Ditch Light Bracket and Garmin PowerSwitch Install

[jacsol99]

I purchased a set of BD Squadron Pros back in December and finally decided to pick out some ditch light brackets to install them. I found a set on Amazon that was fairly cheap so I thought I would give them a try. I saw SDHQ which advertised American Made so I wanted to see a comparison.

• Packaging
  • GafeSkui
    • plastic wrapped
  • SDHQ
    • stuffed in foam
• Appearance
  • GafeSkui
    • paint chipped from brackets hitting each other (not the mfg fault this was all me)
    • bends were a little rough
  • SDHQ
    • no real complaints
• Installation
  • GafeSkui
    • I did not install since I decided to use the SDHQ bracket
  • SDHQ
    • super simple to install. Passenger side I did have to remove one of the clips as you can see in the picture

Besides the ditch light brackets, I did create a simple bracket to mount the PowerSwitch to the stock battery hold down. I chose to grind down one of the nuts so it did not press into the battery too much when the hold down was tightened. As shown in the pictures I did not use the BD wiring and instead stripped the connector on the lights and crimped some Deutsch connectors on.

All in all it was a great project. Next I have my eyes on a lift and a set of wheels.


SDHQ Ditch Light Bracket
GafeSkui Ditch Light Bracket

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[Danager]

Thanks for the post on a non-Raptor Ranger.

I wanted the Garmin PowerSwitch. They are pretty spendy for what they are.
I planning to go with one of the Bluetooth switch kits and not run the wire for the switch panel into the cabin. I have my previous iPhone I can dedicate to the various truck apps.
I have at least another month before it warms up enough to work on my truck - the research continues.

What other lighting are you planning on?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Sweet!!!! Where'd ya run the power through the firewall? I did mine through that rubber grommet by the MC.

 

[jacsol99]

Thanks for the post on a non-Raptor Ranger.

I wanted the Garmin PowerSwitch. They are pretty spendy for what they are.
I planning to go with one of the Bluetooth switch kits and not run the wire for the switch panel into the cabin. I have my previous iPhone I can dedicate to the various truck apps.
I have at least another month before it warms up enough to work on my truck - the research continues.

What other lighting are you planning on?

I was thinking about mounting a set of BD S1 or S2's in the bed/bumper for additional reverse lighting as well as zone lighting for the camp site. I also saw people using a set of diode dynamics as fog lights so.

That most likely won't be until down the road as I want to focus on a lift and wheels next. I took the truck to old dale road in Joshua tree over the weekend and smashed the trans crossmember a little. I am also jealous of how easily my brother can roll over everything in his lifted tacoma.

 

[jacsol99]

Sweet!!!! Where'd ya run the power through the firewall? I did mine through that rubber grommet by the MC.

The reason I went with the Garmin PowerSwitch is because I didn't want to run any additional wiring into the cab and did not want to have any manual switches. The PowerSwitch uses an app to control it so there was no need to run a wire into the dash. It is all controlled through the app or right on the box.

With that being said I used the wiring provided by Garmin in the box and had it all connected on top of the battery.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The reason I went with the Garmin PowerSwitch is because I didn't want to run any additional wiring into the cab and did not want to have any manual switches. The PowerSwitch uses an app to control it so there was no need to run a wire into the dash. It is all controlled through the app or right on the box.

With that being said I used the wiring provided by Garmin in the box and had it all connected on top of the battery.

Ohhhhh got it. I didnt know that! I used an Auxbeam panel. Got it, thanks!

 

[Freedom Beast]

This is awesome. Just looked it up on Garmin. You can use it through your infotainment system as well (at least that's how I read it):

"Garmin PowerSwitch support for the Apple CarPlay® software feature and Android Auto™ connectivity (enabled via this app) lets you seamlessly view and control switching functions from your vehicle’s compatible in-dash infotainment display."

 

[Freedom Beast]

Did you make that mounting plate to go on top of the batt?

 

[jacsol99]

This is awesome. Just looked it up on Garmin. You can use it through your infotainment system as well (at least that's how I read it):

"Garmin PowerSwitch support for the Apple CarPlay® software feature and Android Auto™ connectivity (enabled via this app) lets you seamlessly view and control switching functions from your vehicle’s compatible in-dash infotainment display."

Yes, that is correct. For carplay it is one of the apps you can select from. So you can turn it on from your phone, the infotainment system, or manually on the unit. I have taken it to Joshua Tree and Jawbone so far and have no complaints.

 

[jacsol99]

Did you make that mounting plate to go on top of the batt?

Yes, I made the bracket. I was originally going to purchase one, but I had some metal laying around and it was a week before my trip. Plus, the bracket from Australia wasn't going to get delivered in time.

 

[Freedom Beast]

Thanks
jacsol99

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