July 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 3

There are many dual battery systems available on the market. Some of the more famous ones kits being National Luna, Dirty Parts and Painless Wiring. You can easily build your own system as well using solenoids and isolators. The IBS DBS system is a relatively new system available in the states for the past several years. It was created by Swiss, Beat Wyss after having suffered two dead batteries while traveling in Australia’s Great Victorian Desert with his 60 Series Land Cruiser. IBS has created and made Intelligent Battery Systems for over 15 years in Switzerland. We chose the IBS DBS system due to its proven solid state design and if the starter battery dies or discharges to 10v or below we can self jump from the auxiliary battery with the optional RBM module. Our kit came from ExtemeOutback.com, the US distributor for IBS Switzerland. 

Ever been out on a trail in the dark with your hood open and can’t see a darn thing? Well, we have. It’s time to install a set of LED lights to help the situation. We just wish we would have done this mod a lot sooner than later.We’re going to do a simple install with a set of KC-Hilites Cyclone LEDs rated at 400 lumens each. For the switch we’ll be using a waterproof push button switch instead of a pressure switch. We don’t need the light coming on every time we open the hood. The brand is Trail Tech and it can be found on Amazon.com.

Texas resident Carter Beckworth rolled into Truth or Consequences, NM in a vehicle that looked ready to go on safari on another continent. He arrived to join the Ghost Divide Expedition entourage headed to Overland Expo. His Land Cruiser immediately attracted attention due to its rarity:  a1983 Aussie spec HJ47 powered by a 4.0 naturally aspirated 2H diesel. 

You probably saw a few photos of this very nicely built 5th Gen 4Runner from our SEMA 2014 coverage last year. Toyota was kind enough to place this truck in their outdoor featured vehicles area and it was very well covered.