Steve's 2016 TEP Modification and Adventure Travel Thread

[Ohio_Steve]

OK, now that I have my bad terminal connection sorted on Antman's Independent Fog Light Modification, I took another full sequence of photos. (Thanks for the excellent instructions, [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION]!)

As before, these were taken at 9 PM on my Nikon D750 in manual mode for consistent exposure. 24mm Lens, ISO was set at 640, 1/2 second exposure at f/4.0

This gravel drive works nicely, because it shows the height of the light output on the trees on the left, and the spread in the field on the right.

No Lights

DRL Only

Stock Fog Lights Only

Stock Low Beams Only

Stock Low Beams and Stock Fog Lights

Stock High Beams

Stock High Beams and Stock Fog Lights

Next up is swapping over to the [MENTION=89338]xenon[/MENTION] Depot HID Kit (using [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION]'s fine tutorial) and the Baja Design Squadron-R Pro Amber Fog Lights from [MENTION=120150]TotalAutomotiveLV[/MENTION] Then I'll add those photos to the sequence.

 

[Knight-Errant]

Wow the tires make a big difference in terms of appearance! Looks great!

How difficult is it to install the new emblems?

I really like your outback. In my opinion that was the best looking outback/legacy model. I thought it was pretty sleek and athletic; I wish they could bring back that look!

Edit: Ah, i see that the emblems are an overlay. Very interesting....I may have to pick up a set, I really like this.

 

[Knight-Errant]

I see you're thinking about a Yeti 50. I just ordered an RTIC 45 in the tan color. I have heard really good things about RTIC and they're 1/2 the price.

Just counting the days until it ships... When I finally get it I can let you know my thoughts on the RTIC if you're interested, but you might just have your heart set on a YETI )

 

[Ohio_Steve]

I see you're thinking about a Yeti 50.

I didn't care about brand name, but I didn't want to wait five months for a RTIC (which is what it was when I started to order a couple months ago.) I got the Yeti in March with the REI20% off member coupon and my dividends. Still expensive, but it didn't hurt quite as much.

 

[Knight-Errant]

I didn't care about brand name, but I didn't want to wait five months for a RTIC (which is what it was when I started to order a couple months ago.) I got the Yeti in March with the REI20% off member coupon and my dividends. Still expensive, but it didn't hurt quite as much.

Nice! Yes RTIC told me it would ship out before June 30 when I placed my order order, or roughly up to a 2 month wait....I would have gone with YETI too if RTIC told me 5 months!

 

[Ohio_Steve]

I'm not sure I like the Thule Hull-a-Port Pro that far out, but it's needed if I'm squeezing the extended Yakima LoadWarrior between them. The Outback used two separate rack configurations.

I'll try the basket up there tomorrow when Deb is here to help. We gotta pick up a Costco 3-step folding stool!!

I'm still not sure which mount I'm going to use for the awning. The side of the basket is perfect, but awfully high, and can't be used when a kayak is mounted. The RhinoRack Foxwing awning mount clamped under the passenger side kayak racks will probably be better, but then I won't be using those gorgeous and expensive FourTreks mounts. I'll just fiddle and see what works and what doesn't.

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Thule Crossroads 450 with 58" square bars, two Thule Hull-a-Port Pro kayak racks, and a Yakima LoadWarrior with 18" extension on my new Toyota 4Runner Trail Premium. I haven't quite figured out where to mount the ARB 2500 awning yet.

 

[Cymon]

Nice! Looks like That setup will give you a nice "lift"! lane:

:bravo:

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Nice! Looks like That setup will give you a nice "lift"! lane:

:bravo:

I'm gonna need a step stool just to put my kayak up there, or get to anything in the basket, as I'm only 5' 8"...

 

[Cymon]

I'm gonna need a step stool just to put my kayak up there, or get to anything in the basket, as I'm only 5' 8"...

It will be perfect once those sliders come in. They have a nice high-up against the rocker panel step! You'll gain a good 2-3 inches over running boards.

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Well, that's really disappointing! I took it out on the highway after I posted the photos, and it thrums horribly! I can feel it through the whole vehicle, and feeling the headliner, it noticeably shakes.

I had this happen when I mounted the basket/fairing/LED bar on my Outback, but the basket was way up in front of the sunroof. Moving it back 4" completely eliminated the problem.

But with the 4Runner, the basket is already as far back as it can go, starting behind the sunroof. It might be the folded kayak racks. I'll try it again with them upright, and then take them off and see if that helps. Or try moving everything forward a bit.

I've got a lot invested in these racks, and would hate to have to go a different route now...

 

[Cymon]

Well, that's really disappointing! I took it out on the highway after I posted the photos, and it thrums horribly! I can feel it through the whole vehicle, and feeling the headliner, it noticeably shakes.

I had this happen when I mounted the basket/fairing/LED bar on my Outback, but the basket was way up in front of the sunroof. Moving it back 4" completely eliminated the problem.

But with the 4Runner, the basket is already as far back as it can go, starting behind the sunroof. It might be the folded kayak racks. I'll try it again with them uptight, and then take them off and see if that helps. Or try moving everything forward a bit.

I've got a lot invested in these racks, and would hate to have to go a different route now...

My guess is that it is the kayak racks out of the framework of the car and not under load. Hopefully it works with them upright.

 

[clin9383]

Nice setup! I'll be following on how you mount the ARB awning as that's the same route I want to go and possibly adding a storage box uptop. Great looking truck!

 

[Ohio_Steve]

I installed the [MENTION=87816]Baja Designs[/MENTION] Squadron-R Pro amber wide fog light kit today. I got them through the [MENTION=120150]TotalAutomotiveLV[/MENTION] group buy. Thanks guys, these things are crazy bright!!! I'll adjust them when it gets darker. I should have marked the height of the OEM fogs on cardboard to know how low to adjust them...

Here they are with the stock high beams, [MENTION=12905]XenonDepot[/MENTION] HID low beam kit, and the OPT7 32" LED light bar on the Yakima LoadWarrior.

 

[4RunnerFanatic]

So too bright for street use? Or if aimed correctly they will be fine? Trying to figure out if I should go sports or pros? Also do you have some beam pattern shot at the location you took photos before?

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

 

[markuspreppus]

I installed the Nox Lux Blackout kit, and Salex console organizer.

Lots more to come!

This may be blasphemous but I have ordered the Nox Lux blackout kit as well but I am wondering if anyone who has them on their rides have taken the vehicles through an automatic car wash. Wondering if the adhesive is strong enough to hold them on? The old 'wash it yourself' type car washes are certainly becoming fewer and far between in the area where I live now. I live in an apartment complex right now as well so I can't hand wash the vehicle here either.

Markus

 

[Ohio_Steve]

I am wondering if anyone who has them on their rides have taken the vehicles through an automatic car wash.

I forgot about them, and went through the Laser Wash, and they were fine. I won't be doing that any more, though, as I now have my racks/basket mounted.

 

[Ohio_Steve]

So too bright for street use? Or if aimed correctly they will be fine? Trying to figure out if I should go sports or pros? Also do you have some beam pattern shot at the location you took photos before?

I don't think I have them low enough, yet. Or the trees are lit by light bouncing off of the drive. Here's what they look like:

Compared to the stock fog lights (same exposure, just later in the evening)

I definitely wouldn't drive in traffic like that!

 

[Ohio_Steve]

And here's the [MENTION=12905]XenonDepot[/MENTION] HID kit (Philips 4300k) low beams

Compared to the stock low beams (same exposure, just later in the evening)

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Here's the whole new sequence. All photos shot at 24mm, ISO 640, 1/2 second. f/4.0, manual focus, auto white balance.

DRLs Only

Xenon Depot HID kit (Philips 4300k) Low Beams

Xenon Depot Lows Beams and stock High Beams

Baja Design Squadron-R Pro Amber Wide Cornering Fog Light Kit Only

Xenon Depot HID Low Beams and Baja Design Fog Lights

Xenon Depot HID Low Beams, Stock High Beams, and Baja Design Fog Lights

OPT7 32” C2 Series LED Light Bar (Flood/Spot) on Roof Rack

Baja Design Fog Lights and OPT7 Light Bar

Xenon Depot HID Low Beams, Stock High Beams, Baja Design Fog Lights, and OPT7 Light Bar