Builds Union's Atlas Build Thread (1 Viewer)

[gaijin]

Just an FYI... I have the Hypertech on my Tundra because I'm running 35's, but on the LC with 285/70r17's my speedo is dead on with GPS.

I've posted about this several times

With the LT285/70R17 tires on my 2013 LC200 the speedo is dead on - confirmed with a standalone GPS.

HTH

 

[Union]

UPDATE:

The shop called, they are waiting for the Bora spacers to finish anodizing (black), and I will be taking the truck in on Monday for all the work! I plan on giving them the rock warrior install guide and the KDSS adjustment page from the manual just in case. As far as the rock warriors go, I was going to install all the rings with blue locktite before I drop them off to be mounted, any issues with this?

I also was going to relocate the control housing from the Warn winch due to aesthetics but it looks like the winch mounts flush and out of sight on the new ARB Summit bumper anyways so this may not be necessary. However, I'm thinking I can still move the control housing inside and that will free up space to mount the front camera directly in the center instead of offset. We'll see if that works.

In addition to the hypertech speedometer adjust I'm going to have installed, I'm probably going to get a Viper SmartStart system as well to get Atlas running remotely from my phone (with service contract) because the OEM remote start is so underwhelming.

Recovery Gear Question: What else do I need?

So far I plan on ordering or have ordered

1. Tow points from @TRAIL TAILOR
2. GATOR JAW by Bubba Rope x 3
3. Snatchblock
4. Factor 55 Hitchlink 2.0
5. Tree Strap
6. Maxtrax or equivalent x 4 (do I really need 4?)
7. Line damper? It's synthetic so maybe just for situational awareness

I already have gloves and a shovel. Anything else I'm forgetting? Thanks for everyone's help and opinions during this build process!

Union

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

So far I plan on ordering or have ordered

1. Tow points from @TRAIL TAILOR
2. GATOR JAW by Bubba Rope x 3
3. Snatchblock
4. Factor 55 Hitchlink 2.0
5. Tree Strap
6. Maxtrax or equivalent x 4 (do I really need 4?)
7. Line damper? It's synthetic so maybe just for situational awareness

1,2, & 7: I love synthetic which shackles. But the tow points stick out far and the bottom will drag rocks. Making sharp edges and that will cut apart soft shackles easily. You will still have heavy metal ends that can fly through the air pretty quick so a dampener is still a good idea.

6. I don’t think you need any, but that’s me. Just haven’t found a need in 2 years of wheeling.

 

[Union]

1,2, & 7: I love synthetic which shackles. But the tow points stick out far and the bottom will drag rocks. Making sharp edges and that will cut apart soft shackles easily. You will still have heavy metal ends that can fly through the air pretty quick so a dampener is still a good idea.

6. I don’t think you need any, but that’s me. Just haven’t found a need in 2 years of wheeling.

Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking the soft shackles would sit in storage until needed that way I'm not exposing them to the elements. Good point on the damper.

 

[Tex68w]

I would add a recovery strap, a shorty strap (comes in handy when you don't have adequate tow points, also doubles as another tree strap or second anchor point) and possibly a winch line extension to that list. Make sure you have a pair of leather gloves and a tire repair kit never hurts.

 

[gaijin]

UPDATE:

I plan on giving them the rock warrior install guide and the KDSS adjustment page from the manual just in case. As far as the rock warriors go, I was going to install all the rings with blue locktite before I drop them off to be mounted, any issues with this?

The install guide is quite emphatic about mounting tires BEFORE installing the rings.

HTH

 

[Markuson]

UPDATE:

The shop called, they are waiting for the Bora spacers to finish anodizing (black), and I will be taking the truck in on Monday for all the work! I plan on giving them the rock warrior install guide and the KDSS adjustment page from the manual just in case. As far as the rock warriors go, I was going to install all the rings with blue locktite before I drop them off to be mounted, any issues with this?

I also was going to relocate the control housing from the Warn winch due to aesthetics but it looks like the winch mounts flush and out of sight on the new ARB Summit bumper anyways so this may not be necessary. However, I'm thinking I can still move the control housing inside and that will free up space to mount the front camera directly in the center instead of offset. We'll see if that works.

In addition to the hypertech speedometer adjust I'm going to have installed, I'm probably going to get a Viper SmartStart system as well to get Atlas running remotely from my phone (with service contract) because the OEM remote start is so underwhelming.

Recovery Gear Question: What else do I need?

So far I plan on ordering or have ordered

1. Tow points from @TRAIL TAILOR
2. GATOR JAW by Bubba Rope x 3
3. Snatchblock
4. Factor 55 Hitchlink 2.0
5. Tree Strap
6. Maxtrax or equivalent x 4 (do I really need 4?)
7. Line damper? It's synthetic so maybe just for situational awareness

I already have gloves and a shovel. Anything else I'm forgetting? Thanks for everyone's help and opinions during this build process!

Union

I’ve used my maxtrax a few times in super loose pebbles and sand when there was nothing to hook to for an easy winch boost. Pretty handy...but not a go-to for recovery in a group.
Oh, and what Taco said about synthetic shackles...I think he means during a pull over rocks where you can end up cutting them while dragging.

 

[Markuson]

The install guide is quite emphatic about mounting tires BEFORE installing the rings.

HTH

That’s the part that surprises me.
My rings have always stayed on for mounting.

 

[Union]

The install guide is quite emphatic about mounting tires BEFORE installing the rings.

HTH

That’s the part that surprises me.
My rings have always stayed on for mounting. Wonder if they are just trying to protect them from a careless mount that might scratch them...?

I'll contact the shop and see if they want me to or not. I know the manual wants them installed after but so many people don't do that. However, @gaijin you are the expert tiresmith around here.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking the soft shackles would sit in storage until needed that way I'm not exposing them to the elements. Good point on the damper.

Oh absolutely, protect the soft shackles all the time. What I’m saying is the bottom of the tow points themselves. The metal will get gauged, on the tow point. So when you get your soft shackles out of a bag, and put it around the tow point. The gauges in the tow point will cut at the fibers of the soft shackles. THATS the issue.

 

[Union]

Oh absolutely, protect the soft shackles all the time. What I’m saying is the bottom of the tow points themselves. The metal will get gauged, on the tow point. So when you get your soft shackles out of a bag, and put it around the tow point. The gauges in the tow point will cut at the fibers of the soft shackles. THATS the issue.

Oh that makes more sense. Didn't realize that the tow points would have that much of an effect. Of course were talking about metal on fibers so yea. I'll just add them to my inspection checklist.

 

[Tripledave]

FWIW, I just had RW's installed with new tires, I would NOT mount rings prior to install. There is too great a chance of them getting damaged. I simply installed with blue (medium) loctite afterward. I also ran a tap into all mounting holes before ring install to clear any debris.

 

[Union]

Dropped the truck off at the shop this morning! Should have it back in 4-5 days. They're going to play around with the front camera and see if it's possible to not mount it off center so that the tire lines match up correctly with the camera. Don't worry, pics will come!

 

[Markuson]

Oh absolutely, protect the soft shackles all the time. What I’m saying is the bottom of the tow points themselves. The metal will get gauged, on the tow point. So when you get your soft shackles out of a bag, and put it around the tow point. The gauges in the tow point will cut at the fibers of the soft shackles. THATS the issue.

Ah. I thought you meant getting pinched in a rock pull-over.

Not sure about those TT points, but on my ARB recovery points, my TJM install made it impossible to get a standard shackle through the slot...so went to soft shackles. But if left as is, ARB point’s inner hole/slot edges do NOT play well with soft shackle strands. I had to manually round off the inside edges of the ARBs. Helps a lot...but I hadn’t thought of lower-firward scuffs cutting.

I can see definitely how that might happen if anchored or snatching from an upward angle.

Dang it, @Taco2Cruiser
...Now I gotta figure a way to fit standard hard shackles, or put standard recovery points back on... :-/

Anyway... Goid point. Thx.

 

[Union]

UPDATE (minor):

I got my Factor 55 Hitchlink, Treestrap, and 2x Gator Jaw soft shackles today. That's exciting because I am still waiting for the truck to be done. They ran into an issue with sliders, basically not having the 7/32'' drill bit on hand for the frame. I'm hoping it'll be done tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath.

They didn't relocate the control pack for the winch since it sits pretty low in the bumper and they also did not have to relocate the camera because there isn't enough of the view blocked to warrant the relocation. I told them that i'm okay with 1/3 blockage, but any more and we'll move it. We'll see what it actually looks like soon!

Union

 

[Tex68w]

UPDATE (minor):

I got my Factor 55 Hitchlink, Treestrap, and 2x Gator Jaw soft shackles today. That's exciting because I am still waiting for the truck to be done. They ran into an issue with sliders, basically not having the 7/32'' drill bit on hand for the frame. I'm hoping it'll be done tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath.

They didn't relocate the control pack for the winch since it sits pretty low in the bumper and they also did not have to relocate the camera because there isn't enough of the view blocked to warrant the relocation. I told them that i'm okay with 1/3 blockage, but any more and we'll move it. We'll see what it actually looks like soon!

Union

The Hitchlink is a must for any off-road vehicle. I have a set of the Gator-Jaw soft shackles and I have yet to really use them. I am not sure they are worth the expense or space they are taking up in my recovery bag at this point as I've heard lots of complaints about sharp or angled edges on tow hooks destroying them in one use. My favorite and most unexpected like are the Factor55 Shorty Straps, very useful in a number of scenarios. Regardless, Factor55 makes quality gear.

 

[Union]

UPDATE: Truck's back!

I've had Atlas back for a few days now, getting a feel for how she drives. Overall, I'm very pleased and very thankful for this board and all the help that you guys have given to me and each other.

Some things to note:

1. Icon's install guide for the rear reservoir is not compatible with the Slee's sliders. So the shop mounted them further inboard of the sliders (see pic).

2. Tires still rub moderately at full lock. I will most likely be removing the Bora .75'' spacers and going with 1.00 or 1.25'' spacers. Not sure yet.

3. Speaking of tires, I feel like they may still be too small in width and diameter but time will tell.

4. Riding at 0 Setting on the Icon CDC Valves. I'll do that for a month and then set them to 10 and work down from there. The ride is very nice but I'm used to trucks so take that FWIW.

5. Finally, I adjusted the headlights 2 full turns clockwise and it appears that I'm not blinding oncoming traffic anymore.

I pulled off the Warn lanyard for the pics, but it's back on now.

Next up is a rear bumper from somewhere...

 

[Tex68w]

UPDATE: Truck's back!

I've had Atlas back for a few days now, getting a feel for how she drives. Overall, I'm very pleased and very thankful for this board and all the help that you guys have given to me and each other.

Some things to note:

1. Icon's install guide for the rear reservoir is not compatible with the Slee's sliders. So the shop mounted them further inboard of the sliders (see pic).

2. Tires still rub moderately at full lock. I will most likely be removing the Bora .75'' spacers and going with 1.00 or 1.25'' spacers. Not sure yet.

3. Speaking of tires, I feel like they may still be too small in width and diameter but time will tell.

4. Riding at 0 Setting on the Icon CDC Valves. I'll do that for a month and then set them to 10 and work down from there. The ride is very nice but I'm used to trucks so take that FWIW.

5. Finally, I adjusted the headlights 2 full turns clockwise and it appears that I'm not blinding oncoming traffic anymore.

I pulled off the Warn lanyard for the pics, but it's back on now.

Next up is a rear bumper from somewhere...

IMHO it looks fantastic. I have always been a fan of the tall and narrow tire look aka pizza-cutters, especially on a Land Cruiser. I think you need to call Dissent and get one of his rear bumpers on order.

 

[civil offroad]

+1 on Dissent.

Although I just have a 100 series. It looked like the little brother amongst the 200 when I left mine there.

 

[Union]

Standard rub spot at full lock. Not convinced going from .75'' spacers to 1.00 or 1.25'' will clear it. It's not a terrible rub, more annoying than anything. Thoughts?

Edit: I guess I could grab Slee's KDSS reloc kit.