Wiring Stuff Up.

Last week, Doug ran power into the cab, along with a ground from the battery. The plan was to make this our common accessory power, hooking up each of the radios and a two-outlet 12-volt, cigarette lighter-style plug-in.

Doug used a couple terminal blocks that I found on eBay a while back, (8 for $10 shipped!)


Now, some of you may be asking yourselves, "Isn't that Yaesu mounted higher than it was last week?" And the answer is yes, because although yours truly allotted enough space between the back of the radio and the mount for the power, I didn't account for the antenna plug in, and Doug had to raise the radio 1.625" or so. Power runs out to the terminal blocks, while the antenna cable routes behind the seat...


...through some loops, (held in place by a space-age adhesive-bonded fabric,) up the B-pillar and out onto the roof.

We added a little flap of left over radiator block material to cover the terminal blocks.


Next, Doug installed some 50W reverse lights, courtesy of Safe Drives. While the back light housings out of the truck, he decided is was a good time to hook up the third brake light on the canopy, (or topper if you're from the South or Midwest.)

The third brake light is currently wired to be constantly on, (a low-vis, blizzard kind of anti-collision provision.) We'll change it back to lighting with the lower brake lights before we give it back.


Doug wired up a nifty plug the harness can now be unplugged when the canopy is removed, and the cord be tucked in behind the bed cleat.


We had planned to install our light bar, but Fedex reports that it was held up in Medford due to inclement weather and should be in Monday.

Next: Out with the stinky old gear oil, and in with the stinky new gear oil!