Builds 2001 LX470 build LEGUSY (3 Viewers)

[Odyseuss]

Nice bike integration! Would you happen to have a profile picture of the truck with the bike on the back to show how far it sits from the vehicle? I'm trying to imagine a Stumpjumper FSR in profile...

I took some more pictures and tested the bike rack off pavement on an uneven dirt road that shook things pretty well and the bike didn't budge. I parked at the top of the trail head and rode my bike down first for a change.

The Grill came in handy here as well, providing a place for my dirty front bike tire to mount outside the vehicle without scratching my spare wheel.

 

[Odyseuss]

My son and I took an afternoon trip up American Fork Canyon to Forest Lake for a picnic and trail ride. We seasoned and tested out the new grill while cooking a nice dinner and enjoying some beautiful scenery. Then we meet up with some friends from Wasatch Cruisers to visit and drive back down the trail.

 

[Odyseuss]

I added a quick mod to my ARB fridge to help make the contents a bit more accessible. My fridge is on a slide on top of my drawers which has the fridge mounted pretty high in the vehicle. It can be a bit difficult to see into the fridge while standing on level ground outside the vehicle. There are pros and cons to this configuration though I usually need to climb onto the tailgate to see and access contents in the fridge. I have also been considering a step stool for use in camp.

I added a flexible adhesive mirror to the underside of the fridge lid to help me see into the fridge from below. Now its a bit easier to reach inside and see what I m getting at while standing outside the vehicle. I did not want to cover the information decal on the fridge lid, but I might adhere a removable mirror to that portion of the lid with some Velcro adhesive. Fortunately these mirrors are not glass so they can be cut down to size However, I did not need to cut this one and it fit well.

http://www.amazon.com/Custom-Access...sr=8-1-spell&keywords=custom+accesories+70115

 

[Odyseuss]

I decided that I really like the mirror so I added another one that covers the operating instructions label. I used velcro to attach it so that I can remove it for reference if needed.

 

[LEX]

Good idea.

 

[Odyseuss]

Thanks.

I had been kneeling on my tailgate to access the fridge and now I dont need to climb on the tailgate as much. However, the factory tailgate pad had suffered from extended use and had collapsed in the center. It was time to upgrade the tailgate pad to a new and improved design.

I have built and installed various replacement interior panels over the years with and without compartments made of a variety of materials and fasteners.

At this time, I did not feel the need to utilize the storage area in the tailgate, but I wanted to focus on something that would be comfortable to kneel on and climb over as well as easy to work on. I wanted something that should resist wear, but that could be recovered easily if the cover material got damaged. I also wanted something that could resist the elements and support weight without breaking apart and collapsing underneath. I decided to utilize the factory mounting clips for easy removal and hidden hardware.

After inspecting many different materials, I settled on a 7mm Yoga mat as the covering material with a 1/8" sheet of 5052 Aluminum for the backing plate.

 

[SmoothLC]

Brilliant!

Were you at Cruiser Outfitters' bbq last week?

I didn't see your rig if you were. Would like to check it out some time.

 

[LEX]

Nice. The aluminum can also be used for a quick cutting board. Cleaning fish comes to mind.

 

[Odyseuss]

I wanted to go to the BBQ, and bring my 40 but we spent the week down at Lake Powell. I would love to show you this rig in person. Lets get together and hit the trail.

I have plenty of cutting boards handy in the truck so Ill probably save the fish cutting for them.

Here are more photos of the project.

I used the remaining factory deck plate and marked the aluminum for the clip locations. I then transferred holes to the new deck plate. I cleaned all the edges so that the clips would fit nice and snug, and so there would be no sharp edges.

I applied a layer of construction adhesive to the entire aluminum plate so that I could get a good uniform adhesion between the mat and the plate. If the mat gets worn or damaged. I can remove it and apply a new one without too much effort. I applied the mat before trimming the edges, making it easy to cut a straight edge with the plate as a guide. I reused the trim piece from the edge of the old deck lid and riveted it to the aluminum plate after gluing it on.

 

[Odyseuss]

One final shot, after I made some slight clearance adjustments to the deck lid cover so that it would slide over the mat smoothly when opening and closing the tailgate.

 

[duggy]

I like your ideas. How is the spare tire camp fire grill working for you? I have always liked the idea but I have my trasharoo on the spare tire and would have to take off the trasharoo every time I wanted to use or put up the grille.

 

[Odyseuss]

Thanks.
I really like the grill. It comes in handy and stores out of the way. I put my Trasharoo on over the grill and it fits well. It is easy to remove the Trasharoo with just the 2 clips. I don't keep my Trasharoo on all the time when I'm not going camping cause I don't seem to need it all the time and I want to save it from a bit of the wear and tear and sun damage(its getting really old and faded). I wasn't going to keep the grill on as often either, but it stores so well that I hardly know its there, and it has proven useful at moments I would not have anticipated.

 

[Odyseuss]

A bit more about the grill...

I like the various options with the cooking surface. I also use a jet boil in my truck often, cause it is a simple, compact, and an efficient way to heat small amounts of water that can be used to prepare a variety of food and drink. Unfortunately the jet boil stove doesn't support a surface for pots and pans that I am aware of. However, the Jet Boil fits nicely under the Brai Grill with a variety of fuel canisters making both items much more versatile.

I can use the jet boil with a solid flat cooking surface, and I don't always need a campfire to use the grill.

I have noticed some distortion in the surface of the Grill over heat, but it seems to cool right back into its original shape.

 

[Odyseuss]

We met up with some folks from Wasatch Cruisers in Ouray Colorado to explore the area and share some good times.

We went through Black Bear pass down to Telluride and up through Imogene back to Ouray. Bare with me, as I have a bunch of photos.

 

[Odyseuss]

 

[Odyseuss]

We explored the Copper and Corkscrew Gulches.

 

[Odyseuss]

We witnessed some of the aftermath of the recent release at the Gold King mine.

Then we went on to Silverton to check out the trains at rail fest.

 

[Odyseuss]

I wanted to add a bit of storage capacity for some extra fluids under the hood. I like to use the under hood space if its available. In the undesirable event that the fluids leak, I would rather it not happen inside my vehicle.

There was some space near the power steering reservoir that looked like it would fit a couple quarts. I found a small container bin that I had lying around that was the proper size. I cut a corner out of the bottom to allow a fit with the most clearance. I riveted some cable tie mounts to the container and zip tied the container in place on all 4 sides. A couple large zip ties prevent the containers from removing themselves. There appears to be a close fit between the hood (which should also limit movement of the containers), but after over a thousand miles (many of them off road) I haven't noticed any marks that would indicate contact to the hood liner.

In the event that I reconfigure my under hood storage, this quick and easy to install container can be removed even easier. The 2 quart jugs can easily be removed without cutting the zip ties.

 

[Odyseuss]

I decided to try out a set of window screens for a variety of reasons, and found this set to fit and work quite well.

These screens slide over the window portion of the door like a sock. It does fit with the window deflectors installed. I wanted the added shade with the airflow. It should help to keep lower interior temps while parked. Its nice to have the window down with the shade and without some of the bugs. It appears to be a versatile accessory. it can be used with the window in any position. In some cases, the noise coming from the screen seems to changed based on the position of the screen, so if it appears to whistle, it might help to adjust the screen. They do seem to make some noise at speeds above 45 mph. in some cases the screen does shake. Any noise or movement of the screen appears to be eliminated when the window is closed.

If anything, it helps to shade my son in the back while keeping him form throwing objects out the window.

We tried it out on a recent trip up to some family property in the mountains.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y85UM7O?&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

 

[redman333]

I've wondered if those worked or not. I always thought they'd be nice addition for when I wheel at night and want to enjoy the night air but not have the bugs bitting the crap out of me. What size did you go with.