Wiring '16 Bobcat for '17 Tacoma

[James T Kirk]

I'm putting together a 2016 Bobcat and a 2017 Tacoma TRD 0ff-road. I need to alter the power and lighting connections to fit a 7pin female trailer plug on the bumper of the Tacoma.

This plug will fit the 2017 Tacoma TRD off-road trailer receptical.

Unfortunately the power connectors on the Bobcat are on the opposite side from the Tacoma receptacle . The 4 pin lighting plug is in the back and the 2 pin 12v power plug is in the front.

I thought about rewiring internally so it would emerge on the left side near the receptacle. But that would be brutal work. All the wiring is within the frame and I would have to remove the door and sheeting. Much easier to just get a longer plug.

I found an easy method to access the light wiring down in the corner of the frame. Remove the corner protectors and grab on to the edge of that section of the exterior sheeting and slide it out. Nice! Easy!

I had to figure out the configuration of the the 4 pin lighting plug. I searched everywhere on this sub-forum for a wiring diagram but couldn't find one. So I checked it the hard way.
White=Ground
Brown=Running lights
Yellow=Left Turn signal
Green=Right turn signal

The new plug has 7 wires feeding it. Lights and power and brake controller all in one. So it's a larger diameter cord. I was worried if I enlarged the original hole I would compromise the integrity of the frame. So I chose a spot in the corner where it was all wood.

I had to get rid of the power plug in the front and run the line internally hooking up with the new big plug in the back.

Everything now connects near the floor in the corner in between the bench seat and the back wall. I'm probably going to modify that bench seat turning it into a two seat side dinette in the future. That will leave that corner free to build a full height closet that will cover up the wiring.

Finished product.

-Kirk Out

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

As we galactic explorers say, ya done good!

 

[jimjxsn]

Nice job on the re-wiring. I like your camper stand as well, it looks sturdy.

 

[rando]

Nice job on the rewiring!

One quick question for you though - do you rely on the truck to provide any significant charging to your camper? If so, you may have issues with the long lengths of thin gauge wire to the trailer plug then into the camper. This is particularly true of the newer Tacoma which have an ECU controlled alternator that quickly reduces the voltage after the main battery is charged which makes charging an
aux battery a struggle even with heavy gauge wires.

It looks like you have solar, so maybe you are OK with just a trickle charge from the alternator, which is my situation.

 

[James T Kirk]

...If so, you may have issues with the long lengths of thin gauge wire to the trailer plug then into the camper. This is particularly true of the newer Tacoma which have an ECU controlled alternator that quickly reduces the voltage after the main battery is charged which makes charging an
aux battery a struggle even with heavy gauge wires...



It's 10ga wire within the new plug cord and the run back to the battery saver. Interesting, I'm curious how the ECU will throttle voltage. You wonder if it will pay attention to an aux battery that's connected to the factory trailer plug. Send power one direction and not the other? I'll watch this and see how things go. You're right though, there's a solar panel on the roof.

-Kirk Out

 

[James T Kirk]

Nice job on the re-wiring. I like your camper stand as well, it looks sturdy.

THX! I'm a carpenter. A few bucks for some wood, $17 for two 1" axles and four wheels at $18 ea.. Now I can wheel that thing all over the driveway, in the gravel! A little tough getting it to turn. Gotta lift one end and pivot.

 

[rtpvibes]

Question now when your truck is charging threw plug does it have a way to not pull from truck battery when truck is off ? Or is there no power going there when key is off ?
And what do you have for solar ?
Any interior pics ?

 

[James T Kirk]

Question now when your truck is charging threw plug does it have a way to not pull from truck battery when truck is off ? Or is there no power going there when key is off ?
And what do you have for solar ?
Any interior pics ?

There is an AOPEC Smart Battery Isolator.

I also have a 100w solar panel by Solar Cynergy with a CMTP02 solar controller.

See my other thread for more photo's, Cheers!

-Kirk Out