Vermont Photo Hunting Rig

[PoindAxster]

Ha-ha! Was referring to the green chairs, they're called "Adirondack chairs" because back in the day, some ambiguous time very early in the last century. Folks in the 'physical' Adirondacks of New York would make these chairs from planks of spare wood. They're simple and comfortable. And you don't need a side table for drinks or snacks with those extra wide arms.
I designed and made some for myself about 20 years ago and loved them. I hated having to leave them at that house 'cause they didn't work for were we're at now. I still have the plans and templates... some day???

Ha ha. You couldn’t possibly know that we see the Adirondacks and Green Mountains every day. So, the first thought goes straight to those rocky giants instead of those plush loungers.

And yes, that chair did get to feel some 10k winch powah! Because I had so much line spooled out, it looped around one of the arms on the way back in and almost had an oops my wife would have not forgiven easily.

 

[PoindAxster]

Super rough commutes around here. This is the westerly view of the Adirondacks:



And the eastern view of the Green Mountains (Stowe… Mt. Mansfield):

 

[knuckle47]

We love that view and looked at it for decades…there is a road thru Shelburne and south Burlington that is just a mile east of Route 7. It is higher up and has some amazing homes with views of lake Champlain that are breathtaking …the best part is that it has not changed in 30 odd years. I believe that while we were prepared to move back towards the St. Albans/Highgate area, my daughter kinda slapped us with a little reality. “If something happened to you or mom, now one of you is alone”

Seems to make sense but, there are my wife’s 6 brothers and sisters all in that area. Relying on them however is an impossible feat. So my daughter is right.

 

[PoindAxster]

I haven't driven her yet, but the shop just sent these photos over:

Alignment is being done now and then I have to find some time to pick her up.

• Dirt King UCAs
• Dobinsons heaviest spring option
• Magnaflow Overlander exhaust
• Tranmission fluid change
• Coolant fluid change

Ever since I got this truck the alignment has been a challenge. The main task was to get the drive straighter. I'm hoping these UCAs will help it maintain an alignment. I'm curious how the springs will feel as the truck is at its lightest weight right now. I have a Prinsu Pro Rack waiting to go on that will hold most of the recovery gear. There is also an extended range fuel tank that is scheduled to arrive in April. Haven't landed on the armor plates yet, but that purchase is coming soon. And I will be putting a hefty drawer system in the back. Fingers crossed the next few months aren't teeth shattering!

Will also opine on the exhaust later. The goal there was clearance, but I like some rumble.

 

[r2m]

I haven't driven her yet, but the shop just sent these photos over:

View attachment 3826512
View attachment 3826513

View attachment 3826514
View attachment 3826515

Alignment is being done now and then I have to find some time to pick her up.

• Dirt King UCAs
• Dobinsons heaviest spring option
• Magnaflow Overlander exhaust
• Tranmission fluid change
• Coolant fluid change

Ever since I got this truck the alignment has been a challenge. The main task was to get the drive straighter. I'm hoping these UCAs will help it maintain an alignment. I'm curious how the springs will feel as the truck is at its lightest weight right now. I have a Prinsu Pro Rack waiting to go on that will hold most of the recovery gear. There is also an extended range fuel tank that is scheduled to arrive in April. Haven't landed on the armor plates yet, but that purchase is coming soon. And I will be putting a hefty drawer system in the back. Fingers crossed the next few months aren't teeth shattering!

Will also opine on the exhaust later. The goal there was clearance, but I like some rumble.

How much lift? 2.5"?

 

[PoindAxster]

How much lift? 2.5"?

After it gets back from the alignment shop, the shop who did the work is going to do some measurements. Definitely looks a tad taller in the photos.

 

[snowGX460]

I have the Magnaflow getting shipped at the end of this week. I've heard the sound profile is what I'm looking for, so hoping it pans out that way. Once I get it installed I plan to get it undercoated. The brine on the streets has been nasty this winter.

 

[PoindAxster]

I have the Magnaflow getting shipped at the end of this week. I've heard the sound profile is what I'm looking for, so hoping it pans out that way. Once I get it installed I plan to get it undercoated. The brine on the streets has been nasty this winter.

Highly advise wax undercoating. I had the local Toyota store do my car and you can see what it looks like in the photos above. Vermont has been overly salty this year.

 

[PoindAxster]

How much lift? 2.5"?

Before:
Right Front 22 3/4" Left Front 22 1/4"
Right Rear 22 1/2" Left Rear 22"

After:
Right Front 23 3/4" Left Front 23 1/2"
Right Rear 25 1/2" Left Rear 25 1/4"

Added a spacer to help with the lean. And it looks very raked on paper, but doesn't look that way with eye balls.

 

[r2m]

Before:
Right Front 22 3/4" Left Front 22 1/4"
Right Rear 22 1/2" Left Rear 22"

After:
Right Front 23 3/4" Left Front 23 1/2"
Right Rear 25 1/2" Left Rear 25 1/4"

Added a spacer to help with the lean. And it looks very raked on paper, but doesn't look that way with eye balls.

View attachment 3827102

Don't worry about the "stink bug" look. When you load it up for adventures, it'll level out. Also, it's all new so all your suspension still needs to settle in.
Give that a few months too.
Look'n very cool!

 

[PoindAxster]

Had a little fun in the snow yesterday. It is convenient to have a bunch of tractor trails in the yard, so a quick off-road run on the way back from an errand is a nice treat. Looking forward to things warming up though. Got skid plates and a roof rack to install. But I may not be done with the expenditures as I do not like these Toyos in winter. On pavement without winter conditions, they're great. Phenomenal mall crawlers.

Absolutely horrendous on ice. Our little EV on regular tires does far better on icy days. They're reminding me of my past 4 experiences with Toyos. I tried them on an S2000 - wore out fast and got slippery in the rain. I tried them on an M5 - wore out fast and got slippery in the rain. We had them on my wife's Mercedes GL350 as a winter tire and there was only one other winter tire I've tried (a set of Dunlops I had an S4) that was worse.

Because so many people swear by Toyos, I'm thinking there are certain tires that match the driver. Toyos and I are not simpatico. There may be some Mickeys in my near future.

 

[knuckle47]

From experience ice is tricky no matter what tires you run. Your truck came out looking really nice. I’ve been reading. The cash outflow really never stops. My passions are FJ40’s and 45’s…I swear I have more money in these vehicles than the addition on my house. Visiting family in Swanton soon….when the damn ice melts !!

 

[PoindAxster]

DR KDSS BOTCK installed. Here is the before:

And the after:

It is incredible how much this simple adjustment improved the ride quality. The transition from Winter to Spring in Vermont heaves the asphalt, making straight driving bumpy and uneven. The way my truck adjusted to bumps was a little unsettling without this heave period, but the heaves really made driving the GX tough. I look forward to the roads smoothing out and getting a feel for how much smoother my truck will be for most of the year.

If the schedule allows, I will install the DR KDSS front sway bar adjustments today.

 

[PoindAxster]

The BOTCK installation was so quick that I even had time to put on the new Prinsu Pro roof rack, which was a breeze as well. I just ordered a few more tie-downs during a spring sale.

The key to installing this rack is to only piece together 2 or 3 cross rails before putting it up. That way it is much easier to adjust as a one-man installation job.

 

[knuckle47]

I remember the first time I had ever seen that sign….FROST HEAVES

 

[Girl Dad of 3]

Great thread and photos. Looking forward to more rig-in-nature shots.

 

[PoindAxster]

It has been a difficult summer, so I haven't been as active. In May, my wife suffered from an autoimmune attack, and they can only theorize as to why and what. She is still in the ICU to this day. Just trying to keep the house going.

However, just before her attack, some friends and I got out to Killington for what was supposed to be an easy first-time out run. The downed trees and washouts had different ideas. It was super fun, and the GX ate things up better than I expected! At the moment, she's in the shop getting the long-range gas tank, some new rubber, armor, replacing the fog lights, and a few other little things.

In the meantime, here are some photos from calmer areas on our May trek:

 

[Girl Dad of 3]

It has been a difficult summer, so I haven't been as active. In May, my wife suffered from an autoimmune attack, and they can only theorize as to why and what. She is still in the ICU to this day. Just trying to keep the house going.

However, just before her attack, some friends and I got out to Killington for what was supposed to be an easy first-time out run. The downed trees and washouts had different ideas. It was super fun, and the GX ate things up better than I expected! At the moment, she's in the shop getting the long-range gas tank, some new rubber, armor, replacing the fog lights, and a few other little things.

In the meantime, here are some photos from calmer areas on our May trek:
View attachment 3966472View attachment 3966473 View attachment 3966474

Nice photos. I'm sorry to hear that your wife has been sick and hope that she feels better soon.

 

[WTITW]

DR KDSS BOTCK installed. Here is the before:

Looks like you might have a kdss piston leak in the back there.

So sorry to hear about your wife. Hope she gets better soon. Im worthless without mine.