You're gonna love them!
BTBT: Brown Thunder Build Thread
- Thread starter OregonLC
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- #42
DNX571HD added along with speaks and about 100 miles of cleaned up electrical.
Did this back in Jan just now taking the time to add to thread. The DNX571HD is great. HD radio is a real treat and the simplicity at which it integrates with BT, iHeart, Pandora, etc is awesome. It is directly driving the speaks and power is plenty for me. And with the front MicroSD card you can use Garmin Topo maps (verified and it works). I'll still use MX as primary but a hard card offline map with passive breadcrumbs is a nice backup.
Did this back in Jan just now taking the time to add to thread. The DNX571HD is great. HD radio is a real treat and the simplicity at which it integrates with BT, iHeart, Pandora, etc is awesome. It is directly driving the speaks and power is plenty for me. And with the front MicroSD card you can use Garmin Topo maps (verified and it works). I'll still use MX as primary but a hard card offline map with passive breadcrumbs is a nice backup.
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- Thread starter
- #43
Locker and gear install went great. Used a Dan's Gears in Sherwood, OR to do the install. Fabulous guy who knows his gears.
Just now coming up on the 500 mile break-in interval. The 4.88s do make a difference, although it's still a heavy pig. Almost wish I would have gone with 5.29s. I'm still only turning about 2150 rpm at 60mph. This means about 2700 at 75mph which isn't bad either and my fuel econ drops like a rock above 70 anyway with the RTT. Speedo is back to 100% accurate (per GPS).
All in all, very happy with the (expensive) mod. It restored needed power, reduced a potential weakness, and provided some additional degree of mobility.
Next up: Drawers and rack.
Just now coming up on the 500 mile break-in interval. The 4.88s do make a difference, although it's still a heavy pig. Almost wish I would have gone with 5.29s. I'm still only turning about 2150 rpm at 60mph. This means about 2700 at 75mph which isn't bad either and my fuel econ drops like a rock above 70 anyway with the RTT. Speedo is back to 100% accurate (per GPS).
All in all, very happy with the (expensive) mod. It restored needed power, reduced a potential weakness, and provided some additional degree of mobility.
Next up: Drawers and rack.
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- Thread starter
- #44
23.8 gallons of fresh in what was otherwise underutilized space
That looks nice! Didn't see that you had done the 4.88's also. Definitely make a difference. I'm kinda with you on the 5.29's but would not want the top gear any shorter for highway use.
Dan does great work! He has been working on mine and my Dad's junk for years... The only hard part is getting ahold of him! LOL
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- #48
Both from Frontrunner. The footwell tank sits, well, in the footwell. It loses a bit of volume due to the accommodation for a trans tunnel which we don't have. Small sacrifice for having a walkable tank (think small kids). The slanted tank takes advantage of the awkward area right in front of the 63qt ARB fridge. Maybe 1/2" of space to spare, perfect fit.
I plant to link both sides of the footwell tank together and then join those with the slanted tank to a common pump.
http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.co...ner-40l-water-tank-footwell.html#.VUevJPlViko
http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.co...nner-50l-water-tank-tapered.html#.VUevlPlViko
Having had them for a month or so now, I'd go for the 5.29s if I were to do it again. The 4.88s were a big improvement, but it's still a heavy pig with the A343F.
503.692.1547 is the number if anyone else needs him. He's a one-man band so if he's wrenching, he won't be answering the phone. Landline is his only mode of communication. No email, etc.
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- #50
Both the footwell and the slanted have poly MIP x Hose Barb adapters threaded into a reinforced FIP bulkhead fitting on the side of the tank. On one side of my footwell tank the barb was broken in shipment. No big deal, it's a cheap fitting. I'm debating between replacing it with brass or with poly. The brass is more durable, but it will also transmit the force to the tank. I'd rather replace a fitting than a tank, but I'd also rather not have 24 gallons of water flooding into my truck should a kid step on a plastic barb.
It's going to take a little R&D to sort it out, but I'm not too concerned about finding a good solution. We go through about 6 gallons a day (if no showers) and our typical deployment is 3-4 days so 24 gallons is a perfect addition.
This thread is awesome.
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- #53
The FTM-400DR is a good radio. My only real complaint is the lack of logic in the menus; it's not very intuitive on how to get things done and you often have to go to more than one place to find something.
That said, if I were to do it again I'd keep it simple (and less expensive) by going with something like a FT-8800R. At the end of the day, it's just an expensive walkie talkie. Get something with 50w out, 70cm/2m, detachable head, and crossband repeat and you'll cover really everything you'd really ever need. The other features are bling in the catalog but don't really get used. The APRS works (if you are in range) but it's never something that I use on the trial nor would I rely on it for a SAR party to find me. More of something that my wife uses to know where I'm at. A SPOT locator would be a much better beacon in an emergency. More than once I've accidentally turned off the APRS beacon.
That said, if I were to do it again I'd keep it simple (and less expensive) by going with something like a FT-8800R. At the end of the day, it's just an expensive walkie talkie. Get something with 50w out, 70cm/2m, detachable head, and crossband repeat and you'll cover really everything you'd really ever need. The other features are bling in the catalog but don't really get used. The APRS works (if you are in range) but it's never something that I use on the trial nor would I rely on it for a SAR party to find me. More of something that my wife uses to know where I'm at. A SPOT locator would be a much better beacon in an emergency. More than once I've accidentally turned off the APRS beacon.
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- #55
I had both radios running this last weekend - Ham for trail and CB 19 to talk to truckers about pass weather and traffic - and I can't imagine ever going back to AM CB. Such a huge difference in quality.
One thing to note: My buddy's 350 had slightly better performance at the fringe of the radio's performance. There were a few repeaters that he could hit where I couldn't. Might be antenna placement (his was on roof rack and mine is on a hood mount) or antenna quality (I have a Larson, he has a Comet).
As long as we're discussing gadgets, I will give props to the Waze navigation app for both very accurately showing LE traps (even in remote corners of the state) as well as a huge save last night on traffic congestion re-route.
One thing to note: My buddy's 350 had slightly better performance at the fringe of the radio's performance. There were a few repeaters that he could hit where I couldn't. Might be antenna placement (his was on roof rack and mine is on a hood mount) or antenna quality (I have a Larson, he has a Comet).
As long as we're discussing gadgets, I will give props to the Waze navigation app for both very accurately showing LE traps (even in remote corners of the state) as well as a huge save last night on traffic congestion re-route.
Great Truck! Lovin' the Desert Bronze Metallic! Nice build. I'll keep watching this one.
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- #57
Been having a bit of readability issues with the DNX571HD. At certain sun angles it picks up some glare. About 5/8" of washers shimmed it about 5° toward the driver. Some minor Dremel work was required but nothing you'd notice if I revert back.
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- #58
Rack fabrication has begun...
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- #59
Boom!
Damn.... I'm jealous of skills... knew I should have taken shop classes in school and not band.
Looking good.
