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Photon (The Light Hunter) Build Thread

Discussion in '5th Gen Builds (2010-2024)' started by Photon_Chaser, Feb 11, 2024.

  1. Oct 9, 2024 at 3:16 PM
    #61
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    Roger
    Sierra Nevada Mountains
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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    I'm working on a possible solution. :D
     
    acet7 and Pepper like this.
  2. Oct 10, 2024 at 7:19 PM
    #62
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Knobs and Things...(cont.)

    The 0.2 nozzles came in, gave the tuner knobs another go. Top row finer details! Bottom row, meh...

    cap_comparison.jpg
     
  3. Oct 10, 2024 at 7:21 PM
    #63
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    On-Board Air (cont.)

    Switching gears cause more goodies arrived in the mail...Upgrade completed and saved a bit of room on the Molle Panel to boot.

    Old...
    Pneu_Old.jpg

    Upgrade...
    Apex_Pneu.jpg
     
    Thacrow, acet7, yentup and 1 other person like this.
  4. Oct 29, 2024 at 12:07 PM
    #64
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    Roger
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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    After using the new on-board air storage set-up a couple of times I realized that I would like to try and eliminate the velcro tie downs. Result, a cleaner and quite robust clip-in method...clip in one end of the extension hose, wrap a turn and a half and clip in on the opposite side. No more fumbling with velcro and this can be easily used even with gloved hands. :cool:

    Apex_Air.jpg

    ©2024 PhotonChaser
     
  5. Nov 7, 2024 at 6:35 PM
    #65
    Thacrow

    Thacrow New Member

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    Speed holes
    That's really cool. You don't mess around. Thank you for sharing your build and all the great info.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2024
    Photon_Chaser[OP] likes this.
  6. Nov 7, 2024 at 9:03 PM
    #66
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    Roger
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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    There's a bunch more stuff in the works...:cool:
     
  7. Nov 7, 2024 at 10:15 PM
    #67
    Thacrow

    Thacrow New Member

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    Speed holes
    Dude I can't wait. You do good work.
     
  8. Nov 14, 2024 at 7:26 PM
    #68
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    Roger
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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Switching it up over the long weekend with a trial fit of the SS5 Pods behind the grill using the Stealth mounting kit.

    SSDtest1.jpg
    Had a little work to do on the right headlight assembly while the bumper facia was off...


    SSDtest2.jpg
    The Stealth mounting frame attaches with just two of the main crash-bar bolts so it was a very easy install.


    SSDtest3.jpg

    Road test! Just the backlights on, I'll have to take an update photo once I'm in a better location to do so. Even though these are the 'Sport' version they are just too bright to use on-road and the 'Combo' lens pattern is a bit too wide (think flood)...I may get ahold of the 'driving' lens version as those have a more focused beam pattern.
     
    acet7, dgrenier15 and Thacrow like this.
  9. Nov 14, 2024 at 8:02 PM
    #69
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    Roger
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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Next up, Winch Bumper!

    I did a great deal of thinking since the summer of 2023 about which Winch Bumper to go with and the final trigger was a helluva Veterans Day sale on a winch bumper with a free winch!
    The order arrived in three days and all components without a scratch!
    Orderarrived.jpg
    Winch_Contents.jpg
    Bunper_Contents.jpg

    With the help of a good friend it took us the better part of 7 hours to do the full installation as there were a few confusing steps encountered along the way and we took frequent breaks to tend to other projects (we were timing a house painting project and some 3D printing simultaneously over the course of the day.)

    First off we had to remove the SS5 pods, the Stealth mounting frame and the crash bar.

    SSDtest2.jpg
    Bumperwinch1.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2024
  10. Nov 15, 2024 at 11:41 AM
    #70
    acet7

    acet7 New Member

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    That is a sharp looking bumper.
     
  11. Nov 20, 2024 at 8:41 PM
    #71
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    Roger
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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Air Hose Hanger revisited...

    Yeah, I think I'm overthinking this one too much, maybe I should just go back to velcro straps! :D

    airhose.jpg
     
    Dabigono, acet7 and ThomasL like this.
  12. Nov 26, 2024 at 5:56 PM
    #72
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    The factory installation instructions recommended that the winch cradle, winch, winch shell, etc. be all assembled first and installed in one cohesive assembly. With my shoulder acting up I did not feel able to lift up more than 50 lbs so we instead opted to install the cradle first, winch second and then the shell with light bar third.

    Here you can see there was ample room for the winch installation into the cradle. I only needed to slightly push on the AC cooling line about 1/4" to clear any contact with the winch's transmission end and did not need to do anything with the Power Steering line.

    winch_in_cradle.jpg

    By doing the install in this manner provided a much more accurate means of trimming the plastic bumper cover.
    Trim1.jpg
    Trim2.jpg
     
    acet7 likes this.
  13. Nov 26, 2024 at 6:06 PM
    #73
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Once we were satisfied with the fit/finish we then installed the front shell and with three bolts on each side and some elbow grease with the torque wrench...Et Voila!

    Bumperwinch2.jpg

    Now I eventually hope to re-install the SS5's behind the grill but with the storms happening right now I need the lights so...there happens to be two convenient perch details on the bumper which made a temporary installation possible.

    DRLs.jpg

    All in all I am very pleased with the quality of this bumper' construction. The welds are all perfect as is the powder coat finish. The inclusion of very beefy recovery points that are located down low and tied directly to the frame. I was a wee bit concerned about adding an additional 150 ibs up front but the decision last year to go with the Eibach upgrade springset handled the additional weight just fine...I think Photon lost a total of about 1/2" from the +1.4" gained by the springs.
     
    Pepper, acet7 and yentup like this.
  14. Nov 27, 2024 at 7:48 PM
    #74
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Winch Bumper Finale. Maybe...

    After having watched tons of videos I noticed that the bumper access cutouts could accumulate snow, mud and water intrusion so some quick measurements and a little CAD modeling later...

    Bumper_Cover_1.jpg
    Bumper_Cover_2.jpg

    I used two methods of attachment, no tool(s) needed. Already tested on a +150 mile drive...and the covers stay put.
     
    dgrenier15, acet7 and Thacrow like this.
  15. Nov 29, 2024 at 12:59 PM
    #75
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Knobs and things, part Trois....

    Slowly making progress on the proper print settings. I don't think I can get any more improvements to the font appearance but it's looking fairly decent now.

    HVAC_Ring_V4.jpg HVAC_Ring_Assy_V4.jpg

    Need to work on fine tuning of the ring base as it is a very tight snap fit. The design geometries are quite challenging as dimensional tolerances are difficult to match up (but not impossible.). Here is where I am at on the 3D model.

    HVAC_Ring_Assy_V4_Model.jpg
     
  16. Nov 30, 2024 at 12:08 PM
    #76
    Pepper

    Pepper New Member

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    Looks awesome
     
  17. Nov 30, 2024 at 1:46 PM
    #77
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Thanks! I’m fairly happy with the way things are coming along on this project. Printing version four right now, discovered that the Blue and Red ‘squares’ are a bit too thick (not allowing enough light through to see easily)…will know in a little over an hour from now!

    IMG_2610.jpg
     
    acet7 and JustATallDude like this.
  18. Nov 30, 2024 at 4:31 PM
    #78
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Got the SSC1s installed, I like the small form-factor and these do throw out a ton of light.
    SSC1_Install.jpg

    Wiring however will have to wait, USPS failed to deliver this afternoon...
    Delayed.jpg
     
    MEski4x4, acet7 and Thacrow like this.
  19. Dec 6, 2024 at 7:50 AM
    #79
    Photon_Chaser

    Photon_Chaser [OP] 48171 and counting…

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    21 TRD Pro - "Photon"
    http://tinyurl.com/5th-Gen-Build-Page
    Shifting gears (again). This time to address this one detail that's been kinda driving me nuts so while I was helping a good buddy with a re-wiring project, got out the calipers and made some measurements...

    before_cover.jpg after_cover.jpg

    The real trick is trying to match as closely as possible the front end grill and bumper color/textures.
     
    Thacrow and acet7 like this.
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