Daren's Excellent Vehicular Activity Thread

[HTXpro]

I see a lot of crazy people driving in Houston. You'll have to be more specific

HAHA I was in my silbergrau E46 3 series on Regamaster wheels. I just picked up my Cavalry Blue Runner to replace the white one that was totaled late last year though. I was all around JSC in it today.

 

[ToyDB]

Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[darenwelsh]

We finally did our first family off-roading/overlanding adventure. We drove up to southern Colorado and spent a week exploring. I didn't get to hit all the trails I wanted to see, but I kept reminding myself that this was the first trip for my wife and kids, so I needed to ease them into things. I got to drive the Alpine Loop, which was my main goal. And I also taught my daughter to throw a hatchet and stick it in a tree at 10 feet. So that was a great secondary goal.

I've got the first video up on YouTube and I'm working on the rest: https://youtu.be/5BXMEQ_mho4

While I put my favorite pictures into the videos, I haven't figured out other ways to share them (like if I should sign up for Instagram or some other photo site), but I'll drop a few here.

 

[darenwelsh]

I finally got all the videos done. Hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDbw-o2a5jj6K6m7-RncEaQxS0MNH1t7l

 

[darenwelsh]

A friend from work and I joined forces on a new venture called Space City Runner. In our first trip, we met up in Utah to explore Bears Ears and Canyonlands. I got into a little trouble on the way there thanks to the snow and ice in Colorado.

Check out our first episode and subscribe to this channel to see the rest of our adventure here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF3FIADCat1UhG-3cwMK1Iw

 

[darenwelsh]

I have been lazy in posting updates here, so there's lots to catch up on.

I got my amateur radio operator license (Ham radio) and installed a Kenwood D710GA in my 4Runner. My call sign is WD5EVA, in case you're monitoring UHF/VHF in the Houston area. I typically beacon on APRS when I'm driving around. My antenna is on a mag mount on the hood, but I'm open to suggestions for something different.

In order to better mount things to the dash, I installed an Expedition Essentials TPAM. So now my radio head unit, radio mic, and phone all mount to that. My big DSLR doesn't fit on the TPAM with the camera adapter plate I was using - it hits the windshield. So I'll have to figure out a way to off-set it to the side and lower.

I also installed BudBuilt rock sliders and skids. That was a lot of work and very frustrating due to the lack of instructions for the install. I got the raw metal and did the work to clean them up, scuff them, and then primer and paint. That wasn't too bad, but it was time consuming and it was the week before our big trip in 100 degree and 90% humidity weather. So it was a little stressful. But for the install I was pretty upset that they gave no directions. The only help I got was, "start at the back and go forward". They didn't tell me to install the sliders first since the gas skid has to go over the slider base. So I ended up having to drop a few plates and re-do everything. I also ended up missing some bolts (i.e. they didn't include enough) and there were lots of bolt holes in the skids where there were no corresponding holes in the frame. So I kept wondering if I was missing places where bolts should go - something I don't want to worry about when it comes to protecting my vehicle. In the end, I got everything on and I think I did a good job. I just think something that costs thousands of dollars should come with some basic instructions including photos. That doesn't take much effort.

We went to Caprock Canyon, TX earlier this year. Then just last month we did a longer trip to Georgia and Tennessee. We did most of the Georgia Traverse for a week and then we spend a week at Abrams Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Videos from the trip are posted here (except for the bit from the Smokies - I'm still working on those): YouTube

Photos are posted here: Daren Welsh (@darenwelsh) • Instagram photos and videos

I would post some photos here but it looks like the filesize cap was greatly reduced and I don't think this site offers a service to compress the images. So I might spend the time compressing the images on my end and posting them here, but it's just easier if you go to IG to check them out.

I don't like to make promises about videos, but I hope to do at least one video about the skids and sliders and maybe another walk-around on the rig with all the other mods I've done.

 

[darenwelsh]

A few updates since my last post:

I installed a 2nd battery and the CTEK 250SE controller in the engine bay. I ran a power bus along the passenger side to the rear and then split to two new power panels on each side in the rear stowage area. Now I've got 12V power in the form of Anderson Power Pole, USB, and cigarette lighter adapter. I use this to power my new fridge/freezer. I also installed a 100W solar panel on the rack.

I'm kinda surprised that the solar power every day isn't enough to keep the fridge running and battery topped off. I already replaced the CTEK once. I also changed the fridge from "Low" to "Medium" on the voltage cutoff set point.

I also had to modify my table mount under the roof rack. All four hinges on my aluminum table from k9 rusted out and fell apart. So I have replaced it with a stainless table that's bigger and sturdier. It just barely fits.

And then today I had my new suspension installed. I went with Steve's Sonoran Steel KDSS track bar and custom Radflow shocks, with the heavier OME springs in the rear. I can't wait to take this offroad and compare to the past 5 years I've run stock suspension.