Builds mcgaskins' 2013 build thread - Palladium (2 Viewers)

[mcgaskins]

Great build mcgaskins! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. I really like this idea of having the option to have the light bar come on/off with the headlight brights. Does your 2013 have the auto bright/dim headlight function? I'm wondering if the extreme brightness of the light bar and the associated reflections from distant road signs would mess with that system and cause the lights to dim frequently when there is no vehicles ahead. I think I might be able to disable the auto lights on my yet to be modified 2020, but it would be ideal if it worked well with a light bar.

The factory headlights are so dim in my 2011 Ford Raptor (no auto lights) that I use my light bar on the road whenever I can get away with it. It is wired separately, so I have to lean a little forward and keep my finger on the switch as I drive so I can quickly switch it off and not blind oncoming traffic. It is so bright that it often obscures oncoming cars approaching lights on the other side of hills, so it is easy to blind someone if you are not really paying attention.

Thank you! The 2013 does not have the auto high beams, but our 2016 had it. I always left the auto high beams off however as it didn't work well at all in our neighborhood and surrounding areas. I think the light bar would cause enough reflection to turn off the auto high beams, so it may not work well in the city. I've had both setups in the past where the aux lights are independent or tied into a headlight switch. There are convincing pros and cons for each, but I think this is the most convenient way (aux swtich only live when high beam is triggered and can be left in on position). My default position is for the light bar to be on when high beams are on, but I can turn the light bar off via the OEM fog light dash switch. Here is a pic:

By the way, I never did aftermarket lights on the 2016. I loved the OEM headlights, and here they were in action at ~30mph off road at 8:30pm looking for camp outside Moab.

 

[mcgaskins]

I realize I'm really behind in keeping this updated! Work has never been busier, but I was able to sneak away a couple times and run a few trails.

In October, @Gregtoy144 and I ran some trails by Breckenridge that ended up being nearly the same loop we ran a few years ago at LCDC in 2017. It brought back good memories, and we were able to run the trail in dry conditions before the snow starting falling the next day.

We saw some Bronco prototypes being tested. They pulled out and followed us for a while, and I wish we would have pulled over to ask them to join us on the trail. Very impressive and imposing in person.

On the trail. It was a beautiful day.

Breckenridge in the distance.

Little throwback to LCDC 2017 when we had our grey 14.

 

[mcgaskins]

Also in October, we did our annual "Spooky Night Run" (aka Halloween) with Rising Sun on Slaughterhouse Gulch and had a great time. @joltman was there and did an awesome job piloting his stock 2018 Cruiser through the whole trail without incident including some pretty steep and sketchy climbs out in the darkness.

Without light bar:

With light bar (I have since aimed it better to where it doesn't hot spot as much in the center):

 

[joltman]

It was a great time! Can't wait to head out again.

 

[terdrocket]

Oh dang. The more I see that Rhino bumper, the more I start getting the itch to order one. Must resist.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Oh dang. The more I see that Rhino bumper, the more I start getting the itch to order one. Must resist.

Me too. I've basically resigned myself to having to get one eventually. I keep finding myself browsing to the website, resisting the urge to call their Argentina site and order one.

 

[mcgaskins]

My wife and I have been working remotely since late March, so we wanted a little change of scenery during the holidays. In less than 2 days from mentioning the idea to my wife, we arrived in Moab on NYE for some wheeling and relaxing! It had recently snowed, and temps were in the single digits overnight to around 32 degrees during the day. The conditions made the landscape even more beautiful than usual, and it made the trails significantly more challenging. Trails that are usually 2 or 3 out of 10 in difficulty were treacherous and at times impassable due to the snow and ice, but the challenge was a blast and helped dust off both driving and recovery skills.

This trip was also our first since adopting a sweet puppy named Enzo a few months back, and he was a total natural! He and our adult boxer get along great and use each other as pillows

This is his happy face

 

[mcgaskins]

 

[mcgaskins]

There were many frozen creek crossings with steep shelves and mini icebergs making things more interesting, and we met a very nice couple in a pickup and camper who got hung up on their rear diff in one of the crossings earlier in the day. We helped with a snatch strap and quick pull and spent the rest of the day wheeling together and helping each other out in a few spots. Here is one of the crossings and a subsequent pull. You may notice a little love tap on my driver side rear bumper in the clip...funny enough, I had just come out of the crossing, and my brother in law (1st gen Tacoma on 35s) said he wasn't recording and wanted me to back into frozen creek and do it again for a glamour shot. Of course upon backing in I struck an iceberg denting the bumper It's ok though - I have already fixed the rear bumper with something...stronger



Something to note on this recovery. At the beginning of the video, you can see where my tires had burned some ice down to the dirt on the first couple of attempts at the pull. I always start as slow as possible with the first attempt at barely a crawl speed, then slightly faster, and slightly faster until it works. Quality equipment in good working condition is critical here as are properly rated attachment points to ensure everyone stays safe. We used a highly rated 30' kinetic strap, Factor 55 hitchlink, and some good shackles for this recovery, and on other recoveries throughout the day we needed more equipment including Maxtrax. The recovery with Maxtrax was very dangerous with a steep drop off on one side with little room for error, so I may do a detailed post on that scenario specifically to explain how we got into the bind, how we recovered, and what we learned.

 

[mcgaskins]

Day 2 offered absolutely phenomenal scenery. The wheeling wasn't challenging, but that was ok since the day before was pretty action packed.

He wanted to drive, but he can't quite reach the pedals yet!

 

[mcgaskins]

These 2 videos sum up the trip pretty well. It was an ideal recharge and perfect way to start the new year.

 

[TLC2013]

These 2 videos sum up the trip pretty well. It was an ideal recharge and perfect way to start the new year.

Awesome shots, beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing. Love the doggies!

 

[TeCKis300]

You're killin' me skins with these photogenic shots. All this adventure out there that awaits. Love it.

 

[wiseinvestor]

Awesome Stuff!

 

[mcgaskins]

Thank you! I am very grateful for the memories we’ve been able to make in the last year and am looking forward to more this year!

I’ll update the build portion soon - I have since fixed the rear bumper with something...stronger

 

[Tex68w]

Best time to buy a car is New Year’s Eve, right before the dealership closes.

It's funny you mentioned that because that's the day we ended up buying, rolled out of there are 8PM lol.

 

[Idaho Savage]

Bumping to hear about that new rear bumper. Give the people what they want!

 

[mcgaskins]

Bumping to hear about that new rear bumper. Give the people what they want!

Haha apologies for not posting more details yet! It will be worth the wait I assure you however! Right now the truck is at the dealer for a timing chain tensioner replacement unfortunately. I have a warranty which is covering the majority of it, but I’m still going back and forth with them to get OEM parts and ensure the scope of work is appropriate. Shouldn’t be much longer!

 

[Tex68w]

That's odd, at 100K?

 

[Idaho Savage]

Haha apologies for not posting more details yet! It will be worth the wait I assure you however! Right now the truck is at the dealer for a timing chain tensioner replacement unfortunately. I have a warranty which is covering the majority of it, but I’m still going back and forth with them to get OEM parts and ensure the scope of work is appropriate. Shouldn’t be much longer!

JUST TELL US ABOUT THE BUMPER! WHATS IN THE BUMPER?