Builds 2018 Premium 460 build (1 Viewer)

[Washingtontaco]

I did notch the tail light housing for better clearance. From the housing the wires rout down and under the vehicle to the sPOD box under the hood.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Next on the agenda is kitchen lighting. Although I have several very good headlamps I’m not a big fan of using them and prefer kitchen lighting. I picked up the Hella Marine surface mount strip lights. They have both white and red LEDs. They are IP67 rated and made in New Zealand. I haven’t placed them yet but thinking one on the rear door mounted up high over the drop down table. Not sure on the second one or if it’ll be needed.

 

[Tex68w]

We landed in Tularosa NM after 27 hours of driving. We set up camp on a friend’s property. The forecast prior to departure was for mid 60s during the day and mid 40s at night.

Monday evening that all changed. We had rain, hail then 4” of snow Tuesday night that stuck around until Thursday morning when the sun and warm returned. Fortunately we were prepared for the weather with proper coats, rain gear and a Mr Heater Buddy heater for the tent.

View attachment 2489437View attachment 2489438View attachment 2489439

During the heaviest snow one of the telescoping poles collapsed under the heavy wet snow. Simple fix was to reset the pole and ensure it was fully locked. We used a rake to remove the heavy snow off the tent roof.

For base camping I love the Oz Tent. Plenty of room for two adults, two separate rooms, one being the tent itself and the other room being the awning with walls. The heater helped to maintain comfortable sleeping temperatures although condensation was an issue in the awning room.

13mpg isn't horrid considering the payload. Gearing and lockers are high on my list after a proper rear bumper. I love the OZ Tents, short of some teepees and wall tents there's not much out there that's more durable. I can't stand how big they are when stored, they take up the entire length of the roof rack and that's what has kept me from using one.

 

[Washingtontaco]

13mpg isn't horrid considering the payload. Gearing and lockers are high on my list after a proper rear bumper. I love the OZ Tents, short of some teepees and wall tents there's not much out there that's more durable. I can't stand how big they are when stored, they take up the entire length of the roof rack and that's what has kept me from using one.

They do suck up space and unless you have a large vehicle they do not store inside. The weight isn’t to bad at around 60 lbs. But for a base camp I really like them. Mine is the RV-2. If I was to purchase all over again I’d buy the RV-4. Slightly larger with minimal weight penalty.

 

[Tex68w]

They do suck up space and unless you have a large vehicle they do not store inside. The weight isn’t to bad at around 60 lbs. But for a base camp I really like them. Mine is the RV-2. If I was to purchase all over again I’d buy the RV-4. Slightly larger with minimal weight penalty.

Yea the RV-4 is the ticket and add on as needed.

 

[Littlehouse]

Are you going with gears, or gears and lockers?

I too am a ground tent guy right now. Kodiak 10x14. Thing is massive, but boy is it comfy.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Are you going with gears, or gears and lockers?

I too am a ground tent guy right now. Kodiak 10x14. Thing is massive, but boy is it comfy.

Gears and lockers.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Located and installed the camp kitchen lights on the rear door above the drop down table. These will be super beneficial year round. I had the circuit prebuilt and stored away behind a trim panel waiting to be put into service. I followed the factory rear door wire harness .

​

 

[Tex68w]

Located and installed the camp kitchen lights on the rear door above the drop down table. These will be super beneficial year round. I had the circuit prebuilt and stored away behind a trim panel waiting to be put into service. I followed the factory rear door wire harness .

View attachment 2492124View attachment 2492125
​

Damn, I need to do this.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Damn, I need to do this.

Cheapest I found was on Amazon, that seller only had 7 left.

 

[r2m]

Great and practical little mod! I'm sure it also helps when rustling round the back looking for stuff too!

 

[Tex68w]

Cheapest I found was on Amazon, that seller only had 7 left.

I found them, only four left now. Do you think that one would be enough?

 

[Washingtontaco]

I found them, only four left now. Do you think that one would be enough?

Two should be plenty for the door. I'll try to get some outside pictures this coming weekend.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Well this just was put on order!!! LFD dual swing out rear bumper. 5-6 weeks for production and another week or so for shipping from NC.

 

[Tex68w]

Congrats on the rear bumper purchase. I wish I liked it more, I would order one right now if I did. I think they got the integrated hitch right, that's one thing the Expo1 is missing. I just wish that the side didn't have a negative rise going forward and flush mount or recessed rear lights would have been nice too. I get that they probably opted to leave those off since the factory reverse lights clear the bumper. The swing arms look well thought out and I like that they work with RotoPax. It would be nice to see some pics of the swing arms swung open. If they hit the quoted build time they will be shipping twice as fast as some other shops so that's pretty cool. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts once you've got it on the truck.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Congrats on the rear bumper purchase. I wish I liked it more, I would order one right now if I did. I think they got the integrated hitch right, that's one thing the Expo1 is missing. I just wish that the side didn't have a negative rise going forward and flush mount or recessed rear lights would have been nice too. I get that they probably opted to leave those off since the factory reverse lights clear the bumper. The swing arms look well thought out and I like that they work with RotoPax. It would be nice to see some pics of the swing arms swung open. If they hit the quoted build time they will be shipping twice as fast as some other shops so that's pretty cool. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts once you've got it on the truck.

I requested the recessed pockets for 3" cube LEDs. The website is a bit wonky with no option details. It just takes a call.

I think that upward sweep you are looking at is a bend/fold but actually runs parallel to the ground, look at and zoom in on the second picture. My CBI bumper did something similar on my Taco.

Looking forward to modifying the exhaust and removing that low hanging resonator.

 

[giovanni]

I thought that rear line sloping upward looked weird too, but if you look at all the pics in different light the bumper actually runs straight parallel - but is angled back inwards so in certain light conditions it looks like it slopes up.
I like this design better than any other current options. Excited to see how it works out for you!

 

[Tex68w]

Yea, it’s an optical illusion, thanks for pointing that out. Now my only complaint is the hard right angle at the rear corners. Did they charge extra for recessed light pockets?

 

[VirginiaCruiser]

Well this just was put on order!!! LFD dual swing out rear bumper. 5-6 weeks for production and another week or so for shipping from NC. View attachment 2493676View attachment 2493677View attachment 2493678

I’m looking forward to your review, and also what you think about how it attaches to the truck.

 

[Washingtontaco]

I’m looking forward to your review, and also what you think about how it attaches to the truck.

Looking forward to getting the spare off the roof rack or garage. I’ll be able to perform a full review.