Jono.ful's Backcountry Assault Vehicle
- Thread starter Jono.ful
- Start date
Jono.ful
New member
in addition to the DC Power alternator, I made a few recent additions to the dual battery setup...
Blue Sea M2 State of Charge monitor 1830
provides real time monitoring of my batteries, including current flow, charge status, voltage, and battery health. also has programmable alarms for low/high voltage and current, as well as an output for control of an external relay on the alarm condition.
Blue Sea RBS-ML 7700
this solenoid is setup to provide a disconnecting means for my start battery from the rest of the system, and is controllable from the driver's seat via a contura v switch. I have this connected to the state of charge controller relay output such that it will disconnect the starting battery when the voltage drops below 11 volts. this means that I can use all my electronics with the engine off, and not have to worry about drawing down my starting battery, even if the two batteries are combined via the ML-ACR.
remote screen for the SoC monitor
Blue Sea M2 State of Charge monitor 1830
provides real time monitoring of my batteries, including current flow, charge status, voltage, and battery health. also has programmable alarms for low/high voltage and current, as well as an output for control of an external relay on the alarm condition.
Blue Sea RBS-ML 7700
this solenoid is setup to provide a disconnecting means for my start battery from the rest of the system, and is controllable from the driver's seat via a contura v switch. I have this connected to the state of charge controller relay output such that it will disconnect the starting battery when the voltage drops below 11 volts. this means that I can use all my electronics with the engine off, and not have to worry about drawing down my starting battery, even if the two batteries are combined via the ML-ACR.
remote screen for the SoC monitor
Jono.ful
New member
Sorry man, been away for a minute or two......
There is no latch on this Hefty Fabworks bumper, just a cotter pin. It's not the best solution, but it works. My only beef with the bumper (steel version, no long available) is that the tire carrier bounces and flexes a bit with a 285/70/17 Duratrac on it (recently mounted my hi-lift to the tire carrier as well, but the bounce doesn't seem to have gotten any worse). It's minor, and unless you're watching for it in the rearview, you won't notice it.
Jono.ful
New member
Lots of changes since I last updated this thread...
Got some covid holidays right now, so I'm working on:
-remove/relocate/replace Carling switches with oem style push buttons in lower centre console
-new drawers
-Red Arc BCDC1225D based 4 battery setup
-DIY fridge slide
-200w solar system
Photos to come soon-ish
Got some covid holidays right now, so I'm working on:
-remove/relocate/replace Carling switches with oem style push buttons in lower centre console
-new drawers
-Red Arc BCDC1225D based 4 battery setup
-DIY fridge slide
-200w solar system
Photos to come soon-ish
rageandlove
Member
Ooh, I like that idea for the wind deflector. Just spray paint? Or some custom vinyl?
Jono.ful
New member
Stripes are vinyl from Fast Decal
1/4" aluminum plate, black enamel rattle can, then I sprayed the finished product with a thick coat of clear plastidip
rageandlove
Member
That looks really sharp! I just looked at their website. They sell a lot of types of vinyl ...
Jono.ful
New member
They do, it was a pretty easy choice. The whole thing came as one big sheet, but I separated each colour, and cut each such that the red was 3/4" wider than orange, which in turn was 3/4" wider than yellow, and affixed each with a 1/2" gap in between.
Jono.ful
New member
Had a few maintenance items that were starting to pile up...
-EMI drop in, adjustable uniballs for my Total Chaos UCA's
-Ballistic chromoly adjustable/rebuildable rod ends to replace the Johnny Joints in my MetalTech rear lower links
-UCA/LCA replacement poly bushings from Total Chaos
-F&K stainless uniballs for my Total Chaos LCA's
things quickly went off the rails when trying to spin off the old Johnny Joints
tried to heat and quench several times, all manner of penetrating oils overnight, and finally a 18" pipe wrench with a 4' snipe that eventually broke my 6" Record bench vise. Good thing for tool warranties.
The next solution was to build a new set of links. Ended up ordering some weld in threaded bungs and new keeper nuts from TMR Customs, and sorced some 2" OD .25" wall DOM and scavanged the bushing shells off the MT links to put the new links together. Notched the tube to offset the axle side mount similar to the MT ones, and tig welded the whole thing
The Metaltech links were pretty beefy, but these are a whole new level. Couple coats of por15, and we're back on 4 wheels.
-EMI drop in, adjustable uniballs for my Total Chaos UCA's
-Ballistic chromoly adjustable/rebuildable rod ends to replace the Johnny Joints in my MetalTech rear lower links
-UCA/LCA replacement poly bushings from Total Chaos
-F&K stainless uniballs for my Total Chaos LCA's
things quickly went off the rails when trying to spin off the old Johnny Joints
tried to heat and quench several times, all manner of penetrating oils overnight, and finally a 18" pipe wrench with a 4' snipe that eventually broke my 6" Record bench vise. Good thing for tool warranties.
The next solution was to build a new set of links. Ended up ordering some weld in threaded bungs and new keeper nuts from TMR Customs, and sorced some 2" OD .25" wall DOM and scavanged the bushing shells off the MT links to put the new links together. Notched the tube to offset the axle side mount similar to the MT ones, and tig welded the whole thing
The Metaltech links were pretty beefy, but these are a whole new level. Couple coats of por15, and we're back on 4 wheels.
Last edited:
Jono.ful
New member
Truck is in at Sublime Surfacing (Edmonton, AB) for rust proofing. Not that I've had rust issues, but the city has been using calcium chloride spray on our roads, and I'm not willing to watch my 4r rust.
Ted and his crew first dry ice blast, then apply enamel undercoat, and finally finish with a wax coating to resist corrosion.
Whatever kind of black magic they work, they do an amazing job!
Ted and his crew first dry ice blast, then apply enamel undercoat, and finally finish with a wax coating to resist corrosion.
Whatever kind of black magic they work, they do an amazing job!
Jono.ful
New member
Also happening.....
My in laws own a tire shop, so I'm picking up some 315/70/17's for the 4r and some new snow tires for the wife's new 3rs gen taco.
Haven't picked a specific tire yet, but leaning towards General grabber red letter, or possibly another set of MTR's. Either way, they won't be going on until I can get a re-gear done this winter.
My in laws own a tire shop, so I'm picking up some 315/70/17's for the 4r and some new snow tires for the wife's new 3rs gen taco.
Haven't picked a specific tire yet, but leaning towards General grabber red letter, or possibly another set of MTR's. Either way, they won't be going on until I can get a re-gear done this winter.
comtn4x4
Senior Member
Truck is in at Sublime Surfacing (Edmonton, AB) for rust proofing. Not that I've had rust issues, but the city has been using calcium chloride spray on our roads, and I'm not willing to watch my 4r rust.
Ted and his crew first dry ice blast, then apply enamel undercoat, and finally finish with a wax coating to resist corrosion.
Whatever kind of black magic they work, they do an amazing job!
So what does something like that run?
Rig is looking amazing BTW!
Jono.ful
New member
Thank's man, slowly picking away at the last few things I want to do to it.
The ice blasting and undercoating at Sublime is $1300 cdn
Also happening.....
My in laws own a tire shop, so I'm picking up some 315/70/17's for the 4r and some new snow tires for the wife's new 3rs gen taco.
Haven't picked a specific tire yet, but leaning towards General grabber red letter, or possibly another set of MTR's. Either way, they won't be going on until I can get a re-gear done this winter.
I thought the Red Letter was long gone and X3 was the General MTR now.
The old red letter was really a desert tire and not generally considered that great of an overall option. X3 is supposed to be way better...
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