This is what PIAA wants you to use when installing a set of their lights....
Enter sPOD - a solution designed to use our factory blank switches for our current and future accessories. www.4x4s-pod.com
Like any good "owner" my FJ received a Christmas gift earlier!
Now I want to be the first to say that this is not a "cheap" solution. I already have a completely isolated circuit in my FJ that cost me almost the same amount as the sPOD. My isolated circuit is not nearly as clean or well thought out as the sPOD system. The reason I went with yet another isolated circuit was exclusively for my lighting needs, as I plan to add more lighting options in the future with my FJ and didn't want the hassle of running one switch/power/ground at a time as I added them.
But enough of what is, what haves, and what nots..lets get to the pictures!
So whats in the box? When it arrives? I open the box to find a personalized letter placed cleverly on top to be found upon opening. The letter is infact personalized based on a phone conversation I had with John, the Owner. That's a nice way to start off. (Picture slightly blurred on purpose for privacy)
Lets continue in the box!
I also found a very well written (and in color) installation write up!
And then we get to the hardware!
So whats all these goodies look like out of the box?
I want to point out that, minus the tools, everything I need to install this system is in the picture, from Zip ties (quality ones with metal tabs), shrink wrap, switches, fuses and even spade connectors for the accessories.
When I was installing my own isolated circuit, I took at least 3 separate trips to the "store" to buy additional items i didn't think about or didn't think I would need.
So lets take a closer look at the wires...I spent a good bit of money on the wiring for my first isolated circuit, but these wires and wire looms are a step ahead.
Every wire is clearly marked and identified. A+!
The Source upclose! Feels nice a solid
---------------------------
After about 2 hours of install time with the referenced install instructions that came with the system. (I took it slow) here is the final product installed in my FJ.
The system is great and works well with the dual battery set up. I really like the low voltage cut off, that way If I do happen to leave a light on, it will kill them automatically for me before draining the battery completely.
The real benefit to this system that I see personally is that I ran one single cable into the cabin for 6 switches! Even if I don't plan to use six separate devices right now, they are there and active, all I have to do is run a power and ground from my accessories to the sPOD and flip a switch that is already installed in the cabin and I have full use of my accessory! That is amazingly appealing to me as I don't plan to add all of my lighting plans to the FJ in one sitting as I'm sure most of us piece meal our mods one at a time!
To add to this - John also offered to send me some pigtail bypasses he is working on to bypass the relay. This would be beneficial for individuals that would want to add an accessory that needs an always-on power source.
A+ for this mod presently
A+ for this mod in the future as well for adding accessories with ease.
----------
Footnote: I am not affiliated with sPOD in any way, I haven't seen much traffic on the forums about this product and figured I would attempt to do it properly!
Enter sPOD - a solution designed to use our factory blank switches for our current and future accessories. www.4x4s-pod.com
Like any good "owner" my FJ received a Christmas gift earlier!
Now I want to be the first to say that this is not a "cheap" solution. I already have a completely isolated circuit in my FJ that cost me almost the same amount as the sPOD. My isolated circuit is not nearly as clean or well thought out as the sPOD system. The reason I went with yet another isolated circuit was exclusively for my lighting needs, as I plan to add more lighting options in the future with my FJ and didn't want the hassle of running one switch/power/ground at a time as I added them.
But enough of what is, what haves, and what nots..lets get to the pictures!
So whats in the box? When it arrives? I open the box to find a personalized letter placed cleverly on top to be found upon opening. The letter is infact personalized based on a phone conversation I had with John, the Owner. That's a nice way to start off. (Picture slightly blurred on purpose for privacy)
Lets continue in the box!
I also found a very well written (and in color) installation write up!
And then we get to the hardware!
So whats all these goodies look like out of the box?
I want to point out that, minus the tools, everything I need to install this system is in the picture, from Zip ties (quality ones with metal tabs), shrink wrap, switches, fuses and even spade connectors for the accessories.
When I was installing my own isolated circuit, I took at least 3 separate trips to the "store" to buy additional items i didn't think about or didn't think I would need.
So lets take a closer look at the wires...I spent a good bit of money on the wiring for my first isolated circuit, but these wires and wire looms are a step ahead.
Every wire is clearly marked and identified. A+!
The Source upclose! Feels nice a solid
---------------------------
After about 2 hours of install time with the referenced install instructions that came with the system. (I took it slow) here is the final product installed in my FJ.
The system is great and works well with the dual battery set up. I really like the low voltage cut off, that way If I do happen to leave a light on, it will kill them automatically for me before draining the battery completely.
The real benefit to this system that I see personally is that I ran one single cable into the cabin for 6 switches! Even if I don't plan to use six separate devices right now, they are there and active, all I have to do is run a power and ground from my accessories to the sPOD and flip a switch that is already installed in the cabin and I have full use of my accessory! That is amazingly appealing to me as I don't plan to add all of my lighting plans to the FJ in one sitting as I'm sure most of us piece meal our mods one at a time!
To add to this - John also offered to send me some pigtail bypasses he is working on to bypass the relay. This would be beneficial for individuals that would want to add an accessory that needs an always-on power source.
A+ for this mod presently
A+ for this mod in the future as well for adding accessories with ease.
----------
Footnote: I am not affiliated with sPOD in any way, I haven't seen much traffic on the forums about this product and figured I would attempt to do it properly!