Featured 100: paflytyer

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Cruiserdrew said:
Have you thought about ditching the 12v sockets and using power poles? Easier and much better. What's sticking out under your steering column?

Good job eliminating dangling wires. Always a good thing.
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More wires being moved into a new slot. The ones hanging down near the steering column run 2 sets of LED's and they mount near my locker switches. I was looking at a better spot to move those. I've decided on the drivers side of the center console (same location as the 12v socket, just on my side of the truck. The small area next to the steering column would be a good place for them too, but the console is actually easier to see. I keep my HAM mic holder down there too so I'm used to reaching for that area.

And yes, power poles would probably be perfect. I'll do that for the ones in the rear. Especially where the fridge plugs in. I've had nothing but trouble with the ARB socket.
 
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Hey I've been reading through your thread. I'm trying to fit 35s but having issues picking the size. Originally I was going to go with 285/75/18 and factory wheels and wheel spacers. However at least according to the guy trying to sell me the wheels he says that even with spacers they still don't quite fit right. I actually do prefer to buy a wheel with the right offset then to run spacers so that would be nice. The only problem is the wheels are 17" wheels which I actually like but the problem is that the tires I want nitto trail grappler or toyo mt don't have sizes that are close to the 35" or skinny 35s which is what everyone is saying is needed. Their tire size just pushes up to the 35/12.50/17. I know other have said the skinny tires are pushing it so I feel like the true 35 will be too much. What are your thoughts.

Also noticed in a post you said you were going with a larger tire. What size are you thinking about running.
 
I very much prefer the taller/skinnier tire that I'm running now. It's a Toyo R/T (between a m/t and a/t) and it's in the 285/75/18 size. I was still getting some rubbing with the 295/70/18 and it was just bugging me. The other bonus is ditching the mud tires. I had been running M/T's for the last 4 years and just going to the less aggressive R/T makes a huge difference in the quality of the ride and noise. I don't think I'm losing anything performance-wise as the R/T is more aggressive than an A/T, but less "luggy" and noisy than an M/T. Honestly, it's closer to an A/T but the ride is so much better that I'm fine with the less aggressive look and stance. I'll take comfort, performance and fitment over looks all day.




D71_2145 (1024x683).webp
 
Hmm I may try and find a narrow tire for the 17s then. I don't mind trying to fit bigger tires but everyone I've talked to so far that's done it has either scaled back or just didn't go wide in the first place.

paflytyer said:
I very much prefer the taller/skinnier tire that I'm running now. It's a Toyo R/T (between a m/t and a/t) and it's in the 285/75/18 size. I was still getting some rubbing with the 295/70/18 and it was just bugging me. The other bonus is ditching the mud tires. I had been running M/T's for the last 4 years and just going to the less aggressive R/T makes a huge difference in the quality of the ride and noise. I don't think I'm losing anything performance-wise as the R/T is more aggressive than an A/T, but less "luggy" and noisy than an M/T. Honestly, it's closer to an A/T but the ride is so much better that I'm fine with the less aggressive look and stance. I'll take comfort, performance and fitment over looks all day.




View attachment 1244726
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If you're not taking your 100 offroad all that often, you can absolutely run the 295 (or wider) with a few mods and make it work. I just don't like the idea of sacrificing so much (adjusting turn stops, hammering things out of the way, non RR shocks) to make a tire bolt on that doesn't really fit correctly.

With 295/70/18's, body lift and spacers, I was close. I would still get slight rubbing on the frame rail in the back and just behind the front tire, especially when twisted/flexed. Stock UCAs would rub along the arm. Nitro UCAs did not rub.

In my experience, 285 is the most practical width on a 100. Everyone has their own opinion on what works. To me, a tire that rubs or hits the frame, does not fit.
 
Just so you know, I run the Cooper Discoverer ST MAXX 295/70/18's on my LX and have 0 rubbing even at full articulation with stock wheels and suspension.

I think most 295's will rub, but the ST's are a bit smaller I presume and are definitely the largest tire that will fit on an LC or LX without major modifications. It is super close.

Just another option.
 
I think I'll be ditching the new wheels then because I can't find a tire size/brand I like. I'll go your route with the 285/75/18 but in a MT. What size and brand wheel spacers are you running.
 
redman333 said:
except you can't get them right now. National back order. I ended up going with just differentials spacers. They did the job. They are stout and don't have any kind of shimmy or shake from them.
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Interesting - I just ordered them from Slee on Feb 22!
 
They probably did have them then. He said that they've been back ordered but that slee has been selling off the ones they had in stock and had just recently ran out so I'd have to wait.
 
It's been a little while since I've made any updates here, but my 100 has gone through a few changes. For the first time since I've owned this truck, I have a different rack than the original V1.0 Gamiviti Expo (one of my first mods). I switched over to a Rhino Rack aluminum platform for a while but still have the Gamiviti standing by. The Rhino Rack was a little larger and I was interested in trying a few of their accessories. So far, I've been happy with it. It is a little more difficult to find places to strap things down unless you're using their proprietary clamps and straps. I also needed to drill holes in the floor of the rack in order to attach the roof top tent. The Gamiviti didn't require any of that. It's basically ready to go as soon as you bolt it up. This is a very nice, full length rack with literally thousands of configuration options though. That's ultimately what moved me in that direction for now.




I also decided it was time for an awning. Rhino Rack handles the Foxwing line in North America, so I was able to get everything together. The Foxwing connects to awning extensions and sidewalls as well as the Foxwing/OZ Tent. This gives me and my family a huge, fully covered area around the truck with a full ground tent attached. This allows all of us (and two crazy pointers) to camp from one vehicle. My wife and twins in the Autohome RTT and me, my son and our dogs in the attached ground tent. Pretty sweet setup, but it's not something you'd want to set up and break down every day.


The Autohome RTT is very nice. There are some things that I liked better about the fold-over type RTT, but I can go from the driver’s seat to my sleeping bag in about 1 minute with the Autohome. The downside is that you lose all of your roof rack space. I used to carry my extra fuel up top, but that won’t work with the Autohome unless you get the Extreme which comes with load bars on top. Instead, I finally caved and put the Slee ladder/swingout on. I was holding out for years because I didn't like the idea of opening both swingouts every time I needed to get in the back. It hasn't been nearly as bad as I imagined. I'm back there opening the single side anyway, so it only adds about 5 seconds. I also decided on the Slee Rotopax carrier that pivots open and out of the way so the ladder remains useful. This helps when I forget the Autohome ladder, or I pack the tent full of sleeping gear and want to leave the ladder out to save room.



D71_2648 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/134005838@N04/
 
That extra weight kind of forced me into heavier springs in the rear. That's something I've been trying to avoid for years. More now than ever, I'm looking for a smooth and comfortable ride. I added OME 863's in the rear and upgraded all the bumpstops to Timbren's new Active Offroad bumpstops. The ride feels exactly the same as it did with the 860's and my bottoming out from the added weight is gone. Smooth as silk.


I also added a snorkel and ARB diff breather kit, although I'm pretty sure I'll never need it. I hate water crossings, but I do drive on some pretty dusty trails, so that's probably reason enough.




I had a very basic dual battery setup that is explained a few posts back. I still have a basic setup, but I'm not much for high tech electrical work. Fortunately for me, Joe Risavi, the lead tech at Slee is. Joe installed the new Slee Dual Battery tray that is designed to fit the ARB single or dual compressor. Now I can leave my Powertank at home. (Powertank's are great for running air tools arounf the house, in the garage or on the trail.) Joe rewired everything and installed the dual compressor and new battery disconnect. I'm super happy with this new setup. It's clean and simple.




Unfortunately, my legs and feet still do not send and receive the correct signals from my spinal cord, so my ability to control the gas while off-road has become a little more difficult. I ended up getting into a bad spot on a tough section of Rose Garden Hill while leading the Kokopelli Expedition. @bluecruiser had his own breakdown the day before so I was without a trusted spotter. You can never underestimate the importance of traveling with people you trust. A bad tire placement put me in a rough spot and I couldn't feel the pedal very well. A little too much skinny pedal and the dreaded snap, crunch and grind of a front differential going south was the outcome. I have new Nitro 4.88s and ARB front/rear lockers sitting on my garage floor waiting to be installed. I was going to just fix the front and add a TJM locker to the rear, but the ARB customer service and support is second to none. I was assured that the earlier problems with the ARB seals going bad and pulling oil up the line has been solved. We'll see.

I hate to say that I will be finished once those mods are done, but other than some PM related items that we all deal with, I really think I'm done. I feel like I've come full circle and the last 18 months have changed my outlook on life. Some quality wheelchair time will do that. The hard trails don't really interest me anymore and I really don't have the ability to drive and maneuver like I used to. I'm back to finding new places in fun areas with good friends. Besides, I have some great friends with Land Cruisers that are built to go anywhere. I can always get some stick time behind the wheel of one of their vehicles.

 
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A few more little mods.....

The Gamiviti rack receivers are one of the best new products on the market. They allow you to install and remove an awning by yourself..... in seconds. Roof Rack Receivers
I r&r my awnings a lot because I can't fit in our garage with them on. Plus, I hate dragging all of my gear with me if I'm just driving around locally. If you own an awning, there's no reason not to own these rack receivers.




I hate digging around for lost items, especially on the trail. I'm trying to be a little more organized from the front seat. I always have stuff that I need just riding along on the front seat. One steep descent, and it's all on the floor. Blue Ridge Overland Gear is making some super nice items for organizing and carrying gear. I picked up a MOLLE seat back panel and a clear pouch from them recently during a sale. Instead of running it on the back of the seat, I run it on the front. This obviously only works when I'm traveling solo, but it's super nice to have either way.




My other cluster up front is two comm speakers and two mics. One for ham radio and one for CB. Once again, @nakman of Gamiviti had a solution for me. A seat belt mic holder! I can keep my ham mic (or whichever one I'm using more often on that particular day) attached to my seatbelt. I can just reach down, key up, talk and unkey. I don't have to hold anything near my face or fumble around looking for the right mic to grab.






These are 3 of the most useful and inexpensive mods I've done. Gamiviti is a HUGE HIH supporter. I'm sure he'll have these things on hand at HIH6. Or, pick them up now so you're ready for the drive to Silverton!
 
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