Shmellmopwho DCLB EXPO BUILD

My first experience with a DSLR was for a Senior year high school project. A professional photographer friend of mine let me borrow his 40D with a canon 100-400mm lens. Did surf photography this was one of my favorite pictures i took with that camera.


Dude sick truck. Just scrolled through all your pages. Pretty awesome to be able to go on long camping trips straight outta your truck. One day might ship mine over from this rock for a long trip. 2000-2500$ round trip to ship from hawaii. In truth I'm thinking a long enough trip will pay for itself in lodging and car rental cost. Plus the ability to go anywhere and do anything. (reasonably haha)

Super awesome how you fabbed your own gear. Did you by any chance take pictures while you were cutting your fender flares? Those came out so clean.

Totally agree about the ICON AALs i was going up this little section that will teeter totter you on right rear and front left tires and my right rear tire was rubbing with 265s since i had 2 friends in the back. about 375lbs. Made 265s rub haha. Ill look into upgrading to dakars based on your review. Was thinking about the all pros but weight capacity is more important than a little extra comfort.

Oh and congrats on the baby. When she's older throw some pics of her in snow gear. I absolutely love the little 2-5 year old kids up on the mountain that look like colorful little michelin men haha. Cracks me up.

 

Wow man that's an awesome picture! I love water pictures whether it's rivers, lakes, or ocean. I really do enjoy my 40D. Just gotta get out and use it more!

Thanks man. The camping trips have been so great. Got my wife camping for the first time exactly a year ago last weekend and she absolutely loves it so it's really great for me. We'll definitely be able to take our kids camping and have a ton of fun! That would be way cool if you came over and did a big trip. Definitely lots of cool stuff and beautiful country to explore!

Thanks man it's been way fun and I've saved myself a lot of money by fabbing my own armor.
Dude unfortunately I didn't take pictures of the steps for cutting my fenders, I do however have the steps that I took to do them.

Somebody recently asked me about it and this is what I told them

1. Remove plastic splash guards inside of fenders
2. Remove plastic fenders
3. Make sure to put low tack painters tape from the bottom edge of the plastic fender to 3 or 4 inches up.

4. Use a cheap drawing compass, adjust the compass to 2.5 inches, take one end and run it along the bottom part of the plastic fender while the lead end marks the line to cut all the way along the plastic fender.

5. I used a dremel with a small cutoff wheel to cut the line on the plastic fender.

6. Use low tack painters tape to tape the sheet metal fender from the bottom of the fender to 3 or 4 inches up.

7. Use the drawing compass and repeat the same steps on the sheet metal as you did on the plastic fender.

8. On the bottom right side, middle, and bottom left of the sheet metal part of the fender I scored the line with a grinder so that I could bend back little tabs so that I could screw or bolt in new plastic sheeting for splash guards. It's optional for you if you'd like.

9. Cut out sheet metal line with a grinder.

10. I bought plastic car door edge trim to put on the plastic fenders to make them look nice.

11. Put back on the plastic fenders (I broke a lot of the clips so I used zip ties)

I don't think I left anything out. But just in case I left anything out you can totally refer to Slimwood Shady's 09 Access Single Cab Build starting on page 39. Let me know if that helps.


As far as the Dakars. I really think that they're the best way to go. My 2 week camping trip through the Midwest, I had 400-500 lbs in the bed at all times even on trails and they held up great! They're great leaf springs!

Thank you very much for all the kind words. We're very excited for the baby to come. I will definitely do so haha. She'll be learning how to snowboard early on so we'll definitely get some colorful mini Michelin man shots!

 

Sounds pretty DIY friendly. When you cut the plastic does it come out pretty clean close up or is it really a noticeable difference from the paint color. Cant tell on yours since its white. Maybe need to touch it up? Or no?

 

It is definitely pretty DIY friendly. I took a piece of sand paper and sanded the edges a little to smooth things out. Then when it was done I put the plastic door trim on and you can't even tell. It looks stock. The paint on the plastic fender and the body should match perfectly so you should be all good. And once you put the plastic piece back on you won't be able to see the sheet metal fender anyways.

 

Got a little more progress done on my sliders this morning. Both sides came out looking pretty darn even in my opinion.

 

Those sliders are looking good and thanks for the lay out of how to trim your fenders.

 

Thanks bro! And of course, are you planning on trimming your fenders soon?

 

Ya I am. I am a little tired of some of the rubbing I get at stuff and prep for 35's in the future.

 

Yeah man I hear ya. Have you done your cab mount chop yet? Trimming the fenders definitely helps with clearance and also makes the truck look more aggressive without having to get fiberglass fenders.

 

Awesome! I can't wait to see them on your truck!

 

Thanks man! I'm stoked they're coming out pretty decent looking. And dude I trolled around on your build a little and your truck is looking siiiick! The glass bedsides, new tires, and new light bar!!! Looking really good man!! And those light bar brackets you made look really awesome!!! Good work

 

Lol thanks man! Yeah it's a work in progress. Yesterday was my trucks one year anniversary.

 

Ya I did that not long after i put the lift on the truck. It would also help if I got a good alignment done on the truck. haha. ya i would have to say the cut fenders make the truck look a lot better.

 

That's awesome dude congrats!! So fun working on our toys!

 

Yeah same here. My tires were rubbing pretty good without the cmc. Sweet man definitely looking forward to seeing your cut fenders

 

Made a little more progress on my sliders today. Added a little spiderweb in the corner for fun haha.

 

That looks really good man.

 

Thanks dude! I'm hoping to get these things finished soon!!

 

Just ordered a Blue Sea fuse block and a 100 amp circuit breaker. Gotta clean up all my wires under the hood. Sick of the rats nest. Install coming soon. And my buddy Lee is awesome and just ordered me a Cobra 29 LX cb radio.

 

Sounds like you have a busy time ahead of you?