During the past few issues we"ve undertaken a number of additions to our 2007 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4x4 to make it more suited for our intended use off the beaten path, namely as a vehicle for the avid outdoorsman.
We"ve added a winch and front-end protection, made some minor suspension changes, installed some much needed mapping and communications tools, added a bit of side protection, and wrapped it in full camouflage graphics. But we see a need for more upgrades to make Project Deepwoods a real head-turner and solid performer in our outdoor pursuits.
Next on our to-do list is improving our Tundra"s ability to carry more gear while freeing up interior bed space - and providing the type of auxiliary lighting an outdoorsman would really appreciate when they are making their way along some dark backroad or setting up camp well after sundown.
LET"S RACK "EM UP
The first wish was easily accomplished with one call to Westin Automotive, one of the premier manufacturers of roof racks and accessories. We wanted a roof-top cargo management system that was light, strong, and with a floor design that fit our need to carry all sorts of gear and cargo. Westin"s Outback Series of heavy-duty SUV roof racks fit our needs quite well.
The Outback roof racks are sold in kits, so you can mix and match to suit your vehicle/use needs. All of the components are stainless steel or have an anti-corrosive coating so there"s no risk of rust or product deterioration over years of hard use.
On top of that, the heavy duty cross bars that support the stainless steel plank-style floor are designed to accept a really wide range of accessories and attachments so you can quickly configure it to carry everything from a canoe or kayak to mountain bikes to gear bags to a Hi-Lift Jack. It"s plenty stout, too, with a load capacity of 250 pounds with the base setup, which is what we ordered.
The kit requires assembly - and some thought as to mounting when it comes to the new Tundra. You see, the Tundra doesn"t have roof rails or gutters in which to mount a roof rack in the traditional manner, and the Tundra cab roof is really thin.
So we decided the best mounting location was on the A.R.E. bed cap, which is designed to support such weight. We also wanted to keep the overall height as low as possible, meaning we ignored Westin"s directions about using the supplied support legs. To simplify our installation and reduce overall vehicle height, we bolted the rack directly to the top of the bed shell.
This method of installation reduced overall height by more than five inches and increased the rack"s stability when fully loaded.
A BRIGHT IDEA
We also wanted to use the roof rack as a platform for adding auxiliary flood lights. Among a plethora of Westin Outback accessories are special light-mounting tabs that are ideal for mounting auxiliary lights. However, we choose to mount Deepwood"s three sets of PIAA 1500 Series halogen back-up lights directly to the rack-two on each side, and a pair at the rear.
The wide flood pattern of the PIAAs gives Deepwoods the ability to light a wide area around the truck as needed at night - be it hooking up a trailer, working in the driveway, or setting up camp.
Mounting the rack and lights was easy. Our challenge was to make the installation of the rack and lights clean as we didn"t want exposed wires that could be yanked loose by tree limbs or brush scraping along and over the roof.
To accomplish this feat required running the wires from each set of lights inside the side rails of the Westin rack as it was being assembled. Then we ran one single set of wires through the top of the A.R.E. bed cap, down inside the bed to a set of PIAA relays, and from the relays out of the bed and into the cab to tie in with the hot leads from the Painless Performance switches we have custom-mounted in the overhead console.
This is time-consuming, but the finished result is really clean and functional - just as is everything we"ve done-and will do-on Project Deepwoods.
TAIL LIGHTING
Another little change we made to Project Deepwoods is adding a little better tail lighting with the addition of a pair of poor man"s driving lights mounted to the tabs on our truck"s N-Fab Rear Runner tube bumper protector.
We ordered a pair of $10 tractor implement lights (part #16300/49) from Northern Tool and Equipment, which come mounted in 4-inch diameter rubber housings. Then we called Style"s Logitiscs, an aviation supply company, for a pair of 4509X aircraft landing lights. (Now you get the picture!)
A light mist of WD-40 sprayed around the edges of the tractor flood lights, a little light prying with a screwdriver to pop the bulbs out, and unscrewing the hot and ground wires was all that was needed to turn dim flood lights into 250,000-watt sun makers. We popped the 4509s into the rubber housings and wired them into Deepwood"s special lighting wiring system.
Now, if we need to light the road behind us, all we need to do is flip a rocker switch on the overhead console. The result: Instant sun.
AIR AND BATTERY POWER
One of the items we like to add on a project truck destined for real-world use where winches and auxiliary lights are going to be in demand is a second battery. The new Tundra isn"t designed for a second battery; there"s just no where under the hood to mount one.
So, we looked around. Hmmm. No need for a spare tire mounted under the bed when we have a roof rack and plan on running 35s, right? Right. Out came the full-size stock spare tire and mounting hardware.
The new void allowed us room to mount an aluminum battery box, custom built by Warren Spears, containing our second Optima Yellow Top battery. The extra space under the bed also provided a nice area to mount the heavy duty Viair on-board air tank and compressor.
We mounted the compressor to the driver"s side frame rail and the air tank right to the bed using bolts dropped down from the top. The Bed Rug covers the bolt heads, which are positioned in the low spots of the bed ribs. This makes the Viair tank very secure while keeping the air fittings on the top and ends of the tank very well protected.
Then we routed an air hose so it exited just above the license plate. This is a very convenient location for an air hose fitting, allowing us to easily air-up tires, air mattresses and rafts should the need arise.
Now we have the extra juice to call upon when all those extra lights, air compressor, and winch are called into service. The additional Optima also allows us an easy power source for the rear quick-disconnect should we need to plug in battery jumper cables or a hitch-mounted winch.
PAINLESS WIRING
Speaking of wiring, Deepwoods has a lot of extra wiring and switches. We utilized a couple switch and relay kits from Painless Performance Products to make the job, well, painless. Note we didn"t say quick; adding switches and running the wiring in any project vehicle is tedious if it"s done cleanly.
For example, we used a pair of Painless four-switch wiring kits, complete with all the wiring, and a relay kit to control all of the auxiliary lights, spare battery, on-board air system, and rear power supply.
The two switch panels were installed in our Tundra"s overhead console with the Painless Performance color-coded and labeled wires running from the switch banks between the headliner and roof, down the driver"s side "C"-pillar to the door sill kick panel where they connected to the wires coming from the battery, lights, and other accessories.
No easy task. But the end result is really sick. And when you have a wiring kit and switches already to use, like those from Painless, the job is that much easier and well done.
Next month we get down to the business of giving Deepwoods a big lift in the area of a six-inch ProComp IFS suspension and the appropriate ProComp tires/wheels for the off-road adventure. Stay tuned. Deepwoods is only getting better!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Spears Auto Repair, 18259 Commission Road, Long Beach, MS 29560; 228-863-1878
N-fab Inc.: www.n-fab.com; 281-880-6325
Painless Performance Products: www.painlessperformance.com; 817-244-6212
Optima Batteries: www.optimabatteries.com; 800-292-4359)
PIAA : www.piaa.com; 503-643-7422)
Westin Automotive: www.westinautomotive.com; 800-345-8476
Styles Logistics: www.SkyGeek.Com; 888-759-4335
Northern Tool & Equipment: www.northerntool.com; 800.221.0516
Viair Corporation: www.viaircorp.com; 949-582-6868
