Why you should do your own work; and power to the cargo area

[firetruck41]

The new LX has a bit of a squeak when applying the brakes, so I picked up some front pads (rear will arrive tomorrow), changed both front sets in about 30-40 minutes. When replacing the front right, I found they were worn a little more, but the most worrisome thing was, that one of the pads had been put in BACKWARDS. The friction material was against the rotor, but the pins did not go through the pad as the holes were oriented towards the hub, so the pad was "floating" in the caliper, but the pins prevented the pad from falling out thankfully. Now the squeak is gone

Also had the leaky replacement cats rewelded in, no more pshhhhh while driving

Lastly, I added a cargo power point. Went from batt to 8g wire to 40amp circuit breaker, then to 8g, thru the firewall on passenger side, along the rockers and behind the rear passenger side cargo panel. I drilled into the little storage compartment, and continued th 8g to where I mounted the 6 position fuse block, then went from the fuse block back out the storage compartment w/10g to a led lighted switch and then to the cigarette style power point, 10g ground to body. the power point and switch are mounted next to each other on the cargo panel, just below the vent thingy. Now I have constant 12v power which can be switched on/off with LED indicated switch. I put the Norcold 30q back there and my H20 and beer are getting cold as we speak!

 

[desertdude]

Nice wiring work - I like the fact that I can reach back behind my seat and grab a cold bottle of water or cool food while traveling down the road on a hot day 24/7, no more ice

 

[OGBeno]

The new LX has a bit of a squeak when applying the brakes, so I picked up some front pads (rear will arrive tomorrow), changed both front sets in about 30-40 minutes. When replacing the front right, I found they were worn a little more, but the most worrisome thing was, that one of the pads had been put in BACKWARDS. The friction material was against the rotor, but the pins did not go through the pad as the holes were oriented towards the hub, so the pad was "floating" in the caliper, but the pins prevented the pad from falling out thankfully. Now the squeak is gone

Also had the leaky replacement cats rewelded in, no more pshhhhh while driving

Lastly, I added a cargo power point. Went from batt to 8g wire to 40amp circuit breaker, then to 8g, thru the firewall on passenger side, along the rockers and behind the rear passenger side cargo panel. I drilled into the little storage compartment, and continued th 8g to where I mounted the 6 position fuse block, then went from the fuse block back out the storage compartment w/10g to a led lighted switch and then to the cigarette style power point, 10g ground to body. the power point and switch are mounted next to each other on the cargo panel, just below the vent thingy. Now I have constant 12v power which can be switched on/off with LED indicated switch. I put the Norcold 30q back there and my H20 and beer are getting cold as we speak!

Hey Ben--

When do we get to see pics?

 

[IdahoDoug]

Nice catch on the brake pad - agree on the DIY stuff.

I've been thinking of adding a power point back there as well. I already have an 8g wire to the back of both 80s for the rear floods, rear fogs and someday the power point. Did you find a power outlet that has a nice integral cover by chance? I was hoping to find something like that where it had a cap that's tethered like you see on marine applications. How high up did you make yours? I was thinking of making mine as high as possible to maximize access despite cargo. Great call using the storage box that way. Pics?

DougM

 

[firetruck41]

Nice catch on the brake pad - agree on the DIY stuff.

I've been thinking of adding a power point back there as well. I already have an 8g wire to the back of both 80s for the rear floods, rear fogs and someday the power point. Did you find a power outlet that has a nice integral cover by chance? I was hoping to find something like that where it had a cap that's tethered like you see on marine applications.

I bought it at radio shack, and it has a tethered rubber cap that covers it when not in use. Actually looks pretty good, almost OEM.

How high up did you make yours? I was thinking of making mine as high as possible to maximize access despite cargo. Great call using the storage box that way. Pics?

DougM

I thought about mounting it up high for the same reason, but I usually don't have that much stuff back there. I ended up mounting it very low, just a couple inches above the floor, but it is in the side, behind the wheel well, where big square stuff can not fit, and I find that there is usually room on the side to reach that area, usually just loose misc stuff stored in that area.

Wife has the camera tonight, I won't be around much 'til next week, so I'll try to resurrect this thread and post some pics then.

EDIT: I just got some pics, nd the wife is crying because I haven't got anything done around the house today, just working on the LX

 

[PKP80]

Pics would be nice for the bat to rear setup, sounds good. NIce job with the brakes.

 

[firetruck41]

OK here's pics, only thing I will change is the connetors for the 8g are all copper and exposed, I will cut those off and put on some better insulated connectors I found, Like the one directly connected to the battery. I may also remove the automatic circuit breaker (it doesn't appear to be very weather resistant, but all that was available at the time), and replace with a heavy gauge, inline fuse.

 

[firetruck41]

more pics

In the second pic, the copper you see is where the 8g comes in to the storage area, very short run in the storage area, so you can't evn see the wire...

 

[firetruck41]

more

 

[IdahoDoug]

Wow - pics! Ask and ye shall recieve, eh? Looks nice and with all the wire ties you've clearly paid attention to the wiring run so it will still work in 10 years.

DougM

 

[OGBeno]

Nice Ben--real clean work.

We need a pic of the new rig too--

er, maybe I was out of town when you posted...

 

[firetruck41]

Nice Ben--real clean work.

We need a pic of the new rig too--

er, maybe I was out of town when you posted...

Pics of the new rig are in this thread.

So glad to have an 80 again!

 

[tucker74]

You even wired it in pre-requisite Lexus pink!



Tucker

 

[LX_TREME]

Ben, I think you may want to reflush the Brake Master Cylinder.The reservoir looks pretty dark to me. Just my .02

 

[firetruck41]

Ben, I think you may want to reflush the Brake Master Cylinder.The reservoir looks pretty dark to me. Just my .02

Yup, in the plans after I get the rear pads in, new fluid/flush.

 

[KliersLC]

OK here's pics, only thing I will change is the connetors for the 8g are all copper and exposed, I will cut those off and put on some better insulated connectors I found, Like the one directly connected to the battery. I may also remove the automatic circuit breaker (it doesn't appear to be very weather resistant, but all that was available at the time), and replace with a heavy gauge, inline fuse.

We use those auto circuit breakers on our bigger military rigs and I have never had problems with them being weather resistant. We completely submenrged one in salt water for about two days and after a new engine everything worked just fine. Don't know about the long term electrical on that particular truck, but we also leave them out on the weather deck on ship pretty often for weeks at a time, and those breakers rarely go bad because of weather. The fuse may be a "better" idea, but then you have to carry more fuses and fumble around in the dark to change it, where as the breaker resets itself, and is just as easy to troubleshoot (listen for click)...........That reminds me........if not for the auto breaker on my piggy rear window, I would be changing a lot of fuses
Nice job BTW
Dan

 

[NorCalDoug]

...Did you find a power outlet that has a nice integral cover by chance?...

Doug,

I found a 12v receptacle from WestMarine. The brand name is Marinco.

Here's a pic and here's a write-up about the receptacle and integrated plug. I don't use the plug that goes with this particular 12v outlet -- I've had no problems using other plugs. You can purchase the receptacle separately (i.e. without the plug). When I wired mine up, I put 2 in. I'd suggest the same for anyone going to the trouble to wire it up -- might as well add a second while you're at it.

Installation of the Marinco plug is very easy -- it has a screw-on "nut" on the back to hold it onto the cargo panel.

 

[OGBeno]

Pics of the new rig are in this thread.

So glad to have an 80 again!

Thanks Ben.

I remember your previous one and I really liked it as a model for mine when I first bought mine. It was simple, clean, functional, and impressive looking.

Thanks for the link. Nice ride. Congrats on being back 'in the circle of trust"

Best.
-onur

 

[george_tlc]

Doug,

I found a 12v receptacle from WestMarine. The brand name is Marinco.

Here's a pic and here's a write-up about the receptacle and integrated plug. I don't use the plug that goes with this particular 12v outlet -- I've had no problems using other plugs. You can purchase the receptacle separately (i.e. without the plug). When I wired mine up, I put 2 in. I'd suggest the same for anyone going to the trouble to wire it up -- might as well add a second while you're at it.

Installation of the Marinco plug is very easy -- it has a screw-on "nut" on the back to hold it onto the cargo panel.

I have found a much better price for the same thing at www.digikey.com. I did previously buy a marinco about 3 years ago (installed in rear panel)- and the digikey version is identical in all respects other than the name.

Old install picture:

I installed an extra outlet in the rear (I had 1 already and had intelligently run 2 8 gauge wires at the time...). I also installed 3 of them in the bottom rear of the center console, rear facing, for all those 'toys' we need to power. They are all fused in the engine bay and run from the aux battery. I should have taken pics when doing the install, turned out very neat & tidy.

Anyhow, the digikey part number is AS212-ND $2.70 each in quantity 10... They also have the 'plug' as well. Get your order over $25 and there's no $5 handling fee (just shipping) and for most it will be tax free.

george.

 

[semlin]

this is a good idea and a nice install. I may follow suit

Seadog also makes a cigarette connector for marine use. one's been in my boat for 6 years and it's seen plenty of weather and salt air and still looks and works as good as new.

A marine shop is a great place to by wiring and connectors and a fuse bus for this kind of install. Marine grade stuff is better quality and holds up better.