I probably should have done this to begin with..... versus having a couple threads with specific mods. I'll do my best to consolidate here.
In November '20 I picked up a 2016 Pioneer 1000-5. Got a heck of a deal on a unit with about 500 miles on it.
When we picked it up, it had a few mods:
-Honda Soft Top
-Honda shorty windshield
-4 LED Lights on the front
-Throttle Max gas pedal assist
-Spare tire (bouncing in the bed)
-Badlands 3500 Winch (actually installed properly, I was amazed).
Picked it up about 100 miles from home. You'll notice in the garage picture that there isn't a soft top on it anymore. Funny story, turns out 75mph + 25-30mph headwinds was a bit much for the factory soft top on an open trailer. Fortunately (1) there was no traffic behind me on the highway (2) only a few of the fiberglass rods were missing afterwards; the top was still physically attached, just shredded. Frankly, it didn't matter much to me, I had always planned on putting a hard top on it.
About two weeks after getting it, I got a lovely case of COVID followed up with pneumonia in both lungs.... Still working on recovering, but I've finally been well enough that I can install parts on it. Fortunately I was able to put about 100 miles on it with the family before I got sick. Wife and son had a blast on our rides.
Mods since buying:
-Honda OEM Hard Roof
-ICOM Ham Radio, Diamond fold-over antenna (so it still fits in the garage), RB3 NMO antenna mount at driver/rear ROPS.
-Brick City Fab rear rack w/Canyon 35 cooler.
-Generic single row LED Flood lights mounted to top of rear ROPS for backup lights (manually switched, didn't want automatic)
-Ripping out all of the old LEDs, switches and wiring the previous owner did. Calling it a "Rats Nest" would be an insult to rats. I really don't understand how this thing didn't catch fire.
-Honda under-dash net storage
-Honda under-seat storage compartment
-Rigid RDS 30" Light Bar (recycled from a truck I sold last year, it's been sitting in the garage waiting for a good home)
-New Yuasa GYZ16H Battery. Original battery was on it's last legs and didn't like being re-charged.
-2nd Battery
-New Switch Panel for Dash with new switches, RAM mount and a magnetic mic mount for the radio.
-Door drink holders
-Transferred my Garmin 64ST mount from my busted ATV (Honda TRX 300) to the pioneer.
Over the past few weeks, I was able to work on projects for about 30 min at a time while I was recovering... progress was admittedly super slow, but I had to do something to keep from going crazy.
The Rigid 30" light bar posed some problems, too wide for front bumper, too narrow for mounting to the roll bars. I ended up modifying the factory RIGID mounts by welding some extensions to them, and then using clamps to attach it to the front bumper. I'm happy with how it came out and it's rock solid. It does block a little of the headlight light due to being so wide, but it's very minimal (and frankly, if I need more light... well, it's there).
I recycled some mounts that the previous owner had used for mounting the LEDs on the ROPS. Picked up some single row flood lights to light up behind me if needed. You can see the cooler in the BCF rack in this picture, I'm going to relocate the rack lower for better rear visibility at some point (and lower center of gravity). I was really happy how well these lights tucked in. No mods to the roof were needed.
The 2nd battery project was... well, a project. Spent a lot of time looking around this forum looking to see how other people did their mods, researching which battery I wanted (there more AH, the better), and various other electrical parts. Below is a list of what I used:
-2GA Wire for Primary Ground to Chassis.
-4GA wire for all other grounds and positive loads
-Busbar for Grounds under "hood"
-200a circuit breaker
-120a relay
-30a relay
-Various 2GA & 4GA battery lugs (crimp on)
-12ga wire
-14ga wire
-16ga wire (tap to aux circuit to trip relay)
-Positaps
-Battery Isolator
-Blue Sea Systems 6 port fuse block with ground
I tapped into the accessory circuit (that powers the cigarette lighter) under the fuse block to trigger the 120a relay. When the pioneer is turned off, all electrical is cut on the accessory circuit via the relay. When the key is in the "ON" position, everything has power. The winch power is NOT on this circuit (however, the switch/relay is). The winch is wired to the secondary battery through the 200a circuit breaker. I replaced the breakers that came with the winch as I wasn't a huge fan of the exposed hot terminals that Badlands uses. Looking at specs, the winch pulls a max of about 210 amps for a moment; while the circuit breaker is rated for 200 amps, from the tests I've read, it'll trip above 215ish. If this becomes a problem later, I'll put a different breaker in.
Not exactly the rats-nest it once was. While not perfect, I'm happy with the results. I was even more happy when I went to test it and there were no sparks!
New switch panel, ICOM Ham Radio below
I went with a HAM radio due to the 50w output versus the lower outputs of GMRS. I ride alone so I'm not worried about comms with other riders. With a similar setup in my truck, I've been able to reach 65 miles away without using a repeater. In normal conditions, 30-40 miles is easy. This radio has had a MARS/CAP mod done to it to allow it to transmit outside of normal HAM frequencies for emergency use. I'll have GMRS/FRS/MURS frequencies programmed in for that reason, along with local Search & Rescue, USFS, and other frequencies that I can reach out to (again, for emergencies only). I got into HAM for emergency comms and have been very happy with the range in testing (sorry to any HAMS in the group, but I never got into the rag chewing). Frequently where I hike/4 wheel/ride, cell phone coverage is spotty at best.
Mounted the antenna in an RB3 NMO mount so that I could angle it straight up. Used a Diamond NR770HBNMO which is a taller antenna, but it folds over at the base. I can still get in the garage this way. When towing I use a small strap to keep it from bouncing around too much; I remove the strap when riding.
Projects in the works:
-Rear Door Storage (have the parts, just need to get to it)
-Honda OEM A-Arm Guards (got a heck of a deal on a used set, just need to install it)
-Door Hinge re-enforcement. Unsure if I'm going to go the Delrin inserts or 3D printed. The front doors are already sagging, with the weight of some things in the rear doors, I'm concerned about having an issue later.
If there's any specific pictures ya want to see or questions as to why I did stuff, feel free to ask. While this is my first SxS, I've been messing with cars and stuff for a long time now.
In November '20 I picked up a 2016 Pioneer 1000-5. Got a heck of a deal on a unit with about 500 miles on it.
When we picked it up, it had a few mods:
-Honda Soft Top
-Honda shorty windshield
-4 LED Lights on the front
-Throttle Max gas pedal assist
-Spare tire (bouncing in the bed)
-Badlands 3500 Winch (actually installed properly, I was amazed).
Picked it up about 100 miles from home. You'll notice in the garage picture that there isn't a soft top on it anymore. Funny story, turns out 75mph + 25-30mph headwinds was a bit much for the factory soft top on an open trailer. Fortunately (1) there was no traffic behind me on the highway (2) only a few of the fiberglass rods were missing afterwards; the top was still physically attached, just shredded. Frankly, it didn't matter much to me, I had always planned on putting a hard top on it.
About two weeks after getting it, I got a lovely case of COVID followed up with pneumonia in both lungs.... Still working on recovering, but I've finally been well enough that I can install parts on it. Fortunately I was able to put about 100 miles on it with the family before I got sick. Wife and son had a blast on our rides.
Mods since buying:
-Honda OEM Hard Roof
-ICOM Ham Radio, Diamond fold-over antenna (so it still fits in the garage), RB3 NMO antenna mount at driver/rear ROPS.
-Brick City Fab rear rack w/Canyon 35 cooler.
-Generic single row LED Flood lights mounted to top of rear ROPS for backup lights (manually switched, didn't want automatic)
-Ripping out all of the old LEDs, switches and wiring the previous owner did. Calling it a "Rats Nest" would be an insult to rats. I really don't understand how this thing didn't catch fire.
-Honda under-dash net storage
-Honda under-seat storage compartment
-Rigid RDS 30" Light Bar (recycled from a truck I sold last year, it's been sitting in the garage waiting for a good home)
-New Yuasa GYZ16H Battery. Original battery was on it's last legs and didn't like being re-charged.
-2nd Battery
-New Switch Panel for Dash with new switches, RAM mount and a magnetic mic mount for the radio.
-Door drink holders
-Transferred my Garmin 64ST mount from my busted ATV (Honda TRX 300) to the pioneer.
Over the past few weeks, I was able to work on projects for about 30 min at a time while I was recovering... progress was admittedly super slow, but I had to do something to keep from going crazy.
The Rigid 30" light bar posed some problems, too wide for front bumper, too narrow for mounting to the roll bars. I ended up modifying the factory RIGID mounts by welding some extensions to them, and then using clamps to attach it to the front bumper. I'm happy with how it came out and it's rock solid. It does block a little of the headlight light due to being so wide, but it's very minimal (and frankly, if I need more light... well, it's there).
I recycled some mounts that the previous owner had used for mounting the LEDs on the ROPS. Picked up some single row flood lights to light up behind me if needed. You can see the cooler in the BCF rack in this picture, I'm going to relocate the rack lower for better rear visibility at some point (and lower center of gravity). I was really happy how well these lights tucked in. No mods to the roof were needed.
The 2nd battery project was... well, a project. Spent a lot of time looking around this forum looking to see how other people did their mods, researching which battery I wanted (there more AH, the better), and various other electrical parts. Below is a list of what I used:
-2GA Wire for Primary Ground to Chassis.
-4GA wire for all other grounds and positive loads
-Busbar for Grounds under "hood"
-200a circuit breaker
-120a relay
-30a relay
-Various 2GA & 4GA battery lugs (crimp on)
-12ga wire
-14ga wire
-16ga wire (tap to aux circuit to trip relay)
-Positaps
-Battery Isolator
-Blue Sea Systems 6 port fuse block with ground
I tapped into the accessory circuit (that powers the cigarette lighter) under the fuse block to trigger the 120a relay. When the pioneer is turned off, all electrical is cut on the accessory circuit via the relay. When the key is in the "ON" position, everything has power. The winch power is NOT on this circuit (however, the switch/relay is). The winch is wired to the secondary battery through the 200a circuit breaker. I replaced the breakers that came with the winch as I wasn't a huge fan of the exposed hot terminals that Badlands uses. Looking at specs, the winch pulls a max of about 210 amps for a moment; while the circuit breaker is rated for 200 amps, from the tests I've read, it'll trip above 215ish. If this becomes a problem later, I'll put a different breaker in.
Not exactly the rats-nest it once was. While not perfect, I'm happy with the results. I was even more happy when I went to test it and there were no sparks!
New switch panel, ICOM Ham Radio below
I went with a HAM radio due to the 50w output versus the lower outputs of GMRS. I ride alone so I'm not worried about comms with other riders. With a similar setup in my truck, I've been able to reach 65 miles away without using a repeater. In normal conditions, 30-40 miles is easy. This radio has had a MARS/CAP mod done to it to allow it to transmit outside of normal HAM frequencies for emergency use. I'll have GMRS/FRS/MURS frequencies programmed in for that reason, along with local Search & Rescue, USFS, and other frequencies that I can reach out to (again, for emergencies only). I got into HAM for emergency comms and have been very happy with the range in testing (sorry to any HAMS in the group, but I never got into the rag chewing). Frequently where I hike/4 wheel/ride, cell phone coverage is spotty at best.
Mounted the antenna in an RB3 NMO mount so that I could angle it straight up. Used a Diamond NR770HBNMO which is a taller antenna, but it folds over at the base. I can still get in the garage this way. When towing I use a small strap to keep it from bouncing around too much; I remove the strap when riding.
Projects in the works:
-Rear Door Storage (have the parts, just need to get to it)
-Honda OEM A-Arm Guards (got a heck of a deal on a used set, just need to install it)
-Door Hinge re-enforcement. Unsure if I'm going to go the Delrin inserts or 3D printed. The front doors are already sagging, with the weight of some things in the rear doors, I'm concerned about having an issue later.
If there's any specific pictures ya want to see or questions as to why I did stuff, feel free to ask. While this is my first SxS, I've been messing with cars and stuff for a long time now.
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