What have you done to your 2.5 gen Tundra today?

Yeah, well, I couldn't really get by without them, at least without grunting and drama; so @602runner isn't wrong...

 

Nothing personal hahaha

 

Installed LED "Porch Lights" on my roof rack. My intention was to connect four lights that could be controlled by the OEM cargo light switch on my dash. I also wanted to be able to independently control the lights for each side, since I use my CVT canopy on either side of the truck depending upon my camping site. Most importantly I wanted to avoid drilling any holes in the roof to run the wires if at all possible. Thanks go out to @junior and his "My DIY Roof Rack" thread which gave me some ideas as to how to accomplish this.

These lights sell for $99 a pair for this rack from the manufacturer of the rack.
https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VRKLED.html

I found the exact same lights (check the specifications on both sites) for $14.95 each so I purchased four of them.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ch-and-utility-light-700-lumen-12v/5568/9848/



The light kit from from the rack manufacturer comes with CNC cut backing plates. I bought a Harbor Freight 48" aluminum ruler for $4.99. To make my backing plates I cut them to length and drilled holes for the bolts, it was the perfect width for the cut outs in the rack.





I spray painted the backing plates with black enamel. These are the parts I used to make my wiring harness for the lights.
2 - waterproof boxes from Amazon.

$10 Otdorpatio 2 Pack Project Box ABS Plastic Black Electrical Boxes IP65 Waterproof DIY Electronic Junction Box Power Enclosure 3.94x2.68x1.97"(100 x 68 x50 mm)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08N6P4HPH?ie=UTF8
2 - pigtails to fit my cargo light bulb receptacles.

$9 BlyilyB 6-Pack T10 Male Socket Extended Wire Connector Plug Adapter Assembly Holders Used For Turn Signal Lights, Brake Lights,Tail Lights, Daytime Running Lights

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0837SZ1NJ?ie=UTF8
2 - small waterproof switches

$10 5Pcs 12V Waterproof Push-Button On-Off Switch, Carbhub 12V Waterproof Push-Button On-Off Switch with 4" Leads for Motorcycle/Auto Car

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LCH1N3B?ie=UTF8

I didn't end up using the 2 pictured male and female Deutsch connectors for this install, I soldered my connections instead. I also used marine grade adhesive lined shrink wrap on all the connections.



I removed my cargo light LED bulbs and installed the pig tails. I drilled two small holes through the plastic top of my cargo/third brake light receptacle. I used rubber grommets and black silicone sealant on both sides of the holes (not shown).



I ran the wires along the inner side of the rack and mounted the waterproof box behind the Victory logo using that cutout for the bolts for the box.



I mounted a waterproof switch on top of each box to keep it dry and I can reach up and click the switch to turn on/off the lights on either side (it rained on me).



The lights work great, give out a lot of light and the two rear facing ones replace the cargo lights where I tapped the connection from. It's more useful for them to be further outboard on the rack when I use my RTT anyway.



Overall a cost effective, secure and watertight method of installing lights on my cab rack without drilling the roof.

 

Resourceful indeed! Well-done!

 

Same. Wish I could ditch mine.

 

I also attached Rhino Rack Pioneer MaxTrax Small Side Mount Brackets to my Front Runner x Diamondback Rack System, so that I can carry my Maxtrax MKII's out of the bed area and still carry my kayaks on my roof rack at the same time.

$130 Rhino Rack Pioneer MaxTrax Side Mount Bracket, Small

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01966CLUA?ie=UTF8
https://diamondbackcovers.com/colle...oducts/front-runner-x-diamondback-rack-system



I used another set of the Rhino Rack Pioneer MaxTrax Small Side Mount Brackets to attach a pair of Victory Roof Rack Accessory Mounts on the other side of the bed to allow mounting of RotopaX or shovel/axe, etc.



I used eye bolts as part of the mounting assembly to add mounting options for the bars.

 

Made my '16 MGM look like it did back when it was driven off the lot today!
A good wash, clay bar, wax and some elbow grease is all it took!

 

Thank you!

 

Nice. I bet they look good at night.

 

Did you measure fender height before and after? Just curious if it settled at all.

 

And... to finish my weekend modding I installed a Midland MicroMobile MXT275 GMRS radio into Rotundra. The install was easy as I mounted the head unit inside the center console where it fit nicely. I ran the hot wire directly to the battery to avoid electrical interference. I actually ran it to my new Blue Seas Fuse Block that I installed with my Switch Pros 9100 system recently. I used a 10 amp fuse in the block, it made for a very clean install. The radio comes with a cable and small magnetic base antenna but I purchased a Midland 6 meter NMO cable and a Midland 3db Gain Ghost Antenna (and a Midland 32" 6 db Gain Antenna with Spring Base to give me more options depending upon terrain and conditions). I ran a CAT 6 cable through my console and out under the dash to connect the microphone to. (I haven't installed the mic holder clip yet) this way the unit is completely hidden except for the mic which has all the necessary controls.

$165 Midland - MXT275 MicroMobile GMRS Radio - 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone - Overland Caravanning Tractors - Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FN2FBML?ie=UTF8

$30 Midland – MXTA24 Low Profile Antenna Cable with NMO Connector – CB Antenna Cable Extension – 6 Meters (19 ft) with Removable UHF Connection

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0842B1WFS?ie=UTF8

$50 Midland MXTA25 3DB MicroMobile Compatible Gain Ghost Antenna - 3.5” Tall with 1.5” Base Diameter - Low Profile GMRS NMO Connection

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08429ZT37?ie=UTF8

$60 Midland - MXTA26 MicroMobile 6DB Gain Whip Antenna - Quadruple Signal Output - 32” Antenna

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084BPXNC5?ie=UTF8



I routed the antenna cable through the rubber firewall grommet into the engine bay and attached it to my Rago Fabrication Lo-Pro Ditch Light Bracket via a Rago Ham Antenna Ditch Bracket Extension.

 

Yeah, they light it up pretty good. Gives me some options when setting things up in the woods.

 

I got N-fab steps on Amazon for a really good price and thought they looked a lot better.

 

Had planned a wash, coating decon and refresh but it rained instead…

 

Have not. i will check in the AM. I have previous measurements.

 

https://www.amp-research.com/powerstep-xl-running-board

 

Installed some @mattgecko led’s in hood bulge and behind grill today - wired up to a dual button factory style switch and a couple of relays via a add a circuit fuse tap

 

Good call. Those chrome/black tube things are hideous. The fact the dealer charges you extra and markets them as an "Upgrade" always made me roll my eyes. Straight to the garbage.

Just awful IMO.

 

Had the dealer take those off and switch out the plat 20's with the TRD 18's before driving it off the lot awww much better !!

 

How do you like the RAS system?

 

Random question, but how do you put GIFs in a posts?

 

Its easy, right click on the Gif, hit copy link address, then paste in the forum box.

 

Need some night pics

 

https://giphy.com/gifs/moodman-thank-you-funny-E8rJEUMGs9cyWEtNXT

 

https://media3.giphy.com/media/1eun...ebl107cvvrddnjg1o0ymvyuajd&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

 

Bought a replica insert, spent an hour taking off the TRD Pro Insert to swap with my grill surround. I have to say, for how cheap it was, it's a pretty decent copy IMO! Now I just need to find someone who wants a brand new black grill surround and black grill...

 

Love it. Really helps with load handling, sway, squat, and actually helped with smoothing out little bumps in the road too unloaded