Builds Odinskind's build thread (2 Viewers)

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Excellent reporting, a very nice project - vision and execution!
 
Overall I am very satisfied. The front and rear bumpers are awesome. The suspension looks great, and the wheels and tires are killer. The “sliders” were a complete waste of $700 . I don't understand why they just didn't build the brackets correctly. It makes zero sense to me. I should close this out with saying that I am not an experienced off-road enthusiast. My opinions are purely based off of observed fit, weld, and build quality but not based off of trail experience. None of this will be tested on the trail for a while, and I'll likely not push my truck nearly as hard as some of you push yours. If anyone has requests for specific images please let me know. I'll be happy to provide all the images you want.

Find a welder locally and have them cut of the brackets and redo the mounting to frame. You can look the examples for mounting on my build thread in the signature below. Also, look at the slee, metal tech and WOR sliders. Few folks here have posted pics.
 
Find a welder locally and have them cut of the brackets and redo the mounting to frame. You can look the examples for mounting on my build thread in the signature below. Also, look at the slee, metal tech and WOR sliders. Few folks here have posted pics.

I've thought about that but a few people pointed out that they probably don't have the structural integrity to act as real sliders even if they are attached to the frame.
 
I'd save the efforts on those sideboards and just get a set of Slee's sliders and PC them to match......

The front looks great - and the rear fairly well executed minus the noted issues.....

Glad it's all together finally - what's the date for shipping it ?

E
 
I've thought about that but a few people pointed out that they probably don't have the structural integrity to act as real sliders even if they are attached to the frame.

If steps are 3/16" steel then they should be able to take the load of rig. Otherwise sell them on eBay or CL and get real sliders.
 
I'd save the efforts on those sideboards and just get a set of Slee's sliders and PC them to match......

The front looks great - and the rear fairly well executed minus the noted issues.....

Glad it's all together finally - what's the date for shipping it ?

E

Shipping will likely be in May. I have some time to make changes.
 
Shipping will likely be in May. I have some time to make changes.

Man, I'm liking your plan more and more - and appreciate your willingness to share your experience here. I hope you will continue to post pics once you begin your adventures in Mauritania.

Make a plan, work the plan. Good stuff!
 
Man, I'm liking your plan more and more - and appreciate your willingness to share your experience here. I hope you will continue to post pics once you begin your adventures in Mauritania.

Make a plan, work the plan. Good stuff!

It has definitely been a learning experience. I'm very pleased with where it is, not so much with the sliders but I'm planning on writing a very detailed email to VPR about this let down.

I'm planning on staying active on the board and will definitely make posts with lots of pictures about Land Cruiser life in Mauritania.
 
Here's the Jeep shop in Atar, Mauritania:

JeepShopAtarMauritania_zpsvl6w323z.jpg


At least it has a grease pit ... I'm sure the Toyota shop is much nicer :D

Just kidding, obviously. Looking forward very much for your pics and stories about Land Cruiser life in Mauritania.
 
Did anyone else have to Google where Mauritania was? Or was it just me? :hmm:
 
Ditto..... looks like a bit scary ! I spent a day in Dakar a decade ago and didn't really enjoy the culture....
 
I didn't even know Nouakchott was a real place until I was told I was going there
 
I didn't even know Nouakchott was a real place until I was told I was going there

Wow! That's the capital city of Mauritania, the largest city in Mauritania and it has an international airport.

You be stylin', dude :)
 
I have pretty big updates on my project.

Firstly, I am very pleased to report that VPR 4x4 responded to an email I sent them regarding the absence of sensor holes on my bumpers and the “rock sliders”. They were very understanding and gave me a little incite into what happened. Apparently, there was an order mix up. My bumpers were shipped to another location and I received that location's bumpers. The difference being that the other people ordered these bumpers without the sensor holes.

Anyway, I don't care too much about the details but am very glad that they called me. They agreed to let me return my viper “sliders” for a full refund including shipping costs. They are also going to send me instructions on how to do the sensor modification myself. I am so happy that they were so understanding and willing to work with me on this situation. I do really like my VPR 4x4 bumpers, and now have no reservations sporting their company logos on my bumpers (I was seriously considering ripping off their company's logo from my bumpers before we had this resolution).
 
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Second, I went on a short drive down to Iron Pig Off-road and had an awesome appointment with Lance and Tim. I informed them of my future plans to take the rig to Africa and told them that I was trying to build to be ready for that trip. Tim literally spent several hours with me chatting about my plans and giving me pointers. The dude has a wealth of knowledge. He went through my spread sheet and helped me prioritize my modifications.

I'm going to have IPOR build me some sliders which will be welded onto my truck. Their sliders are very stout. There is no comparison between IPOR's sliders and the VPR “sliders” step rails I currently have on my truck. I may have them do a dual battery kit install for me too (though I may chose to do this myself.) Overall it was a fantastic trip, and I'm super glad I decided to call those guys. Their shop is completely full of Land Cruisers. They know what they are doing.
 
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Finally, I completed a Dobinsons snorkel install this weekend. This was a major undertaking for me because of my current living situation. I'm in a freaking hotel and had to do the install in a uncovered parking lot. Thankfully the weather cooperated. I also do not have any of my tools as they are currently in shipping. I had to buy all the tools from Home Depot after I discovered that no place rents hand tools and I wasn't close to a DIY garage. So between doing the initial tool purchase and making 3 more runs to Home Depot for random stuff the box's 3 hour installation estimate ballooned to about 8 hours or more for me. It looks good. I'm glad I'm done. I miss owning a house with a garage.

APC_0002.jpg
 
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@odinskind - Very nice - yours is my current favorite 200 Series. VPR came through and IPOR but a bow on it for you. Well done, congratulations and good news.

Bad news is that I am officially conflicted on choice between new and pre-2016 200. THat front is stunning.

Congrats on the progress!
 
I didn't even know Nouakchott was a real place until I was told I was going there
Not to pry, but what ya going to be doing between adventures in the battle wagon?
 
Not to pry, but what ya going to be doing between adventures in the battle wagon?

I'm a State Department Foreign Service Officer. I work in embassies abroad. In Nouakchott we have a new embassy being built I'll be participating in that project along with my normal duties at the current embassy.
 

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