This topic has come up several times in the past, so I thought I would list MY favorites as far as fuse boxes to mount under the hood.
Remember, this is just my opinion, and I'm not posting this to start a debate. If you happen to disagree, thatÆs fine.

My choices and reasons.

1. '92' and up Ford full-size pick-up. Reasons - A very nice design, with both upper and lower covers, an 8mm stud with cover to allow for a 6 gauge or larger feed wire, a nice mount that is easy to remove from the donor, and best yet, a "Modular" design with lock plates that pull out and allow for very easy removal of wiring connectors. Comes set up to handle 5 Bosch style relays, 8 ATC type fuses, and 14 ATC Type Maxi-Fuses. Depending on the options on the donor, there is sometimes a companion piece to this fuse box that is also very nice. It is a relay box with both upper, and lower covers, and places for 4 relays inside. I usually pay ~$30.00 dollars for one of these, but I have found them for as little as $6.50. I also find the separate 4 relay box in æ91Æ and later Ford Areostar Vans

2. æ92Æ and up Ford Rangers, Windstars, and Explorers. Reasons - This is my second choice as it is longer and thinner, but it does hold 6 relays, 12 ATC type Maxi-Fuses, and 8 ATC type Mini fuses. Although this box is also ômodularö, it is not as easy to configure as the Pick-up box. This box does have two 8mm studs for power distribution along with the associated cover.

Note: All these Fuse boxes are designed to be used in fuel injected vehicles. What this means is that the relays that come in them have spike protection built into them, and if you donÆt wire them correctly, you will damage the relays. The Ford relays are very well made units.

Honorable Mention;

1. Dodge Neon under hood mounted Fuse box. This is a good design, and I own one. I bought it for a member here, but after doing the research, he never bothered to look at his own thread again to follow up on it.

2. GM Saturn under hood fuse box. This box looks good from the outside, but I havenÆt looked at it closely enough to determine if it would be good for our type of use.


I donÆt like any of the Asian manufacturers fuse boxes, as they all use their own relays, and that will make it harder to find, or replace a relay if/when it fails.

Feel free to archive this or add it to the FAQ if you want.

Kary

Nice work dude, comprehensive, and uncharacteristically verbose. Did you take typing lessons? Or are you pulling an Uncle Doug Miller, and taking your new laptop to the little boys room? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, good info. Given that they're made for underhood installment, I'll bet they're impervious to weather/water too, eh? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> We'll put this one in the archives...

PHIL

Oh, btw, here are a few pics of the ford box, in situ... (hope you don't mind me posting these Kary)




EDIT: Needless to say, that's BB's truck, not mine. But you knew that, didn't you... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />
PHIL

Thats a nice setup <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thanks PHIL!
I'd forgotten just who I had sent pictures to. I'm learning <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> but the curve is long for me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> Boy, I've got some work to do. My engine bay hasn't been that clean since I pulled the motor out to clean it.....Looks like its that time again. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Kary

Very Nice! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> Just curious, what is that little K&N filter behind the fuse box connected to?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />The K&N filter is the breather for the front diff, rear diff, transmission, and transfercase. There are a series of hard lines run through the chassis that terminate there into a CNC'ed mount that the filter clamps to.
Kary

Why did he put the Ford box in there, was the stock mitsu fusebox fryed? That is a very clean setup, almost looks like it's supposed to be there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

It's to feed power to add-on accessories.

The stock Mitsubishi fuse box is just fine, and located inside, and a pain to get to, if you want to add to it. I also have an additional fuse box with up to 12 fuse combinations below the factory unit inside the rig, and another electrical distrubution point on the passenger side between the glove box and the side of the rig, with 5 relays, and 1 fuse in it.

I wanted a distrubution point under the hood, with the ability to contain all the electrail needs and fuses, relays, and such in one place. It keeps everything nicely organised. It is my goal to always make things appear to be "OEM". I was going to remove the "Ford" logos, (also in french) but even if I did mill them off, it still doesn't say "Mitsubishi" and I really don't care. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> I suppose I could put MY logo on there
"Kary's Kustom Kontrols" Would that be any better?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Kary