Cymon's Weekend Warrior and MFD Thread
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Cymon
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Big Cypress February 2018
Day 2:
We traveled back sightseeing in Big Cypress “off road”, and decided to take the scenic “Loop Road” back. It’s a 15-mile loop drive through the Everglades of Tamiami Trail. Almost entirely gravel, 1 lane road that was very scenic and had more alligators than you could count. We probably stopped about every 500 yards for pictures. If you’re ever in the area its worth the detour, although its usually closed in the summer months due flooding.
Day 2:
We traveled back sightseeing in Big Cypress “off road”, and decided to take the scenic “Loop Road” back. It’s a 15-mile loop drive through the Everglades of Tamiami Trail. Almost entirely gravel, 1 lane road that was very scenic and had more alligators than you could count. We probably stopped about every 500 yards for pictures. If you’re ever in the area its worth the detour, although its usually closed in the summer months due flooding.
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Cymon
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March-April 2018 Cuba
For Spring Break we took my Mother in Law to Cuba. She hasn't been back since her and her family fled 58 years ago (her mother was Cuban but her Father was American Military). An absolutely educational and interesting experience. They are known for their vintage vehicles, and we certainly weren't disappointed. One night our taxi was a 1929 Ford and a 1953 Chevrolet. It was like being transported back in time. They people there couldn't have been nicer and it was an experience we won't soon forget.
For Spring Break we took my Mother in Law to Cuba. She hasn't been back since her and her family fled 58 years ago (her mother was Cuban but her Father was American Military). An absolutely educational and interesting experience. They are known for their vintage vehicles, and we certainly weren't disappointed. One night our taxi was a 1929 Ford and a 1953 Chevrolet. It was like being transported back in time. They people there couldn't have been nicer and it was an experience we won't soon forget.
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Cymon
New member
April 2018 ARB Fridge Setup
So I found my way into a 50qt ARB Fridge...so now my cold beverage setup is complete. Yeti Goal Zero 400 Lithium plugged into factory AC inverter. ARB fridge into Yeti AC. I know that it isn’t the most efficient this way because of the ac/dc conversion but it works best for the Yeti. Trust me I know all of the options, upgrades, dual batteries etc. but after much research (reading about every thread on this forum, Expedition Portal and OB) I found the flexibility of this setup would work best for our needs. Just need to add a 100 watt solar panel and I’m good to go off the grid for a while. After testing, the fridge ran for 21 hours in Florida heat (while empty and set at 34 degrees F). It pulls 70w with compressor running and 10-15 with it off. 5 amp draw with compressor running, .8 when not running. Well within spec of the Yeti. The key is to set the battery protection on the ARB to low (10.3 v) as you don’t have to worry about draining it and not being able to start a vehicle.
So I found my way into a 50qt ARB Fridge...so now my cold beverage setup is complete. Yeti Goal Zero 400 Lithium plugged into factory AC inverter. ARB fridge into Yeti AC. I know that it isn’t the most efficient this way because of the ac/dc conversion but it works best for the Yeti. Trust me I know all of the options, upgrades, dual batteries etc. but after much research (reading about every thread on this forum, Expedition Portal and OB) I found the flexibility of this setup would work best for our needs. Just need to add a 100 watt solar panel and I’m good to go off the grid for a while. After testing, the fridge ran for 21 hours in Florida heat (while empty and set at 34 degrees F). It pulls 70w with compressor running and 10-15 with it off. 5 amp draw with compressor running, .8 when not running. Well within spec of the Yeti. The key is to set the battery protection on the ARB to low (10.3 v) as you don’t have to worry about draining it and not being able to start a vehicle.
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Cymon
New member
May 25th 2018
Got 2+ years and 40k out of the OEM wiper blades. About 6 months ago had to replace quickly with some Rain-x blades because of a tear. Now after 6 months they are starting to streak. Doing it right this time and for half the price. Ordered two sets of OEM inserts (planned on doing this the 1st time so I kept the OEM wipers). As [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] promised, less than 10 minutes, even for me. Now i should be covered wiper wise until 100k.
FYI I got each wiper insert for $7.50 a piece from Toyota Overstock plus shipping.
[MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] install thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/159983-%2A%2Ahow-change-5th-gen-factory-wiper-blade-inserts-pictorial.html
Got 2+ years and 40k out of the OEM wiper blades. About 6 months ago had to replace quickly with some Rain-x blades because of a tear. Now after 6 months they are starting to streak. Doing it right this time and for half the price. Ordered two sets of OEM inserts (planned on doing this the 1st time so I kept the OEM wipers). As [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] promised, less than 10 minutes, even for me. Now i should be covered wiper wise until 100k.
FYI I got each wiper insert for $7.50 a piece from Toyota Overstock plus shipping.
[MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] install thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/159983-%2A%2Ahow-change-5th-gen-factory-wiper-blade-inserts-pictorial.html
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Cymon
New member
Again, thanks for bearing with the update over the past 2 pages. Next trip planned will be in late July...going up to Maryland to visit family, but traveling and camping up the Blue Ridge along the way. Likely route will be S. Florida to Asheville, NC and then wherever adventure takes us ending in Columbia, Maryland.
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
Nice update! I saw a small documentary about Nascar driver Aric Almirola on a trip to Cuba to meet some of his family. The car scene was unbelievable!! Grass roots street racing the whole bit!! Nice you got to do that for your mother in law.
Did you sample any of the seafood? A few of my friends treated me to some of the small little local diners down in Miami and in Tampa, some of the best food I've ever eaten. Love me some Paella! The Island food must be phenomenal! Fidel fiercely protected those fisheries down there, hope they keep that policy.
Hey, my Son and I will be up in Franklin, NC from 7/20 to the 23rd for my Aunt's 90th. It's not too far from Asheville. Then we're gonna go exploring after that. When you gonna be up there?
Did you sample any of the seafood? A few of my friends treated me to some of the small little local diners down in Miami and in Tampa, some of the best food I've ever eaten. Love me some Paella! The Island food must be phenomenal! Fidel fiercely protected those fisheries down there, hope they keep that policy.
Hey, my Son and I will be up in Franklin, NC from 7/20 to the 23rd for my Aunt's 90th. It's not too far from Asheville. Then we're gonna go exploring after that. When you gonna be up there?
Cymon
New member
The food was phenomenal. We tried to eat at as many local/non-tourist places as possible. There we could get full meals for 7 for less than $40 American. The best is they had these cigar/liquor shacks on every street corner. You could get a bottle of 3-year aged Havana Club Rum (puts Bacardi to shame) and a 2-liter if cola of $4. Drinks for everyone all night. I brought back a bottle of 7-year aged for $12.
We are actually planning on leaving on the 20th as well. Likely camping up around Osceola National Forest on Friday and should be in/around Ashville on the 21st. I’ll definitely be in touch so we can try and hook up!
Thanks for posting this. I have been researching and researching and I just don't think I need a dedicated second battery. Although the Yeti is just as expensive if not more than a second battery system (especially after adding a solar panel) it seems like it is very flexible and can be easily moved out of the vehicle for different situations/emergencies. Please continue to post reviews of your fridge/Yeti setup. Thanks.
Cymon
New member
I certainly will. The big test will be the summer trip. The versatility is a big part of it for us. I like the ability to move it between vehicles, away from the car, as a backup in case of long term power outage (ie Hurricane) etc. The price is high, but it just works well for our needs. I did get it through REI with my member discount and dividend $ so that took some of the sting out of it. I still haven’t decided on what solar panel setup to go with. Goal Zero has their Nomad 100’s pop up as open box items for a decent discount every once and a while. I may just go with a 100w folding briefcase from Renogy or Goal Zero though. I’m weighing all of the options, as I definitely want a 100 or 125w and as easily portable as possible.
I still may add a 12v always hot dc outlet with heavier gauge wiring (or just the ARB one that they make for the fridge) connected to the starter battery to give more power options.
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Yeah I'm pretty sure I am going to still run power to an aux fuse block in the back no matter what.
As far as the solar panel, those blanket panels posted the other day, I think it was off grid??, are sure nice as far as portability goes. But they cost a lot! I maybe waiting till the prices fall more before solar or like you mentioned, go with a folding panel. But it's something more to store. Every thing is a compromise I guess. I have even considered putting a thin, flexible panel on the hood permanently but there are issues with that also, first being I have a hood scoop. But if I only need it for battery maintenance maybe I won't need a very big panel...or two small panels will work??? Lots of options make it hard to decide.
I am also trying to decide on what size battery to get. I don't want something so heavy that it harms the vehicle. It seems others are having issues with the group 31's. That's why I was looking to possibly going with a lifepo4 but still researching it and again big money.
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Cymon
New member
Got our Trailer 6/29/18
So after a year of patiently searching and researching we finally found a trailer. Fully restored m416. The color is because the guy painted it to match his Jeep. I can live with it for now, at least it’s Seahawk green. Towed it home from Jacskonville Beach yesterday. First mods will be to swap axles and hubs to Toyota and run FJ steelies so that the spare tire will be interchangeable between vehicle and trailer. Next will come a custom rack for the tent. For now it is functional and towed beautifully. The pintel hutch wasn’t as bad as I thought as well as it’s well lubed. Only dropped .5mpg on the trip back with the trailer, which is also due to me driving 65-70mph the whole way as opposed to 75-80mph.
So after a year of patiently searching and researching we finally found a trailer. Fully restored m416. The color is because the guy painted it to match his Jeep. I can live with it for now, at least it’s Seahawk green. Towed it home from Jacskonville Beach yesterday. First mods will be to swap axles and hubs to Toyota and run FJ steelies so that the spare tire will be interchangeable between vehicle and trailer. Next will come a custom rack for the tent. For now it is functional and towed beautifully. The pintel hutch wasn’t as bad as I thought as well as it’s well lubed. Only dropped .5mpg on the trip back with the trailer, which is also due to me driving 65-70mph the whole way as opposed to 75-80mph.
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Cymon
New member
The Trailer Build Has Started 7/18/2018
We picked up a fully restored m416 trailer on our Anniversary…July 1st. I had been researching and keeping an eye out for m416 in decent enough condition to fix up or potentially buying a new trailer for well over a year before we bought.
Why the trailer? We love our RTT, but the two biggest drawbacks of the RTT for us are mounting and un-mounting, which if we didn’t have the Frontrunner quick release mounts we would not have a RTT, and packing it up every morning if we wanted to drive away from our basecamp. Solution to these problems…a trailer! I also like the idea of it being packed up ready to go at a moment’s notice for a short overnight camping trip. Before we would have to plan well in advance to get the tent mounted up (usually end up having to give away some good beer to my neighbors who think we’re crazy because we like being outside) and then packing and organizing all of the stuff with kids to get in the car…it really was limiting us in how much we have been getting out.
Our patience paid off with our lovely neon green m416 (pretty obvious we bought it from a Jeep guy). We were very close to pulling the trigger on a new CVT or Ethos Off-Road trailer, but I’m glad we didn’t…this saved us about $6-8K, that we can now use to modify how we see fit, and these military trailers are way overbuilt (in a good way).
So her it goes, trailer build…Stage 1
First thing we wanted to do was get matching hubs so that we can run an interchangeable spare tire. I honestly feel I could do most of this work myself, but I do not have the tools or the space for the welding and fabricating what we wanted to get done, so I found a trailer guy, Eric (TrailermanFL), who also does custom welding. Anyway, the only way to get matching hubs is to swap the axle. There is also the tricky part to also allow for the military style hand/parking break to work (most electric trailer breaks don’t have that option, so you need a special part…more $). I’ve decided a long time ago, “buy once, cry once”, and do it right the first time. With the following setup I can eventually run electric breaks if I want, still maintain the parking break, run Toyota hub-centric wheels and run up to a 33” tire. I won’t tell you how many hours I spent on Ih8mud and Expedition Portal researching to find all of this out…(also shout out to [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] for all of his help and knowledge). We also decided to run 265 70r 17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W as our Trailer tires on steel FJ cruiser rims. In order for them to fit we either needed to modify the original fenders or just build a new set. We decided to sketch up a plan, taking ideas from some of our favorite builds and run full-length steel steps/fenders. These will also be the structural mounting point for an adjustable height rack for our RTT (Stage 2 of the Build…coming soon).
Here was the part list to get it done.
1) 3,500 lb Dexter axle (48” hub face to hub face)
2) 6 x 5.5” Dexter trailer hubs for 3500lb axle.
3) Dexter e-brake with parking break option.
• Part Number K23-086-087-00
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/Dexter-Axle/K23-086-087-00.html
4) Spidertrax 1.25” Spacers (to run hub-centric Toyota wheels and give spacing away from the trailer frame)
5) FJ Cruiser 17” steel wheels
6) Falken Wildpeak AT3w 265 70r 17 Load Range E
7) Gorilla lock acorn lugnuts
First Pic is before…then the after with all of the parts and new fenders/steps. Very happy with how it turned out, and got it back just in time. We leave tomorrow for our annual summer trip up to Maryland, camping along the Blue Ridge on the way up. Trip report sometime next week, hopefully if I get time.
(Oh and don't mind the mess in the garage on the last pic, I had to throw stuff around to get it in the garage before the typical Florida afternoon thunderstorm)
We picked up a fully restored m416 trailer on our Anniversary…July 1st. I had been researching and keeping an eye out for m416 in decent enough condition to fix up or potentially buying a new trailer for well over a year before we bought.
Why the trailer? We love our RTT, but the two biggest drawbacks of the RTT for us are mounting and un-mounting, which if we didn’t have the Frontrunner quick release mounts we would not have a RTT, and packing it up every morning if we wanted to drive away from our basecamp. Solution to these problems…a trailer! I also like the idea of it being packed up ready to go at a moment’s notice for a short overnight camping trip. Before we would have to plan well in advance to get the tent mounted up (usually end up having to give away some good beer to my neighbors who think we’re crazy because we like being outside) and then packing and organizing all of the stuff with kids to get in the car…it really was limiting us in how much we have been getting out.
Our patience paid off with our lovely neon green m416 (pretty obvious we bought it from a Jeep guy). We were very close to pulling the trigger on a new CVT or Ethos Off-Road trailer, but I’m glad we didn’t…this saved us about $6-8K, that we can now use to modify how we see fit, and these military trailers are way overbuilt (in a good way).
So her it goes, trailer build…Stage 1
First thing we wanted to do was get matching hubs so that we can run an interchangeable spare tire. I honestly feel I could do most of this work myself, but I do not have the tools or the space for the welding and fabricating what we wanted to get done, so I found a trailer guy, Eric (TrailermanFL), who also does custom welding. Anyway, the only way to get matching hubs is to swap the axle. There is also the tricky part to also allow for the military style hand/parking break to work (most electric trailer breaks don’t have that option, so you need a special part…more $). I’ve decided a long time ago, “buy once, cry once”, and do it right the first time. With the following setup I can eventually run electric breaks if I want, still maintain the parking break, run Toyota hub-centric wheels and run up to a 33” tire. I won’t tell you how many hours I spent on Ih8mud and Expedition Portal researching to find all of this out…(also shout out to [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] for all of his help and knowledge). We also decided to run 265 70r 17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W as our Trailer tires on steel FJ cruiser rims. In order for them to fit we either needed to modify the original fenders or just build a new set. We decided to sketch up a plan, taking ideas from some of our favorite builds and run full-length steel steps/fenders. These will also be the structural mounting point for an adjustable height rack for our RTT (Stage 2 of the Build…coming soon).
Here was the part list to get it done.
1) 3,500 lb Dexter axle (48” hub face to hub face)
2) 6 x 5.5” Dexter trailer hubs for 3500lb axle.
3) Dexter e-brake with parking break option.
• Part Number K23-086-087-00
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/Dexter-Axle/K23-086-087-00.html
4) Spidertrax 1.25” Spacers (to run hub-centric Toyota wheels and give spacing away from the trailer frame)
5) FJ Cruiser 17” steel wheels
6) Falken Wildpeak AT3w 265 70r 17 Load Range E
7) Gorilla lock acorn lugnuts
First Pic is before…then the after with all of the parts and new fenders/steps. Very happy with how it turned out, and got it back just in time. We leave tomorrow for our annual summer trip up to Maryland, camping along the Blue Ridge on the way up. Trip report sometime next week, hopefully if I get time.
(Oh and don't mind the mess in the garage on the last pic, I had to throw stuff around to get it in the garage before the typical Florida afternoon thunderstorm)
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Thanks for posting up the part numbers on those brakes! I have never been able to find that. With my M416 getting major upgrades at the fabricator and the fact it will be able to carry two motorcycles, I am going to need trailer brakes in the future.
Did you also source the axle from etrailer?
Also, so you had to use spacers in order to get hub centric capability. They don't make hub centric hubs for trailer axles?? I always shy away from spacers cuz I'm weird I guess. I know a lot of people never have problems but just wondering if there is another way.
Hope the trip goes well. When will you be in NC?
Did you also source the axle from etrailer?
Also, so you had to use spacers in order to get hub centric capability. They don't make hub centric hubs for trailer axles?? I always shy away from spacers cuz I'm weird I guess. I know a lot of people never have problems but just wondering if there is another way.
Hope the trip goes well. When will you be in NC?
Cymon
New member
In Asheville as I type this eating at homegrown. The dexter axle hubs are not hub centric. I sourced the axle through my trailer guy, but you can order straight from dexter. I haven’t found a trailer repair/supply who does not carry dexter axles.
As for the spacers you just have to keep checking to make sure they are torqued correctly ( I finally bought a torque wrench). I checked after 50 miles as per instructions and they have been good. So over 1,000 miles on road, off-road, and at highway and no issues. I’ll post up in my trip report sometime next week when we get to Maryland, but we learned a lot about the importance of tongue weight with the m416 especially with the pintel. Let’s just say an hour into our trip we stopped by Dicks Sporting Goods and bought two 45 lb plates to add in the front of the trailer to offset the bike rack on our hitch (sway was scary). Since then no issues towing up to 75 mph.
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Cymon
New member
11/17/18 Battery Replacement/Upgrade
After 3 years of South Florida camping and traveling North any chance we get, with short 3 mile commute every day the OEM started battery finally bit the dust. After plenty of research and the write up by [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION] we decided to upgrade with the Batteries Plus X2 (rebranded Northstar) deep cycle size 24F. Direct fit and replacement but more CCA and power reserve. So far so good...I guess time will tell.
Also getting the trailer back from the welder tomorrow with our new rack built on. Just in time for winter camping season here in Florida. More pics and write-up/build info to follow.
After 3 years of South Florida camping and traveling North any chance we get, with short 3 mile commute every day the OEM started battery finally bit the dust. After plenty of research and the write up by [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION] we decided to upgrade with the Batteries Plus X2 (rebranded Northstar) deep cycle size 24F. Direct fit and replacement but more CCA and power reserve. So far so good...I guess time will tell.
Also getting the trailer back from the welder tomorrow with our new rack built on. Just in time for winter camping season here in Florida. More pics and write-up/build info to follow.
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4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
[MENTION=120701]Cymon[/MENTION] I have 3 - X2s, one being a deep cycle for my house battery in the 5th gen. Very happy with all of them.
Cymon
New member
Toyota's For Tots
Got to try out the new adjustable trailer rack this weekend, camping and trail riding with some new friends at a Toyota's for Tots Charity Event. The rack worked and held up extremely well. There are a few minor tweaks that I want done...so I'm sending the trailer back in to the fabricator that we designed it with later this week, but all in all I'm very happy with the setup.
The rack is all aluminum, bolted to the custom fenders and the tub. 40lb gas struts on all corners help in raising the rack, but also are light enough to be able to bring it back down with minimal force. The rack gets held in position by locking pins.
Got to try out the new adjustable trailer rack this weekend, camping and trail riding with some new friends at a Toyota's for Tots Charity Event. The rack worked and held up extremely well. There are a few minor tweaks that I want done...so I'm sending the trailer back in to the fabricator that we designed it with later this week, but all in all I'm very happy with the setup.
The rack is all aluminum, bolted to the custom fenders and the tub. 40lb gas struts on all corners help in raising the rack, but also are light enough to be able to bring it back down with minimal force. The rack gets held in position by locking pins.
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Cymon
New member
Fisheating Creek 1/4/2019-1/6/2019
My daughter had her first ever girl scout camp sleepover last weekend up near Lake Okeechobee. Since she had never slept away from home before she was understandably nervous, so we used it as an excuse to make the 1.5 hour drive up and find a campsite about 15 minutes away from where she was camping. Turned out that we found an awesome family camping spot at a place called Fisheating Creek Outpost. We also got out exploring Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest. Luckily we haven't had rain in a while so no deep water...actually it was bone dry, which was unusual. We have logged enough gravel and dusty roads mixed with Florida's unexpected water holes in the past couple of months that even my wife isn't dodging the possibility of a raised intake :clap2:
The one thing that we all agreed on was that I need to either build or buy a fridge slide before our next trip in February, either that or they need to start making Braille beer cans. :cheers:
My daughter had her first ever girl scout camp sleepover last weekend up near Lake Okeechobee. Since she had never slept away from home before she was understandably nervous, so we used it as an excuse to make the 1.5 hour drive up and find a campsite about 15 minutes away from where she was camping. Turned out that we found an awesome family camping spot at a place called Fisheating Creek Outpost. We also got out exploring Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest. Luckily we haven't had rain in a while so no deep water...actually it was bone dry, which was unusual. We have logged enough gravel and dusty roads mixed with Florida's unexpected water holes in the past couple of months that even my wife isn't dodging the possibility of a raised intake :clap2:
The one thing that we all agreed on was that I need to either build or buy a fridge slide before our next trip in February, either that or they need to start making Braille beer cans. :cheers:
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