[alexb]

Getting a little play time in a few weeks ago for Memorial weekend. Barely made it down the boat ramp with the crazy flooding all the lakes have had!

[dieck]

How effective is the bug guard at keeping the windshield clean and bug free on road trips?

Originally Posted by alexb

New AVS bug deflector and window rain guards installed along with a new Gentex auto-dimming rear mirror with HomeLink.

Next up is a Blendmount for the Valentine 1.

[alexb]

Got the custom Bussmann relay/fuse block installed and started wiring it up. Quality is amazing, looks OEM when it's all closed up. This is where I ordered it off eBay.

Universal Relay Fuse Auxiliary Distribution Box Jeep Cooper Bussmann Off Road | eBay

[alexb]

Originally Posted by dieck

How effective is the bug guard at keeping the windshield clean and bug free on road trips?

Honestly I don't think it helps much if any for the windshield. Main reason I got it is to protect the hood from rock chips.

[alexb]

Finally finished up the wiring for the LED lights this evening. Ripped out all the old Chinese wiring and replaced it with proper gauge running back to the custom Cooper Bussmann fuse box. Ran 12AWG wire up the driver side to the 40" LED bar and connected using waterproof connectors. Now the wires and connector only get slightly warm to the touch after being on for 5+ minutes.

For the rears, I extended the driver side wiring in the GOBI and fished it over to the passenger side. I then combined the 2 18AWG wires for driver and passenger side rear lights and used waterproof connectors to connect to 12AWG leading down the passenger side to the engine bay. Also covered everything between the windshield and rack with techflex sleeving.

Was pricey and time consuming, but well worth the comfort knowing I can run everything and not worry about starting a fire

One of these days I'll get around to taking some quality pictures again. For now I have these.

[alexb]

So, my 30 day return window on Amazon for my 40" LED bar ends on 6/20. I was browsing around and came across another 40" curved bar today that looks to have much better optics than my bar for only $60 more. I went ahead and placed an order for it tonight and should have it by the weekend. I'll be comparing the two to see if there is any significant difference.

The optics on the new bar have a fisheye style lens that is supposed to project the light better. Like this:



vs my current bar that has the typical projectors you see on most Chinese bars. Like these with only plain flat lens in front.



This is the exact bar I ordered tonight: Amazon.com: Oslamp? Curved 41.5" led light bar 240w 40000lm Osram chips Combo beams for Jeep ATV UTV Golf cart lighting trucks Pickup Ford f150: Automotive

It also claims to have 5w Osram LEDs vs the 3W "CREE" leds in my current bar.

I'll report back with comparisons once it gets in Friday.

[alexb]

Just a quick update. I got the new LED light bar in the mail with some good and some bad.

Bad news: I look to have gotten a damaged/returned bar. There was a major dent in the heat sink and some chips in the paint. A replacement from Amazon will be here tomorrow.

Good news: Aside from the damage the quality of this light looks much better than the first one. The finish on the metal looks much better and the optics and light output are much better as well. The new optics provide a much more focused beam. Unfortunately I got busy and didn't have a chance to take any side-by-side comparison photos before sending the old one back.

The original bar was extremely bright, but it threw light EVERYWHERE. The glare off the hood almost made it harder to see what was ahead. The new bars optics do a much better job of focusing the beam straight ahead.

Hopefully the replacement arrives without damage tomorrow and I can get it mounted up permanently. Until then, here are a few quick shots I snapped tonight.

Taken with my Nexus 5 with manual exposure to compare the brightness.

Headlights only:


Headlights plus LED bar:



New optics/lens:


More focused beam pattern:

[alexb]

Oh and one other correction. I miss read the description and this new bar has 3watt LEDs as well. They are claimed to be Osram chips instead of CREE though.

[MadeInMaine]

Overall happy with the new light bar?
Mounts easily to the GOBI?

Also, why did you go with the BUSSMAN, vs a Blue Sea, or other fuse box/relay? Just curious on your thoughts

Cheers

[alexb]

Originally Posted by MadeInMaine

Overall happy with the new light bar?
Mounts easily to the GOBI?

Also, why did you go with the BUSSMAN, vs a Blue Sea, or other fuse box/relay? Just curious on your thoughts

Cheers

I got the replacement for the damaged new bar in today and it is perfect. Came in a sealed box this time with no blemishes at all. Just finished putting a new waterproof connector and techflex on it. Will get it mounted up tomorrow.

I went with the BUSSMAN because I really liked the OEM look of it and the one I ordered from eBay came custom wired with the relays and fuses already installed. It made the work on my end super easy. Just splice the wires together and install. Also it is completely water tight. It cost a pretty penny but for the quality, fit, finish, craftsmanship and ease of install it was well worth it.

[alexb]

Finished waterproof connector and TechFlex on the new light. This light is slightly wider (about 3/8") than the old bar and my brackets on the Gobi are already extended out all the way. I'm gonna have to figure out another way to get the bar in without wedging it inbetween the brackets with extreme force. Still not completely happy with the mount on the Gobi, but I think it was intended for straight bars more specifically.

[CWebb]

Originally Posted by alexb

The 255's have been great so far. On road ride is great, and offroad they have not let me down yet. They looked awefully skinny to me on the stock wheels, but with the new wheels and offset I really love the stance and the way they look.

I was wondering who the new Flickr follower was, thanks!

Following up to this question now that it's been some time. I'm new to modding trucks and was looking for info on tire set ups. What had you go with the 255 and are you still enjoying them? I'm not going to be off reading much at all, so curious your thoughts having them now. I usually go as wide as possible ;)

Thanks for any insight. And your build is beautiful. I really wanted super white and the hubby wanted mag gray. Ultimate deciding factor was what was available during dealer locate. Mag gray was 3 days out and white was 4-6 weeks for a trail. I lost, lol.

[wadle5]

Just want to say I have been eyeing 5th gens and wanting to obviously go the black wheels route on a white vehicle, but this vehicle has completely changed my view. In short whenever you want to sell this beauty let me know!

Great looking rig!

[alexb]

Originally Posted by wadle5

Just want to say I have been eyeing 5th gens and wanting to obviously go the black wheels route on a white vehicle, but this vehicle has completely changed my view. In short whenever you want to sell this beauty let me know!

Great looking rig!

Thanks man! Don't think I'll be selling this one for a good long while though!

Originally Posted by CWebb

Following up to this question now that it's been some time. I'm new to modding trucks and was looking for info on tire set ups. What had you go with the 255 and are you still enjoying them? I'm not going to be off reading much at all, so curious your thoughts having them now. I usually go as wide as possible ;)

Thanks for any insight. And your build is beautiful. I really wanted super white and the hubby wanted mag gray. Ultimate deciding factor was what was available during dealer locate. Mag gray was 3 days out and white was 4-6 weeks for a trail. I lost, lol.

Main reason I wen't with 255's was I liked the lighter weight and cheaper price VS 285 and just to be different. Still running great with them. Unfortunatly I haven't been able to really get them off road much. I'm hoping to finally get a few offroad trips in this summer and really put them through their paces.

Thanks! My last ride was silver so I had to mix it up. Still loving the white.

[azn-sensation]

What kind of water proof connectors are you running? I'd like to add these to my setup for easier convenience. TIA!