Builds Manglers "Flying Egg" Resto-Build

[Boston Mangler]

Your build is coming out to be the “OEM+” build so was shooting for. Really nice work so far. Love it so far. My next project will be Bilstein 6112/5160 shocks and a suspension refresh but am taking a pause to help my wallet recover a little.

Btw, have you checked to see if your center diff lock works? Our cars are basically the same model and spec but mine was bought at 175k miles and my Center diff lock doesn’t work properly. I would get the car nice and warm and check to see if it engages if you haven’t already, just to be adventure ready.

Thanks man..

Well, running through the systems, they all “seem to work”

Meaning lights come on and go off when they should, and I can here the solenoid moving.

BUT, I haven’t actually got it Offroad yet to physically check it and make sure it’s all working properly. Hopefully in the next week or so.

Thanks for heads up

 

[TeCKis300]

This is what I imagine @Boston Mangler to be doing in his free time.

 

[gasman4u]

This is what I imagine @Boston Mangler to be doing in his free time.

First off - awesome video and hilarious take!

Secondly, I enjoyed seeing how much Gobi sand they got out of this thing! I couldn’t help but to watch the whole video.

Lastly, I wonder how many parts were replaced with aftermarket trash just because it was shiny?

If OEM parts were used, I want it!

 

[dudemancool1904]

Funny you mention that, I just saw on IG that Dimitri from Stellar Built just bought another lightly damaged 200.

 

[gasman4u]

Funny you mention that, I just saw on IG that Dimitri from Stellar Built just bought another lightly damaged 200.

View attachment 3849667

Sweet old school 300zx in the background too.

 

[Boston Mangler]

This is what I imagine @Boston Mangler to be doing in his free time.

Pretty much!!

 

[Boston Mangler]

Not a “Mod” but after running out of water on this weekends adventure, I made it a priority and don’t recall ever seeing these mentioned here. They have lots of advantages, so I figured I’d share.

I find Jerry cans silly, bulky, awkward to use, and wayyy overpriced for what they are.

I’ve used Dromedary bags for years, and 1000s and 1000s of miles on ADV Bike and in my 100 series in Baja, without ever a leak or an issue. They’re super popular in the ADV Moto community and for good reason. I love everything about them.

https://amzn.to/4iJ5zi0

Can fold to almost nothing when not needed, can be hung easily to use as a shower, and almost most important, they’re silent.

I got (2) 10L (they come in different sizes) for a total a little over 5 gallons, and 2 should fit perfect in one of the ARB Drawer Side Cubbies.

They haven’t changed the design in close to 20 years, so that should speak for itself!

Photo of them, left folded when not in use:

 

[Boston Mangler]

Latest local eBay/Craigslist score

$450 with both cords, a year old

 

[tbisaacs]

Latest local eBay/Craigslist score

$450 with both cords, a year old

View attachment 3861394

These are so un-fancy but last forever. I bought a refurbished one 10 years ago and it’s happily chugging along keeping food and drinks cold.

 

[Boston Mangler]

These are so un-fancy but last forever. I bought a refurbished one 10 years ago and it’s happily chugging along keeping food and drinks cold.

Agree 100%

I also had one that was 8-9 years old and in and out of several various trucks and lots of abuse with not a single hiccup. Amazing units, tried and true

This one is just a temp solution for this build though, as I couldn’t pass up the smoking deal!

I’m 6’4” and even then, the dimensions of this unit are too tall to have it on top of the drawers without being a pain in the ass to get in and out of, so I will eventually be swapping over to a lower, longer unit, but for now, this will do the trick for sure.

I have a sickness that I can’t let a bargain pass by no matter how hard I try

 

[Boston Mangler]

Since @KLF and someone else I can’t remember asked me how id be mounting stuff to the drawers, here ya go:

I used these in my old little toy hauler trailer strapping down multiple dirt bikes for years without issue. Rated to 1000lbs (way overkill) but they come with backing plates, and smooth edges, so nothing sharp to catch on when you’re sleeping on them or reaching in. Good stuff

https://amzn.to/4kQxOxp

(yes, I will be replacing those protruding bolts with shorter ones to cure my OCD twitch)

 

[KLF]

Since @KLF and someone else I can’t remember asked me how id be mounting stuff to the drawers, here ya go:

I used these in my old little toy hauler trailer strapping down multiple dirt bikes for years without issue. Rated to 1000lbs (way overkill) but they come with backing plates, and smooth edges, so nothing sharp to catch on when you’re sleeping on them or reaching in. Good stuff

https://amzn.to/4kQxOxp

(yes, I will be replacing those protruding bolts with shorter ones to cure my OCD twitch)

View attachment 3864221

Very interesting, thanks. I see they also sell the rails that the tie-downs can clip into. Might go that route. Added to my Cruiser Stuff list for later.

What size are the bolts that attach the plates? 1/4-20? I would probably put a backer plate on the underside to improve the strength. Or use T-nuts.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Very interesting, thanks. I see they also sell the rails that the tie-downs can clip into. Might go that route. Added to my Cruiser Stuff list for later.

What size are the bolts that attach the plates? 1/4-20? I would probably put a backer plate on the underside to improve the strength. Or use T-nuts.

Yeah, the “rails” are different and don’t have the smoother edges to prevent snags. I’ve ran both the rails and these, and much prefer these.

Yes, bolts are 1/4”

They come with backer plates

 

[KLF]

Yeah, the “rails” are different and don’t have the smoother edges to prevent snags. I’ve ran both the rails and these, and much prefer these.

Yes, bolts are 1/4”

They come with backer plates

View attachment 3864388

Oh! I thought those were some kind of gaskets. Nice!

 

[Boston Mangler]

Oh! I thought those were some kind of gaskets. Nice!

No, nice fat, thick metal backing plates

 

[Boston Mangler]

Dang…

I already had this thing 1 year already….

Got it mostly squared away but still a bunch more to do.

Stupid work, always getting in the way of fun and truck progress

 

[Boston Mangler]

Getting closer to camp ready…

I’ve installed dual batteries in literally every vehicle I’ve built/owned in the last 20 years.

While researching latest tech for this one, I decided to try another option.

I used to crap on these “solar generators” for how ungodly expensive they were for such low specs and capacity. The math just didn’t math, at all. They were trendy and silly a few years ago.

I have a stand alone 100ah Lifepo4 bat that I was going to use as the center of my aux system.

But after seeing the current offerings of the power stations, I found the Bluetti AC180 has the equivalent of 100ah and was around $450 to my door. Which can also use around the house when they do the rolling “fire safety power shutoffs” here in SoCal

So there’s a time/money savings going this route, but also a space and convenience aspect too.

After advanced mathematical calculations (not verified by an Asian) I determined the AC180 would fit perfectly behind my fridge, on the drawer slide, and all the plugs and access ports would be easily accessible without having to move it. It was a no brainer really.

They also make their own DCDC charger that’s a simple 2 wire to install to charge it while driving, that I got on sale for $250.

Power Station (wait for it to go back on sale for $450 if interested):

https://amzn.to/3FWBs8J

Charging Dingus (wait for it to go back on sale for $250 if interested):

https://amzn.to/3XNIjYi

I love it when a plan comes together:

 

[Boston Mangler]

Finally got some time to spend on the sleep platform storage area.

After a bunch of tweaks and redo-s on the crap wood, I got the final structure done and mounted into the truck with the “good wood” and used 2 of the rear seat holes and 2 of the rear arb drawer holes (look close) for mounting and it’s SOLID.

Nothing on the floors of the 200s are square and easy to work with, at all!

I went back and forth on making a slide out (out the side) drawer, but decided having it just a wide open hole with the top on a hinge will have MUCH more usual space.

It’s now functional to be slept on, but still needs the following:

-decide how to hinge top part to open
-carpet to match ARB drawers
-Added fold out on the front because I’m 6’4”
-bevel top piece to match front angle

But so far, pretty dang stoked. Huge shoutout to the good homie Mike for wood working help:

 

[CharlieS]

Another option is the hatch in the top. I've got the trekboxx second drawer deletes and that setup works well. I think goose gear does the same.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Another option is the hatch in the top. I've got the trekboxx second drawer deletes and that setup works well. I think goose gear does the same.

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