Builds wiseinvestor's budget build of "Big Slick" (1 Viewer)

[Eric Sarjeant]

I have 5 more LRAs coming next week.

 

[wiseinvestor]

Can I just talk about these Plano 161901 56 quart totes (OD green) real quick. These little $18 trunks are great. They fit perfectly behind the third row when laid on their side. I like them way more than I should for camping or tailgates/bbq. We often use one of the seats in the third row so I can put up to 3 of these in back and still have room for bags.

The family loves the vehicle for road trips. We spent some weekends in the state parks and some driving to visit other cities. I've owned Escalades and Yukons in the past but there is just something special about the 200 and the family agrees.

 

[wiseinvestor]

For my budget communications setup I run a Ham Radio all the time and GMRS when needed. I hold an amateur radio license. True hobbyists would probably prefer that I say I am an Amateur Radio Operator and hold technician class.

This is my simple budget Ham radio setup:

Radio = BaoFeng BR-F8HP

Mic = a commountain heavy speaker mic

Power cord = Btech BL-5 Battery Eliminator

Antenna Mount: Diamond K412snmo lip mount.

Antenna Mount rain cap for the carwash.

Antenna : Comet SBB-5NMO 2m/70cm

Connecting the radio to the antenna: 6ft6ft RG316/U SMA Male to SMA Female WP-HST Both Ends 23316-SM-SF-6

On the radio for $275.

I did the ram ball in the console project and purchased a “universal metal holster mounting bracket for Baofeng UV5R & UV82 off of Ebay (I still need to paint it.)

 

[wiseinvestor]

For GMRS:

I store a Midland MXT275 with microphone, a MXTA12 Magnetic Antenna mount, and a MXTA10 3db Gain antenna in the truck. When needed, I slide the base into a modified seat pocket and run the antenna out the rear driver side door to the roof.

I have a mic holder mounted on the console in the foot well.

I also keep Midland GTX handhelds around so I can always loan out to others on road trips. It is a fairly inexpensive non-permanent setup that requires no license and can live in a bag 90% of the time.

 

[afgman786]

I use the Plano 68quarts and love them. Cheap and get the job done. One has all my tools and a kinetic rope and the other is camp kitchen gear. They actually do well keeping em out at camp even when there is rain.

Dig your Baofeng set up. I've been going back and forth on running a external antenna like you have or just getting a proper set up

 

[wiseinvestor]

I use the Plano 68quarts and love them. Cheap and get the job done. One has all my tools and a kinetic rope and the other is camp kitchen gear. They actually do well keeping em out at camp even when there is rain.

Dig your Baofeng set up. I've been going back and forth on running a external antenna like you have or just getting a proper set up

I have a bigger Plano as well! I went this route with the antenna because it was inexpensive, I can drive in and out of my garage and not worry about it, it's easy to take off at the car wash, and I don't have to worry about a future conflict with a roof rack and a permanent mount. I can always go back later and make the change if I choose to. I get good reception off repeaters in my area. cheers!

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Never been a fan of the Tundra wheels in their original paint scheme, but OMG those look absolutely incredible in bronze. I salute your skills and ingenuity fabbing up the new center caps!

 

[wiseinvestor]

Never been a fan of the Tundra wheels in their original paint scheme, but OMG those look absolutely incredible in bronze. I salute your skills and ingenuity fabbing up the new center caps!

Thank you. That is nice of you to say. I know bronze isn't for everyone, but it was a fun project and I was pleased with the way it turned out. Cheers!

 

[itsnotjon]

Wheels look great.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

And because the last picture is a spoiler on a concurrent project, I will go ahead a mention it real quick.
I was not a fan of the chrome door molding on the 200.
View attachment 2318705

I took it to clear bra and they painted the molding in the factory color.
Here is what it looks like under the door molding in case anyone wants to know.
View attachment 2318698 View attachment 2318701

After I got it back...
View attachment 2318703

At this point I have fixed my 3 top visual objections to my 200.
The front plate holes, the wheels, and the door molding.
If I didn't do anything else to it from here on out I would be super happy with it as it sits. But we know that's not going to happen.

What's involved with taking Chrome the door moulding off? Does it just pry off, or do you have to take the door cards/panels off to get to the hardware?

 

[wiseinvestor]

What's involved with taking Chrome the door moulding off? Does it just pry off, or do you have to take the door cards/panels off to get to the hardware?

I wish I could tell you. The shop did it for me, so I'm not sure. Here is a thread that has some thoughts.

Removing Side Molding

Is it possible to remove the side molding from a 2013 LC200? I know that some have painted over the chrome, but I'd like to remove the plastic moldings entirely, if possible. :cheers:

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I wish I could tell you. The shop did it for me, so I'm not sure. Here is a thread that has some thoughts.

Removing Side Molding

Is it possible to remove the side molding from a 2013 LC200? I know that some have painted over the chrome, but I'd like to remove the plastic moldings entirely, if possible. :cheers:

forum.ih8mud.com

Thanks for the lead! Sounds like they just pop off and removing the door panel isn't necessary. That's perfect.

 

[wiseinvestor]

A thought went through my head about my title that includes "Budget Build."
It is not lost on me that any build on a 200 is still an expensive proposition.
The "budget" is relative to other builds and reflecting my budget and the goal of trying to save money along the way.

 

[wiseinvestor]

I have been super busy with work but finally got a weekend where I could install my Budbuilt step sliders.

I did it alone and don't really have much to add about the process. It took longer than I thought, but I didn't run into any serious issues. Watch the video and get the flex ratcheting 12mm and anti seize as suggested. have a decent socket set and flex head socket.

After installing these, I really can't believe someone even spent the time to design these. I can't begin to tell you what I would charge for these if I went through the process of creating them. They are stupid good.

 

[Eric Sarjeant]

@wiseinvestor representing Indiana well! You killed it!

 

[wiseinvestor]

For always on power, I had a local shop add a fuse box and two 12 volt outlets in the jack compartment of the rear cargo area. Simple enough project, but very happy to have power in the back.

 

[wiseinvestor]

Got a chance to get her dirty this last weekend.

 

[wiseinvestor]

Camp Shower - On board water project: I bought a vented tank with the idea of having water for showers and camping.

 

[wiseinvestor]

I built the box and cargo floor from 1/2 inch Baltic Birch.

 

[wiseinvestor]

I primed the exterior with Chassis Saver and applied monstaliner bed liner to it. I liked both of these products. The monstaliner has a learning curve that I fast tracked by watching

I painted the inside of the box.