Builds The Guzzler - 2009 LX570

[grinchy]

Ran 90 min today with 4 bikes. Rack solid with the new hitch point. Got a ball detention 1/2” pin, will try that over the current 1/2” bolt.
Just need to iterate on the spare tire and this project will be done.
With the hitch point I think it would run any trail that the reduced clearance would allow.
It does a great job managing the front / back swingarm movement.

 

[grinchy]

Test fitting. This is before I added the stringers and proper top supports.

Vertical racks are money for loading and unloading. It’s takes less than two minutes for all four. Really cool system lolo has developed.

 

[grinchy]

Had a downpour today. It’s not common in Seattle, rain is usually around but not very high volume. Overwhelmed my sunroof drains, I had a cup of water on the drive floor mat. Wet all the way down a pillar and behind dash. Some carpet too.
I have several pines on the property and they drop needles this time of year. That times 3 years I guess got a slow drain or clog.
Fished with the trimmer line I have (small gauge). Got about six feet in- how far is it for a full clean?
Should I fish more with baling wire (bent over end of course)?

 

[tbisaacs]

Had a downpour today. It’s not common in Seattle, rain is usually around but not very high volume. Overwhelmed my sunroof drains, I had a cup of water on the drive floor mat. Wet all the way down a pillar and behind dash. Some carpet too.
I have several pines on the property and they drop needles this time of year. That times 3 years I guess got a slow drain or clog.
Fished with the trimmer line I have (small gauge). Got about six feet in- how far is it for a full clean?
Should I fish more with baling wire (bent over end of course)?

This got me earlier this year. Interior was soaked. Water standing in floor.

Stupid needles.

 

[grinchy]

Put the tire on with the rack. This thing must be done, right?

 

[grinchy]

Took the truck out for a little trailhead support for backpacking. This is ‘dishpan gap’ (3+ mile): It’s a beginner backpack up an old logging road into old growth forest to the beginning of the skykomish river. The river was too high to ford after a snow last week, so the 15 mile loop got canceled. We expected the access road to be closed (it wasn’t) so the bikepacker portion of the trip was bypassed.
Cold as could be. Clear.
I think 15F overnight would be generous.
Bike rack on potholed forest roads was bomber

 

[grinchy]

It’s warm but wet, and I just built a hard tail that needed a shake down.
So We did a basic out and back up the middle fork of the snoqualamie, about an hour of riding.
Sporty forest road with some moderate flooding and a few washouts to get up to the trailhead.
Even got to use the roof light on the way out after dark.
My stauns have drifted since I set them three years ago. Need to reset them, thinking I’ll use some thread lock this time.
New bike broke its tire strap and got ejected off the handlebar rack on the way out. Guess I took a bump too hard.
Minor grip damage and fork spun 360 is all I saw, but it was dark. . .

 

[grinchy]

Selling my awning

SOLD - Seattle Rhino Rack 270 deg Batwing Large excellent condition

Have a Batwing that I bought two summers ago. Driver side (left) mount. Big size. 270 deg. Fold down and fold up legs, they stay adjusted so it is a quick pitch. It’s been opened about 10 times. One of those times I didn’t stake it and the hinges broke in a wind gust (as they are designed to)...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[grinchy]

Rig now 40lb lighter.

 

[grinchy]

Fell prey to a 40% sale on AlphaEquipt Echo Bronze 17” +35mm rims.
After looking at a bunch of tire options decided on the Kenda Klever RT in 35x10.5r17. I’ve been waiting to put this tire on 17” rims for a couple years now, but never had the rims. Of course new models are out so I also looked at the Toyo At3 in 35x11.5r17, the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss 255/85r17.
I’m running the Klever AT 275/80r18 and it’s been fine. I like the Baja Boss more, and wish they had 35x11 option, but at roughly $80 a corner less the Kenda was a pretty easy choice.
Anyone want 5 narrow 35s on 18” rims?

Yes, I got a 5x150 version

 

[TLC2013]

Very cool! Looking forward to pictures of this setup mounted on your LX. The Klever RTs are a great tire.

 

[1world1love]

Fell prey to a 40% sale on AlphaEquipt Echo Bronze 17” +35mm rims.
After looking at a bunch of tire options decided on the Kenda Klever RT in 35x10.5r17. I’ve been waiting to put this tire on 17” rims for a couple years now, but never had the rims. Of course new models are out so I also looked at the Toyo At3 in 35x11.5r17, the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss 255/85r17.
I’m running the Klever AT 275/80r18 and it’s been fine. I like the Baja Boss more, and wish they had 35x11 option, but at roughly $80 a corner less the Kenda was a pretty easy choice.
Anyone want 5 narrow 35s on 18” rims?

View attachment 2862016

Yes, I got a 5x150 version

View attachment 2862010

Awesome! When do we get to see them on?

 

[grinchy]

Awesome! When do we get to see them on?

Will try to get them mounted the week after Christmas. Right now fedex is working overtime on my behalf.
Tire shopping for this size was interesting. I got a used one for the spare, a new but not new, and three labels on new. Tire prices are up 35% on this model size I last priced them. They were still less than the first tier but the gap narrowed quite a bit.

 

[grinchy]

These will do!

 

[tbisaacs]

Those look great

 

[grinchy]

They look bronze in real life, like the stock photo. The quicksand color in my fluorescent light lit pic would be great, too. I have always wanted bronze wheels for some reason.

 

[grinchy]

Was going to add the Apex Designs rapid deflator valves to my new wheels, but alas, they won't fit the Echo. I was getting pumped up for 1 minute deflation . . . are there other options in this space that would adapt?

 

[grinchy]

Alphaequipt a step ahead of me. This rim has dual valve stem holes.

• Features our dual-valve system with protective collar to guard the TPMS valve stem from foreign objects

I can proceed with the apex designs, or their less marketed cousin, the trail ready rapid air down valve.

 

[jrmudder92]

Even the extra larges won’t fit? From apex.

 

[grinchy]

Even the extra larges won’t fit? From apex.

Not in the primary hole. At least according to apex. I wasn’t willing to risk it as that was $200 for the 5 xl and 5 tpms adapters. I think the xl valves would fit, but their isn’t a good way to get fingers in there to open and close them.

Turns out the rims already have a second, regular valve hole, so normal apex will fit, and no need for tpms adapter as the tpms can go in the guarded valve hole. I have ordered five normal apex deflators.