05 Flame Red TJ Build

[JMT]

I initially wanted a front camera but @MikeE024 convinced me otherwise. I don’t really want any other distractions anyway. The backup camera I think is borderline essential. I’ve lived without one a long time, but I do have neighbors with tons of kids running, riding scooters, bikes, and go karts around.

Here are some more pics. Needed daylight for them to actually show up.

 

[MikeE024]

I'm happy to hear it. I've been wondering if I needed to do that but I really didn't want to (too much fuss and complexity)

Happy to share my experience in case it helps someone out. I'm certainly not telling anyone not to get a front camera, but the utility simply wasn't there for me.

@JMT I feel the same way about the rear camera. I use it for backing up in parking lots and areas where there are kids and smaller adults walking because many of them are in their own little world wearing earbuds or headphones. The backup cam helps protect others and takes the edge off so I'm not nearly as stressed when reversing.

 

[Apparition]

Happy to share my experience in case it helps someone out. I'm certainly not telling anyone not to get a front camera, but the utility simply wasn't there for me.

@JMT I feel the same way about the rear camera. I use it for backing up in parking lots and areas where there are kids and smaller adults walking because many of them are in their own little world wearing earbuds or headphones. The backup cam helps protect others and takes the edge off so I'm not nearly as stressed when reversing.

If I could I’d add the 360 Birds Eye camera like my truck I would. Without that I’m fine with no cameras on the jeeps.

 

[MikeE024]

If I could I’d add the 360 Birds Eye camera like my truck. Without that I’m fine with no cameras on the jeeps.

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That's pretty neat. What's the main benefit of having it...e.g., could it help someone when reversing?

I went to the double din to have a bigger screen for maps and to pair with a rear camera for reversing. At my old place, there were a ton of university kids walking with head phones on right behind my rig (some completely oblivious to the world). Not as much of problem now, but I still use it in parking lots and crowded areas.

 

[bobthetj03]

Looks great Jeremy! I really need to step up to the 21st century and do this upgrade. What double din dash panel did you get? Any one a better fit than others?

 

[Apparition]

That's pretty neat. What's the main benefit of having it...e.g., could it help someone when reversing?

I went to the double din to have a bigger screen for maps and to pair with a rear camera for reversing. At my old place, there were a ton of university kids walking with head phones on right behind my rig (some completely oblivious to the world). Not as much of problem now, but I still use it in parking lots and crowded areas.

It’s great for centering in parking spots.

It works in conjunction with front and rear cameras depending if you are in forward or reverse the applicable camera shows next to it.

 

[Wildman]

I initially wanted a front camera but @MikeE024 convinced me otherwise. I don’t really want any other distractions anyway. The backup camera I think is borderline essential. I’ve lived without one a long time, but I do have neighbors with tons of kids running, riding scooters, bikes, and go karts around.

Here are some more pics. Needed daylight for them to actually show up.

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I like having the front camera but we each do are own thing. I've got one of the 3 input devices that I've thought about adding to mine. If I can figure out how to put a camera on each knuckle so it's seeing what's right in front of the tire I might try adding them. Or I might just put one on my axle.

For the backup camera I use mine in my truck all the time. The new truck doesn't have one but I'll be adding one ASAP. Even in a car it's nice to have since now days people aren't paying attention to someone backing out of a parking spot. Even in my daughters car I want to add one for safety.

The dual din looks great and all the stuff that you can do with it is great.

Looks great Jeremy! I really need to step up to the 21st century and do this upgrade. What double din dash panel did you get? Any one a better fit than others?

This is the one I bought. And I accidently stepped on one of the stereo mounting pieces and broke it so I contacted Metra and they sent me a replacement one for free.
https://www.amazon.com/Metra-95-6549-1997-2002-Wrangler-Harness/dp/B07PXP4Z31/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[psrivats]

I initially wanted a front camera but @MikeE024 convinced me otherwise. I don’t really want any other distractions anyway. The backup camera I think is borderline essential. I’ve lived without one a long time, but I do have neighbors with tons of kids running, riding scooters, bikes, and go karts around.

Here are some more pics. Needed daylight for them to actually show up.


View attachment 584628

That screen protector glare would drive me crazy. Doesn't the unit have a nice matte (and not glossy) LCD? Do you really need a screen protector?

 

[Woodrow]

It’s great for centering in parking spots.

It works in conjunction with front and rear cameras depending if you are in forward or reverse the applicable camera shows next to it.

My wife’s SUV has that. Pretty cool. She likes centering in the spot too. I like that she doesn’t scuff the rims as much but putting wider than stock tires on helped even more. For myself, I keep my rigs forever, so I usually know my fenders pretty well. If I’m unsure, I go slow (the braille method is my backup)

 

[Apparition]

I like having the front camera but we each do are own thing. I've got one of the 3 input devices that I've thought about adding to mine. If I can figure out how to put a camera on each knuckle so it's seeing what's right in front of the tire I might try adding them. Or I might just put one on my axle.

For the backup camera I use mine in my truck all the time. The new truck doesn't have one but I'll be adding one ASAP. Even in a car it's nice to have since now days people aren't paying attention to someone backing out of a parking spot. Even in my daughters car I want to add one for safety.

The dual din looks great and all the stuff that you can do with it is great.



This is the one I bought. And I accidently stepped on one of the stereo mounting pieces and broke it so I contacted Metra and they sent me a replacement one for free.
https://www.amazon.com/Metra-95-6549-1997-2002-Wrangler-Harness/dp/B07PXP4Z31/?tag=wranglerorg-20

These cameras were on my frame. If you had space on the outside of the frame you could mount them there. Knuckles would be hard.

 

[Apparition]

My wife’s SUV has that. Pretty cool. She likes centering in the spot too. I like that she doesn’t scuff the rims as much but putting wider than stock tires on helped even more. For myself, I keep my rigs forever, so I usually know my fenders pretty well. If I’m unsure, I go slow (the braille method is my backup)

Driving a vehicle without them and I realize how useful they are.

The jeep usually doesn’t have side mirrors or windows so it’s not a big deal with it.

 

[Wildman]

These cameras were on my frame. If you had space on the outside of the frame you could mount them there. Knuckles would be hard.

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It's a low on the totem pole priority at this point. It's just something in the back of my mind that I might do. What I have now works OK.

 

[JMT]

That screen protector glare would drive me crazy. Doesn't the unit have a nice matte (and not glossy) LCD? Do you really need a screen protector?

The screen is matte. I tried a glossy screen protector thinking it would be more vibrant in the dark winter months, but when I took the pics it was the first time I’d seen it in daylight, and I thought I was going to go crazy when I saw my reflection. It will be getting swapped out with a matte screen protector.

I do think I need one because I’ve had problems with scratching on other units and it really affects the aesthetics, so I didn’t want to risk it.

 

[MikeE024]

I’ve had problems with scratching on other units and it really affects the aesthetics, so I didn’t want to risk it.

As wonderful as they are, maybe take the cat claw gloves off for rides in the TJ.

 

[JMT]

As wonderful as they are, maybe take the cat claw gloves off for rides in the TJ.

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But I identify as a cat Mike.

Maybe these screens are way better, but it’s all the dust that gets in my rig when I’m off-road. Then I fiddle with my controls and blah. Looks terrible.

 

[Sayantsi]

Since I don't see it in your TOC (and there's 370+ pages to scroll through) - what front bumper do you have now?

 

[tworley]

Since I don't see it in your TOC (and there's 370+ pages to scroll through) - what front bumper do you have now?

@JMT has the @Fluxor bumper. A very popular (and well-built bumper) here on the forum.

 

[JMT]

Since I don't see it in your TOC (and there's 370+ pages to scroll through) - what front bumper do you have now?

What he said ^^^^

Here’s where you can find it.

https://fluxoffroad.com/

I’ll update the TOC.

 

[JMT]

I just finished putting the Toyota Koito headlights on my rig. My old Octane lighting headlights had a bad crack.

I bought two sets of the Toyota lights and the grand total was $47.36 shipped to my door. Came with the headlights, bulbs, relays, a nice fused harness, lots of zip ties, and dialectic grease. Hard to believe. Packed fantastic.

There was way too much wire so I cut all the wires shorter so I wouldn’t have a wad of wire. Used non-insulated butt connectors and adhesive shrink wrap. I staggered the cuts so the harness wouldn’t have a big fat section. It takes time to do this, but I think it’s way better in the end and shows you actually care.
I bought some Hella H4 100/80w bulbs. I’m not too happy with the color (3200). I think I’d prefer 4000. I’m going to look around.

I put the relays in the typical location.

They look pretty good. I’ll have to see how well they illuminate at night, but they are higher wattage than the previous 65/55, so they should be an improvement.

 

[All 4 Wheelin']

I just finished putting the Toyota Koito headlights on my rig. My old Octane lighting headlights had a bad crack.
View attachment 587901
I bought two sets of the Toyota lights and the grand total was $47.36 shipped to my door. Came with the headlights, bulbs, relays, a nice fused harness, lots of zip ties, and dialectic grease. Hard to believe. Packed fantastic.
View attachment 587903View attachment 587904
There was way too much wire so I cut all the wires shorter so I wouldn’t have a wad of wire. Used non-insulated butt connectors and adhesive shrink wrap. I staggered the cuts so the harness wouldn’t have a big fat section. It takes time to do this, but I think it’s way better in the end and shows you actually care.
I bought some Hella H4 100/80w bulbs. I’m not too happy with the color (3200). I think I’d prefer 4000. I’m going to look around.
View attachment 587906View attachment 587905
I put the relays in the typical location.
View attachment 587907

They look pretty good. I’ll have to see how well they illuminate at night, but they are higher wattage than the previous 65/55, so they should be an improvement.
View attachment 587908View attachment 587909

Where did you get the non insulated but connectors?