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r3run33,

I recently moved to WA and I'm still looking for a shop that could install the hot water exchanger, CB and a few other items. I'm trying to get it done before we head to the Overland Expo in 2012.

sbly
 
thanks for the reply; no worries about the time line. You are my research and develpment dept lol thanks again for all your posts
 
The wife and I just got back from a 2,759-mile trip to Death Valley. We did 5 days of exploring, 4 nights of camping and a few other days of just traveling. The 200 did a great job, it handled the interstate driving (70 MPH) with no issues. But I will have to say that driving a 7,700lb fully loaded truck with a very high center of gravity, was a little bit of a challenge on the mountain roads. Mountain highways, a snowstorm and high winds make for an interesting ride.

We were able to drive Titus Canyon, Dantes View, Badwater, West Side Road, Warm Springs, Scotty’s Castle, Emigrant Canyon Road, Aguereberry Point and Eureka Dunes.

All in all I would highly recommend the trip.

As for the truck;

The ICON suspension and Toyo tires had no problems with the trails and washboard roads. But the Racetrack road did claim 6 tires from various other trucks and SUV we ran across. We ended up patching one tire that took 3 plugs to fill the tear that the rocks cut.

The ARB Simpson III tent did great all 4 nights. One night the high winds collapsed two other tents, but the Simpson III had no problems. I’m kicking around the idea of cutting the top rail off my ARB roof rack. I would hope that would help lower the center of gravity, improve gas mileage and get me into my garage.

sbly
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What an awesome trip. How do I become your friend so that I can join the caravan in my 80 on the next trip like this? Keep it up...I am living vicariously throught you!

Smitty
 
glad to hear from you that you are still travelling; Few questions about your commnets on the trip was the "interesting" comments from the "boaty" feeling or from the sway of the accelerating and decelerating on turns? also if you remove the bar would that affect the roof top tent or other storage aspects of the rack?? I know carrying the rtt is like a big block up there and really affects the gas milage and cross wind issue. thanks I hope to get out to the expo and maybe see your rig inperson.
 
An update for the truck.

I had the guys at Northridge 4x4 do a few mods for me while I'm at work, here are the pictures they sent. They cut off the top rail and pillars of the ARB roof rack. This will now let me park the truck in the garage and lower the overall height when the RTT is mounted. Also I can now stake the RTT annex to the ground. They cut out some of the mesh floor so I can now use my sun roof during the 4 days of sunshine we get every year in Seattle. They built a roof rack mount for the awning and powder coated the rack to match the truck. With the rack taken care of they installed the Helton heat exchanger and raised the diff breathers.

It may not have the same look as it did before, but for me, function is more important then looks.

We will tryout the new mods at the Northwest Overland Rally and then at Glacier National Park.

sbly
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excellent mod.
 
Well it was time for some new shoes for the cruiser, so this time I went with a set of BFG KM2. I went from the 34.1”x11.6” Toyos MT at 70.6 lbs to the 33.3”x10” BFG KM2s at 56.9 lbs. With the new shoes the cruiser no longer rubs on the mud flaps (front and rear) and the sway bar. The truck has also dropped 68.5 lbs going with the KM2s.

With the new tires I also went with a new set of rear springs. I replaced my rear ARB 724 (constant 880) springs with a set of the ARB 723 (constant 440) springs. This has lowered the rear of the cruiser from 24 ½“ to 23 ¾”. But hopefully after the springs break-in and settle down they should drop down to 23-23 ¼”. With the rear being lowered I also was able to lower the front coil-overs from 23 ½” down to 22 ½”, hopefully this will help decrease my CV angles up front. All of this will help me fit into my garage, give me a little bit of a softer ride when I don’t’ have all my camping gear in the rear of the truck, reduce the trucks CV angles and hopefully get me a little better gas mileage.

On a final note I have to say that the guys at Northridge 4X4 in Silverdale, WA have been great to work with. They are mainly a Jeep shop but they had no issues working on the 200 and have been on time and have provided great customer service.
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Looks good! I like what Northridge did to the rack - looks very clean - looks less bulky/top heavy, too. Have you got it in the garage now?
 
Bloo,

No I don't have the truck in the garage yet, I still have our kayaks on the garage floor. But it does fit, that's the important part. Once again, thanks for the info on the BFG KM2s.

sbly
 
Sbly,
The rack mod came out nice and clean. How did the Toyo's hold up milage wise for you? I know you put a few miles on the rig with them on. The new shoes look good and will likely work better for much of the trerrain you encounter. How is the stopping difference in the KM2's vs. the Toyo MT's when its wet. We know you get rain where you are;)

E
 
Eric,

The Toyo's held up well, but after a couple trips they were starting to show wear and tear. To be honest if Toyo made a 33" MT for a 17" rim I would buy them in heartbeat.

We haven't had any rain since I got the KM2's, but along those lines I'm looking at getting them siped when I get a chance.

Don't forget we are still planing on doing the Dalton Highway / Arctic Circle trip next year. I figured since we did the Labrador Highway trip together we might as well do the west coast version also.

sbly
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hey sbly how are your brakes on the 200? others have posted that pads wear out fast then normal; and yours with the extra weight etc. thanks I drove a 200 series but just for a short time and the peddle felt soft. tanks
 
Well it was time for some new shoes for the cruiser, so this time I went with a set of BFG KM2. I went from the 34.1”x11.6” Toyos MT at 70.6 lbs to the 33.3”x10” BFG KM2s at 56.9 lbs.

Hi!

Does this mean you went from 285/75R17 Toyos to 285/70R17 BFGs?

I ask because I've been thinking of going to 285/75R17 KM2s in the near future, and was wondering if you regret having gone up in size with the Toyos.

Thanks!
 
r3run33,

On my last service at the dealership I was told that my drakes are going to need to be replaced soon. So I plan on getting that done at my 55k tune-up. It seems that all that extra weight has taken it's toll.

Tucan,

I went from the 285/75/17 (34.1"x11.6) Toyo's to the 255/80/17 (33.3"x10") KM2's. I don't regret going that with that large of a tire but I think it was a little larger then what I really needed. With the Toyos I did get rubbing on the mud flaps (had to cut the front ones) and on the sway bar. What rear springs are you running?

sbly
 
Tucan,

I went from the 285/75/17 (34.1"x11.6) Toyo's to the 255/80/17 (33.3"x10") KM2's. I don't regret going that with that large of a tire but I think it was a little larger then what I really needed. With the Toyos I did get rubbing on the mud flaps (had to cut the front ones) and on the sway bar. What rear springs are you running?

sbly

Thanks for the reply.

I'm running 723s at the rear, 703s on front. No issues at all with the current 285/70R17 KM2s.
 
Tucan,

How's your suspension holding up? I ask because I have followed your write-ups here on mud and you have definitely run your truck harder then I run mine.

Aren't the 285/70R17 KM2s about 32.8"?

sbly
 
I'm bookmarking this thread. I hope to have a 200 in the next couple of years and this thread is great inspiration!! :D
 
Lowe,

I couldn't agree with you more. If it wasn't for the information and inspiration from Iron Pig, Tucan, JB, chimyz, ballsbygm, and dtt255 my truck would have never been built.

sbly
 

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