Builds The Big Bad Rad Dad LX (Dissent) Build

[tbisaacs]

Gonna be pretty clean. I hate handling that compressor + bracket once its in there. I'm so dang short and reaching over at that angle to get in there is diffuclt. I've had to move mine a couple of times to fish wires through that gland. In fact, I need to do spark plug service and I've been dragging my feet just because I don't want to have to deal with the compressor.

 

[radman]

at that angle to get in there is diffuclt. I've had to move mine a couple of times to fish wires through that gland.

That’s what Lo mode is for
To your point, though, I went ahead and fished an extra Ethernet cable through there for future use

 

[CharlieS]

I fed my trigger wires through the angled "conduit" (for lack of a better word) that is on the inboard side of the fuse box. It worked pretty well to make it look stock.

 

[tbisaacs]

That’s what Lo mode is for
To your point, though, I went ahead and fished an extra Ethernet cable through there for future use

Low mode + step stool. Get on my level!

 

[Tex68w]

I like what I am seeing. I have a new mount that will be replacing the Slee bracket in my GX and I am already dreading the uninstall/install so I have been putting it off lol.

 

[CharlieS]

There is that one bolt on the inside of the frame rail that is a bugger to get to!

 

[radman]

$40 hydraulic crimpers FTW!
I used @CharlieS recommendation on entering the fusebox, and used @TeCKis300 fog override instructions (yellow trigger wire below). The burst strobe is my (current) favorite feature

 

[radman]

As much as I love @BloggerL 's noco plug placement, I can’t man up enough to drill a hole into the sheet metal. The good news is that there are 2 factory (unused) grommets for me to choose from if I mount in other locations.

1) further back on the lower plastic bumper skin. Not enough room for it to sit completely flat, but I could finally add the bulb trim and make it look decent

2) down under the bumper wing. I would have to rig up a mount to fit in the oversized hole, but might risk my extension cords falling out of the plug (gravity and pointed down)

3) man up and drill the sheet metal. Benefit would be getting to park at the “electric only” parking spots at the hipster grocery stores?

Thoughts?

 

[NY2LA]

@radman Drill the sheet metal. It's worth it for not only the flatness and ease of access but for the mystical beast over which you will gain governance. Definitely improves trips to Whole Foods.

(I have no car skills and yet had no trouble with a hole cutter kit from Home Depot.)

 

[radman]

Definitely improves trips to Whole Foods.

Not worried about the cut itself, just the foreverness of it

 

[TeCKis300]

Oof, as much as I enjoy modifying the car, I couldn't and wouldn't cut into the sheet metal for that.

What does the plug support on the other end?

 

[radman]

What does the plug support on the other end?

I have an inline gfci and then it would plug into my inverter. I would make a female-to-female extension cord to plug into the outlet, which would then allow me to have power outside the rig without having any doors/hatch open.

 

[tbisaacs]

I did this but different - I have a 5a noco charger hard mounted under the hood. When I want to Pre cool my fridge I just turn it on and plug the charger in.

 

[grinchy]

What about inside the fender well where the ahc hatch is? That part is easily replaced if you change your mind. Out of the way. Not visible. Easy to reach.

 

[NY2LA]

Not worried about the cut itself, just the foreverness of it

Understandable and each to their own. My needs are different. Though drilling the sheet metal brought me the peace that comes with passing the point of no return.

 

[TeCKis300]

I have an inline gfci and then it would plug into my inverter. I would make a female-to-female extension cord to plug into the outlet, which would then allow me to have power outside the rig without having any doors/hatch open.

Ah, it's an outie.

I'm liking @grinchy 's idea. Or somewhere on the aftermarket bumper?

 

[1world1love]

As much as I love @BloggerL 's noco plug placement, I can’t man up enough to drill a hole into the sheet metal. The good news is that there are 2 factory (unused) grommets for me to choose from if I mount in other locations.



1) further back on the lower plastic bumper skin. Not enough room for it to sit completely flat, but I could finally add the bulb trim and make it look decent



2) down under the bumper wing. I would have to rig up a mount to fit in the oversized hole, but might risk my extension cords falling out of the plug (gravity and pointed down)

3) man up and drill the sheet metal. Benefit would be getting to park at the “electric only” parking spots at the hipster grocery stores?





Thoughts?

Alright. For what its worth, here are my thoughts.

1) you can just buy a Goal Zero and have power not only there, but pretty much anywhere away from the truck that you want. This is my tactic and it works great. It can easily go in another vehicle of ours, etc, blah, blah, blah. But....

2) If you think this is something that you will use, why not drill into the sheet metal? You already have cut your plastic and completed other mods that are going to hard to step back from. You are building a pretty badass overlanding rig. It is what it is. Besides, its not like it is a big, obtrusive eyesore. It is pretty discrete.

Also, that panel can be replaced. You could get swiped on that side tomorrow and you would be no worse off. If you are really worried about, just source a panel from a junkyard and get it color matched. Keep it in your garage or drill a hole in it and make your kids swap it and keep the original in the garage. No biggie.

 

[CharlieS]

I don't have anything bad to say about the modification - it is his truck and he should do whatever makes him happy. But... @1world1love that "panel" is integral to the body and fixing that hole is non trivial, involving cutting, welding and extensive paint work to blend the repair. It is not a bolt on repair like a fender or a bumper. Bolt on parts are easy enough to replace, this isn't.

 

[Tex68w]

Personally I wouldn't mount it in the vehicle fender/quarter panel, but that's just me. I like the idea of the Jackery/Goal Zero unit better as well, that said, I get the appeal of the Noco plug.

 

[1world1love]

I don't have anything bad to say about the modification - it is his truck and he should do whatever makes him happy. But... @1world1love that "panel" is integral to the body and fixing that hole is non trivial, involving cutting, welding and extensive paint work to blend the repair. It is not a bolt on repair like a fender or a bumper. Bolt on parts are easy enough to replace, this isn't.

You are correct as is often the case. For some reason I had it in my head that it was a bolt on, but now that I am looking out my window at it, it clearly is not

In this case, I retract everything I said