Nighthawk: 80 guy builds a 100 (1 Viewer)

[Blue Phoenix]

Tapping into the DRL

One issue I'm running into is tapping into the DRL for the "euro beam" component of these lights. This set has the twin bulb setup and it was easy to tap into the running lights on the 80, this not so much.

When I tapped into the front DRL (red wire and green wire IIRC) I tried going into both but no luck.

I searched but can't find anything related to this. Does anyone know what I'm missing here?

The spots work just fine BTW.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Rear Auxiliary Lighting

I'm into adding any bit of extra safety measure I can and when it comes to visibility I feel like the more light the better.

Came across another genius on the board who found these lights on Amazon.

Took about an hour to install after finding out which wires were which:

Truck Lights
White/Blk Black Ground
Green/White Red Brakes
Green White Taillights

Fit is good for something that was so cheap, we'll see how they hold up. I'll try and take a night pic for reference.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

THEY FINALLY CAME!!!

Only took 3 months, but sort of feels like Christmas. Man these things are big. I had to check the Part numbers just to make sure.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Rear Tire Carrier

After looking at different options and companies I settled on the Wilco Standard High Clearance Tire Carrier.

My first choice is the Slee Rear for all of the reasons that people know, but in truth I cannot justify spending $3K+ on a bumper that's primary purpose is for trail protection. I also looked at the Dobinsons Rear bumper, but TBH I don't prefer the lines and if I'm going to settle it's gotta be cheaper. I truly just need a carrier for the moment and they had it shipped to my door in 2 weeks (which nowadays is lightning fast).

WILCO Standard High Clearance Tire Carrier

- Overall I give the carrier a B for a grade. For what it is, I think I would still recommend it to others.
Good
Simple and functional
Fairly lightweight
Easy to mount

Bad
Feels about as sturdy as your standard yakima something (good but not great)
Mounting the tire is clunky (expected with a universal type tire mount I guess
Packaging was subpar (All of the hardware was literally thrown into the box like an afterthought, some bolts actually missing)

 

[Blue Phoenix]

In other news I'm still having a crazy amount of water ingress through the back when it rains.

I think it's coming from the rear passenger window at this point. Marked on the picture are the areas that are wet (not including the carpet of course). The headliner remains dry as a bone. I'm wondering if it's just the window gasket?

Also I noticed a water sloshing noise while driving and some drips from the R rear QP on the ground. You can't see the drain plug in the picture, but I removed the drain plug and about 1/2 gallon of water poured out. Is there another source I could be missing? Is there a drain like on the front of the vehicle that could be clogged?

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Trailer Build Up

While I've been finishing up the first big phase of the truck build I've simultaneously been basically re-building the trailer I bought last year. I'll go into more detail in the thread found here..., but as I use these both in tandem I figure it deserves a post here as well.

Additions over the last couple of months:
- Much needed new suspension with OME Dakar Springs (ARB CS010R)
- Bilstein Shocks
- Almost completely redone electrical system from the ground up with Redarc/NOCO charging
- Dual Odyssey batteries
- Added rack mounted bike rack

 

[Blue Phoenix]

It's been a really long time since I updated this thread. I'll try to catch up but everything since my last post on this thread I think has been maintenance related.

When we moved up to Michigan the roads here brought out a popping noise initially in the left front area. For a couple of months I tried chasing it down which lead me to eventually replacing all of the bushings including an entire LCA just to find out my UCA's needed to be tightened. I had read a couple of threads on this and sure enough the popping is gone - on both sides, as eventually the other side followed suit.

Shortly after my DS inboard CV axle boot tore - Originally I ordered a reboot set but eventually caved in a bought an entire CV axle assembly. After rebuilding the axle on my old 80 I think this job was easier.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

ARB bumper with Diode Dynamics SS3 Pod SAE Fog Sports

I finally got to have a little fun with the truck again and got a big ARB box with some other goodies in the mail.

Before (ish) and after

 

[Blue Phoenix]

All in all the job wasn't difficult (thanks Brady Adventures!) just time consuming. I have head people paying upwards of $1500 for this and even with simple tools and a single person doing the job it's doable - I think minus accounting for wiring up the looms for the lights and adjusting them it took about 4 hours. Double that for connecting wires and making new looms.

I almost got a Dissent bar, but there's just too many deer here and now that I got the ARB I am just as happy as with my previous one on the 80.

The fog lights I think are OK - I would say more output for sure than the OEM fogs, but the for an extra $100 I may have well have just gotten the Pros. In any case they wired up pretty easy with OWL Expedition OF Tacoma style connectors which makes it plug and play and Paranoid Offroad brackets which are a must for the ARB.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

I'll try and post some pictures of the fog light pattern at night - I noticed there aren't many while going through the threads and it seems like there are several brands people are putting in the ARB nowdays.

No winch (which made the install a lot easier) - I think those days are behind me. Plan to get a pair of maxtrax soon and will use those as back-up. There seems to be a alot of sand here mostly - not the gumbo and clay in Georgia which theoretically should help me out a little in the recovery area.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Pics of the lights:
1. Low beams, no fogs
2. Low beams with fogs
3. Low beams, fogs, Hella 4K

 

[Blue Phoenix]

I think the stock fogs do a good job of foreground illumination. The Diode Dynamics fogs definitely do that and take it up a notch with wide coverage which you can see on the left side. I did aim them but I could probably still bring them down a little. That being said I think well-worth the price and they seem built well. I also like the fact that if I want I can buy different lenses from them and swap out if I want a different application.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Been a while so I figured update on build thread was due.

- In the past year I made the decision to replace the steering rack. It’s was weeping pretty bad on the drivers side and at 185k miles I figured just get it replaced.

- broke my front ring/ pinion in the UP. After some deliberation I just replaced with a new stock unit. Still deciding on what to do going forward as I have the old unit.

Lighting has been on my mind since I drive quite a bit at night.
- went ahead and bought Diode Dynamics SL2 9006 LED headlights. I’ve read a lot of negatives regarding LED swaps in the past, but based on their details and now real world impressions I’m a fan. Pics below.
- I’ve been looking at replacing my old Hellas as well as they really seem to becoming obsolete, however I’m still not ready to cough up so much dough for the replacements I like. I saw Diode Dynamics had replacement H1 bulbs, and based on what I read the Hella H1 puts out about 1000 lumens vs 1500 for the Diode Dynamics. So I got those as well.

So far I’m happy with the result, we’ll see once I get some seat time.

Stock low beams

Stock Hella 4000 only

SL2 Low Beam

SL2 H1

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Also in the past couple of weeks I added the Delta Vehicle Systems Panhard Drop Bracket. I can honestly say it’s definitely noticeable when driving. The roads here in Michigan are terrible and the back feels much more settled now. I’m running about 24 inches from hub to fender in the back.

Lastly I added Spidertrax 1.25 IN spacers which no one cares about, but also happy with how it changes the stance. I’ve also got room to go wider on tires which I’m gearing up for.