My expedition runner project

[calimobber]

So I finally decided to do a mod I've wanted to do for a long time. Ever since those backup reverse sensors came out I thought it was a great idea.

The last few years china has been pumping out a cheap sensor kid for almost nothing. The reviews s looked good enough so I figured I'd give it a try.

I choose this kit because it was dirt cheap and I only wanted the sound, and didn't like the look of the cheap plastic screens.

Amazon.com : Car Parking Reverse Backup Radar Sound Alert + 4 Sensors Black : Car Electronics

I tried using the included drill bit bit it could barely scratch the metal bumper before it was flattened. So back to amazon for this awesome little kit from Amazon. It's a great addition to my tool box.

Amazon.com: Neiko 10197A 5-Piece Step Drill Bit Set with Metal Case, SAE: Home Improvement

Everything went smoothly once I had the right tools.

That's grease to help bit not squeal so much.

It works pretty amazing so far, has a little trouble with plants since they are not continuous but walls work great. This picture is the distance when the beep is solid. So it's the Stop backing up beep!

 

[calimobber]

I think I'll be blacking out my bumpers and rims in a few weeks so the sensors will be incognito soon.

 

[psraff]

You have some good ideas. I've thought about the alt. upgrade many times, and till now I've never really needed it. I'm looking to upgrade my whole system (Alt. Battery, Cables,...) Looking for that adaptor on ebay I've found several kinds (with and without a resistor). What's the difference, and which do we need? Here's a link to one with a resistor.

Alternator Conversion Lead with Resistor Delco 10SI to CS130 CS121 CS144 | eBay

Many Thanks for your input.

 

[calimobber]

Yea that would prob work fine,I just looked around and found bunch that looked similar.

Here is the one I got, it looks like yours but I know this one worked and had fast shipping.

Alternator Conversion Lead Kit Delco CS130 CS121 to Denso Geo Toyota Oval Style | eBay

 

[t4rFL]

good build so far...really liking the solar panels..subscribed.

 

[xcgnxg]

First thing I did was the always HOT 12v mod. Just pop the hood and pull the relay/fuse box cover and locate the 12v plug relay. I just copied others and used a jumper to connect the 2 bypassing the relay. most used mod yet!

 

[Jhelms]

Good reading on the 890 rears with oe fronts / 5100's. Have been looking for something similar to this. May ditch the KYB's so I can get the adjustable 5100's.

 

[dwmckeehen]

Man, I am so glad I stumbled on your build thread, you have all the toys we are planning for our rig and some good write ups on them. Cooler, dual battery system, communications, lights and solar power are all on our list of upgrades and mods planned for this year, and your build thread is now going to be my go to site to begin getting info. I really like the thought and planning you have done. Thanks. I am a new member to this forum, and thanks to you I now have to figure out how to subscribe!

 

[calimobber]

Man, I am so glad I stumbled on your build thread, you have all the toys we are planning for our rig and some good write ups on them. Cooler, dual battery system, communications, lights and solar power are all on our list of upgrades and mods planned for this year, and your build thread is now going to be my go to site to begin getting info. I really like the thought and planning you have done. Thanks. I am a new member to this forum, and thanks to you I now have to figure out how to subscribe!

Well thanks for the kinda works.

I have done a few more mods, Ill try and get them updated today for you.

 

[calimobber]

Good reading on the 890 rears with oe fronts / 5100's. Have been looking for something similar to this. May ditch the KYB's so I can get the adjustable 5100's.

Yea this really is a good setup, I looked and looked until I got a headache before settling on this setup. Ive been on solid 4x4 roads non stop since the lift and I love it.

I did however hit my driveshaft hit the gas tank skid plate on hard articulation. Guess its a problem I never new until I looked it up.

 

[calimobber]

Roof and window visors

So It been a few months since ive updated my build but I have done a good amount of mods. So lets get to it,

As all of you with a sunroof know when its open that little bar that pops up to deflect the wind gets very annoying and ive been meaning to deal with it. Also the light bar up top causes a little buffeting at high speeds so I was hoping to fix both with a sunroof visor.

Also I had been looking at getting in channel window visors as well since they work so well to let the heat went out when the car is parked to help my 12v fridge and also are excellent when camping in the rain.

Everything was an easy install and i'm very happen with both. Sunroof open is very quiet and it fixed the light bar noise!!

all 4 windows cracked and sun shades in windows keep the car cool and batteries happy :bravo:

Links to the ones I purchased.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000182EU0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01

Amazon.com: Wade 72-88491 In-Channel Wind Deflectors, Smoke Tint, (4-piece set): Automotive

 

[calimobber]

Privacy for sleeping in the car

I often sleep in my car at trailheads or in truckstops when traveling. One thing i hate is cars driving my and lighting me up inside the car. It would be nice for a little privacy so after looking at other people options I decided a few things would work.

1- I bought a few cheap window sun reflectors and cut them out to the shape of my back windows and velcrowed them on.

2- I had seen bug nets for off road vehicles but they are always going to be $60+ shipped so I never went for it. I also saw that amazing idea with the plastic gutter grate. But when I stumbled upon these on amazon for $20 shipped I went for it and could not be happier.

If I want extra cover for middle windows I just slide the precut reflector under the window sock.

3- Im still working on a good cover for the very back window.














Amazon link:

Amazon.com: TFY Universal Car Rear Side-Door Square-Window Sunshades - For vehicles with side windows 31.5'' - 47'' W x 23'' H (Large Window): Automotive

 

[calimobber]

Airing down tires and Filling them back up

Ive had a china pump superflow mv-50 for like 6 years and it has worked great but I was going on my big death valley trip and knew id be airing down and back up over and over and waned a good system.

I decided on the Viar 400p, Its insane fast, like 2min 20 sec for 15pst to 35psi and its only $215 shipped from amazon. only thing faster is the ARB dual compressor but its $500 and only saves you like 20-30sec a tire.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X9B32M?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

And for airing down, Ive fiddled with the pre set valve caps and all those silly tools. Problem is you have to get out a second time to remove them and pray they dont break and deflate the whole tire.

ARB tire deflator is the fastest thing around without modifying the valve stems. you just screw on, then unscrew the valve stem and let it air dow checking the pressure every so often. gets 35psi down to 18psi in maybe 40 seconds. A quick stop and your back on the road in less then 5min

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LQCDOA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

 

[4Runner8]

nice useful mods so far. Do you have a sweet sleeping set up that you're hiding from us or what? lol

 

[calimobber]

nice useful mods so far. Do you have a sweet sleeping set up that you're hiding from us or what? lol

haha nothing to special, ill try and get a few pictures next time im camping. I just have a teton camping cot I lay down first. Then I have a cheap colman cotton sleeping bag I lay on top of that. Then just lay my normal sleeping bag on top of that. I removed my back seats but pads so I can fully lay down in the back and not hit anything. then just my fridge in the back to grab the beer with out getting out of bed haha.

Amazon.com : TETON Sports Adventurer Camp Cot Pad (75" x 24" x 2", 4.25 lbs) : Camping Sleeping Pads : Sports & Outdoors

 

[calimobber]

Upgrading the Cellphone Booster

Ive had a awesome wilson 3g booster for the last few years and its worked awesome. Its a dock style and the phone needs to be placed in the dock to work.

I have some awesome friends out there and my buddy Kris surprised me with a new wilson 4g wireless booster for my birthday!!

http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electr...TF8&qid=1440981732&sr=8-3&keywords=4g+booster

So before the big death valley trip i did a quick install and eventually Ill clean it up a little but for now it works since I don't use the back seats.

I put everything in the same places as the 3g booster but since this one is wireless I ran the wire under the center console and tucked the antenna into the credit card holder. It works amazing, like it was made for it. I just need to unbolt the center console and run all the wires under the carpet eventually.

 

[calimobber]

Upgrading the Edgestar to an ARB

While the Edgestar has been great and never skipped a beat I have always been on the look out for a more efficient one and a skinnier body so Id have more roof in the back when sleeping. I really wanted the new Waeco cfx-50 since its dominated the latest fridge test but they dont sell them in the USA. just the 35qt and the 60qt

I got a great deal on a used model through Amazon. I paid $660 shipped i think. So at that price I figured Id give it a try. I knew I could always sell it to another forum member if I got my hands on a cfx-50 and liked it better.

So far its very efficient and works faster than edgestar. the side opening lid has some benefits and some draw backs. Also the temps greatly vary from the bottom of the fridge to the top section since the coils are all at the bottom(about 10f difference). I still have the edgestar and im not 100% if ill sell just yet since I like the idea of having a freezer and a fridge for some trips.

 

[Chromdome35]

Really nice build you have going on here, any updates on how the solar is working for you?

Also, how is the new cell booster? I'm thinking about getting one of those.

 

[calimobber]

Solar is working good, kinda the same are before when I had the 2 30w panels. Haven't done much longer camping, mostly driving each day so the alternator is doing most the work.


Im a little mixed on the booster, while I do love the wireless. Sometimes you need to be really close to the antenna still so I end up putting my head close to it or just using speakerphone/headphones and putting the phone on the center console.

With the dock style I can just move the phone anywhere I want by keeping the phone in the dock but you will have the wire hanging down.

 

[yinbjnu]

Thanks man, Idk about the rack yet but it will be a short one that doest cover the Sunroof. If I use it for lights I want them set back so I wont get reflection off the hood. Also I think im use a NMO mount for my Ham radio antenna and I want that in front of the rack but behind the sunroof.