- Thread starter
- #41
Couple more
Builds My Backwoods Overland built URJ200 “Jolene”---
- Thread starter weaselox
- Start date
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Double DAMN
fireball
SILVER Star
So you got lost going to the mall?! 
- Thread starter
- #44
The KM3s took a bit of a beating last weekend in Vermont.
Did something happen to your LP9’s
Beautiful rig! I like you TAD sticker! (fellow TAD nut myself)
- Thread starter
- #47
I'll post up a follow up thread but I've had some significant issues with the S8 Light Bar and LP9s from Baja Designs. Thus, the LP9s were sent back to Baja for a warranty repair and it's taken about a month for them to fix the issue and then return to the shop. I think the lights are coming in this week, so hopefully I'll be able to get them on the truck next weekend.
- Thread starter
- #48
General Update on the Truck:
Lighting: In all of my previous builds for trucks, lighting to me has usually revolved around the following: 1) Pick the lights that fit the application around the truck, 2) Install lights 3) use lights 4) don't think about them again. I went with Baja Designs lights across the whole truck based on overall customer feedback on their products and generally that they fit the application that I desired. With the 40" S8 light bar, Qty 2 LP9s on the front bumper, and Qty 2 S2 Pro Lights on the Driver/Passenger of the Roof Rack, I felt like my lighting needs were met and on to the next project. Sadly though, it became very clear that the Quality Assurance at Baja Designs lacks some type of ISO certification or basic review standards to pump out quality products. With regards to the S8 Light bar, in June after having the truck on the road for about 30 days, I noticed significant build up of water/condensation within the light bar housing. I contacted Baja to ask for a remedy and they requested that I send it in. I was under a time crunch for the forthcoming trip (in July) and needed to get this remedied quickly, thus I shipped the light bar back to Baja via 2nd Day Air on my dime for $160. After having the light for a few days, I received a message that the light was repaired and they'd be shipping it back. I asked specifically if they water buildup within the housing would cause any issues down the road and they responded stating that everything was fine. Fast forward to August, as I'm driving down some remote country roads in Pennsylvania with the light bar on and it starts flashing wildly until it essentially stops working all together (note: the amber backlights within the light bar continued to work fine throughout--the white lighting was the issue). I contacted Baja again and after 2 weeks of back and forth, they sent a new light bar--no issues have arisen yet with it but I've only had the light on a few times for probably only 10 minutes of total usage. For the LP9s, we tried and tried to get these lights to function properly and found that one of the mounting nuts on likely had a ground wire within the housing that was loose or not properly installed. These lights have also been sent back to Baja for warranty repairs and that has taken about 4 weeks of time to workout. I've had no issues thus far with the S2 lights. Overall: The issues that I've had with the lights has been disheartening to say the least. When you have basically $2000 tied up in 3 lights, you expect them to work and work well. The customer service has been okay and we've hopefully resolved all the issues but it shouldn't have had to come to this. And let me be clear, I get that lights will ultimately fail due to lifecycle concerns--these were new lights and I shouldn't have to worry with these types of things for many years to come.
Bud Built Skids: I had the opportunity to really put them through their paces while up in Vermont. I have one pretty good dent on the engine/oil pan skid from a rock that I couldn't see as crested a short hill. We're going to take that skid off in the next couple weeks and try to pound out that dent a bit. If worse comes to worse, I'll replace it later this winter.
RedARC DC Battery Charger Mount: We're hoping to have to the RedArc battery charger mount completed and on the truck in the next few weeks in time for Overland Expo East. I'll get some photos of that mount on here as soon as it's on the truck.
Communications: We went with the new Midland Micromobile MXT275 Two Way Radio. It has been OUTSTANDING over the last 8 weeks of use and I highly recommend this radio for those of you that are trying to keep dash clutter down, not wanting to mount a radio body to the dash. I paid the handheld mic with a Nite Ize Steelie Mount--works exceptionally well.
Vermont Overland Rally: I took truck up to Vermont for the last week of September for the Vermont Overland Rally. There were a couple other 200s there. For the first day of the event, we kept it fairly tame with some easy forest roads--out goal was to hit up Hill Farmstead and Alchemist which involved about 250 miles of driving. I LOVE THE ICON suspension. We were bombing down a few dirt/gravel roads and the truck handled so well in those terrains. For day 2, we went after mostly blue level trails (moderate rating) and I enjoyed getting the truck in some off-camber and tight spots. In one situation, I had to fit her through two trees with about 3 inches of space on either side of the truck--I'm hoping someone has film of that. Overall, the truck was comfortable, it handled the terrain really well and I picked up my first pin-stripes (which I knew was going to happen and I just had to grin and bare it).
Next Up: We're going to be adding the Safari Snorkel to the truck in the next few weeks. Likely will be adding some under truck/rock lights as well. We've wired up the Compressor to prep for front and rear lockers. I'm still undecided if I want to move up the gears.
Lighting: In all of my previous builds for trucks, lighting to me has usually revolved around the following: 1) Pick the lights that fit the application around the truck, 2) Install lights 3) use lights 4) don't think about them again. I went with Baja Designs lights across the whole truck based on overall customer feedback on their products and generally that they fit the application that I desired. With the 40" S8 light bar, Qty 2 LP9s on the front bumper, and Qty 2 S2 Pro Lights on the Driver/Passenger of the Roof Rack, I felt like my lighting needs were met and on to the next project. Sadly though, it became very clear that the Quality Assurance at Baja Designs lacks some type of ISO certification or basic review standards to pump out quality products. With regards to the S8 Light bar, in June after having the truck on the road for about 30 days, I noticed significant build up of water/condensation within the light bar housing. I contacted Baja to ask for a remedy and they requested that I send it in. I was under a time crunch for the forthcoming trip (in July) and needed to get this remedied quickly, thus I shipped the light bar back to Baja via 2nd Day Air on my dime for $160. After having the light for a few days, I received a message that the light was repaired and they'd be shipping it back. I asked specifically if they water buildup within the housing would cause any issues down the road and they responded stating that everything was fine. Fast forward to August, as I'm driving down some remote country roads in Pennsylvania with the light bar on and it starts flashing wildly until it essentially stops working all together (note: the amber backlights within the light bar continued to work fine throughout--the white lighting was the issue). I contacted Baja again and after 2 weeks of back and forth, they sent a new light bar--no issues have arisen yet with it but I've only had the light on a few times for probably only 10 minutes of total usage. For the LP9s, we tried and tried to get these lights to function properly and found that one of the mounting nuts on likely had a ground wire within the housing that was loose or not properly installed. These lights have also been sent back to Baja for warranty repairs and that has taken about 4 weeks of time to workout. I've had no issues thus far with the S2 lights. Overall: The issues that I've had with the lights has been disheartening to say the least. When you have basically $2000 tied up in 3 lights, you expect them to work and work well. The customer service has been okay and we've hopefully resolved all the issues but it shouldn't have had to come to this. And let me be clear, I get that lights will ultimately fail due to lifecycle concerns--these were new lights and I shouldn't have to worry with these types of things for many years to come.
Bud Built Skids: I had the opportunity to really put them through their paces while up in Vermont. I have one pretty good dent on the engine/oil pan skid from a rock that I couldn't see as crested a short hill. We're going to take that skid off in the next couple weeks and try to pound out that dent a bit. If worse comes to worse, I'll replace it later this winter.
RedARC DC Battery Charger Mount: We're hoping to have to the RedArc battery charger mount completed and on the truck in the next few weeks in time for Overland Expo East. I'll get some photos of that mount on here as soon as it's on the truck.
Communications: We went with the new Midland Micromobile MXT275 Two Way Radio. It has been OUTSTANDING over the last 8 weeks of use and I highly recommend this radio for those of you that are trying to keep dash clutter down, not wanting to mount a radio body to the dash. I paid the handheld mic with a Nite Ize Steelie Mount--works exceptionally well.
Vermont Overland Rally: I took truck up to Vermont for the last week of September for the Vermont Overland Rally. There were a couple other 200s there. For the first day of the event, we kept it fairly tame with some easy forest roads--out goal was to hit up Hill Farmstead and Alchemist which involved about 250 miles of driving. I LOVE THE ICON suspension. We were bombing down a few dirt/gravel roads and the truck handled so well in those terrains. For day 2, we went after mostly blue level trails (moderate rating) and I enjoyed getting the truck in some off-camber and tight spots. In one situation, I had to fit her through two trees with about 3 inches of space on either side of the truck--I'm hoping someone has film of that. Overall, the truck was comfortable, it handled the terrain really well and I picked up my first pin-stripes (which I knew was going to happen and I just had to grin and bare it).
Next Up: We're going to be adding the Safari Snorkel to the truck in the next few weeks. Likely will be adding some under truck/rock lights as well. We've wired up the Compressor to prep for front and rear lockers. I'm still undecided if I want to move up the gears.
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- Thread starter
- #49
Thank you @highrock95 I can't stop smiling about this truck. Every time I drive it, it just blows my mind. On the TAD front, I've got my collection of their gear--I need to probably add some of their new stuff. I had to "unfollow" the TAD Junkies page on Facebook--all the dudes posting there posing/glamour shots was 1) irritating to keep seeing random dudes on my feed 2) was not good for my wallet... Either way, I really enjoy their gear, wonderful products.
If you haven't pulled the trigger on the safari snorkel yet, take a look at the Roca Silva one. I'm not sure if that's the brand name or not but it's available through their site and it looks far more sleek and modern than the safari. It would looks sweet on your truck and be different from others here in the states. I for one would love to hear about it's performance and install procedures.
Fantastic build!
Awesome!
Lol! I understand.....been a TAD Junkie member for quite a while now.
- Thread starter
- #54
A couple more shots of the truck up in Vermont.
- Thread starter
- #55
Was playing with the SPOD Bantam tonight. What an awesome device for this truck and others. Highly Suggest!
And the Midland MXT275 hanging out on the dash. Mounted via a Niteize Steelie
And the Midland MXT275 hanging out on the dash. Mounted via a Niteize Steelie
- Thread starter
- #56
Changing the color of the SPOD
- Thread starter
- #57
Green background
LandBruiser69
It feels good to be lost in the right direction.
Love all the info you put in here J! Love the honesty! Can't wait to see what's to come in the future for this rig! One word... BEAST!
great build man and just followed you on IG!
Do you have a quick write up/photos/anything on hatch light install/where you connected the hatch lights in for power? I am going to try to tackle that and the hatch exit button sometime soon!
Do you have a quick write up/photos/anything on hatch light install/where you connected the hatch lights in for power? I am going to try to tackle that and the hatch exit button sometime soon!
- Thread starter
- #60
I need to respond to this. Will do so tomorrow.
