Custom modular JK hardtop
#1831
Thanks , i saw a braided ground strap, under hood bolted to hood on my 2012.
That would be easy to get to, short run of black wire .
I guess the only thing that needs to be grounded are lights not switch i doubt.?
So id just run a red wire from battery to the switch with inline fuse and then from load side of switch to the red wires on led correct?
I wouldnt need to bring a black wire from neg on battery to lights if i understand correctly, the black wire leads hanging off led would just dump out on the grounded wire to the strap of hood . Does that sound right?
Id only need
5 feet of black wire to get the led's (neg - wires) to the strap
maybe 20 ' of red wire to hit switch and then to lights .
1 single pole 1.6a 12v rated switch (plastic)
* a couple of terminal fittings to attach to battery and one for the ground strap
2 crimp connectors for the led connections pos +
2 crimp couplings for (neg-) to extend black wires from lights to that ground strap.
battery + red wire --------------- to switch %------------- > to red of led
then just extend - black wires on lights to the ground strap
( done? )
That would be easy to get to, short run of black wire .
I guess the only thing that needs to be grounded are lights not switch i doubt.?
So id just run a red wire from battery to the switch with inline fuse and then from load side of switch to the red wires on led correct?
I wouldnt need to bring a black wire from neg on battery to lights if i understand correctly, the black wire leads hanging off led would just dump out on the grounded wire to the strap of hood . Does that sound right?
Id only need
5 feet of black wire to get the led's (neg - wires) to the strap
maybe 20 ' of red wire to hit switch and then to lights .
1 single pole 1.6a 12v rated switch (plastic)
* a couple of terminal fittings to attach to battery and one for the ground strap
2 crimp connectors for the led connections pos +
2 crimp couplings for (neg-) to extend black wires from lights to that ground strap.
battery + red wire --------------- to switch %------------- > to red of led
then just extend - black wires on lights to the ground strap
( done? )
#1833
A few weeks ago Retrofit Offroad asked if I would write step-by-step assembly instructions for their upcoming 20" LED light bar. As you can see in the box, "some assembly is required". It's not difficult, but always a good idea to include very detailed instructions. They sent me one to use for writing the instructions.
Fully assembled, it looks like this:
I've been experimenting with other ways to use it, here's one. The two halves are just setting in place for this photo, but it wouldn't take much to make brackets to mount the light bars as shown below, in between the rails of the Garvin rack. Integrates nicely with the rack in this location; they're not too obtrusive.
I doubt I'll use this light bar on any of my Jeeps but it's always fun to try to come up with new ideas for mounting things like this and designing the necessary brackets.
Fully assembled, it looks like this:
I've been experimenting with other ways to use it, here's one. The two halves are just setting in place for this photo, but it wouldn't take much to make brackets to mount the light bars as shown below, in between the rails of the Garvin rack. Integrates nicely with the rack in this location; they're not too obtrusive.
I doubt I'll use this light bar on any of my Jeeps but it's always fun to try to come up with new ideas for mounting things like this and designing the necessary brackets.
#1834
A harness plug, that would be long enough for front or rear Basket mount would be great for Camp or work lighting too. Either quik clip brackets, or one light unit at each end of Basket ?
Modular lights that can easily be moved for front, side, or rear lighting would be so useful
Modular lights that can easily be moved for front, side, or rear lighting would be so useful
#1835
A harness plug, that would be long enough for front or rear Basket mount would be great for Camp or work lighting too. Either quik clip brackets, or one light unit at each end of Basket ?
Modular lights that can easily be moved for front, side, or rear lighting would be so useful
Modular lights that can easily be moved for front, side, or rear lighting would be so useful
#1836
Planning ahead... when I arrive in Las Vegas next week for SEMA I'll need to park at the hotel. It's a good idea to know how much clearance I need... being as tall as I am, I can reach an 8' ceiling standing flat on the ground so I knew the top of the tent was about 8', but I decided to measure to be sure. It's 7' 11".
Then a quick trip to Google maps to see the sign on the deck I'll need to park in. 8' 8", should be good, but it looks like there may be low hanging beams so I'll have to be careful .
Then a quick trip to Google maps to see the sign on the deck I'll need to park in. 8' 8", should be good, but it looks like there may be low hanging beams so I'll have to be careful .
#1837
The Jeep is loaded and ready for the road trip from upstate NY to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show and several days of Jeep/RTT camping and off-roading in Death Valley. Leaving before dawn tomorrow.
Two comments about cargo space and loading...
- Removing the rear seat made a huge difference in the cargo space. I've got the fridge/kitchen, and extra spare tire and all the gear I need in there and there's still a lot of extra space. While it's a pain to remove the seat the first time, now that it's been done the bolts will go in and out much easier.
- I'm bringing a pair of folding chairs and a folding table (seen in this photo), and they fit very nicely on top of the RTT. I put the table in front of the folded RTT ladder and the chairs behind, and the travel cover still zips in place very easily. Since I'll only be using the table and chairs at the campsite, storing them up there is perfect.
This year a few new products based on my designs will be debuted at SEMA. I'll post photos and info about them as well as other things I find interesting at the show. I'll also post photos of my Death Valley experience, stay tuned.
Two comments about cargo space and loading...
- Removing the rear seat made a huge difference in the cargo space. I've got the fridge/kitchen, and extra spare tire and all the gear I need in there and there's still a lot of extra space. While it's a pain to remove the seat the first time, now that it's been done the bolts will go in and out much easier.
- I'm bringing a pair of folding chairs and a folding table (seen in this photo), and they fit very nicely on top of the RTT. I put the table in front of the folded RTT ladder and the chairs behind, and the travel cover still zips in place very easily. Since I'll only be using the table and chairs at the campsite, storing them up there is perfect.
This year a few new products based on my designs will be debuted at SEMA. I'll post photos and info about them as well as other things I find interesting at the show. I'll also post photos of my Death Valley experience, stay tuned.
#1838
The Jeep is loaded and ready for the road trip from upstate NY to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show and several days of Jeep/RTT camping and off-roading in Death Valley. Leaving before dawn tomorrow.
Two comments about cargo space and loading...
- Removing the rear seat made a huge difference in the cargo space. I've got the fridge/kitchen, and extra spare tire and all the gear I need in there and there's still a lot of extra space. While it's a pain to remove the seat the first time, now that it's been done the bolts will go in and out much easier.
- I'm bringing a pair of folding chairs and a folding table (seen in this photo), and they fit very nicely on top of the RTT. I put the table in front of the folded RTT ladder and the chairs behind, and the travel cover still zips in place very easily. Since I'll only be using the table and chairs at the campsite, storing them up there is perfect.
This year a few new products based on my designs will be debuted at SEMA. I'll post photos and info about them as well as other things I find interesting at the show. I'll also post photos of my Death Valley experience, stay tuned.
Two comments about cargo space and loading...
- Removing the rear seat made a huge difference in the cargo space. I've got the fridge/kitchen, and extra spare tire and all the gear I need in there and there's still a lot of extra space. While it's a pain to remove the seat the first time, now that it's been done the bolts will go in and out much easier.
- I'm bringing a pair of folding chairs and a folding table (seen in this photo), and they fit very nicely on top of the RTT. I put the table in front of the folded RTT ladder and the chairs behind, and the travel cover still zips in place very easily. Since I'll only be using the table and chairs at the campsite, storing them up there is perfect.
This year a few new products based on my designs will be debuted at SEMA. I'll post photos and info about them as well as other things I find interesting at the show. I'll also post photos of my Death Valley experience, stay tuned.
#1840
Arrived Las Vegas last night for the SEMA Show after a 4-day cross-country drive. Drive was uneventful, load on top was very well behaved, even at 85 mph across Utah. Took a quick photo at an overlook to Black Dragon Canyon in the middle of Utah...
Spent some time last night with the MORryde folks helping them get their booth set up. Among the things they're showing this year - the prototype fridge slide/kitchen, a pre-production Overland tailgate rack (and of course the HD tailgate hinges/tailgate reinforcement/large spare carrier), the Storegate tailgate storage compartment and the inner fender ammo can holders. Also showing the new HD door hinges (not on a Jeep, on the poster at left in the first photo). I'll do some detailed photos of the booth today, last night I just had time for these two quick shots.
Spent some time last night with the MORryde folks helping them get their booth set up. Among the things they're showing this year - the prototype fridge slide/kitchen, a pre-production Overland tailgate rack (and of course the HD tailgate hinges/tailgate reinforcement/large spare carrier), the Storegate tailgate storage compartment and the inner fender ammo can holders. Also showing the new HD door hinges (not on a Jeep, on the poster at left in the first photo). I'll do some detailed photos of the booth today, last night I just had time for these two quick shots.