My 2017 R5 Mods and Maintenance

[bruceb58]

Just bought a 2017 R5 WSS and decided I would make a thread with the mods I am doing to it.

Will start with a picture in my driveway.

[bruceb58]

First mod is adding a remote trim switch. I know there is a 3 pin Deutsch connector already in the harness but decided just to use the connectors in the Y harness that comes with the Mercruiser remote trim switch.

[bruceb58]

Next on the agenda was underwater lights. Super easy to install since all the wiring is there. Hard part is to drill the holes in the boat. I wanted them as deep as possible so the hole for the light is as low as can be accessed from the inside.

I used the Lumitec Seablaze X2 lights.



Drilled the holes and used a countersink to protect from future gelcoat cracking.



Used 3M 4200 sealant

[bruceb58]

First thing I do to a trailer when I get it is to install a junction box and use a 7 pin connector. This was also necessary since I was installing an EOH brake unit from my old trailer.

Since the F-150 has an 18AWG wire going to its 7 pin connector, I also added a separate 50A Anderson connector that attaches to a harness I put in the truck that has 6 AWG wire up to the truck battery. The F-150 can not power the EOH unit through the existing F-150 7 pin connector.

[bruceb58]

New Maxxis 225/75/15 LRD tires to replace the old tires the trailer came with.

Metal valve stems because I use a TPMS while trailering.

[Big Block Power]

Nice job. Hope a drive shower is on your upgrade list!

[bruceb58]

Nice job. Hope a drive shower is on your upgrade list!

That boat was used in Lake Mead hence the deposits on the drive. They are all gone now that I cleaned it. Even the bottom of the boat had the same deposits. The props had more deposits than the top of the drive.

I use the boat on Lake Tahoe and don't do many really long runs. Hour max.

[bruceb58]

Next install was swim step lights.

I used these in Stainless Steel 11mm Cool White
https://www.oznium.com/led-bolts-prewired-leds/led-bolt

Pretty easy install. The center one had to be epoxied in place since I could not reach from the inside.

[bruceb58]

Next is drive maintenance. Pulling the drive to check alignment. For some reason, my existing alignment bar does not fit. Always thought the bar that slides into the coupler was exactly 1.00" Appears smaller! Even tried just a 1.00" bar in case the engine was VERY out of alignment. It wouldn't fit either.



My home made drive stand I welded up years ago that I used to use with my Volvo duoprop. Makes drive removal/install a one man job

[bruceb58]

Put in my DuoPro 15A/bank battery charger along with my AGM batteries from my old boat.

You can see the white wire from the underwater light in the background

[greenhut]

Nice upgrades!

[AsLan7]

.
Great documentation bb58. Thank you.
Great resource for others.

I’m with bbp on the drive shower.
Bravo 3 drives tend to run hot. Simple inexpensive solution is the Simrek drive shower. Ours runs much cooler after installing.

.

[bruceb58]

Out of curiosity, has anyone actually done any temperature tests where they put a temp sensor on the drive and run it for an hour to see what it really runs at?

[bruceb58]

Nice upgrades!

Thanks....not done yet!

[Big Block Power]

Out of curiosity, has anyone actually done any temperature tests where they put a temp sensor on the drive and run it for an hour to see what it really runs at?

I'm just saying.
Go to simrek website they have that info.