Relay box instead of fuse block

This is for lights and maybe other accessories in the future.

Bought tray to add a fuse and blue sea fuse block etc etc. But I don't like it. The fuse block takes up a lot of space and there's no good place to put relays. I was going to mount the relays underneath to hide them but decided on another route.

Just ordered a relay box with fuses as well as fused power bus and negative bus. Going to piece something together instead of using the blue see fuse block.

I've been using Google but gave not seen much on this. Anyone think I'm over or under thinking this?

Big factor on this other than the blue sea not being relay centric was I didn't want to tap electrical under the dash for the dash switches......which just meant I needed more relays.

Will post pics as I build.

 

I am surprised not to have seen a modular system that lets one choose a custom mix of fuses and relays.

 

I installed this guy from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MR64XK1?ie=UTF8

It has one ground bar and one hot bar that is switched. all switch wires go into the cab for dash switches. then i just attach whatever light to ground and power and its good to go.

 

That's exactly what I ordered, and a couple buses. And a fused positive bus ...more than what I need while I figure it out.

What is the middle bus with no wires going into it?

 

middle bus is grounds. bottom bus is for the switched power and top is the incoming power to the relays. I've got a few lights and such on there now, but this was just after install

 

Cool ty

Hey are those Ford relays in your 4runner?

 

you caught me. I've got tons of them laying around

 

I'm sure they're all the same but different letter printed on the outside. But I don't tell anyone.

 

I purchased and installed one of these in the engine bay of my Jeep JKU and wired a bunch of OEM switch controls into the cabin for radios, winch controls, lights, etc.

https://4wheelsandamotor.com/technology/waterproof-fuse-relay-box-review-install/

Decided not to get that crazy with my 4Runner but I found this switch/relay box to be of very excellent quality, easily installed, and great value.

 

that's pretty darn slick

 

Doing a thing similar to munit85 working on this time permitting

Because I initially ordered this bracket off Amazon which has pre-cut holes for a Blue Sea fuse block, I was very limited to where I was able to cut and drill holes to accommodate the fuse box. Because of that I wired all of the positive tires directly to the 100A fuse which I think may be a better option anyhow or at least more space efficient.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792GN2DF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Hoping to have this all finished this weekend.

https://imgur.com/ph9qkqF

https://imgur.com/XkthUWM

 

I really appreciate replies from munit85 and Braumeister. Thank you.

Got it all done. For the moment I have raptor lights, light bar, amber back light in light bar and winch power buttons(winch solenoid not yet installed). Don't have roof rack lights yet. Unsure which direction I want to get on those. Write up below with some tips and things I learned along the way. Please feel free to ask any questions. Happy to help where I can.

How I decided to set this up is pulled switched power from the fuse box in the cab which turns on one of the relayed in the relay box than then powers on the switches. The light bar and the raptor lights are on relays. Amber light and winch are not on relays. I could not find the watt draw on the raptor lights so threw them on a relay just in case but I'm pretty sure they don't need it.

Raptor lights are on a switch. wasn't sure if i wanted them or if I'd get sick of them but certainly wanted to be able to turn them off.
https://imgur.com/8oUQ4Lm

Initially I ordered a bracket with pre-cut holes for a Blue Sea fuse box. Then bought a relay box and had to cut a hole for the relay box
https://imgur.com/wWCsofg

Box in:
https://imgur.com/soqLmA5

Used a power bus for negative, and just wired all the positives directly to the fuse that came with the blue sea kit
https://imgur.com/6M3L2JI

Other cut i made was on the bracket by the bolts that go into the fender. This allowed me to get a ratcheting wrench in there to much more easily get the bracket in and out of the truck. Otherwise I had to do tiny little quarter turns with the wrench. Total PITA. quick tip - when I'm cutting metal, I'll throw a welding glove on the hand I'm using to hold the piece of metal. Or if I'm using an angle grinder I'll wear welding gloves on both hands. You may never need the protection, but if you do, it's better to have it. Personally I'm very careless and have nicked my hands with angle grinders without wearing gloves. It's good to be safe. While on that note, wear ear protection. Young folks, you don't want hearing loss or tinnitus. I use powered ear protection for shooting. I also use a respirator. You don't want to be breathing aluminum flakes or the dust from the cutting wheel or metal dust or oil from the manufacturing process on the steel.
https://imgur.com/LmnpQVk

One of the things that was a pain was wiring the switches. They didn't come with a wiring diagram and cursory google didn't come up with anything so i just trial and error-ed until i figured it out with both the single switch and dual switch. I used connectors on the switch wires so I can disconnect them in the future as I intend to add more switches down the road, so it's easy to get power and ground to the new switches. Here's what the key if anyone needs it.
https://imgur.com/zQh5Gqh

I was drinking a lot while doing this and don't trust myself so, all the while i would double and triple check my work with the 9v battery. Old fog light as a test light.
https://imgur.com/x0yNFZc

Running wires through the firewall; labelled each wire carefully. When doing this i like to use roman numerals. I find it's much easier to scratch in a "ll" or a "lV" rather than a "3" or "5" etc when drawing on painters tape while you're trying to move through the project quickly. Easier to scribe and discern these types of markings.
https://imgur.com/7alFIkM

I liked the idea of using the stock blank switch holes. Moved the stock AC outlet / inverter switch over. The double switch is amazing. Glad I found this guy. Could not be happier with these switches.
https://imgur.com/ODTubCO

Light bar really lights up the street. Wish I completed this sooner. Would have been nice to have on some trails.

All done. Wires into the relay box are all on connectors/plugs so it can be put in and taken out easily. Theres no room to work with wires once its in place. And then the other mandatory thing to do was I added a 100A fuse off the battery. ..will probably shorten the wire between the battery and the fuse.
https://imgur.com/f6A5cuS
https://imgur.com/EWASdMC

 

white raptor lights were from 4runner lifestyle. One has water in it from rain. probably buy another set and swap the one out.

Raptor Lights and Winch Power switch from air on board. look in the switch section for 5th gen 4runners and then you might need to look through a lot of switches.
www.aironboard.com

dual light bar switch is caliraised
https://caliraisedled.com/products/...oVaBzRsrIQMgQvhFHZCrBQKQnTk20C40aAvHSEALw_wcB

 

picture with the cute lights on
https://imgur.com/a/Jgod6HV