Builds Well I gone and done it: 2018 Premium Build

[re_guderian]

Pretty good, mostly dry and in the 60s during the day, a little cool or even cold at night. We'll probably move it back into May as we used to do. Most of us want warm weather after a long winter.

I don't think this year was "normal" for most of the desert southwest. But we don't understand what y'all mean by "long winter" either...

 

[Rednexus]

Great pics and trip info! Will add the Blanding area as a potential destination. We love Moab too but it is packed/expensive.

 

[BigSwede]

Sounds almost perfect. If the wind was light it would be.

Ahh yeah... it was fairly windy though not all the time.

 

[BigSwede]

I don't think this year was "normal" for most of the desert southwest. But we don't understand what y'all mean by "long winter" either...

Hah, the snow had just melted a couple weeks before I left for Utah.

 

[BigSwede]

Great pics and trip info! Will add the Blanding area as a potential destination. We love Moab too but it is packed/expensive.

Yeah, the motel was about half the price we generally pay in Moab. That adds up.

I will say that Monticello has more restaurant choices than Blanding, and is only 20 miles north. If I had been organizing we would have stayed there instead.

 

[BigSwede]

Installed SDHQ battery terminals. I had a spider of 5 additional wires connected to each terminal, looked like hell and wasn't very secure. These things are pricey but should be a permanent fix.

Next up are SDHQ ABS sensor guards. Thanks to Sandy Cats YouTube channel for pointing me to these and other mods.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Installed SDHQ battery terminals. I had a spider of 5 additional wires connected to each terminal, looked like hell and wasn't very secure. These things are pricey but should be a permanent fix.

Next up are SDHQ ABS sensor guards. Thanks to Sandy Cats YouTube channel for pointing me to these and other mods.

The SDHQ terminals are a great product, hopefully you ordered the plastic covers as well?

 

[Hiluxforever]

Installed SDHQ battery terminals. I had a spider of 5 additional wires connected to each terminal, looked like hell and wasn't very secure. These things are pricey but should be a permanent fix.

Next up are SDHQ ABS sensor guards. Thanks to Sandy Cats YouTube channel for pointing me to these and other mods.

I will have to put these on my list as the Toyota ones are quite pricey.

 

[r2m]

Here's a cheaper option if you don't mind doing some work:

1. 5/8" thick x 1" wide x 6" long copper bar
2. Drill a hole that's the same diameter as the battery post on the 1" width, about an inch away from one end of the bar.
3. Make about a 1/8" cut from the end where the post hole you drilled, cut to that hole. This will be the clamp.
4. Drill a hole for a 1/4-20 screw (or whatever screw size you want to use) on the 5/8" side so you now have a clamp for the battery post.
5. Cut the 6" bar to whatever length you need, or use the entire length.
6. Drill and tap holes in it as needed for your power taps or drill through and use nuts and bolts.

Much cheaper and the satisfaction of doing it yourself!
I'm referring to part no: 8954K48 at 1/2 ft for $32.31

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Hiluxforever]

Here's a cheaper option if you don't mind doing some work:

1. 5/8" thick x 1" wide x 6" long copper bar
2. Drill a hole that's the same diameter as the battery post on the 1" width, about an inch away from on end of the bar.
3. Make about a 1/8" cut from the end where the post hole you drilled, cut to that hole.
4. Drill a hole for a 1/4-20 screw (or whatever screw size you want to use) on the 5/8" side so you now have a clamp for the battery post.
5. Cut the 6" bar to whatever length you need, or use the entire length.
6. Drill and tap holes in it as needed for your power taps or drill through and use nuts and bolts.

Much cheaper and the satisfaction of doing it yourself!
I'm referring to part no: 8954K48 at 1/2 ft for $32.31

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

I can't do that level of machining. My oem ones are still good.

 

[BigSwede]

The SDHQ terminals are a great product, hopefully you ordered the plastic covers as well?

Yes, makes for a much neater situation than I had before.

 

[BigSwede]

I can't do that level of machining. My oem ones are still good.

There are lots of cheaper terminals on the jungle or fleabay, but none that I really liked.

One of the nicest things about the SDHQ terminals is you don't have to re-terminate your factory battery cables, the flat tops of the SDHQ terminals accept the factory ends.

 

[Hiluxforever]

There are lots of cheaper terminals on the jungle or fleabay, but none that I really liked.

One of the nicest things about the SDHQ terminals is you don't have to re-terminate your factory battery cables, the flat tops of the SDHQ terminals accept the factory ends.

That's what I thought as well. At some point I would love to have a little machine shop but right now I can only do very small scale projects. Nothing I would need a drill press for. Granted if I had the equipment I would totally be down

 

[Washingtontaco]

It don't get much cleaner!

 

[BigSwede]

Just got back from an overloading trip that included some of the Wyoming BDR, the Rimrocker Trail, and the Kokopelli Trail. GX relevant photos.

 

[Banandalorian]

You need to warn people that there will be 2 or more Vehicrosses in a picture so we can mentally prepare for the awesome weirdness.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

You need to warn people that there will be 2 or more Vehicrosses in a picture so we can mentally prepare for the awesome weirdness.

^ this

I kinda want one...

 

[r2m]

Just got back from an overloading trip that included some of the Wyoming BDR, the Rimrocker Trail, and the Kokopelli Trail. GX relevant photos.

View attachment 3365697

View attachment 3365702View attachment 3365700

View attachment 3365699

View attachment 3365698

How well do those Vehicross rigs do? while looking to replace our 100 series Hundy's, along with GX's, these were one of the vehicles I was considering.
The styling is awesome, but my concerns were:

1. Unibody. How well will these handle torturous terrain?
2. I was thinking a little on the small side, about the size of a Rav4?
3. And the biggest issue, no more Isuzu dealers in the U.S., so in time replacement/repair parts will becoming more rare.

All-in-all, I have absolutely no regrets with our GX.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

How well do those Vehicross rigs do? while looking to replace our 100 series Hundy's, along with GX's, these were one of the vehicles I was considering.
The styling is awesome, but my concerns were:

1. Unibody. How well will these handle torturous terrain?
2. I was thinking a little on the small side, about the size of a Rav4?
3. And the biggest issue, no more Isuzu dealers in the U.S., so in time replacement/repair parts will becoming more rare.

All-in-all, I have absolutely no regrets with our GX.

They are absolutely stellar offroad and on the frozen stuff and they look particularly narly modded. There's like a ton of sensors that are utilized to help out with the slippery stuff.

 

[BigSwede]

You need to warn people that there will be 2 or more Vehicrosses in a picture so we can mentally prepare for the awesome weirdness.

Lol, I got my start wheeling with an Isuzu Trooper and fell into a bad crowd... still friends with many of the group years later..