Builds indycole's 2016 200 Series Build and Retrospective
- Thread starter indycole
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I did. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I was just really careful around the airbag. I did have to add a longer CAT 5 cable though. I also ran a positive cable at the same time so I can eventually run a dash camera.
indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #226
Working through a couple chores. Chassis Saver primer is now on my second row box and the cabinet I sometimes sandwich between the fridge and the ARB drawer. Monstaliner going on in a day or two.
After a recent trip where the bugs would just not let up, I decided to add a second National Luna light to the tailgate. Now I have 1 red light and 1 white light. Both have two levels of brightness.
After a recent trip where the bugs would just not let up, I decided to add a second National Luna light to the tailgate. Now I have 1 red light and 1 white light. Both have two levels of brightness.
indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #227
A couple updates:
1.) BP-51s are on the truck! Thanks to @orangefj45, Dominic and crew at Valley Hybrids for the install. The rear fit kits for KDSS are backordered nationwide so Dominic came up with a clever solution for mounting the rear reservoir. Here are the current settings:
Front
The Valley Hybrids crew also knocked a few other items:
Rear Reservoir Mount
Front Strut
2.) I finished coating both my second-row storage box and the cabinet that I use below the refrigerator with Monstaliner. It's been a week since I applied the final coat and the off-gassing is still strong. Both the Chassis Saver (used as a primer) and the Monstaliner is strong stuff.
We're heading to Big Sur again for some fire road exploration and non-dispersed camping. We scored a popular campsite at Kirk Creek nearly 7 months ago and will be basing out there for a few days.
Also, here's a walk around video of all the solar screens in the vehicle. I picked up the cabin set as well.
1.) BP-51s are on the truck! Thanks to @orangefj45, Dominic and crew at Valley Hybrids for the install. The rear fit kits for KDSS are backordered nationwide so Dominic came up with a clever solution for mounting the rear reservoir. Here are the current settings:
Front
- Compression: 4
- Rebound: 6
- Compresssion: 6
- Rebound: 8
The Valley Hybrids crew also knocked a few other items:
- Repaired a broken rear locker electrical connector that probably got whacked by a branch.
- Replaced my front TRD pads with Terrain Tamer pads. The TRD pads were very noisy and @wardharris suggested that I give the Terrain Tamers a try. So far so good!
- They removed the spare tire to take some first-hand measurements and photos for Ward/Georg's Auxiliary Tank Research Project.
- Greased the driveshaft.
Rear Reservoir Mount
Front Strut
2.) I finished coating both my second-row storage box and the cabinet that I use below the refrigerator with Monstaliner. It's been a week since I applied the final coat and the off-gassing is still strong. Both the Chassis Saver (used as a primer) and the Monstaliner is strong stuff.
We're heading to Big Sur again for some fire road exploration and non-dispersed camping. We scored a popular campsite at Kirk Creek nearly 7 months ago and will be basing out there for a few days.
Also, here's a walk around video of all the solar screens in the vehicle. I picked up the cabin set as well.
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indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #228
We enjoyed a few days of camping and relaxing along Big Sur based out of Kirk Creek. We almost always find dispersed spots along South Coast Road, San Martin Top, or Plaskett Ridge, but lucked out and got some camp site reservations many months ago. This was our first chance to try out the BP-51s both on the highway and offroad. The handling is better than the standard OME setup though the initial ride was still fairly stiff even when fully loaded. I adjusted 2-3 notches down on everything and now the ride seems perfect.
While we were literally heading out the door last week the delivery person dropped off a small parcel from Equipt. A while back I'd ordered an Escape Gear dash cover to match the seat covers primiarly for a bit of extra storage in the driver area. Check it out in the pictures below. The quality is top notch though I have some reservations about using VHB tape on the dash (the tape attaches to velcro so the cover can be removed). I also included 1.) a photo of the radio faceplate mount I made recently and 2.) a photo of the cargo area using the second National Luna light with the red cover.
While we were literally heading out the door last week the delivery person dropped off a small parcel from Equipt. A while back I'd ordered an Escape Gear dash cover to match the seat covers primiarly for a bit of extra storage in the driver area. Check it out in the pictures below. The quality is top notch though I have some reservations about using VHB tape on the dash (the tape attaches to velcro so the cover can be removed). I also included 1.) a photo of the radio faceplate mount I made recently and 2.) a photo of the cargo area using the second National Luna light with the red cover.
indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #229
Not much new in terms of the build but I think I have the BP-51s dialed in. I'm currently running the fronts at C4R6 and rears at C4R8. I've also come to the realization that the roads in San Jose are just terrible and there's no way that a 7800 lb vehicle with AT tires at 46+ PSI is going to run over broken pavement and myriad potholes without feeling a bump. The suspension feels like a significant upgrade over the basic OME, but at the same time I have to say that the basic OME stuff still feels like a great value for what you get. Where the BPs shine in my opinion is overall handling, cornering, and stability. Even with compression cranked down to 0 or 1 I wouldn't call the ride plush or comfy (though folks should note that I am running 2724s in the rear and don't have my RTT on right now).
So, what's next in terms of the build? Soon, the truck will be a guinea pig for @orangefj45, @wardharris, and Dominic from the Cruiser Brothers / Terrain Tamer / Valley Hybrids family to test the final pieces of the LRA aux tank install. I'm leaning toward the 15 gallon tank for weight reasons.
Afterward, after the first of the year, the truck will likely be in Redding for some bar work from Trail Tailor. I'm leaning toward a custom hidden winch mount for the front and a rear that handles dual tire swingouts where one tire swingout can be replaced by a storage carrier like @TonyP. The only question is whether I'll use the dual rear tire carrier to make room for a larger fuel tank or some other storage under the vehicle or use it to carry 3 spares
Speaking of @TonyP, make sure you visit his fine-dining establishment when passing through San Jose (see below).
In related Land Cruiser news, the truck is about to get a sidekick. My wife had a Tesla Model 3 on pre-order for a while but her batch just got delayed again and she decided to go in an entirely different direction. All I can say is that she must enjoy driving the LC much more than she lets on as she just bought a 2018 GX that we're picking up later this week. It's a dark burgundy (kind of like the Brandywine Mica) with a brown interior. She says no mods allowed but I don't think tires or sliders count, do they? I'll post some better photos when we take possession.
So, what's next in terms of the build? Soon, the truck will be a guinea pig for @orangefj45, @wardharris, and Dominic from the Cruiser Brothers / Terrain Tamer / Valley Hybrids family to test the final pieces of the LRA aux tank install. I'm leaning toward the 15 gallon tank for weight reasons.
Afterward, after the first of the year, the truck will likely be in Redding for some bar work from Trail Tailor. I'm leaning toward a custom hidden winch mount for the front and a rear that handles dual tire swingouts where one tire swingout can be replaced by a storage carrier like @TonyP. The only question is whether I'll use the dual rear tire carrier to make room for a larger fuel tank or some other storage under the vehicle or use it to carry 3 spares
Speaking of @TonyP, make sure you visit his fine-dining establishment when passing through San Jose (see below).In related Land Cruiser news, the truck is about to get a sidekick. My wife had a Tesla Model 3 on pre-order for a while but her batch just got delayed again and she decided to go in an entirely different direction. All I can say is that she must enjoy driving the LC much more than she lets on as she just bought a 2018 GX that we're picking up later this week. It's a dark burgundy (kind of like the Brandywine Mica) with a brown interior. She says no mods allowed but I don't think tires or sliders count, do they? I'll post some better photos when we take possession.
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Not much new in terms of the build but I think I have the BP-51s dialed in. I'm currently running the fronts at C4R6 and rears at C4R8. I've also come to the realization that the roads in San Jose are just terrible and there's no way that a 7800 lb vehicle with AT tires at 46+ PSI is going to run over broken pavement and myriad potholes without feeling a bump. The suspension feels like a significant upgrade over the basic OME, but at the same time I have to say that the basic OME stuff still feels like a great value for what you get. Where the BPs shine in my opinion is overall handling, cornering, and stability. Even with compression cranked down to 0 or 1 I wouldn't call the ride plush or comfy (though folks should note that I am running 2724s in the rear and don't have my RTT on right now).
So, what's next in terms of the build? Soon, the truck will be a guinea pig for @orangefj45, @wardharris, and Dominic from the Cruiser Brothers / Terrain Tamer / Valley Hybrids family to test the final pieces of the LRA aux tank install. I'm leaning toward the 15 gallon tank for weight reasons.
Afterward, after the first of the year, the truck will likely be in Redding for some bar work from Trail Tailor. I'm leaning toward a custom hidden winch mount for the front and a rear that handles dual tire swingouts where one tire swingout can be replaced by a storage carrier like @TonyP. The only question is whether I'll use the dual rear tire carrier to make room for a larger fuel tank or some other storage under the vehicle or use it to carry 3 spares
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In related Land Cruiser news, the truck is about to get a sidekick. My wife had a Tesla Model 3 on pre-order for a while but her batch just got delayed again and she decided to go in an entirely different direction. All I can say is that she must enjoy driving the LC much more than she lets on as she just bought a 2018 GX that we're picking up later this week. It's a dark burgundy (kind of like the Brandywine Mica) with a brown interior. She says no mods allowed but I don't think tires or sliders count, do they? I'll post some better photos when we take possession.
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Hah! Any establishment with the name "TonyP" is going to be far from reputable
I'll most definitely swing by there in March for the Baja run, if it happens.As for the 2nd swing out. It's been useful but I think after using it for a year I'd switch some things up. Namely, a provision to mount a 2.5 gal propane tank in place of the tool box. Just a personal preference thing. I definitely made use of the storage for "outside" items that I didn't want to lug into the cabin for sake of dirt or odor (recovery gear, gas syphon, ect...). Either that or keep it as is, and have a propane mount elsewhere, attached to the tire like those strap on spare tire step things. Also, a Weber Q1200 fits perfectly on the top where the cooler/gas/water containers can go. Having a grill in the cabin can be a hassle, plus you can keep it there and grill right from your bumper.
You'll love the bumper(s). When I swung by Jason's @reevesci place a few weeks back we spoke of the little improvements to make them even more bombproof than than they already are. The next versions will be killer.
Anyway, just some notes/ideas.
fireball
SILVER Star
Hopefully he will want to make a few of the hidden winch mounts I'd love one for my '08.
We are looking forward to seeing the Tundy back in Stockton for R&D.
I guess we are now offiicially 2nd cousins, Cole.
My wife and I are sharing a gently used CPO 2013 GX 460 as below. Not a wheeler but a driver / tow rig - brakes and suspension kinda suck so....It will get TT rotors/pad and TT Pro suspension at stock height.
Mall Crawler Flex Shot.....
PS Cole -
We are ordering some upgrades for our "new" GX. Let me know if you would like some decals as below in white to show off against the new truck's burgundy body. Pop off the plastic "460" and voila!
We are ordering some upgrades for our "new" GX. Let me know if you would like some decals as below in white to show off against the new truck's burgundy body. Pop off the plastic "460" and voila!
indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #235
A few pages back I promised some photos of the Raingler cargo net but forgot to post them. Here are photos from both the driver and passenger side. The net itself is high quality though I did have to get creative in terms of mounting it. One could gain a bit more room by popping off the quarter panels and pillar trim to add better mounting points, but I ended up using the drawer frame for 3/4 mounts (footman anchor on the bottom of the drawer, D-ring on webbing off the strong part of the wing, and a removable ring mount on the wing itself). I'm using the third row ceiling handle for the 4th mount along with the BROG attic.
I also replaced the door on my under-fridge cabinet with some barrier stretch net.
Aside from assisting Valley Hybrids / Cruiser Brothers with some fuel tank R&D, we've been doing a lot of short weekend camping trips mostly down to Big Sur throughout the fall. We don't stay in campgrounds often, but when we do it's site #22 at Kirk Creek.
I also replaced the door on my under-fridge cabinet with some barrier stretch net.
Aside from assisting Valley Hybrids / Cruiser Brothers with some fuel tank R&D, we've been doing a lot of short weekend camping trips mostly down to Big Sur throughout the fall. We don't stay in campgrounds often, but when we do it's site #22 at Kirk Creek.
Do you not use the atlas straps for your eno? Found a better /lighter solution?
indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #239
Yeah, it's handy! A bit of protection, a bit of extra storage, and it also stops stuff from sliding around on the dash. It's a companion piece to the Escape Gear seat covers, and just like the seat covers, the construction quality is very high and the fit is about 90% correct (not complaining... just my observation).
Just curious how much do you have totally in your 200?
