KJ was a TOAD

[Whitlow]

Our "new" KJ was a toad (towed) vehicle in an earlier life.

As such, it has a emergency breakaway pull switch mounted in the front bumper. How complicated would it be to remove it?

Thinking it would suck if something (someone) were to snatch it out.

Also, the KJ also has tow bar mounts installed. Does anyone know of an aftermarket bumper/brush guard that will install using those mounts? The center-to-center spacing is 26.75" and the receivers look like 1.50" square.

Sorry, can't seem to figure out how to upload a picture.

 

[towpro]

mine IS a toad now.

The owner used to sit a box called a "brake buddy" on the drivers side floor. this box has an arm that goes to the brake peddle, one wire to 12V which runs an air compressor, than 2 wires that go to the break away switch your talking about.

when he used to hit the brakes hard, this brake buddy will feel the deceleration, and it will apply pressure to the toads service brakes using the compressed air (from built in air system).
now if someone was to pull that brake away switch, it would cause 2 contacts in switch to make contact, closing the circuit, which would make the brake buddy apply service brakes.

you may also find a 4 or 6 pin connector up there, that is wired back to tail lights where there is an adapter so normal brake/running lights can activate the KJ rear lights when the tow vehicle lights come on.

 

[Whitlow]

mine IS a toad now.

The owner used to sit a box called a "brake buddy" on the drivers side floor. this box has an arm that goes to the brake peddle, one wire to 12V which runs an air compressor, than 2 wires that go to the break away switch your talking about.

when he used to hit the brakes hard, this brake buddy will feel the deceleration, and it will apply pressure to the toads service brakes using the compressed air (from built in air system).
now if someone was to pull that brake away switch, it would cause 2 contacts in switch to make contact, closing the circuit, which would make the brake buddy apply service brakes.

you may also find a 4 or 6 pin connector up there, that is wired back to tail lights where there is an adapter so normal brake/running lights can activate the KJ rear lights when the tow vehicle lights come on.

So, without the Brake Buddy, the switch will do nothing and can simply be removed. We need to do some front end body work (thanks to my teenage son) that will require removing the bumper and I see no reason to replace the switch.

Cool.

Mark

 

[WINGDOG]

If you remove your breakaway switch its no harm. Just remove as much wiring as you can because one of the two wires may go to a battery positive somewhere. I have contemplated building a winch mount to put in my brackets when I'm not towing it but haven't managed to get to it for several years. They are plenty strong enough.

 

[jnsnwt]

Whitlow, I have a 2002 Liberty that I plan on dragging behind the motorhome as a TOAD and I'd like to buy those parts if you are going to remove them.

I'm not sure about the rules here but how can we get together to chat about this? I'll post a phone number if that's ok.

 

[tommudd]

Whitlow, I have a 2002 Liberty that I plan on dragging behind the motorhome as a TOAD and I'd like to buy those parts if you are going to remove them.

I'm not sure about the rules here but how can we get together to chat about this? I'll post a phone number if that's ok.

Send him a PM, that way you two can discuss

 

[tommudd]

Our "new" KJ was a toad (towed) vehicle in an earlier life.

As such, it has a emergency breakaway pull switch mounted in the front bumper. How complicated would it be to remove it?

Thinking it would suck if something (someone) were to snatch it out.

Also, the KJ also has tow bar mounts installed. Does anyone know of an aftermarket bumper/brush guard that will install using those mounts? The center-to-center spacing is 26.75" and the receivers look like 1.50" square.

Sorry, can't seem to figure out how to upload a picture.

Nothing that will mount to mounts you already have, remove everything and then you can mount a good bumper like ARB or a Brush guard like the Matrix one from jeepinbyal. All other brush guards are pretty much worthless as they do not have provisions for tow hooks etc

 

[jnsnwt]

TOMMUDD, Thanks for the tip. I have sent the PM

 

[dude1116]

My Scion tC was a toad and I just cut those wires away that were sitting by the pedals before I sold it. No adverse effects at all. POs used to use a Brake Buddy as well.