just a lot of trimming of the inner fender liner, that's it. I don't rub at all after the trimming. I think that's the perfect size tire for the 200!
Builds indycole's 2016 200 Series Build and Retrospective
- Thread starter indycole
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No, nothing special, just removed what was left of my front mud flaps. I am running an ARB front bumper and SPC UCAs and wheels with -12mm offset
indycole
GOLD Star
indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #324
While the truck is at the metal spa I found some time to work on a project I’d been meaning to get to for quite some time: making use of the card slot to the left of the steering wheel.
I keep a copy of the FSM on a USB stick in the glovebox but it’s a bit overkill for many tasks. The idea was to write down some reminders and maintenance items on a card that would fit in the slot. Here’s where I ended up.
The slot will fit 3-4 PVC cards that I was able to print on using a regular inkjet printer. If I were being serious about this I’d probably print white on charcoal with a thermal printer. I bound the cards together as well. I think this will be handy.
The card not shown contains Baja info with phone numbers and such so I didn’t take photos.
I keep a copy of the FSM on a USB stick in the glovebox but it’s a bit overkill for many tasks. The idea was to write down some reminders and maintenance items on a card that would fit in the slot. Here’s where I ended up.
The slot will fit 3-4 PVC cards that I was able to print on using a regular inkjet printer. If I were being serious about this I’d probably print white on charcoal with a thermal printer. I bound the cards together as well. I think this will be handy.
The card not shown contains Baja info with phone numbers and such so I didn’t take photos.
You could sell these.
Markuson
SILVER Star
VERY cool idea, Cole. Very very.
Someone said you could sell those, and I know he's right...because I'd buy one!
(Or plagiarize from your photos!
)
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indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #328
Thanks guys. I have just enough extra cards to print some for the Baja crew so a handful of folks will get some freebies.
Beyond that, I'll look into how many I'd need to have professionally printed to offer at a reasonable cost. The inkjet approach is nifty at a low volume but it's really time consuming. You could also probably fit 2-3 metal cards in that slot and use laser engraving for extra swank. I'll revisit in a month or so and will let folks know.
In any case, I'm actually pretty happy with being able to make use of that space.
Beyond that, I'll look into how many I'd need to have professionally printed to offer at a reasonable cost. The inkjet approach is nifty at a low volume but it's really time consuming. You could also probably fit 2-3 metal cards in that slot and use laser engraving for extra swank. I'll revisit in a month or so and will let folks know.
In any case, I'm actually pretty happy with being able to make use of that space.
Markuson
SILVER Star
Nice!!!!!
I like the card product. Nice going
sleak
SILVER Star
Hmmmm... Laser-engraved titanium cards. (drool)
I have a similar one for my 100... good reminder I should start one for my 200. Well done.
indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #334
Reflections on Baja Preparation, Gear Choices, and Truck Performance
The truck was out of my hands for most of March leading up to the trip as Jason did final fitment and installation of his rear bumper. The bumper itself is pretty spectacular — the frame support for the wings, the clearance, how it can fit two tires or one tire and a basket, and the overall attention to detail, fit, and finish. I'm very happy with the product and the service. I'll try to take some more specific bumper photos next time I'm out with the truck but here are a few I found from the trip.
For me, a rear bumper was needed for equal parts off-road ability and for gear storage/camp conveniences. I loved not having to lug around the water jerry cans for the camp faucet or shower setup. I was able to leave the cans in place and still connect the pumps/faucets to electrical from the drawers. I also found the arms to be convenient places to hang bags, trash, towels, etc. just around camp.
I do still need to hook up the camp lights on the extendable tower behind the passenger side spare.
Other Truck Modifications and Preparation
Just before taking the truck to Jason I swapped out my 285/65r18s KO2s for Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 285/70r18. It's the perfect size off-road for these trucks, IMO, but there was an immediate 1-2 mpg hit (and the big girl needs all she can get). If I had room I'd probably keep a second set of wheels/tires around for soft-roading and short trips.
I did need to go to a speciality alignment place to massage the front suspension so that the tires would not rub during compression on the rear of the front wheel well. I also stopped by Valley Hybrids on the way out of town for a quick check up with a special request to inspect the steering, suspension, and drivetrain hardware. I don't think I lost any hardware on the trip but that gave me some nice peace of mind for the journey. Thanks, @orangefj45!
Fully Loaded Truck Weight
I've mentioned this concern before, but with all the recent modifications and my general over-preparedness I managed to set a new record in the truck weight category. I hit the Cat Scale in Bakersfield and was stunned to see the truck come in at 8640. Yikes. Granted, that is with an extra 115 lbs of gas, 200 lbs of water, 120 lbs of firewood, 75 lbs of food/beer/LaCroix, and way too much propane and isobutane. I'm glad I weighed the truck and stiffened the BP51s prior to the trip. I don't love the fact that the truck is that heavy and I'll likely find some ways to optimize, but at least it was nice to have the knowledge and amend my driving style as much as possible.
For comparison, I weighed the truck again after crossing the border and it was around 8000 lbs. I weighed it again after removing all cargo, drawers (because I sold them), fridge, etc... basically there was absolutely nothing behind the cabin and with no people/dogs. That total weight is around 7000 lbs (rear bumper, sliders, skids, heavy RTT, rack, bigger tires, lots of electrical, not much else).
I forsee some editing of my build and gear in the near future. Aside from optimizing the gear, one thing that I'm looking into is replacing the roof rack with load bars. That should save 75-100 lbs.
Thoughts on What Worked, What Didn't, and Everything in Between
The truck was out of my hands for most of March leading up to the trip as Jason did final fitment and installation of his rear bumper. The bumper itself is pretty spectacular — the frame support for the wings, the clearance, how it can fit two tires or one tire and a basket, and the overall attention to detail, fit, and finish. I'm very happy with the product and the service. I'll try to take some more specific bumper photos next time I'm out with the truck but here are a few I found from the trip.
For me, a rear bumper was needed for equal parts off-road ability and for gear storage/camp conveniences. I loved not having to lug around the water jerry cans for the camp faucet or shower setup. I was able to leave the cans in place and still connect the pumps/faucets to electrical from the drawers. I also found the arms to be convenient places to hang bags, trash, towels, etc. just around camp.
I do still need to hook up the camp lights on the extendable tower behind the passenger side spare.
Other Truck Modifications and Preparation
Just before taking the truck to Jason I swapped out my 285/65r18s KO2s for Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 285/70r18. It's the perfect size off-road for these trucks, IMO, but there was an immediate 1-2 mpg hit (and the big girl needs all she can get). If I had room I'd probably keep a second set of wheels/tires around for soft-roading and short trips.
I did need to go to a speciality alignment place to massage the front suspension so that the tires would not rub during compression on the rear of the front wheel well. I also stopped by Valley Hybrids on the way out of town for a quick check up with a special request to inspect the steering, suspension, and drivetrain hardware. I don't think I lost any hardware on the trip but that gave me some nice peace of mind for the journey. Thanks, @orangefj45!
Fully Loaded Truck Weight
I've mentioned this concern before, but with all the recent modifications and my general over-preparedness I managed to set a new record in the truck weight category. I hit the Cat Scale in Bakersfield and was stunned to see the truck come in at 8640. Yikes. Granted, that is with an extra 115 lbs of gas, 200 lbs of water, 120 lbs of firewood, 75 lbs of food/beer/LaCroix, and way too much propane and isobutane. I'm glad I weighed the truck and stiffened the BP51s prior to the trip. I don't love the fact that the truck is that heavy and I'll likely find some ways to optimize, but at least it was nice to have the knowledge and amend my driving style as much as possible.
For comparison, I weighed the truck again after crossing the border and it was around 8000 lbs. I weighed it again after removing all cargo, drawers (because I sold them), fridge, etc... basically there was absolutely nothing behind the cabin and with no people/dogs. That total weight is around 7000 lbs (rear bumper, sliders, skids, heavy RTT, rack, bigger tires, lots of electrical, not much else).
I forsee some editing of my build and gear in the near future. Aside from optimizing the gear, one thing that I'm looking into is replacing the roof rack with load bars. That should save 75-100 lbs.
Thoughts on What Worked, What Didn't, and Everything in Between
- I picked up a 17 gallon frontrunner tank prior to the trip but ended up leaving it at home as the mounting system I bought for it did not allow mounting to a floor — only a wall. I may give it another shot once I reconfigure the storage.
- I also installed a Quickpitch Ensuite tent that overall worked out very well though I missed the stability and seclusion of the Nemo Heliopolis. It works well enough that I'll probably keep it though I do need to find a better mounting location as it's currently soft-mounted with locking pins and I need to remove it to use the Stealth ladder. I imagine we'll use the Quickpitch on some trips and the Nemo on others.
- This was my first trip with the drone. The drone itself is great but I should have spent more time learning how to use it in advance. I basically lost a bunch of footage because I kept turning the recording off. Oops.
- I used Maxtrax for leveling the truck this trip and that was both less efficient and less effective than using leveling bricks. It wouldn't be as inefficient if the Maxtrax were not stored behind the Trasharoo. On that note, the Trasharoo is handy but hard to keep in place... that's nothing new, though.
- Envirologs turned out to be an awesome replacement for real firewood. We only needed 1-2 logs each night. It's not quite seasoned almond or apple wood, but there aren't many trees in Baja and I can't imagine Boojam or Cardon fires to last very long.
- The Stealth tent is awesome. Highly recommended. Also, @TRD Burglar's Alu-cab setup is impressive and appears to be equally comfortable. Tony's Oztent setup was pretty cool as well.
- The truck handled extremely well and felt very capable despite how heavy it was. Accidentally, all four wheels were off the ground numerous times and the truck did fine. Except I may have bottomed out one time and smacked the rear sway bar on the undercarriage.
- Hot showers every night or two was a nice indulgence. The Kariba setup worked well.
- I brought some spare suspension hardware that coincidentally got some usage from the group.
- Having a Sat phone was more helpful than any other trip I've been on. It was more of a convenience than anything else though.
- I should have brought more Pesos. Way more Pesos.
- Rock lights were nice around camp.
- Pinstriping, meh
- Broke my 2m antenna on high desert megaflora
- Punctured a tire but it was repairable!
- The truck is going back to up Redding at the end of the month for the hidden winch mount and winch install.
- I'm redoing the rear electrical to hide wiring behind the quarter panels. I'm also moving the radio and radio speaker to the cabin.
- Consider replacing the roof rack with load bars.
- Trekboxx drawers in May.
- Looking forward to Sierra snowmelt, maybe a desert trip before it gets too hot, and definitely a long weekend along the North Coast.
sleak
SILVER Star
Did you get the Quickpitch shower in the US, or from overseas?
Markuson
SILVER Star
Hey Cole, do you have a source for your large-mouth, black water cans you can share?
Did some poking around, but not finding those. I see Wavians, but none with the caps I see on yours.
Edit:
These?
NEW Scepter 5 Gallon gal Water Can Jug Sporting Outdoor Jerry Military Black NEW | eBay
Did some poking around, but not finding those. I see Wavians, but none with the caps I see on yours.
Edit:
These?
NEW Scepter 5 Gallon gal Water Can Jug Sporting Outdoor Jerry Military Black NEW | eBay
Last edited:
indycole
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #337
I ordered from Drifta in Australia.
Military Water Can | Scepter Military water Can | Jerry Can For Water | 5 Gallon Water Can | 20L Water Can | 2.5 Gallon Water Can | 10L Water Can
You’ll want the wrench, too.
RET2
SILVER Star
Thx for the trip equipment report. I have found that type of written synopsis to be invaluable. I too have found out less ends up being more a lot of the times. Great point on comms w/spares
Easy to clean (inside) and tough - I've been using several for 6-7 years with great results. $45-50 is about the going deal on them.
Markuson
SILVER Star
Ya, I ordered 3 and they’ll be here Friday. Probably going to put my Slee 3-can basket back on in place of my RotoPax mount on my ladder side. Would love to free up interior space and move water outside.
When I eventually add a sub fuel tank, fuel cans will be a thing of my past.
