Builds Brady Adventures Build Thread

[brizzle]

Awesome.

Great info - was surprised that the front suspension would settle 1" after a trip around the neighborhood. Def something I'll keep in mind when I having the shop install. I guess it's like anything, you have to fine tune it.

What setting did you use in the UCA? (A,b,c,etc)

It was surprising to me too. It is just the way the tires site when you let it down slow. Every time you jack it up it will sit higher until you roll it around a little.

I set them in position D and it doesn't look like the alignment shop changed them. I just handed them the instructions and they said no problem we got it. So I felt they knew what they where doing

 

[brizzle]

@brizzle, you really have been busy! How are you liking the Alu-Cab tilt slide so far? I’m getting ready to order up some KISS drawers and I’d like to order a new slide at the same time (built a home-brew slide into my FJ62 but need something different this time around). Looking forward to a video (or at least some comments) on your review thus far.

May have to drive down to Charlottesville with a 12-pack and check it out myself...

No doubt, my knuckles are busted

I love the slide. I wasn't so sure of the tilt action but now that I have it I have come around to it. The big pluses are its lite weight and simplicity. The slide is very light, the msa I was looking at was 80lbs and this one I would bet is half or better (I will have to look that up). It is also so simple and easy to operate. You can pull and drop with one hand and that is really nice.

If you are mounting the slide to the KISS drawers you might use a similar method as me, using T-Nuts. I will be posting the install and final overview in about 2-3 weeks. I'll keep you posted.
If you want to come and check them out let me know you are welcome. I even have some extra mounting hardware you can have. I used to live up in Springfield way back in the day.

 

[brizzle]

Finally got the full playlist for the fridge and slide install completed. We are loving the fridge. We use it for way more day to day things than I would have expected. We haven't had any solid overlanding experience with it yet but will be putting it through its paces very soon.

This is the full playlist from selection through final walk-around.
Overland Fridge - Building Bernard Project 2.2 - YouTube

and here is the final walkaround


Next up suspension install.

 

[brizzle]

Finally started getting some of the suspension vids done.

We decided to go with an OME 2.5" medium kit from @sleeoffroad They were supper helpful guiding me through the options and I couldn't be happier with the results.

at the last minute I decided to pick up some longer trail tailor drop links too, thanks @reevesci

This vid is a pretty long one of the rear install, springs, shocks, and drop links. This took longer but was easier than I expected but I didn't have too much rust to deal with.

The diff drop and front install are coming soon.

Thanks for everyone's help on here!

 

[Enrique Sonora]

Finally started getting some of the suspension vids done.

We decided to go with an OME 2.5" medium kit from @sleeoffroad They were supper helpful guiding me through the options and I couldn't be happier with the results.

at the last minute I decided to pick up some longer trail tailor drop links too, thanks @reevesci

This vid is a pretty long one of the rear install, springs, shocks, and drop links. This took longer but was easier than I expected but I didn't have too much rust to deal with.

The diff drop and front install are coming soon.

Thanks for everyone's help on here!

Can't wait to watch it. Quick question: Why the 2.5 lift? Planning on bigger tires than stock?

 

[brizzle]

Can't wait to watch it. Quick question: Why the 2.5 lift? Planning on bigger tires than stock?

That's a great question. Mostly the suspension was for handleing additional weight, additional ground clearance, and looks.

I am running 33s and stock are 31". I am not going any bigger than 33.

I didn't have any problems with the 33s at stock height but the vehicle was starting to sag under the additional weight of mods and pretty sure age of the suspension played a part too.

I didn't want too much lift, mainly so I can keep it in the garage so was targeting a 1.5". When I discussed my plans with slee we were leaning toward a 1.5" heavy since they thought the 1.5 medium springs would be a little light or 2.5" medium and see how things settle as I added weight. All calculations pointed to LC fitting in the garage with a 2.5" so what the hell

I am hoping when I am done with the heavy mods and loaded that we will be sitting around a 2" lift and handling will still be good. So shooting the middle. It looks and handles much better than it did. Initially the 2.5" seemed high and I wasn't so sure I made the right choice but I am loving it now and it's already dropped about 1/8" from the addition of sliders and a roof rack, all in the queue for vids

We got slee step sliders and they have worked out great for the kids and adults getting in and out with the added height

Right now we fit in the garage but just barely, anything on the roof rack to include an awning (sitting in my house waiting for install) will be too high. More to come on that.

Here's a pretty recent pic

 

[brizzle]

We have been all wrapped up in our summer adventures so I have been slacking on getting stuff posted but here is our slee diff drop install video.

 

[KraziAzn]

Did your CV boot leak after the lift?

 

[Couvi]

Your truck looks great! Keep up the good work.

 

[brizzle]

Did your CV boot leak after the lift?

They were already leaking a little but after the lift started leaking a lot so I did a full front axle job right after. Still looking to rebuild the old axles to have some hot spares. I'll be doing some some videos on the axle replacement some point really behind right now due to our summer Adventures. The new axles are doing great!

 

[brizzle]

Getting back on the video editing wagon. Finally wrapped up the torsion bar install vid. I didn't hit on droop at all so am going to cover that in an upcoming vid. Also have a vid on the UCAs and front shocks coming in a few days.

I want to thank everyone for all the help and especially @Gunney for his awesome torsion bar tutorial

 

[Dozer18]

@brizzle, you know I love you and your vids, but I really need to see an install and review of that Front Runner rack. Initial impressions after your first trip?

 

[brizzle]

@brizzle, you know I love you and your vids, but I really need to see an install and review of that Front Runner rack. Initial impressions after your first trip?

@Dozer18 I know man I am so behind it’s crazy! Maybe this will hold you over.

I originally had planned to go with a gamiviti rack, love how they look, the drop rails, profile, and how you can customize the options. When I got a little closer to execution I decided to get an awning at the same time. I debated over the alu-cab shadow awn forever. It is so damn expensive. In the end I had heard so many stories and seen people not using there awnings or damaging them due to pain in the ass setups and tear downs. The alu-cab was so easy and can be popped up anywhere without the need to setup poles and stake down. The fact that alu-cab made mounts specifically for the front runner rack tipped the scales.

Front Runner Cons:

The rack does not look as cool as the gamviti or now the awesome looking dissent offroad racks.

The rack is noisy at times and I am sure impacts gas millage. The noise is not bad and I don’t notice it anymore but I did at first. I don’t really know how the noise or MPG impacts compare to others but The rack does not have the same aerodynamic deflector as the other racks so I am sure it is louder and impacts MPG more.

Front runner Accessories are very expensive in my opinion.

Not as strong as the steal racks

Pros:

Lighter than the steal racks, this is an issue for me since I am going to do my best to stay under GVWR, can’t remember exact weight savings.

Modular mounting system: The T-slots give you unlimited options for how you utilize the rack. Once I got the rack and figured out the bolt sizes for accessories I put together my own eye nut set at a fraction of the front runner cost. I have decided to get a ton more and have two for every slat and several around the otter rail. They are so convenient and easy to move around as your needs evolve on the trip. The t-slots also gave me all kinds of ideas for custom mounting solutions that can be easily changed. I used a longer set of bolts and spin nuts to hold down my camp table to the roof. This needs some improvement but it was close to awesome. I just picked up a weber Q grill and will probably create a low profile system to mount it to the roof too. This system and the frontrunner accessories give you the ability to make loading and unloading the roof quick and easy. Not that you can’t do all of this with a standard rack but it’s just not as easy.

Accessories: there are tons of cool easy to use accessories even if they are pricey, especially the Shadow Awn mounting system I already mentioned.

Great support: I experienced their support as I initially had a damaged piece and have heard nothing but great things.

Installation:

The install wasn’t bad and it fit perfectly. I used tons of silicone and have had no leaks.

Summary:

I am sure I have missed a bunch but I love the rack and I know part of that is because I love love love the awning but a big part is also how it evolved with us on the first big trip and the ideas I have for the mounting system. I will definitely be putting vids up on all of this but in the meantime please feel free to ask any questions.

 

[brizzle]

SPC Upper Control Arms, OME Front Shocks, and @reevesci trail tailor drop links installed!

 

[bentonrover]

Funny thing is I been following you on YouTube and had no idea you had a build thread on here lol. Cheers

 

[FxFormat]

Man where did you snag this truck up? The under carriage looks pristine, must be nice to wrench on it

 

[bucfl]

Great vids. Slew recommends 2.5 lift with 33’s.

 

[brizzle]

Man where did you snag this truck up? The under carriage looks pristine, must be nice to wrench on it

I know, I didn't even realize how clean it was until I had more comparisons. Came from south of richmond, va, one owner, dealer serviced it's whole life and I am betting garage kept.

 

[brizzle]

Great vids. Slew recommends 2.5 lift with 33’s.

Yeah, I talked it through with slee and was happy I went 2.5. I ran the 33s for 4 mos or so with no lift and never had issues but the 2.5" looks right and gets you the most out of the 33s.

 

[brizzle]

Just posted our frontrunner slimline II roof rack install video. It took longer than expected but wasn't too bad. I will post an overall review based on our use this summer very soon. check out the full roof rack playlist to see how and why we chose this one, assembly, etc.