Suggestions on next mod/gear purchase

S

SFL_driver

New member
My birthday is coming up on the 24th and my fiancé has been bugging me about something I'd want as a present. I don't want to have her spend more than $300.
So, any suggestions on what to have her get?

I'm currently stock - TEP. The only things I've purchased are Husky weatherbeaters and a D-ring hitch receiver.
I plan on doing some 3-4 day adventures to some of the eastern national/state parks.
I will eventually be getting a K-9 roof rack once I move up to NC over the summer. Because of this I'm considering having her get the Gobi ladder now in preparation for that.

All suggestions are welcome.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
SFL_driver said:
My birthday is coming up on the 24th and my fiancé has been bugging me about something I'd want as a present. I don't want to have her spend more than $300.
So, any suggestions on what to have her get?

I'm currently stock - TEP. The only things I've purchased are Husky weatherbeaters and a D-ring hitch receiver.
I plan on doing some 3-4 day adventures to some of the eastern national/state parks.
I will eventually be getting a K-9 roof rack once I move up to NC over the summer. Because of this I'm considering having her get the Gobi rack now in preparation for that.

All suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...

I assume you meant Gobi Ladder?

While that would be a good use of the funds I would recommend a couple things before that.

*A portable air compressor, if you plan to be off-road on true 4x4 trails airing down makes a world of difference. - Does not have to be a $600+ARB unit but I would not purchase a $39.99 Wal-Mart special.

*Traction matts, shovel, come-along, high lift or some other form of self recovery (its cheap insurance)

*Storage bin(s) for items kept in the 4runner.
 
Something for her

I would avoid buying the ladder before the rack. It's useless until you have the rack. It would be the bridge to nowhere.

What do you need to make your fiancé comfortable on these 3-4 day trips? A good tent? The air mattress idea from Dellero is a good one. I like my pair of extra large Thermorest self inflating pads from REI outdoor gear. Two of them make a nice mattress. The vinyl air mattresses tend to leak easily and then all you can do is replace them. A good double sleeping bag?

The air compressor is the best form of off-road gear. Viair makes a few good ones. I bought the Viair 400P automatic and replaced the coiled hose with a better one from the local tool supply. Don't buy a $40 air compressor. I've seen them and they aren't worth the box they come in. ARB makes a few for under $300.
Overland Journal: Air Compressor Test | Expedition Portal
VIAIR Corporation - 12-Volt & 24-Volt Air Compressors and Pneumatic Systems

Good luck. A happy wife is a good life.
 
What Engineer said. It'll be hard to find a vehicle mod for under $300 without knowing exactly what you have already.

SFL_driver said:
I'm currently stock - TEP. The only things I've purchased are Husky weatherbeaters and a D-ring hitch receiver.
Click to expand...
If the above statement is to be taken literally, if you plan on multi-day off-road excursions then you need tons of safety gear with higher priority than a ladder.

In addition to what [MENTION=96008]Engineer[/MENTION] said: Snatch strap, tow rope, tree saver (use these three with the hand winch), dirt anchor (if no trees around), at least two D-ring shackles to attach to your other four recovery points, axe (has saved me multiple times), 3-ft T-handle shovel, pickax/crowbar, basic automotive tool kit, tire patch kit, method for communication in areas without cell coverage.

Air Compressor: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BM8RT8...UTF8&colid=UMC0T1C8XM7H&coliid=I3D2EPI880A4QQ
This is on my Amazon Wish list and will be my next "off road" purchase. High volume and flow rate, dependable, relatively cheap, and directly comparable to "name brand" compressors at triple the cost.

Storage to contain the above items when bouncing around off road, or worse. If somebody or a deer pulls out in front of you, you don't want an axe flying toward the back of your head.
 
On the other hand, if you are talking about multi-day highway trips with the worst roads being maintained FS roads, then ignore the above. Get the ladder.

Or:
- Husky cargo liner
- Canvasback cargo liner
- Upgraded gas tank skid plate
 
All very good suggestions.
I particularly like the come-along (Wyeth-Scott), shovel, and maxtrax idea.
I've been doing a lot of reading on winch vs come-along. The winch would be nice but that requires a bumper and winch = $2000. I also don't intentionally get myself into too much trouble (mud holes, rock crawling, etc.), so I don't think I'd be doing many long pulls (famous last words...).

Also, I forgot to mention that I have an ARB orange snatch strap. One or two extra forged D-shackles wouldn't be a bad idea either.
 
I also have a good tent, air mattresses, cots and hammocks. So I'm all covered as far as sleep goes. I can't wait to get that roof rack and roof top tent though.
 
SFL_driver said:
I also have a good tent, air mattresses, cots and hammocks. So I'm all covered as far as sleep goes. I can't wait to get that roof rack and roof top tent though.
Click to expand...

two person sleeping bag from sierra trading post? its a solid buy just got one and plan on trying to get my girlfriend to go camping.
 
Frat_4runner said:
two person sleeping bag from sierra trading post? its a solid buy just got one and plan on trying to get my girlfriend to go camping.
Click to expand...


We both have our own quality sleeping bags. We're happy with that set up.

While we're on camping gear- I didn't think about a cooler/fridge. I know a lot of guys swear by the ARB units. Maybe at least a Yeti would be good.

But either way, I think I need to cover vehicle recovery before I start venturing into luxuries.
 
The first thing I put on were Shrockworks Rock Sliders with step plates. C4 Fabrication makes a nice set also. Why?

Aside from the off-road benefits, providing a step up into the vehicle, and better access to the roof... they also keep your rig from getting dinged up in parking lots. I train into Chicago 4 days a week and park in a commuters lot. My old vehicle had tons of door dings from ass hats who don't respect other people's things. Now they just dent the crap out of their own doors against my sliders. Already have a couple of love taps from unsuspecting victims. If they made these for cars, I would have done this years ago. :rockon:

BTW, I know these aren't $300. But you could have her contribute towards their purchase. You'd be part of the way there to having them on your rig.
 
Last edited:
SFL_driver said:
We both have our own quality sleeping bags. We're happy with that set up.

While we're on camping gear- I didn't think about a cooler/fridge. I know a lot of guys swear by the ARB units. Maybe at least a Yeti would be good.

But either way, I think I need to cover vehicle recovery before I start venturing into luxuries.
Click to expand...
not sure how necessary they'll be for national/state parks, but MAXTRAX and/or the ARB Recovery kit would be a nice addition to the kit.

the MV50 compressor linked above is a good value, and private-labeled as a Smittybilt and sold at a markup, if that says anything. the included hose is a piece of crap, though. at the very least you should buy the clip-on attachment which is available as an accessory. you'll go insane trying to work the provided hose as-is.

on the subject of coolers, i'd get a Pelican over a Yeti, personally. and preferable to both—though i don't (yet) have personal experience with them—i'd look into the RTic roto-molds too. it's about time someone started bringing these overpriced coolers down into the realm of rational, reasonable affordability. it's a frickin' plastic molded cooler, after all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 243 (members: 3, guests: 240)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top