The Road to a 100 and 2001 build thread

[boarderjab]

getting all setup. I wish I could join you guys this weekend. I do have an SWR meter you can borrow if you need to tune you antenna.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

19hrs?! Ahh. Someone tell Nissan to stop sending me work to do so I can go get ready.

I have an SWR meter too. It just didnt come with instructions so I just watched some youtube videos.

Paul, I have the same Antenna. I'm trying to use a metal bracket as the mount. Bolt it to the rubber pad in by the lift gate. I think you can pick up a magnetic base at Radio shack if your bumper thing doesn't work.

 

[paulbgardner]

How many times are you supposed to measure before cutting? I can't seem to remember. Looks like this afternoons project is turning into how to patch holes nicely. I rushed into mounting the antenna. First hole I didn't realize there was a metal tab right under where I was drilling, hole two works but is kind of flimsy and the antenna sticks out sideways, hole three goes through the metal plate. I am going to attach the antenna to the hard mounting area in the bumper. *sigh*. I guess that is what I get for working against my usually more well thought out MO.




Any suggestions on where to mount the radio in the truck before I go drilling like a mad man?

 

[paulbgardner]

Hole #3 wins. It's mounted to a tab of metal that is part of the bumper support. Much more solid and holds the antenna much more vertical.












Currently I have the antenna cable running through the tailgate. I will take the time to do something more professional after this upcoming trip. Right now this is a down and dirty install.





I tucked the cable under the trim panels all the way up to the center console area.

 

[paulbgardner]

To fix holes #1 and #2 I'll find some fancy hardware to put on there to make it look like it serves some kind of purpose. Or they will be future locations for on board air and water connectors. Yeah that's it, I meant to put those there.

 

[2000UZJ]

Hole #1 can be used for a nice little LED backup light.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

The CB mounts to the center console under the driver side armrest well. I'm using Velcro to hold mine in place there until I figure out something better.

 

[4Peanut]

Paul, what made you decide on that particular Cobra?

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

Paul, cool you guys will have CBs for the trip. For your extra battery, are you using a controller? I like my t Max from amazon.

 

[paulbgardner]

Price. Actually a friend bought it for me as a gift. I helped him out with some major purchases and he thanked me by buying me something from my Amazon wish list. I don't really need a CB but wanted some kind of communication or riding with larger groups. One day I will get the Ham license but for now a $40 CB will do the trick. Better than cell phones, walkie talkies or smoke signals.

 

[Newps]

Paul, rig is coming along very nicely. Let us know where you end up mounting the CB. I am still trying to figure out where to mount mine. You will find that having a CB is very useful. Almost everyone has one since they are cheap and require no license. I thought about mounting mine on the passenger side forward of where the seat will stop when moved all the way up. When I replace my rear bumper with an after market one you can have mine.

 

[paulbgardner]

Newps, I may take you up on the rear bumper. I almost tore mine off this weekend. Broke all the tabs on the underside.

 

[paulbgardner]

I managed to get my new starting battery installed (Sears Die Hard Gold), new 12V line run to the rear for the fridge and my CB system installed in one night. One thing I realized is that my power management SUCKS! I have decided that I am going to tear out every last bit of wiring that I have done myself and start over. Most of the electrical work I have done has been on short notice with no real planning. Usually I am a stickler about building quality cables and connections so its time I go back to basics. With my Die Hard as my primary I will use the Yellow Top I have as my secondary battery. I will most likely get the cheap battery management system that SanDiegoCruiser has in his truck. I saw it in action this weekend and was impressed. It is made in the exact same factory as the National Luna one. My plan will then be to have a Blue Sea Fuse Block installed up front; either in the center console, under the steering wheel or in the engine compartment. Seeing as most of the accessories are inside the car I am leaning more towards the center console or some other discreet area. I will also install a second Blue Sea Fuse Block in one of the rear side compartments to have power for the fridge, backup lights and tailgate camp lights. All my connections will be nicely soldered and protected with heat shrink tubing. I realized that the power system in the truck needs to be robust in order to not fail in the back country. SO this will be the next project I tackle with the truck. Photos and notes to come as I take on the power system.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

I might have to come see this electrical renovation for future reference.

Which Blue Sea Fuse box are you planning to use?

I was looking at the battery System that Sandiego cruiser uses. Looks nice. The cheapest place to get it is on Amazon Prime but 1-2 month shipping delay.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

Yeah, I didn't have to wait when I ordered the t max from amazon..It must come from China lol for it to take that long! Paul, I may have said the t max is a national Luna knock off.. Sorry, it is an IBS knock off. It is the 1st generation IBS controller rebranded. How do I know this? I spoke with the distributor...

 

[jjgiannotti]

Great thread and build. Wondering about the long term thoughts about the yakima rack mounting to the stock rails?
I have a similar rig and need a rack to mostly store gear, not long term plant for RTT or anything.
Just cant justify spending 1K plus to strap on duffel bags and some storage cases...

Thanks!

 

[paulbgardner]

I have had no issues with the Yakima roof rack on the stock crossbars. i have had that thing loaded down with 6 days of firewood, water, 10 gal of extra gas and other misc stuff that didn't fit in the car. If it is super overloaded I will put a strap from the rack to the side rails to keep it from bouncing all over the place and flying off. But that is rare. For throwing a bag on top with sleeping bags, mats, chairs, etc. it is fine. My biggest problem is that I park in an underground parking garage. I only have about 2" of clearance between my stock rack and the pipes hanging down from the ceiling. The Yakima comes on and off in just a few minutes. I would love the new rack system that Shane designed but I just don't have the need for it at the moment.

 

[r2m]

Any suggestions on where to mount the radio in the truck before I go drilling like a mad man?

Not knowing if you have an after market audio system or not, but if you do and it's only a single din unit, why not stick it in the second din?
Another place could be in/under the upper console where you'd normally stick your garage remote.
Also saw in a nother post in MUD where it was mounted behind the center console, above the back seat cup holders.

Just a few ideas...

 

[paulbgardner]

Yeah I considered all those options. I have a double din Alpine touch screen installed. There is not enough room in the garage remote console, measured that and I have a 2 year old that likes to kick anything in front of his feet including the area above the cup holders. It is actually working quite well by my right thigh. It is currently held in place by velcro and will get a more permanent mount when I get around to it. It survived an entire weekend of good wheeling without coming off so it might just stay the way it is. not sure yet.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

Paul, did you figure out your transmit issue you had up in Big Bear with your radio?