skygear's 2005 Desert Sand 4x4 DCSB

one new frame on order for my truck!

 

It still amazes me that they can do that. Let us know how much the price would be if it wasn't warranty work, curious what the dealer charges to do a whole truck build.

 

That is amazing that you can get a new frame...Hope your electrical routing is out of the way for them to remove the body... I have shit routed all over my frame from Rock Lights, tailgate actuators, rear lights, etc. Zip tie extravaganza.

 

^^^^^^Awesome!!!

 

^^ glad to see someone else with good camping lights! I swear the left right and rear lights I have get used more than any of my forward facing ones.
And happy to hear you're getting a new frame man!

 

I am excited to get the frame done. Now is the time I need to make everything easily removable. The rest of the mods will just get stockpiled until the frame is done.

Going to focus on all the wiring again. Taking it all out of the frame, adding removable connectors.

Would be nice if I had a projected ETA.

 

Some goodies I have in transit or are in house waiting for the frame.

Factor 55 Flatlink E
Cab Mount Relocation Bracket

 

Mike @ Factor 55 - Great company to deal with! - See, on the nots of stickers and such. If it is meant to be on the item, it should BE THERE. Not a sticker, but part of the actual item. Very happy. Mil Spec Black Anodizing would be the only change I would make. That is just to fit my color scheme on the truck though. No real benefit to it.

 

I need to step my install photo game up after seeing all yours!

 

My photo's are all with smart phones and I am not the best at taking pics of what I am doing or the in progress aspect of it. It is normally just me doing everything and it can be overwhelming at times. I get focused and just do it.

 

reference http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...removal-installation-e-locker-3rd-member.html

 

Need to make my ring a little thinner. Got to bang it with the bfh

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv76KvFV748

 

Skygear,

After seeing your pics with all your side lights I was wondering. You seem to be a person who prefers function over just looks. Curious as to the applicability of having the side Rigids which only perform lighting of area behind your forward driving vantage.

I can see that they would be nice for camping if not a little on the overkill side, but what is your desired purpose for them in the grand scheme of things? I would think the primary focus of lighting would be for driving and the immediate peripheral of where you are headed. I'm trying to use the mindset that the main frontal lights are the key focus and possibly some 45 degree lights for the angles in front for blind turns, but what are you getting from the side/rear lights for your purpose?

I'm not slamming...just trying to tap into your thought process...

 

Ok so , the way most if not all lights work is this. Directly in front of the lights will be blinding. Anything close up will not be legible or able to be seen easily.

If the lights beam pattern (<- really important term here) was more directional as in straight forward, then the current position would only benefit the people in the rear or as mentioned the camp lighting.

The Beam patterns of the SR2 Driving are a 'flatter' beam and cover a wide area. With the current position, I am able to see things in the foreground and at greater distances.

I have mentioned before, there are plans for more lighting. Will have some caddy cornered lighting on the racks and some other things.

When you are shopping for lights. Don't forget to weigh the pros and cons of the various options. Beam pattern is as important, if not more than the Lumens/ watts.

As an example, some of the pods can be mounted at a slight angle, and still cover some foreword and side illumination depending on the beam pattern/ optics. Like a lens in a camera.



Field of view / beam pattern is almost 75º or better on my SR2 Driving pattern



I'll play around within the next few weeks with some video and pics of the light from drivers field of view for better visual explanation.

 

End game for the setup will Be for a ful 360º lighting platform used for overland, camping, hunting, and a little S&R. Some already have secured themselves to the rear and used it as a filming platform. For this purpose, I am not the only person in the vehicle. Everyone else would be, by default, spotters at that point if driving around in the dark looking in all directions. Long distance lighting is where this is going. For the second set of 20" on the sides, it will be combos (Hyperspot/Driving)

I will attempt a photoshop of my wanted lights on the truck. I do not just have the driver in mind. It is everyone else that is along for the trip too.

Think of this. When you were a kid. Where was your focus when being driven around in the vehicles you were in? Heres the answer, everywhere else but the windows in the front, i.e.: the side windows. I have 4 children and they are the main reason for the build. So we can get out and do things as a family in a capable vehicle while learning about everything involved. From the smallest bolt to the biggest wire. They all have had a hand in this build.

 

Heres the first Mockup.

This is Rigid Industries LED Lighting - 7 in total on the front.

Currently on the front

• E2 40" Combo

Additionally mocked up

• 3x SR2 10" Driving Amber under the FrontRunner Slimline II Rack ( Dual Purpose Replacing windscreen ) in a \__/ pattern.
• E2 28" Combo behind the grill ( would most likely cut out for maximum light emission )
• 2x SR2 6" Driving Amber in the ARB Deluxe Bull Bar on either side of the license plate (Would need custom brackets and need to be recessed, might need Hyperspot)