Builds 2008 LX Live Camera Car and Overlanding Build. (1 Viewer)

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Rescue the socket by clamping it in a sturdy vise, then inserting a drift or punch through the hole, and whacking it good with a hand sledge. The damaged socket should pop right out. BFH is the key!
 
I like his approach to water crossings.



This is similar to a silly idea i had where i would make rubber-ducky shoes that displaces enough water to support my weight, so i could walk on water. It obviously never materialized because i had a hard time taking myself/the idea seriously, but these guys have inspired me to not give up hope. If they can make shoes to make a 2 ton car float, then i don't see why it wouldn't be possible to make shoes that will allow me to float.

But seriously though, this is a very interesting approach to crossing otherwise impassable paths.
 
I made a slight miscalculation and went 1 mile past my oil change mark. Well... more like 10 feet. I knew I should’ve settled for parking in front instead of behind the building. Decided to gamble and it rolled over as I pulled into the spot.

Rip my OCD lol, Will try again at 190,000.

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I went ahead and pre-ordered the Oil Cap with EZ-Drain valve now that it is finally open for preorders again.

I did the oil a few days ago using Mobil 1 High Mileage, but that was done without any real consideration into what filter/oil combination i wanted to run in the long run. I have read of people using the Mobil 1 Annual Protection along with a 20k oil filter and doing their oil changes once a year/20k miles. From what i have read, people who dare go that long have not reported any problems with doing do. Because of this i have considered this as an option. It also helps that Mobil 1 warrants it, whatever that means.

My other option that i wanted to run by you guys, is to still change my oil every time i reset the maintenance light, aka every 5k miles, but only do the oil filter every 15k. The reason it makes a difference is if i do not change the filter, then i can change my oil anywhere without any tools. All i would need is 2 small hoses to connect the the EZ-Drain valve nipples(1 on oil drain plug, and 1 on the oil filter cap), and then a container for the old oil. If i do it this way, i would only need tools/a drain pan for every 3rd oil change instead of for all of them. My biggest concern when considering this route is whether or not the filter can hold up to it. Also, if anyone has went this route, which filter would you recommend?

So to sum it up:

Keep in mind there is 2 EZ-drain valves where the oil plug and oil filter cap is.

Option 1 - Change both filter and oil every 5k.

Option 2 - Filter every 10-20k (Depending on how hard i push her/how much off roading vs highways), but oil every 5k.

Option 3 - Filter and oil every 10-20k (Depending on how hard i push her)


By the way, pre order yours while you can as these things go fast! Here is your chance to get a great product while supporting a forum member/good guy in the process!

Thanks in advance for your time/advice everyone.

By the way, I returned the air compressor because wiring it from the back to the front was more difficult than i thought. I considered going under the hood but did not like the idea of it taking up the spot where the Twin could fit, or the spot where a future 2nd battery could sit. Going to wait on a TWIN/maybe try to figure out a rear/mid-car mounted compressor setup.
 
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If you let the oil drain from the filter long enough, you can then change it and not spill a drop. At that point, you only need a ratchet and the filter wrench (and a few rags). I usually try to let the pan and filter drain overnight. I don't think it's worth the risk and saving ~$5 for a filter cartridge. But I use a 7500 mile interval, with Amsoil.
 
If you let the oil drain from the filter long enough, you can then change it and not spill a drop. At that point, you only need a ratchet and the filter wrench (and a few rags). I usually try to let the pan and filter drain overnight. I don't think it's worth the risk and saving ~$5 for a filter cartridge. But I use a 7500 mile interval, with Amsoil.

I was trying to save myself a mess/needing to break out the tools/rags in case i ever needed to do a quick oil change and didn't have any tools with me. The cost of the filter is insignificant compared to the ability to just quickly drain and refill without needing to unscrew anything but the oil cap. Without changing filter it is a 1-minute job and rest is waiting on drain, with changing the filter it becomes more like a 30-minute to 1-hour job with having to remove skid plates and filter housing/breaking out the tools/rags and cleaning up. I am just concerned about the 15-20k filter standing up to the task of lasting 15-20k, or even 10k.
 
Missed out on a great deal on RWs for $750 this week. Was planning on going up there this Friday to get them when i have the money, but someone else paid through eBay first. Am a little bummed out but at the same time i am sure another deal will come up. I appreciate @nolamule sharing this great deal with me and sorry i didn't act fast enough to secure it, won't happen again.


Meanwhile i have been giving it a lot of thought regarding how i wanted to build out the interior for sleeping. If it was just for me i think i would just go single drawer to level out the 2nd row for a Megamat, but since i want to take my dog along i have been considering just taking out the 2nd and 3rd row for good.

Has anyone tried a "Troop Carrier/2Seater" build on this car? Also, if i do decide to get rid of the 2nd and 3rd row, does anyone need them or have any idea what a fair listing price is?

I also need some privacy window covers/mosquito nets so i can sleep with the windows down, anyone know of one with a good fit? What do you guys use for privacy? I have a Weathertech windshield sun protector that came with the car for the front, but nothing else so far.
 
I use these mosquito nets on the rear windows, they work great. Also, if you didn't want to build drawers and just want a sleeping platform, an easy way to go about it is fold 2nd and 3rd row down. Push 2nd row forward and trow a 24"x48" piece of plywood to cover the gap and throw your sleeping mat on top.
 
I use these mosquito nets on the rear windows, they work great. Also, if you didn't want to build drawers and just want a sleeping platform, an easy way to go about it is fold 2nd and 3rd row down. Push 2nd row forward and trow a 24"x48" piece of plywood to cover the gap and throw your sleeping mat on top.

Thanks for that, i will order a set and try it this weekend!

Great idea on the folding 2nd row; i was considering trying that for now until i get drawers or build a storage/bed platform, but i have not tested to see if the length of the Megamat will fit with the 2nd row pushed forward. I will try it this weekend as it is looking like i will be spending a couple nights in the car.

After this week my grandpa is moving in with me, which means my 110 lb clumsy dog has to go; he is too old and fragile to be around such an energetic and big dog. It isn't my house so i have no say in this, nor can i afford my own place at the moment; i can only try to do the best thing for my dog from here. I am taking him up to virginia to board him with a friend while i try to figure out another living situation for him - like turning back of the LX into his new home so he can live on the road with me. I plan on hanging around the whole weekend to help him adjust/settle into his new home. The plan is to pay my friend to board him for about 2 months, while i wrap up some things as well as get the vehicle ready.

My priorities have shifted to necessities for life on the road first, for both me and my dog, and off-road capabilities second. The only exceptions are deals like the RWs above for $750, that are so good that i will be losing money in the long-term if i don't take advantage of it while it is cheap.

So the big question for the next few months is:

What would you guys do with all that interior space if the 2nd and 3rd row were no longer there, and your goal is to create a little budget home on the road for both you and your best friend? He is 8 years old, by the way.

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I also need some privacy window covers/mosquito nets so i can sleep with the windows down, anyone know of one with a good fit? What do you guys use for privacy? I have a Weathertech windshield sun protector that came with the car for the front, but nothing else so far.
I haven't slept in my 200 but for my 80 and 100 series I just went to the hardware store, got screen and a bunch of magnets. It worked great.
 
Mat would not fit with 2nd row pushed forward, so I tried using the Third row to level it out instead. I then shuffled some things around and used the space in between the 2nd and third row as storage and to pad the mat. To top it off I used my dog hammock to serve as a smooth layer for the mat to lay on, so I don’t puncture it by laying on top of something sharp. It works perfect since it is designed to fasten onto the headrests to prevent slipping.

Could use a little more padding but for now it will work just fine considering it costs nothing and will be ready for this weekend.

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Anyone brave enough to try one of these from AlieExpress? It is a full privacy sunshade kit that snaps on with magnets; looks perfect for what i want which is privacy for the city, and the ability to leave some windows open for a breeze when no one is around. This set covers every window around the area i will be sleeping, which i do like for the extra privacy.

Just sketched out because it is from China with no reviews and economy shipping is like 1-2 months. Also it says for 2015-2019 so i am not even sure if it will fit my 2008. Are the window dimensions different on the newer 200s?

Do we have any Mud vendors that sell a direct-snap-on-fit kit like this, or even US vendors?

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I made a slight miscalculation and went 1 mile past my oil change mark. Well... more like 10 feet. I knew I should’ve settled for parking in front instead of behind the building. Decided to gamble and it rolled over as I pulled into the spot.

Rip my OCD lol, Will try again at 190,000.

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OCD? How about some fuel?
 
Rock warriors are just wheels. Fine wheels but still just wheels. For $500 I got 12 18” tundra wheels in ok shape and one good set of duratracs I ran for a year while I pondered a tire future.
For $750 you can import 5 17” steelies!
 
For insulation I decided to follow this guide:


Gotta run to Walmart to get some glue so I can wrap the fabric and finish the first window, so far everything fits great.


Also, my MaxOak 50000mah power bank came in today. I chose this one over the Renogy one with 72000 mah because it allows pass through charging which is important to be able to charge everything simultaneously off of 1 outlet. They both have good capacity. Another reason is I already have the Noco Genius which has a 12V cig lighter outlet for my heated blanket and other things I want to run while engine is off, so the Renogy one isn’t as necessary.

If a good aux battery is about 100 amp hours, and these little power banks are already 50-70+ % of that, then I am thinking that I may not ever need a second battery. If I pick up the Renogy one as well later on, then I think I will be good for sure. Just have to remember to always charge them while driving, since it won’t be automated like with most dual battery systems.

Am I missing something when it comes to the importance of a dual battery setup or will the Noco Genius 150 and the two power banks suffice? Not sure what the Noco capacity is but the 2 portable power banks are 122 ah combined. Thanks for your time.

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First one done, I love how it’s hard to tell that there is even anything covering the window until you get right up on it. Goes in snug in a few seconds and pops right out with the tabs.

Not sure what I want to do about the rear hatch window though. The front windshield gets a Weathertech sunshade and I plan on making inserts for all side windows but the rear is too big for an insert I think, but maybe I’ll try it anyways and then stick a cargo net on the ceiling for storing inserts and bedding/night time stuff.

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Made 3 more window inserts, 2 more to go, maybe 4 if I make it for front windows and 5 if I make one for rear hatch door as well. I added magnets to the small ones so I can open and close it easily. I am very happy with them as they not only insulate but also provide privacy.

I also bought a 10 dollar backseat organizer to use as my charging station. It came with a tissue box that I used to hold the AC adapter for the power bank, and I stuffed it with a towel to pad the adapter and so I can stuff the power cable Into it when not in use. I also used the lunch box that came with it as a bag for all my charging cables (at bottom of organizer).

I also tried a cheap cargo net and did not like how it looked/hung so low/took up so much space on ceiling, so I decided to use small bungee cords for now until I can afford a raingler net. I have 2 blankets, an exped megamat and sheer, and 4 window inserts on the bungee net I made. I plan on holding a couple more window inserts with it.



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So house plug goes into tissue box, and from there goes to charging station behind drivers seat.
 
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Also figured out that I can use my dog hammock as a privacy curtain for cutting off visibility into the back from the front row. Add that to the 2 other uses and this little cheap hammock (13 shipped) is really quite handy!

Also, that 1 house plug in the car is the real MVP; I am charging my power bank which charges my laptop my Noco Genius and other usb devices, in addition to the additional ports on laptop and Noco for pass-through charging. That 1 houseplug about to charge everything!

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