I have wires running all over my Engine bay and was wanting to get it organized. I wanted an SPod, but didn't want to part with $600 to buy one. I went to the junkyard and pulled a couple of fuse relay boxes off of a late 90s Chevy car, don't remember if it was a caprice or Impala. These cars have a small box like mine on each fender well. The work began I disassembled both boxes and wired up one, so I could have 5 fused relays and 6 mini fuses. This took a while and a lot of patience. After I got it complete I modified the bracket so I



could bolt it in. I am now in the process of finding all of my wires and routing them all to the new box. I also took a Cat 5 cable and ran to my switches and this will run to the new box to relays. This is a lot of work but should be all in for about $60.
I have $40 for the relay boxes that were full of relays and fuses. Another $20 in connectors shrink wrap and wire.

 

Nicely done. Any pics of this in progress so we can see what all you had to do?

 

No sorry, I get going and then realize I should have taken some pics. Then when I do take pics they usually sent very good. If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer.

 

SPOD Offers a system that is pretty well under the 600$ price tag... Their basic 6 switch is 435 and that's plug in ready to roll

Kudos to you for taking the time to find parts and figure something that works for you but what is that time spent worth? Once the relay is done what are all the switches etc going to cost?

I'm in a similar situation where the price tag seems hefty but at the end of the day worth every penny in the long run. The way I see it,buy once cry once, get a quality piece of equipment that you can count on and support an American made product.

 

Jahamm88

I couldn't agree with you more I spent a lot of time on this project figuring it all out and still am, taking all of my old relays out from various places and rewiring it all back in to the new box. I could have picked up an SPOD or the Painless box, but where's the fun in that. I have a 2007 Jk with over 100k miles it is an extra vehicle and is built 100% by me. So therefore if she needs something that is what I do. It is relaxing and rewarding to go out to the shop and see what I can figure out, then make it. Sometimes doing over and over till I get it right. When my 3.8l ceased to turn I bought a barely used 5.7l hemi and 545rfe and preceded to fab parts and make it work in my jk. Took a while, but I did it. If I had a Daily driver and had to use it to get to work every day it would be different.
I may be strange, but digging through the scrapyard finding old parts I can repurpose into something cool is a blast.
My buddies think I'm crazy but I even mount and balance all of my jeep tires. It works for me.

 

Totally respect that as I do similar things. The line I don't cross is electrical so I'll leave that to the pros. When it comes to everything else however I'm all about fabbing. That's the fun part of these vehicles! Currently working on a custom skid box thing to hold an air tank and I'm sure it won't be the last thing I make for this vehicle as I plan to have it for some time.. Cheers! And happy tinkering!

 

Nice job except the wiring. Please don't use Cat 5 or any network cable under the hood. The max temp on the wiring is only 167 degrees Fahrenheit. You want automotive primary wire

For a little more $ you can get a Cooper Bussman relay panel, relays, fuses, but still build it yourself.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-w...ekwire-324558/