Builds The Big Bad Rad Dad LX (Dissent) Build

[radman]

It was a good amazon day! Compact Batwing arrived today and got it setup after the kids went to bed.
Got a crazy deal... took @grinchy's advice and stalked the warehouse for a while. Finally saw one and ordered at $370 bones. Waited a week for it to arrive, but then it got cancelled. So I called amazons, said 'wut up', and they said "order a new one and we'll credit you the difference after it arrives" :squint:

Low expectations on it, but went ahead and waited to open it until I called and got my monies back. Sure enough, after 30 mins, they refunded me $250 love me some amazon.
Decided to get the compact, which is 19" shorter, so it didn't protrude beyond my Prinsu. The thing almost flew away on first deployment.

1/4" carriage bolts fit in the Prinsu T-slots, but I'm thinking about taking it down and drilling some 3/8 or 7/16" holes straight through the rails.

also, need to add 40lbs to my weight. Hope the AHC can handle it!

 

[grinchy]

It honestly doesn't look that much shorter deployed. I'm interested when you finally have it situated left right in where it is in relation to the hatch spoiler.

 

[radman]

I'm interested when you finally have it situated left right in where it is in relation to the hatch spoiler.

I assume I would want the back side to be flush with the end of the rack (or close to it).... to allow it to swing open without contact. Is that what you mean?

 

[grinchy]

I assume I would want the back side to be flush with the end of the rack (or close to it).... to allow it to swing open without contact. Is that what you mean?

Well mine must be lower . . . Right now I have to trap the spoiler behind the last bar when hatch open. I don’t really want to push the awning more forward into the wind for driving. And raising it maybe 2” seems also not great. Maybe I can push it back another four and see if that works. I’d take the spoiler off but it leaves exposed stuff.

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

@radman any tips on searching Amazon Warehouse other than searching “awning”?

 

[radman]

@radman any tips on searching Amazon Warehouse other than searching “awning”?

2 ways:
1) go to the regular product page and look down below where you normally add it to cart. Currently, it says "New (2) from..." but sometimes it will say "New & Used from" and then make sure it's from amazon warehouse.

2) there's a drop down for amazon warehouse when searching

Rhino-Rack Batwing Compact Awning Amazon product ASIN B07Q3X4FKL

 

[grinchy]

They get a couple every month. When I got mine I ordered used as it was out of stock everywhere, and it was 30% off. Win win. Figured it would be ok, maybe have a broken bracket ($20 to fix) or a hole (iron on patch at the ready). Proved to be a butchered box and completely untouched batwing inside. I searched batwing and rhino rack.

 

[prharper]

They get a couple every month. When I got mine I ordered used as it was out of stock everywhere, and it was 30% off. Win win. Figured it would be ok, maybe have a broken bracket ($20 to fix) or a hole (iron on patch at the ready). Proved to be a butchered box and completely untouched batwing inside. I searched batwing and rhino rack.

@radman @grinchy I scored one this morning for $405, thanks for the tip. Will see what the condition is when it arrives. Need to figure out options to mount on factory rack with 8020 cross bars.

 

[radman]

Need to figure out options to mount on factory rack with 8020 cross bars.

i didn't like the 1/4" in the t-slots, so I just drilled some 3/8" holes all the way through and used a bunch of washers to get over the Prinsu ledge.

here's 1/4"

5/16":

 

[prharper]

i didn't like the 1/4" in the t-slots, so I just drilled some 3/8" holes all the way through and used a bunch of washers to get over the Prinsu ledge.

here's 1/4"
View attachment 2403416

5/16":

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[/QUOTE

i didn't like the 1/4" in the t-slots, so I just drilled some 3/8" holes all the way through and used a bunch of washers to get over the Prinsu ledge.

here's 1/4"
View attachment 2403416

5/16":

View attachment 2403419
View attachment 2403420

View attachment 2403422
View attachment 2403421

Good idea and that probably helps put higher so no problems with clearance with rear lift gate up. Thanks for sharing.

 

[radman]

I might need to rename this thread to "how much crap can you mount on until you break AHC".

1) finished up the spare tire bike rack. it's made for a 5x5.5" bolt pattern, but nothing a die grinder couldn't fix.
2) slapped on a "spare tire brake light" I found on the amazons. Had low expectations for $20, but so far so good.

3) also adjusted my spare tire angle. So many options with the way it's designed!

Dissent Front: 20lbs (net of ditching crash bar and plastics)
Winch: 77lbs (includes rope, control box, fairlead, hardware)
Dissent Rear: 140lbs
Spare tire: 20lbs net (stock 20" 285/55 @ 80lbs vs 305/70/18 @ 100lbs)
LRA 24: 130lbs + gas
Prinsu: 61lbs (need to deduct stock rack)
4 x Prinsu load panels: 35?
Adapt Light bar: 23 lbs
BFG KO2 33"--> 35": 13lbs x 4 = 52lbs
Yakima Cargo Box: 60lbs
2nd Optima Yellow: 44lbs
ARB Twin + tray : 20 + 17lbs = 37
Yakima bike rack: 20lbs
Batwing Compact: 40lbs
Water cannon: 25lbs + water
Traction Tracks: 13lbs





6460 - 180lbs (my weight-ish) = 6280 (baseline from certified scale)

6280 + 797 mods = 7,077
+ (24 x 6.3lbs aux gas) = 151
+ (10 gallons x 8.3lbs water) = 83
+ family of 6 = 510

= 7,821 without bikes or gear

 

[9OH1]

I’ve watched your thread from the beginning and it has definitely inspired me to go with the LX whenever we scrape together enough funds for an additional 200 series. You’ve been very detailed in all your posts and I’m sure you’ve mentioned before but I’m being lazy when I ask; How tall is your LX without the cargo shell? Just curious if I could get it through our 8ft garage door.

 

[radman]

How tall is your LX without the cargo shell?

81" to the top of the Prinsu in HI mode.

 

[adventurefam]

Top Hat was next:

Went with a prinsu. Loosely assembled inside, then mounted to rig. No major issues other than lowering the front deflector and rigging up a mount for the monster Adapt.

I got 4 load panels so the kids could sit up top. Not cheap, but significantly strengthen the crossbars! I wouldn't be able to stand on a bar without major flexing.

I took @Taco2Cruiser's advice and used non-hardening form-a-gasket vs RTV and have really been happy with the rack.

I never found proper torque specs into the roof, so I need to check those soon.

View attachment 2306505

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How do you like the Prinsu rack? Why did you go with that over Front Runner, Gamiviti, Gobi etc?

 

[radman]

How do you like the Prinsu rack? Why did you go with that over Front Runner, Gamiviti, Gobi etc?

It's great!

Gamiviti - I love the look, and seriously considered it, but stupid long wait time and and steel construction (Heavy and rust prone). Also, lots of complaints with the wind fairing.
Gobi - same as above
Front Runner - aluminum, modular, flat on top, but (to me) zero design. Looks awkward to me, but advantage over prinsu if you need something completely flat

Prinsu - aluminum, modular, low profile, ready to ship, great design

 

[prharper]

Good idea and that probably helps put higher so no problems with clearance with rear lift gate up. Thanks for sharing.

My discounted Rhino Rack Batwing awning arrived from Amazon. The box was pretty beat up but the awning was not. New, never used. The external Awning case had some scuff mark on the end of the velcro flap from shipping. Quick fix with black duct tape.

I can install or remove the awning with brackets from the OEM rack in less than a few minutes.

Thanks for all the feedback on how to purchase and install options.

 

[adventurefam]

It's great!

Gamiviti - I love the look, and seriously considered it, but stupid long wait time and and steel construction (Heavy and rust prone). Also, lots of complaints with the wind fairing.
Gobi - same as above
Front Runner - aluminum, modular, flat on top, but (to me) zero design. Looks awkward to me, but advantage over prinsu if you need something completely flat

Prinsu - aluminum, modular, low profile, ready to ship, great design

Very helpful. Thanks!

My understanding is that you can adjust or remove the crossbars so that the rack doesn't conflict with the sunroof. Is that correct?

 

[radman]

Correct, none of them are primary or required except for the front one that holds the wind fairing. All the others are completely modular.

I have them all installed in the standard locations and there is no interference with the sunroof.

 

[adventurefam]

Thanks. Ordered one today! 1.5 wk lead time.

 

[radman]

Stupid hurricane question of the day:

Looks like we got lucky and hurricane Laura will not impact Houston; however, we're anticipating wind gusts up to 50 or 60 miles an hour. The rig lives outside, but will be somewhat sheltered from side gusts from being parked in the driveway. I realize these things are designed to take 70-80mph head on, but the random direction is what's has me concerned.

would you take down the cargo box and awning? Throw a strap over the top? Or not even worry about it?