It never fails that almost every time I go camping I end up pulling into camp at dark, or driving around in the dark finding camp. So the trailer is going to have it’s fair share of lights.

I figured if the 4Runner has rock lights, the trailer might as well have them too. They are one watt LED flood lights and there will be a three-position switch on the trailer that controls the lights:

Truck ON – The lights will turn on when I turn on the 4Runner’s rock lights, they will feed off the trucks electrical system. Great for night wheeling to camp, and situating the trailer in a good spot after dark.

OFF – Enough said

Trailer ON – The lights turn on, feeding off the trailer’s electrical system. Great for setting up camp, finding stuff under trailer, and making people think there’s a UFO hanging out in the woods.

 

With the rock lights installed I could continue on with the huge wiring project.

I added an extra 4way plug at the back of the trailer and started working my way to the front of the trailer. The 4way plug will come in handy if I ever need to install a cargo basket, dirt bike holder, etc. Any cargo would block the trailer lights, and would need some lights of it’s own; I don’t think I’ll need it but I want to do it right the first time.







With that grouping of wiring ran to the control box I could at the truck side and run the next grouping. I decided to use a standard 4way plug at the truck with an additional plug that controls the rock lights, back up light, and battery charge wire. That way anyone with a 4way wiring kit can tow the trailer if I need them to.



I ran the wiring through some small tubing to keep the wires from getting crushed on water bars, etc. I should have made provisions for that when I was building the frame, but I didn’t even think about it.

 

Are you going to place adjustable feet at each corner to level the trailer at camp? Rocks under the tires would work but having rv'd before, four corner adjustability is much easier.

 

the lights on the trailer will be nice. you can never have enough lighting at night. where did you get them and are they pretty bright

 

I also got the fender strut bars installed/made. The fenders were extremely flimsy and needed some extra support, but the thin side panels made that complicated. There is ¼” strap under the fender that the bars bolt through.







It looks like they might also make a good spot to carry and set-up my water containers on longer trips, we’ll see.

 

I'm going to carry a few small 2x4's (one or two under the tire) to level the trailer, and there will be stabilizer legs to hold the trailer place and keep it from moving. Something like this but more permanent and stronger.



Your 100% right. The lights are awesome; small, bright and minimal draw! I'll take a couple pictures when I get a chance.

Here's a link: http://www.oznium.com/high-intensity-led-floodlight

 

Dirtco, ...THAT'S SICK!

Hey, ...those mounting tabs holding the supports to the fenders... i'm assuming you welded those to the pipes/fender support bars... Where is the best place to get those tabs? I want them or something like them.

Thanks

 

Got to the last page but i want MORE!!! great job, holy smokes!

 

I concur! lol... And btw, Goodyota.... LOVE THE User ID Pic... "This isn't Vietnam Smoky- there are rules!" HAHAHAHA........ "The Dude Abides!"... Gotta love it, one of my fav's.

Sorry Dirtco... s'all, promise! lol.

 

Dont u love when u accidentally create a add bonus

 

Thanks man!

I picked the tabs up a few years ago at a steel place in Denver, they are just generic tabs that they had on the shelve.

I'm working as fast as I can! Thanks, it's been really time consuming but it's getting close. The wiring on this thing is insane!

 

Why didn't you build your own fenders that are stronger? That way you can also build some storage racks or cabinets on them and they can fit the tires better. Don't take this as criticism, your work is far superior to my abilities and your red turbo 4runner is partially what inspired me to get one and build it. Just throwing out an idea.

 

I thought about it, and I was planning on it, but in the end I changed my mind.

My first idea was to find some tool boxes and install them on the sides of the trailer, then build fenders off of them. But the tool boxes were expensive, heavy, and did not come in the length I needed; I was going to have to cut them all apart and rework them. The extra weight of the tool boxes (and gear) being so high, and out to the sides really concerned me (flopping the trailer). I decided it was overkill for what I plan on doing with this trailer.

Something like this:



I decided to buy the fenders to save some time, and some weight. The fenders don't cover all the tire, but I wanted them that way. I was worried about the side of the trailer getting to close to a tree, or rock and ripping the fender off. I'm not done with the the fenders yet, there's a couple other plans I have but it's hard to explain. They should flow a little better once I'm done.

BTW, your 4Runner is looking great!

 

Nice rock lights.

Where did you pick them up from?

 

..

 

Okay, so most of the wiring is done. I might add a couple things down the road, but I made provisions for that in the wiring box. The two things that come to mind are some lights for the cooler/food slide out and a couple tent entry lights; we’ll see as the build progresses. The wiring, relay and switch are there for the water pump once I figure out how I want to configure the system. I also wired up a spare relay for any additions down the road, I just need to add a switch and it’s ready to go.

Front of the control box; switches w/ waterproof boots, indicator lights, shore plug and digital voltmeter.



Shore plug in use, it connects to the batter charger/maintainer


Back side of the front panel



Inside the control box



Spare fuse block and master on-off switch/circuit breaker

 

Battery installed, and all the wiring ran to it; it’s the battery out of the new 4Runner before I upgraded. It’s only a couple years old so we’ll see how it works out, the hold down for the battery is also from the new 4Runner but I had to add a little metal to make it work.

 

I also got the side deflector bars built; the trailer will have a tendency to cut corners, these mini rock sliders will keep rocks, trees, etc from getting pinned/hooked into the trailer, and deflect the trailer around the object (that’s the idea at least). It also makes the fenders flow better, and break up the side of the trailer.

Left side







And the right side

 

I am cincenced that u have to instal industrial electrical cabinets for a living!

 

.................. Good LORD that's amazing, bud! Very impressed! I know a guy named Ian who will surely LOVE that wiring job! lol. If I attempted that at this stage in my electrical training(hobby, not professional)>>> <<< that would be me! lol.

KILL IT, ...and bring it with some VIDEOS, with you wheeling up some craziness.. asap! lol