my 4runner is fairly modded out for "overlanding" which I call cruising around and camping for a couple nights,,,not much room under the hood due to arb compressor,,,was thinking of putting in a group 27 agm deep cycle somwwhere on it and bringing a cheaper arb knockoff frigde,,, what are some good knock-off. nothing against arb other than their price. not going to use it all that much. anyone with a 4runner,, what size fridge is best,, something that is easily liftable, i hope. was thinking 65 qt maybe too much?
where to put battery and which dc refrig (not arb) for 2016 4runner
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I don't have a 4runner, but I'm going through the same process right now. I hear REALLY good things about the Iceco VL series fridges. Good insulation, excellent compressor, and pretty good efficiency.
You should be able to grab a group 24 with between 70-85 Ah. Just make sure it's a sealed.
You should be able to grab a group 24 with between 70-85 Ah. Just make sure it's a sealed.
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Check out Rago Fabrication, they have an awesome seecond battery tray with ARB Compressor Mount built into it (along with a lot of other cool 4Runner accessories).
As for which fridge, we are using a Wynter 65 QT in the back of our 4th Gen and love it. Check out Let’s Talk Coolers for some other great ideas as well.
Whynter FM-65G 65 Quart Portable...
As for which fridge, we are using a Wynter 65 QT in the back of our 4th Gen and love it. Check out Let’s Talk Coolers for some other great ideas as well.
Whynter FM-65G 65 Quart Portable...
Sounds like you are planning on long weekends rather than extended touring? If so than I'd suggest a portable battery pack and smaller fridge. There are many brands of battery packs available depending on your needs GoalZero, Jackery etc... check out Will Prowse's youtube for breakdowns and reviews of what is out there (DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse).
I want to be able to head out for 2 weeks with a single packout so I've been looking into a Dometic fridge and looking for a way to put in the spot of the 60% back seat in my 4th gen 4Runner. This along with a complete dual battery system for the 4Runner from OffGrid Eng. (Complete Dual Battery Systems for Toyota Trucks/ SUV's). Not likely to happen this year but on the long term plans....
Boort
Wow, those are pretty pricey spare battery kits, the problem with the 4runner one is that my ARB compressor is in that same spot, I suspect like a lot of people, I wonder if there’s a way to mount a one underneath the vehicle somewhere near the spare tire
I actually just ordered the winter 34 quart slim line, hopefully it is big enough for my needs
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If it wasn’t pulling double duty in my home, I would have gone with the 34 qt. @PNW EXPLR has a 65 as well. It’s been trouble free for him for the past 4 or 5 years.
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Check out Rago Fabrications... the ARB dual Battery setup I posted earlier I can’t link too, just go to their home page and select 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner, it’s on the bottom of page 2 iirc.
@rockwind1
Yes they are rather expensive battery kits but they are made in the US from top quality components. I had the opportunity to talk with the Eng behind the products and he provided in depth details why he chose each component. The kit is turn key expect for the battery.
I'm assuming you have it mounted under the hood, passenger side, up by the firewall. If so then yes that is where most 2nd batts go in 4Runners. If just planning to go out for a few days to a week I'd probably stick with a small fridge and portable battery pack sized to run it. Run a fat wire (see ARB wireing kit for specs part #10900027). Batt charges while driving between locations, You can get a solar panel if you plan to stay a while, unplug form rig and let it charge by the sun. This is what a number of the Photographers tha tI go out with do for charging their equipment. Most are ex-backpackers so no fridge but lots of cameras and laptops to charge :D
I've seen a Tacoma with the single cylinder ARB compressor mounted above the spare tire. He had it tucked up under the rim and in front of the hoist system IIRC the guy ran a circuit breaker at the battery with a heavy guage wire back to the compressor, then had the output in the bumper near the license plate. I've also seen lots of rigs where the spare is relocated and the ARB compressor and air tank are installed in the Stock compressor location. Depending on what Gen 4Runner you may be able to mount the twin compressor under the passenger seat or in the rear side panel. (Toyota-4Runner.org) just make sure it can breathe. If I were to put it under the seat I'd probably get a couple of computer fans and a voltage regulator to cycle cool air over the compressor when it's on and for say 5-10 mins after.
That 34Qt looks like an awesome setup, Might have to see if the dimensions work better than the Dometic I've been looking at. Thanks!
Boort
Yes they are rather expensive battery kits but they are made in the US from top quality components. I had the opportunity to talk with the Eng behind the products and he provided in depth details why he chose each component. The kit is turn key expect for the battery.
I'm assuming you have it mounted under the hood, passenger side, up by the firewall. If so then yes that is where most 2nd batts go in 4Runners. If just planning to go out for a few days to a week I'd probably stick with a small fridge and portable battery pack sized to run it. Run a fat wire (see ARB wireing kit for specs part #10900027). Batt charges while driving between locations, You can get a solar panel if you plan to stay a while, unplug form rig and let it charge by the sun. This is what a number of the Photographers tha tI go out with do for charging their equipment. Most are ex-backpackers so no fridge but lots of cameras and laptops to charge :D
I've seen a Tacoma with the single cylinder ARB compressor mounted above the spare tire. He had it tucked up under the rim and in front of the hoist system IIRC the guy ran a circuit breaker at the battery with a heavy guage wire back to the compressor, then had the output in the bumper near the license plate. I've also seen lots of rigs where the spare is relocated and the ARB compressor and air tank are installed in the Stock compressor location. Depending on what Gen 4Runner you may be able to mount the twin compressor under the passenger seat or in the rear side panel. (Toyota-4Runner.org) just make sure it can breathe. If I were to put it under the seat I'd probably get a couple of computer fans and a voltage regulator to cycle cool air over the compressor when it's on and for say 5-10 mins after.
That 34Qt looks like an awesome setup, Might have to see if the dimensions work better than the Dometic I've been looking at. Thanks!
Boort
We have a Dometic 35L - more than enough for a weekend (this has worked fine, keeping the basic minimum in the fridge and reloading as we're using stuff, for a week and more). If you're staying in one place without moving the vehicle for a couple of days in hot climates then a second battery is a good, however I would go for the portable battery so that you can leave it at home when you don't need the refrigerator; this saves money on the wiring as well. We had extra batteries on our penultimate "big trip" and really didn't need them, for our last "big trip" we went with only the standard battery and this worked fine except for a couple of occasions when we stayed in one place, in hot weather, for more than a couple of days.
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I installed a 700cca side post battery under the rear passenger seat (was). Side post was to keep the top profile low. Ran a piggy back 15a fuse holder off my ignition fuse to a 30amp relay which fed a #10 wire to my "house battery" in the rear. Turn ignition on and the alternator charges the rear, ignition off and it separates.
Installed a TruckFridge TB41A (12v-110v) in the back of the Jeep and fed it with a #12 wire power port.
Just got back from doing Black Bear Pass, Imogene and Mineral Creek, Tomboy Basin Cinnamon Pass and the Apline Loop etc. It worked great with no problems and it was shaken, rattled and beat on by the rocks. Broke a few egges in my plastic container though. Ran it 34 degrees and slightly froze a water bottle. Very happy with it. Cost $549 delivered, no tax or shipping and got it in 3 days.
I ran it for 3 days on the low battery cut off before I went, supposed to have the Dan Foss style compressor. It was very quiet as I slept inside, never woke me up
.
Side note, I just travel with my dog so I removed the front passenger and both rear seats a created a platform where my dog could stand or lay down. Tools and battery are below along with all the heavy stuff I could fit to keep off the rack.
Fridges are AWESOME!
Installed a TruckFridge TB41A (12v-110v) in the back of the Jeep and fed it with a #12 wire power port.
Just got back from doing Black Bear Pass, Imogene and Mineral Creek, Tomboy Basin Cinnamon Pass and the Apline Loop etc. It worked great with no problems and it was shaken, rattled and beat on by the rocks. Broke a few egges in my plastic container though. Ran it 34 degrees and slightly froze a water bottle. Very happy with it. Cost $549 delivered, no tax or shipping and got it in 3 days.
I ran it for 3 days on the low battery cut off before I went, supposed to have the Dan Foss style compressor. It was very quiet as I slept inside, never woke me up
.
Side note, I just travel with my dog so I removed the front passenger and both rear seats a created a platform where my dog could stand or lay down. Tools and battery are below along with all the heavy stuff I could fit to keep off the rack.
Fridges are AWESOME!
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