1. You can share the ground wire.
2. One wire from the load side of the relay can daisy chain to the lights.

Summary. One wire from the cabin if you can find a place on the roof to ground.

Hope that answers your question.

 

I would recommend two sets of two lights connected to two 20+ amp relays for assuming a 100w bulb in each light. I was able to test 3 85w lights wired as follows with a 25 amp relay. But two lights, relay and the right gauge wire is far safer.

Remember, the feed to the relay can be 14 ga. wire, everything else, depending on distance of run, should be 12 ga. +. You can feed the relays from the fuse box inside the cab requiring only one wire per relay from the switch to the relay. If you are running illuminated switches, you'll need a feed, power and ground for the LED but again, all of those can be from within the cab.

So even with two relays and two pairs of lights, you'll only need two wires (1 each) through the firewall to the relays.

Good luck, let us know if you have more questions.

Consider a separate distro box if you are going to hook up a CB/VHF radio(s), amp, LEDs, and other accessories inside the cab. You can pull one 4 - 6 ga. wire from the battery into the distro pannel then pick up your feeds from there.

 

Nice explanation and diagram Recon
I would just add since you are going to run 2 relays, it may be nice to have 2 switches, to be able to use 2 or four lights, depending on the conditions
just a thought

 

Good catch Wikid! I should add that to the drawing and show at 2-2 setup, thanks.

 

Just noticed I spelled your name wrong
Sorry about that

I corrected it in my post and in the quote :bigthumb:

 

Ooh Rah! :cheers:

 

I did this this spring, tried to go the A-Pilar way, but 12ga is just too big. I ended up drilling the roof rack and under the foot through the roof.

 

So I had a diagram from KC Hilites of wiring 4 lights into one switch and then merged that into some of the other threads on using the stock Off-Road light switch (the Toyota switch for running the OEM Roof Lights). Came up with this "planned" wiring diagram. As mentioned, planning on wiring two lights together then bringing them into two seperate relays (provided by KC Hilites).

here is a diagram I put together, let me know if this will work...

 

Chas, this will work fine because it is utilizes two relays. As I said the trip wire is relatively low amperage. Let us know how it comes out!

BTW, I routed all my wires up through the A pillar and inside the rack tubes. See my build for photos.

 

Chas, how are you wiring the lights? Last time I put lights on my 4runner, a hole was drilled through the roof to install them. I was really hoping to avoid holes in my roof this go around.

 

I am planning on running them from the roof rack foot (OEM roof rack), under the trim piece that covers the groove in the roof, down the inside of the windshield pillar (under the plastic fascia plate) into the engine compartment where I will mount the relays, then into either the cabin to the fuse panel and the switch or add a new fuse panel in the engine bay.

Not wanting to drill a hole either, and the method I am looking at seems to be the best documented/cleanest approach that is found on the forums.

I am thinking 14 gauge wire for each pair of lights should be good (100 watt lights in pairs == 16.6 amps and 14 gauge seems to cover that pull for the length of run needed).

 

Do you mind taking pictures along the way and posting them when you are done?

 

This is the method I am looking at using to run the wires. Video pretty much spells it out.

 

so dont waste your time with the a-pillar routing. You can't fit more then 4 18 gauge wires behind that panel. Just do it the right way and drill through the roof.

That and the pillar cover it tin metal and dents with the slighest pressure trying to get it back on.

Will be bringing it to the local off-road shop when I am back from germany and have them finish my half completed job (have the lights mounted with wires all soldered to get me over to the roof rack foot area).