"The Big Three" Electrical Upgrade

[gregnash]

So I have been working with @Fourrunner to develop his kit, seeing as I had originally tagged him and had one of his kits in my 60 when I had her, I knew the quality and craftsmanship was going to be awesome. So when he reached out to me I figured what the hell.

Yesterday I got around to installing the "prototype" Big 3 Upgrade that he list above. I had received it on Wednesday this week but work has been crazy so just didn't have the time.
Anyways, yesterday morning I set to installing the kit and things were super easy. Kit is high quality and love the sleeving on it. All lines are good length and cable size is quite a bit bigger than the originals they are replacing.
So this kit replaces,
- Negative terminal to fender
- Fender apron to Engine hook (drivers side)
- Firewall to back of engine block
Biggest difference in cables is the apron to the engine hook. That one is at least the size (thickness) of my thumb. @Fourrunner can list cable sizing. And benefit of that one is the engine hook side is actually a 45* lug which helps with cable arrangement.

Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr

Negative terminal to fender...
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr

Firewall to Block
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr

Engine Hook to Fender Apron
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
This one is a bit different as the engine hook is a forked lug instead of a standard lug. Bolt still comes all the way out, just different for whatever reason.
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr

There is a slight bit of interference with the big wire from apron to hook with the engine cover but nothing super bad. I was able to move the cable position enough that it worked out. But if you really wanted to you could clearance the plastic shroud.
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
Again, nothing catastrophic and I can't hear a rattle or anything in the cab with engine running. I will check the sleeving on the wire in a few days after I have driven it more.

Other than that small issue, the kit is awesome.

 

[OwnerCS]

Very nice. I'm just waiting to order the Big Three Plus Plus.

 

[TheForger]

by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr

Looking really good!! Just curious, why did you install the block-to-apron cable to the engine hoist hook and not directly to the block itself like the OEM line? Also, are the lugs soldered, crimped, or both? If there was anything I'd change it would be crimping them and then soldering instead of just soldering to provide a more secure connection. Although I haven't experienced any issues from my solder-only lines if I were to do them again I would crimp first and then solder. Great craftsmanship they look awesome! I also recommend putting some dielectric grease on all ends just to keep water and corrosion down.

 

[gregnash]

On my 98 that is where I had one. There is the back one that is located from back of the block to the firewall. For how the lugs are attached, you would have to ask @Fourrunner

 

[Fourrunner]

All cables are crimped. Will look into the cable location on newer models.

 

[Fourrunner]

If those interested in a set could pull their engine cover and snap a picture of the cable that goes from the fender liner to either the block or engine hook i would appreciate it. Let me know what year your truck is as well.

 

[spc7669]

If those interested in a set could pull their engine cover and snap a picture of the cable that goes from the fender liner to either the block or engine hook i would appreciate it. Let me know what year your truck is as well.

I have a 99. Installed the kit today. Mine was on the engine hook like Greg’s.

 

[gregnash]

I have a 99. Installed the kit today. Mine was on the engine hook like Greg’s.

Wonder if this is something that went along with the changes for 03+?

 

[Fourrunner]

Anyone with a 03+ willing to pop their engine cover off and take a peek?

 

[Fourrunner]

Check out post number two of this thread. From his signature, it says an 03. The engine host hook looks different. I see a hole, but no wire connected to it.

Timing Belt for Dummies writeup

103,000 miles on this ’03 UZJ100 I worked at a fairly leisurely pace, about five hours on Saturday and ten on Sunday. Lots of interruptions for Halloween decorating and festivities and yardwork and such. Parts I replaced: - Thermostat with gasket and O-ring - Waterpump with gasket and...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[TheForger]

That's really interesting that there's a difference in where that wire terminates. I was simply asking because I was not aware of the discrepancy, but if that's how some of them are from the factory then I say stick with whatever pre-existing method you have! @gregnash @Fourrunner @spc7669 you stated your years but do yall have a LX or LC? My '00 LC had that wire terminate on the block. I do have an engine hook with a hole available as seen in the first post of my thread.

 

[Fourrunner]

I have a local guy who purchased a set. His truck is an '04. I've reached out to him to see if he can take a look.

 

[gregnash]

That's really interesting that there's a difference in where that wire terminates. I was simply asking because I was not aware of the discrepancy, but if that's how some of them are from the factory then I say stick with whatever pre-existing method you have! @gregnash @Fourrunner @spc7669 you stated your years but do yall have a LX or LC? My '00 LC had that wire terminate on the block. I do have an engine hook with a hole available as seen in the first post of my thread.

Mine is a 98 LC.
@Fourrunner is just building off what we are giving him, he doesn't have a 100.

 

[Fourrunner]

We should have an answer within the next couple of hours.

 

[Fourrunner]

My local buyer says his ground connects to the engine hoist hook. His is an '04 UZJ100.

 

[TheForger]

My local buyer says his ground connects to the engine hoist hook. His is an '04 UZJ100.

Guess it doesn't matter then, keep up the great work! That's probably only a 2" difference in length anyway, and it seems like you're making them with enough slack to fit in either location so the buyer can probably place it wherever they like.

 

[Fourrunner]

They probably are long enough to stretch to that location.

 

[spc7669]

That's really interesting that there's a difference in where that wire terminates. I was simply asking because I was not aware of the discrepancy, but if that's how some of them are from the factory then I say stick with whatever pre-existing method you have! @gregnash @Fourrunner @spc7669 you stated your years but do yall have a LX or LC? My '00 LC had that wire terminate on the block. I do have an engine hook with a hole available as seen in the first post of my thread.

Mine is an LC.

 

[Flipped Bezel]

Please excuse the dusty condition of my 2006 LX470 engine bay.

The above first 2 pics show terminal ring starting on inner fender liner and ground wire running bundled along with the loomed wire harness until it leaves bundle and shoots above and across the left valve cover. It terminates on a bolt that attaches a bracket to the valve cover that serves as a mounting point to secure the wire harness and also fuel/evap hoses that cross over to the engine on this side. The images below on the next post show me pointing to the path of the ground wire in question from inside fender liner and final pic shows it terminating on the bracket that I have described (I am holding a evap hose back out of the way of the camera to expose the terminal).

 

[Flipped Bezel]

More ground wire pics from fender terminal ring to bracket terminal ring on 2006 LX470.