumpers in kit and built form. I love to build things, so went for the DIY kit. I also have a rear kit that I will get to eventually.
Here's the parts that are included in the bumper kit...
I got some help from my son. He's really started to enjoy building things and working on his car.
First things first... the park bench of a front bumper had to go...
There was a little rust and some left over dirt from who knows when.
We started by making the frame horn mounts. Had to open up the holes a little in order to make things fit.
Then we tacked the winch tray and cross member into place. Then assembled the wings and got one installed.
Got the other wing on and decided to call it a day... more tomorrow.
The bumper is a 4x4Labs DIY front bumper kit. Luke is now producing these bumpers in kit and built form. I love to build things, so went for the DIY kit. I also have a rear kit that I will get to eventually.Here's the parts that are included in the bumper kit...
I got some help from my son. He's really started to enjoy building things and working on his car.
First things first... the park bench of a front bumper had to go...
There was a little rust and some left over dirt from who knows when.
We started by making the frame horn mounts. Had to open up the holes a little in order to make things fit.
Then we tacked the winch tray and cross member into place. Then assembled the wings and got one installed.
Got the other wing on and decided to call it a day... more tomorrow.
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- Thread starter
- #148
Today was a lot of welding followed by cleanup. Got the bumper fully welded. Took my time and didn't get it too hot. It stayed nice and straight...No warping. I did experience one casualty today. . My Makita grinder of 15 years gave up the ghost. Shot out a nice display of sparks and that was it.
I did personalize the bumper a little by cutting down the front hoop that 4x4labs supplies. I wasn't a fan of the tube being mounted on the top corners. Turned out nice and low profile...
Tomorrow I'm going to bend up a new hoop and see if I can't personalize the bumper a little more. Now I'm off to home depot to pick up a new angle grinder.
I did personalize the bumper a little by cutting down the front hoop that 4x4labs supplies. I wasn't a fan of the tube being mounted on the top corners. Turned out nice and low profile...
Tomorrow I'm going to bend up a new hoop and see if I can't personalize the bumper a little more. Now I'm off to home depot to pick up a new angle grinder.
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- #149
Played with building a new hoop that went up from the angled sides and crossed over at a height equal to the middle of the headlights. Tilted it forward, stood it up straight, connected tubes to the lower hoop, but it all looked like crap. So for now... I'm sticking with the small low profile single hoop. Might consider adding some 1" straight side tubes, but I really like the small hoop the best so far. Everything I tried just looked like too much on the front of the truck.
After playing around with different hoops I cleaned up the lower frame section and got it painted.
Then I started spraying on some flat black rustoleum pro. I will get the bumper powder coated once I finish the rear bumper and the sliders.
I did put a small notch in the top plate for the headlight washers. The bumper just clears the headlight washers, but they would spray into the backside of the bumper without the notch.
And finally got it setting on the truck so I could finish painting. I'll let it dry until tomorrow then I'll install it for good.
After playing around with different hoops I cleaned up the lower frame section and got it painted.
Then I started spraying on some flat black rustoleum pro. I will get the bumper powder coated once I finish the rear bumper and the sliders.
I did put a small notch in the top plate for the headlight washers. The bumper just clears the headlight washers, but they would spray into the backside of the bumper without the notch.
And finally got it setting on the truck so I could finish painting. I'll let it dry until tomorrow then I'll install it for good.
I like it, but with no winch I would want to close up the center part better.
NM Frontier
SILVER Star
Looks very nice! That is one agro 7x front end now!
- Thread starter
- #152
- Thread starter
- #153
I'm not sure if I will put a winch on this truck or not. I'd probably never use it. Maybe the next owner will. I'm still thinking about how to close up the lower section a little more, I like the way it turned out, but I also like to put my own spin on things and I haven't really done that with this bumper...yet.
- Thread starter
- #155
Yesterday I got a fair amount done... didn't get as many pictures as I wanted, but the rear bumper is almost completely together. Today, I have to install the side tubes, cap the ends of the tubes and then clean the bumper and paint it.
Here are a few of the pics that I did take...
Note that the D ring mounts are longer than necessary and you have to cut them to fit. There isn't a lot of room behind the bumper and what you see is as short as I could get them and still be able to install a D ring. Same with the trail hitch mount. It comes longer and you have to cut to fit. I did the same here and made it as short as I could while still being able to put the hitch bolt through the hole. They both stick out more than I would prefer and I'm sure will be shin catchers if I'm not paying attention.
The gap between the rear of the truck and the bumper is pretty wide. Might try making some sort of cover for it eventually. For now it's fine.
Since I have the factory flares on my 70, I had to cut down the sides. This was my first cut. I ended up removing about 1.75" from each side in order to clear the flares.
After I finished welding the bumper together, I did a test fit. I realized that the side panels were taller than I liked. So... I decided to cut them down by about 3.5". There is a small rubber strip mounted to the side of the 70 where the factory bumper used to mount. I lined up the cut with that line on the truck. I will also cut down the side tubes.
More work today...
Here are a few of the pics that I did take...
Note that the D ring mounts are longer than necessary and you have to cut them to fit. There isn't a lot of room behind the bumper and what you see is as short as I could get them and still be able to install a D ring. Same with the trail hitch mount. It comes longer and you have to cut to fit. I did the same here and made it as short as I could while still being able to put the hitch bolt through the hole. They both stick out more than I would prefer and I'm sure will be shin catchers if I'm not paying attention.
The gap between the rear of the truck and the bumper is pretty wide. Might try making some sort of cover for it eventually. For now it's fine.
Since I have the factory flares on my 70, I had to cut down the sides. This was my first cut. I ended up removing about 1.75" from each side in order to clear the flares.
After I finished welding the bumper together, I did a test fit. I realized that the side panels were taller than I liked. So... I decided to cut them down by about 3.5". There is a small rubber strip mounted to the side of the 70 where the factory bumper used to mount. I lined up the cut with that line on the truck. I will also cut down the side tubes.
More work today...
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- #156
Spent the day finishing up the rear bumper...
I decided to cut the side down and them install a piece of tube on top of each side. I like the way it turned out.
After finishing up the sides it was time to start painting
Side panels turned out great.
Rear bumper installed... need to address the exhaust...
Diggin the low side panels...
This is where you can see where I had to cut the sides to fit the factory flares... still need to reinstall the mudflaps.
Yep there's the exhaust again... decided to cut it off and will stop by the exhaust shop to get it fixed.
I decided to cut the side down and them install a piece of tube on top of each side. I like the way it turned out.
After finishing up the sides it was time to start painting
Side panels turned out great.
Rear bumper installed... need to address the exhaust...
Diggin the low side panels...
This is where you can see where I had to cut the sides to fit the factory flares... still need to reinstall the mudflaps.
Yep there's the exhaust again... decided to cut it off and will stop by the exhaust shop to get it fixed.
A quick trail in Moab will take care of that tail pipe.
- Thread starter
- #159
I really like the bumpers, they turned out good.
