Summer Jeep Build - Part 7

On Friday I began working on the interior of my Jeep. I have been driving around for a while with everything ripped completely out. With the new Tuffy center console a basic audio setup and many accessories I began by figuring out where I wanted to place everything. I started by leaving the Fusion marine amp where I originally had it, and placing the relay box I made on the opposing side. I purchased a plastic enclosure from Radio Shack (the only thing they are good for) and drilled a couple holes in it to run wires including an eight gauge lead from the battery. I ran the ground from right under the box (see pic below). This box will easily allow me to add accessories and debug issues in the future. You can thank Gilmer, TX for all the dirt on my floorboards.



I decided on adding just a couple 4x6" speakers to the OEM location in the dash and keeping the speakers out of the way. I might add more in the future, but for now this will at least keep the music playing. Removing the speakers from the overhead console I built also meant I would be loosing the incandescent OEM lights I repurposed from the OEM sound bar. Being fairly nautically inclined, I went online and ordered a set of deck lights for a standard motorized vessel. I found a set of LED accent lights and mounted them in the head unit above the rear view mirror.



Having done the switch wiring thing several times on this Jeep, I decided to really take my time and get everything perfect. Below is a shot of the LED backlit toggles for operating flood lights, fog lights, reverse lights, and the forward winch.



All of these switches need to command something, well here it is. One of the cheapest and most modular solutions I could come up with. Load outs on the left, switch I/O on the right, and the relays in the middle. This box also provides power to the CB, and the Amp.



Shot of the switch faces. The winch is momentary much like most controllers.



Funny how messy you must make things in order to make them clean again.



Here is a shot of the Tuffy console with the iPod connection. I cut a hole large enough for the connector to fit through, and then cut a sliver out of a washer and welded on a piece of tubing under it with the same size cutout under it. Altogether it holds the wire in the center of the washer, and doesn't allow the wire to fall through the hole while giving it the freedom to move and pull out.



Wiring wrapped up and relay box closed off. I had to open some holes in the bottom of the console to allow for the thick wire bundle to pass through.



What a difference. The cab has a strong command feeling with the bright white LED's raining down on the dash. The added comport of the padded Tuffy arm rest is years beyond the OEM setup. All in all this setup is clean, simple, and built to last.