2018 Ram 3500 Expedition Family Adventure Vehicle
- Thread starter Kingsize24
- Start date
Kingsize24
Well-known member
Well, it has been another productive morning. I unpinned, extended, soldered, shrink tubed, and protected the new wires going to the back of the truck for the BD Squadron lights. Took my time, and am happy with the results. Also, the WeatherTech mats came in yesterday, so they were set in the sun to allow them to get real supple for an easy install. Once the Baja Design lights were in and confirmed to work, I threw the mats in and we are about to pack for a few days at the cabin before the school season starts for the kiddo's. Can't wait for a few days R&R.
Explorerinil
Observer
Not to derail things, but your costing me more money, for the spod, did you still have to use the relays that came with the led lights?
How’s the exp1 bumper working? Still issues with backup sensors and cam?
How’s the exp1 bumper working? Still issues with backup sensors and cam?
Kingsize24
Well-known member
Thank you good sir!
No sir, I cut the wires bare of all the fuses, switches, relays, etc., then extended or shortened as needed. All you need is your lights, and wiring directly from the sPod, to the lights themself. All the controls, voltage protection, etc., all come from the sPod. No need for any inline fuses or relays at all.
The bumper itself has been great. Backup sensors are now useless, and I think I may have found a way to plug in the license plate lights to the original wiring without having to cut wiring as EXP One expects you to do. I will be ordering the pigtail wiring and connectors tomorrow. As for the camera, I never had any issues, I am simply not using it currently since I am waiting on my topper to come in, then will be adding the camera to the topper. From what Marshall said there is enough wiring in the tailgate to separate them. I've looked, and it looks plausable once unloomed inside the tailgate and extended down. The only issue then is the huge HOLE in the tailgate latch where you take the camera from. They offer nothing to correct that either.
This is why I say that they are 90% there. Structurally the bumper is there. Works flawlessly, and I really feel it functions well. However here are the last few small issues I think they need to work out.
1.) They (now) want you to cut two main bumper bolts that I personally feel adds structural vertical support to the hitch. They even have you actually bolt them up in my instructions. However, when you bolt them up, you have to space out your license plate by five eighths of an inch to clear the nut/bolt combination from the bumper. They do not provide this, and now say to either bend your license plate in half over the bolt/nut combo, or cut them off. I personally feel they should provide a spacer for this, and bolt up the bumper fully, and properly. Also, the backup camera mount could be integrated into this for one less part.
2.) The backup sensors simply do not work. This will not be resolved easily unless they relocate the holes to the proper sensor orientation, spacing, point direction, and removal of the shackle mount from the design completely.
3.) The license plate lights they provide may be fine (I have not used them yet), but there is no way to change the light itself out without full replacement, and they do not provide a plug and play solution. You should not have to cut your OEM wire harness to splice in a marginal solution. There should be a plug and play solution #1, and #2, the solution should come with a way to change the lamp. Nothing lasts forever.
4.) If the backup camera solution does prove to function properly and can be pulled from the harness properly and extended down, They should at least provide a plastic blank plug to put in the original camera location so there is no hole left over.
These would all be ~fairly~ simple except the backup sensors, which honestly I could live with if they would just say up front that they are incompatible. Yet all you get it a maybe it will, maybe it won't. Unacceptable.
The rest is a simple spacer, plug, and a pigtail or plug in lamp away from perfection. JMHO as always.
Explorerinil
Observer
Ok so I’m gonna order an s pod now, on their website they have a few different mounting options, would you mind showing me what exactly you ordered? I love that clean set up.
Kingsize24
Well-known member
I added the link on post #216, but here it is also.
https://www.4x4spod.com/universal_8_circuit_source_se_w_touchscreen
This is the exact kit I ordered. I then ordered a RAM mount solution for the screen, but it looks like now they provide one. I ordered this one a while back before they offered it. I used a 1' screw in ball mount to the back of the screen, a 2" arm, then a 1" ball to flat mount to screw the whole assembly to my factory tray above the radio. I ordered the following...
https://www.4x4spod.com/ram_1_4_20_female_threaded_hole_1_ball
https://www.4x4spod.com/ram_composite_short_double_socket_arm_1_balls
https://www.4x4spod.com/ram_mount_diamond_base_w_1_inch_ball_spod
The universal sPod and these three items are all you will need to mount everything exactly as I have it mounted.
Explorerinil
Observer
Sorry I must have missed the link earlier, I appreciate your help.
Kingsize24
Well-known member
No problem at all brother!
Kingsize24
Well-known member
We just pulled up to the cabins to register in. This place is beautiful so far. Out in the Big Thicket area.
chet6.7
Explorer
Dang,I missed this issue,please post your results.
Thanks.
Last edited:
Explorerinil
Observer
Thanks for th
Thanks for the info, I just ordered everything you listed, can’t wait to clean up a wiring mess I got now.
marshal
Burrito Enthusiast
the sPOD HD is totally worth it. I love mine to the moon and back.
The camera relo kit that EX1 offers relocates the camera down to the licence plate, so you're effectively losing 2 feet in height. that really messes with your viewing angle on the screen on whats behind you. that, coupled with the loss of the sensors really sucks.
When i move to the full GFC topper this fall, im going to test relocate the camera to the top of the topper (up another 2 feet) and see if it offers an improved view. if the view improvement is enough to counteract the loss of the sensors, i might put the bumper back on.
The camera relo kit that EX1 offers relocates the camera down to the licence plate, so you're effectively losing 2 feet in height. that really messes with your viewing angle on the screen on whats behind you. that, coupled with the loss of the sensors really sucks.
When i move to the full GFC topper this fall, im going to test relocate the camera to the top of the topper (up another 2 feet) and see if it offers an improved view. if the view improvement is enough to counteract the loss of the sensors, i might put the bumper back on.
Explorerinil
Observer
This sucks they sell a bumper with sensor holes and it doesn’t work, I’m patiently waiting for the bugs to get worked out and their customer service to improve so I can order one. I ordered my truck with a backup cam and sensors, going without them now is not an option.
Maby AEV will get their bumper to the market and have functioning backup cam, sensors and proper license plate lights that don’t require you to molest your factory wireing.