<Build Thread> Kenai, AK '99 SR5

[psraff]

The rotopax mounting plate that Savage makes is bomber of you decide to go that route. I have a 4 gallon gas, 2 gallon gas, and two gallons of water hanging off of it. It's still way further in then my tire.

Between the mounts, extensions, and containers I'm easily 500 bucks invested in Rotopax stuff. If I had to do it over again I wouldn't change anything. It's a great system that works very well.

Those ADS shocks are really making me want a shock upgrade all the way around BTW. lol

That's exactly what I want to hear. Thanks! That was the route I was wanting (along with the Hi-Lift mount) on the left side, and the tire on the right. Do you know anyone (or how you would \ could put) the Maxtrax boards on there as well?

(I'm sitting here thinking I'm never going to be able to save up for my S/C!!!):noidea::noidea:

So far I like this ADS system, but to be honest I've nothing to compare them to except my OME 881s. But I can say they're so much smoother. Around town it's a world of difference and when I was leaving that trail yesterday I didn't want to get high centered over that snow berm so I gave it a bit extra. I was quite impressed on how it felt. I think they're a very good match with the 861s and LC Shocks in my rear. I can't wait for my first camping trip and I'm fully loaded down. Looking forward to feel how it rides then.

 

[psraff]

Cool! Man.. You have dropped quite a bit of coin recently. LOL. I am interested to see where you sit once you get an alignment. Those SPC UCAs give you quite a lot of room to work with. In fact, I only folded over pinch welds and did some minor plastic trimming of well cover and have plenty of clearance now for 285s. So I am watching to see what all you end up having to do to clear those 35's.

I have the same TB, WP, VC, and radiator maintenance for my 50 meter targets right now. I am looking at the OEM Denso and all aluminum Champion radiator options. From what I can tell, it sounds like the Densos aren't made in Japan, but Taiwan. The Champion is made in China for sure. But I want to knock out some maintenance soon.

I think you'd really like the Savage rear bumper. It seems to be the Swiss Army Knife of rear bumpers.

With my 881s, I folded over the welds and did small amounts of plastic trimming and I would still rub in reverse with the wheels cranked all the way around town. (SPC in the "G" position & Rear Cambolt all the way forward, Front all the way back) to bring the tire as far forward as possible. Still had an amazing alignment and it road nice. If I did \ do gain height with the ADS Coilovers, I'm hoping that will go away. Then all I have to worry around is when I'm on the trail, and tub for that.

Good info about the radiators. I'm on the fence about mine. I want to change it because I'm at my 200K mark (even though the ware signs people talk about isn't there). My top is still black where people say look to see if it's turning brown and brittle and such. Also quite a few people have had packaging issues with Denso and Amazon which resulted is slight damage. Being up here, I suspect I would end up with a chance to be on the receiving end of that.

Which Champion are you looking at (though China scares me)?

 

[psraff]

I know you mentioned getting out of AK in the next 3 years or so... I'll bet you're going to miss seeing sights like that once you're gone. That's a cool shot.

That front end should be feeling pretty fresh after all that work. I cannot unsee the fact that your shop left all the factory stickers with the part numbers on your new LCAs, showing under the superbumps. That would drive me nuts.

I just caught up on the build through early last year and you have done some top notch wiring on your rig. It makes me want to go through and re-do all of mine to consolidate and organize things.

I know I will miss it. I'll be truthful here, I've never felt at home until I returned to Alaska, but now that I'm older and I'm seeing it wasn't the places I lived, but it was me. It's just the lack of roads up here that's killing me. (Plus our Government, but I'll leave that part out of this) Unless you want mud, there's just nothing local around. Maybe growing up in Montana spoiled me in that aspect. Where I could drive a few minutes and have 1000's of miles of mountains and logging roads to enjoy. Here it seems to be almost reversed. :twitch::twitch: I Google Earth areas down in the lower 48 (and seeing pics of trips like @%1; and others do) where they run hundreds of miles with very little of it is highway.

As for those stickers..... :lasercannon: It was funny, when I was posting those pics I was even thinking about how long it will take before someone calls me out on it! LOL I was shaking my head when I saw them. Very few people now a days think attention to detail is important. That's one reason why I like this forum so much. That's still appreciated, noted & respected. And most everyone can take a good joke on their behalf.

At least it looks like he greased the paper before he put the bumpstops back on!:bravo::bravo:

Many Thanks about the wiring. Too many years I was on the fence about what I wanted to do so it was patched here and there until I was sure. Last year I'm glad I dedicated it to wrapping it all up. I still have a few things to do, but for the most part, it's complete for the long haul.

One thing I need to redo ASAP is pull the Air Compressor directly from my second battery. Right now it's behind that large master switch on my cargo box so if that switch isn't on, I can't turn on the Air Compressor from the cab. Either I didn't think that one all the way through, or when I designed it I didn't think I was having a locker in the front. I have some other work to do regarding the cargo box so that can be wrapped up all at once.

 

[psraff]

Took care of some minor things. First and foremost, my first diff fluid change since the new gears. Pretty easy, but I did notice my Passenger Output Shaft Seal is Leaking. This was one I overlooked and they had to get it from CarQuest. So here's the funny thing. I can get it from Toyota of Dallas for $12.83. Not bad at all. Just for the fun of it I called Kendall Toyota in Anchorage and asked them what their price is. Care to take a guess? I'll even make it multiple choice.
A. $13.99
B. $17.39
C. $23.89
D. $26.08

Those of you who picked "D", picked correct!!! :girl::girl::girl:

On the other hand, I got my brake lines installed ad bleed. The panhard bar brackets welded in and the original bar back in. And some Lotus LCA Skids.

 

[psraff]

Got myself a little present. I need to finish my sleeping platform soon and needed this before I did. Now I can remove my water Jerrycan and get another Fuel to give me another 5 gallons.

 

[psraff]

Tested everything out the other day on the Old Sterling Highway (at Tern Lake).
I have video as well that I'm working on, but it's huge in size....
(Also found several family members to park next to. LOL)

 

[BrianSD_42]

Really impressed with the front end. Looks great!

 

[psraff]

Really impressed with the front end. Looks great!

Thanks! Now that all my large maintenance items are finished, I need to raise my bumper up. Need to practice my welds a bit first though. I've looked it over, and overall it "should" be pretty simple.

 

[psraff]

Tourists are beginning to show up in Deadhorse! Ran into these two Land Cruisers (man and wife, and a friend of theirs). Great people to talk with out of Texas and WY. The trailer is a modified Tigermoth Camper made by Taxa https://taxaoutdoors.com/ultra-light-trailers/tigermoth-camper-trailer/.

And then there's the monster Mercedes that's been all over the world (Literally). The guy's from Poland and the people from the LCs were talking with him.

 

[4x4mike]

We fly into Anchorage tomorrow and will be spending 10 days out of Sterling and Soldotna with my FIL. I looked out for you when we were there two years ago. We'll be on the peninsula and the Kenai most of the time.

 

[psraff]

We fly into Anchorage tomorrow and will be spending 10 days out of Sterling and Soldotna with my FIL. I looked out for you when we were there two years ago. We'll be on the peninsula and the Kenai most of the time.

Man, we'll miss each other. I just flew up to work yesterday and will be up here or two weeks. Otherwise, I would've loved to meet up. Make sure you head over to the Burger Bus in Kenai for the best burgers around! Only place to go!!

Enjoy your time up here!!

 

[psraff]

Finished my sleeping platform (for now). Got the trim on, and painted. On the pass. side, it's not a box so it doesn't block my fans for my air compressor.

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Pass. Side:

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[psraff]

First Camping Trip for the year. Hope, Alaska Area.

Filling up with Ice and Water:

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At the Site:

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Now that I have water inside, I got swapped out my water Jerry Can for another fuel one.

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Up Hiking:

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[quicksilvr]

Nice work on the platform, fits your needs nicely!

 

[psraff]

Nice work on the platform, fits your needs nicely!

Thanks! When I get home from work, I'll get pics of the full setup all in one place. I noticed I never posted pics of my fans for my air compressor and I can't find the pics so....

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Awesome build! You might have some visitors soon... On the fence about to drive to Anchorage from Montreal Canada!!!

Great work. Please continue to post picture of your incredible scenery.
.

 

[psraff]

Awesome build! You might have some visitors soon... On the fence about to drive to Anchorage from Montreal Canada!!!

Great work. Please continue to post picture of your incredible scenery.
.

Come on up! I'm hearing the fishing isn't very good salmon wise though. But if you do get to that area, check out Hatcher Pass. I was heading that way on this R&R, but I was called back to work. Work for 2 weeks, home for 2 days, go back for a week, come home for a 3 or 4 days... Then go back up for my normal schedule for 2 weeks. I think the same thing is going to happen on my next R&R also, After that, summer is over! Really sucks.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hey man, I just wanted to say that your truck is looking great. You have done a lot of cool things, including many I'm considering. I really like the rear roll cage. Its been on my maybe list for quite some time nice, looks pretty awesome.

The all black look has to be a PIA to keep clean. I struggle just keeping my truck clean in San Diego. I can't imagine what Alaska is like. Keep the trip pics coming!

 

[psraff]

Hey man, I just wanted to say that your truck is looking great. You have done a lot of cool things, including many I'm considering. I really like the rear roll cage. Its been on my maybe list for quite some time nice, looks pretty awesome.

The all black look has to be a PIA to keep clean. I struggle just keeping my truck clean in San Diego. I can't imagine what Alaska is like. Keep the trip pics coming!

Thank you! That roll cage is a real PITA to get it in there. Someone posted a step by step configuration on how to get it in there and I still ended up with a few scratches on my plastic panels. Maybe if you join four different religions and pray to all the Gods the night before will help some! You could cut in it half and join it back together with a coupling but I think that's just cheating.

Yes, black is painful, but worth it! It shows every little pinstripe or rock chip. But if I spend two day with Mothers or McGuire's Kits, it just glows! After that it just takes a feather duster to keep it clean. Toyota sure made some good paint back in the day.

I'm very appreciative getting posts like this from members like you. Thank you. I've always respected you on this forum and your pics are always top notch. I have to say, you're Build \ Pic Thread is one of them that got me thinking about moving to the SW. I'm hoping in the next five weeks I'll be able to fly down and look around for a few day.

I get home from the Slope on Tues. After a Dr appointment first thing on Wednesday, I'll be packing up to head to Hatchers Pass which is above Wasilla, Palmer area. Hope to spend 3 or 4 days up there. I need to get off my butt and start mapping it!

 

[psraff]

Took a trip up and around Hatcher Pass. First time since I was a baby, actually.
Short clip to show my new navigation tablet and layout.
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Way out of breath!!!
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