Scoutpilot's 2010 DCLB thread

Up until last month I didn't have any cool stuff on my truck and figured it didn't really warrant a build thread. Now that I've got some mods underway, it's time. Here we go...

Here she is in stock config...


First mod was pretty minor...just an ammo can painted as a first aid kit.

Don't have a picture of it, but I lined the inside with velcro and put velcro strips on all the contents so as to keep it organized. Also allows me to keep stuff on the underside of the lid, such as scissors and a tourniquet.

Next up was a lift. I went with the Old Man Emu kit, 886x coils in the front, Dakars in the back. This was first suspension work I'd ever done, and it was very rewarding. Glad I listened to all the TW folks who told me to do it myself. The local do-it-yourself auto garage was a life-saver...heated workspace, hydraulic lift, and air tools.



Out with the old...


Huge difference between old and new...


In with the new...


After finishing the lift, I went straight into installing an ARB bumper with a Warn VR8000 winch. Big thanks to Ben at XpeditionReady for setting me up with it...great prices and customer service. Overall pretty easy to install, especially with a buddy helping.

Finished just in time for the snow...well, almost finished...didn't quite get the lights wired yet.





I initially got about 3 1/2 inches out of the lift, but I haven't measured it since right after installing it. I'm guessing it has settled down a little, which is fine. Definitely love this lift and bumper combination.

I got bored this afternoon and made a bed rack out of PVC pipe. Not exactly sure what I'm going to mount on it or how. I'm thinking it needs one more cross beam toward the back of the bed...seems a little short right now. Definitely needs a coat of paint to protect from UV rays. We'll see how it shapes up in the next week.



Figured that since I built the rack, I should at least put something on it, so I bungied a shovel on.


Hoping to get some new A/T tires to go with the lift soon. Looking at Cooper AT3s, which seem to have great reviews. Planning on a trip out to Colorado this summer to drive the trails around Silverton and Ouray, and put all these mods to good use.

 

Almost forgot...just put in a

$90 Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio

Midland 75-822 handheld CB to replace the Cobra 29 I had before. Liked the Cobra but it was large and bulky and got in the way of the wife's legs in the passenger area. The Midland is small and portable.

 

Got new Cooper AT3s on this weekend, love'em so far. Pretty quiet and not a bad ride at all.




Also snapped some photos of the cb radio and the first aid kit I mentioned earlier...

 

Plasti-dipped the wheels this weekend, very pleased with the results. I used about three cans between the four wheels, just spraying a coat, letting it dry, spraying another coat, letting that dry, and so on until the three cans were empty. Should be a pretty thick coat and hopefully will last.

Halfway there...good comparison of my highway tires (non-painted rim) and my new all-terrains on the painted rim.

 

I'm gonna have to copy your ammo can to first aid kit mod. I like it and I have 2 cans just sitting in the shed.

 

nice build , any updates on the build