gaterose build thread

[HedgehogOutdoors]

Dunno what settings he used for that specific picture but the typical star settings are wide aperture, open zoom, long shutter speed, low ISO, and exposure compensation.

How to Photograph the Stars

Thanks, I really appreciate the quick help!

 

[HB 4X4]

Dunno what settings he used for that specific picture but the typical star settings are wide aperture, open zoom, long shutter speed, low ISO, and exposure compensation.

How to Photograph the Stars

Basically correct except the opposite for shutter speed and ISO. You need low(ish) shutter speeds of around 20 seconds. Anything more and the stars will begin to blur (think star trails). As for ISO, you need very high ISO. For example, that shot was taken at 6400 ISO. Hence, you need a 2.8 or lower lens and a body that is exceptional at handling high ISO without noise, which means pro level glass and a pro camera body.

I am happy to answer any questions via PM or by starting a new thread.

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

Basically correct except the opposite for shutter speed and ISO. You need low(ish) shutter speeds of around 20 seconds. Anything more and the stars will begin to blur (think star trails). As for ISO, you need very high ISO. For example, that shot was taken at 6400 ISO. Hence, you need a 2.8 or lower lens and a body that is exceptional at handling high ISO without noise, which means pro level glass and a pro camera body.

I am happy to answer any questions via PM or by starting a new thread.

Thanks very much, I don't have anywhere ideal conditions to try this out at the moment though, haha.

 

[gaterose]

Did a few things today during some free time.

I managed to finish my rear lens backup light mod

Also installed a Blue Sea dual USB outlet where I originally just had a 12V plug.

Also got around to installing the Lev-o-gage my girlfriend's aunt bought me for Christmas (thank you Amazon Wish)

I also finished up my Morimoto Retroquik HID Bi-Xenon Projector swap with 5000K bulbs (new setup on the driver's side vs. OEM '06 projectors with squirrel finder mod and Phillips 6000K kit)

The cut off is much sharper on the new projector and the beam looks to be a lot wider but I haven't got to drive yet. I ended up ditching the wiring kit TRS included as I couldn't get it to work so I just connected things the way they used to be. I'll try to do a full writeup on the swap soon since I couldn't find one anywhere else and took a lot of pictures.

 

[gaterose]

Better pictures of the Bi-Xenon swap and backup light output...

Unless noted, these are ISO-250, 18mm, f/22, & 13" (that's as close I could get to what it actually looks like in person)
Low Beam

This close up of the cutoff is the same as previous settings but 55mm.

Bi-Xenon High + OEM High Beam

Bi-Xenon High + OEM High Beam + 2x 7.5" Combo & 13.5" Spot LED Bars

Backup lamps... for those wondering I added two of the 2x6 spot lights to the roof rack because they were incorrectly sent to me and I couldn't think of anything else to do with em.. The two in the reflector lens were nice, but this is awesome... I wouldn't wanna be behind me with brights on...

This shot is ISO-250, 28mm, f/29, & 6".

 

[Bob J]

Looks awesome! :thumb:

A quick question.... I assume you had previously done the full headlight conversion (ota '03 to '06).... Is it as simple as replacing headlights, lower headlight trim and grill? Was following your Satoshi mod and it seems like the '06 -09 grill is a lot easier to mod so am thinking it might be better to just do the '03 -06 conversion and then moving to the projectors/Satoshi....

 

[gaterose]

Looks awesome! :thumb:

A quick question.... I assume you had previously done the full headlight conversion (ota '03 to '06).... Is it as simple as replacing headlights, lower headlight trim and grill? Was following your Satoshi mod and it seems like the '06 -09 grill is a lot easier to mod so am thinking it might be better to just do the '03 -06 conversion and then moving to the projectors/Satoshi....

Thanks! Yeah I did the '03-06 conversion.

Yeah the headlight swap is pretty easy. What you said, plus if you want to use halogen bulbs you'll need some H11 connectors (HID kits just plug into the 9006 plug upside down regardless of bulb type/size), if you want the turn signals to work you need to buy the signal/parking light harness ($30/side, '03 parking light will fit if you don't want the signal).

The grille on the other hand will not fit without shortening it (height-wise) unless you have an aftermarket bumper or cut into your stock bumper.

Yeah the '06 grille is easier to work with as far as making a satoshi. If you think you can build an '03 satoshi, you can definitely build an '06 (or '06 to fit '03)

 

[Bob J]

Thanks! Yeah I did the '03-06 conversion.

Yeah the headlight swap is pretty easy. What you said, plus if you want to use halogen bulbs you'll need some H11 connectors (HID kits just plug into the 9006 plug upside down regardless of bulb type/size), if you want the turn signals to work you need to buy the signal/parking light harness ($30/side, '03 parking light will fit if you don't want the signal).

The grille on the other hand will not fit without shortening it (height-wise) unless you have an aftermarket bumper or cut into your stock bumper.

Yeah the '06 grille is easier to work with as far as making a satoshi. If you think you can build an '03 satoshi, you can definitely build an '06 (or '06 to fit '03)

Thanks Matt! Much appreciated!:yo:

 

[gaterose]

A perfect storm of being in between projects gave me some free time this weekend and I decided to go explore some dirt roads and trails around town.

I finally put an LED back on my bumper, went with a 29" single row. The aim, with feet mounted down, can only be adjust down from level and the curve of the bumper makes it point down a little right now. I need to find some shims and bring it up a few degrees but it's there for now.

As usual, thought I'd share a few pics

With the new 30" SR

This pic shows all 4 rear lights.

A little rapid near a local dam

Artsy shot

 

[momo.75]

Looks good broseff!

 

[Mtn.Runner]

USB mod

I really dig your USB mod man. I was gearing up for this mod and got overwhelmed by the wiring/amperage/voltage side of things. I want to charge my iPhone & iPad. Can you give me some info on what parts number that is and how you wired that in. I'm thinking its as simple as splicing into the stock cig lighter. But I also imagine that it's not, regarding the amperage conversions or does that USB unit convert on board?

 

[gaterose]

Can you give me some info on what parts number that is and how you wired that in. I'm thinking its as simple as splicing into the stock cig lighter. But I also imagine that it's not, regarding the amperage conversions or does that USB unit convert on board?

The unit I got actually does all the conversion, I actually have it wired to a separate circuit because I have other accessories wired with it as well.

But it would work equally well the way you're describing. The back of the outlet has two male terminals so all you need is a positive and negative and some female terminals. It has a little LED on it so you know if you wired it properly, but it also has a + and - on the terminals.

It's made by Blue Sea - http://www.bluesea.com/products/1016. You can actually find cheaper ones on Amazon that have a single outlet and other differences, but I know Blue Sea is high quality and I like the design better.

 

[jediwebdude]

Thanks man, I won't clutter your thread with my pics but my better ones make it onto my website so you can always check it out. I don't usually post them publicly anymore since the trips I do aren't forum related anymore. Too much drama.

This one was from our last Death Valley trip:

Nice astrophotography. You got a little bit of Barnard's Loop Nebula in there.

 

[kylebacc]

Still looking sick, Matt. Love the lights and USB mod.

 

[Coveman]

Just finished your build thread...what a journey! Looks like you have a great rig, lots of sharp mods. Keep up the good work!

 

[gaterose]

Thanks a lot Coveman!

Yeah there has been a lot of "not gonna do that" and "I'm done modding" talk that turned into "hey guys check out what I did this afternoon," so it has been a journey!!

There are still a lot of trucks here I'm jealous of, but I'm quite happy with the results of mine.

 

[Dawg4Runner]

Nice Matt! I always enjoy seeing your updates! :bigok:

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Looks real good Matt. I haven't been around much lately, but I always love seeing new additions to your rig!

 

[gaterose]

Thanks a lot guys! No major updates but I like to share the pictures and whenever I do update, otherwise I'll forget.

 

[gaterose]

Got some new LEDs from LightSource (White Beauty) today and installed them.

I'm not sure what size panels these are, but they're the same ones he sells for the cargo area. I had to trim em down a little bit to fit the RAS overhead console but they fit really well.

Right one has been trimmed -

Installed -

Night shots

Heated seat & light switches, shifter, & cup holder lights

Still have to do the cluster some time soon