AlumEscape Expo Build

Thanks!

 

Loving my @Baja Designs S2 LED's in my @allpro bumper! Camera settings were the same for both shots so you get the idea of the light thrown when firing down from the bumper.

 

Here's a look at some red LEDs from Overland Bound https://instagram.com/p/8W_5ohOhmQ/

 

Nice Build

 

Sweet setup for sure, I got them in the mail earlier this week but still haven't been able to install them with the lousy weather. Looks like it'll be a little nicer tomorrow but I think I'll be doing a transmission flush and extra cooler install since it's about due. Last trip in the mountains had the scangauge saying a few ticks over 200* with the trailer and bike on the back.

The reading I've been doing says that on rare occasions the in-radiator trans cooler can fail leading to the dreaded pink milkshake and destroying the trans. I think while I'm in there I'll just bypass this and the factory auxiliary cooler and just run the B&M 70264 for the trans and see how it goes. If the temps stay in check with a geared up trip maybe I'll save the current auxiliary cooler and use it for a power steering cooler?

 

Thanks dude, nice choice on the DCLB by the way

 

Well I finally got a good weekend's worth of overdue work done on the rig. I've been meaning to do the transmission fluid for a couple of months now based on towing and mileage so I shifted it to the top of the to-do list while the weather is still nice for wrenching. The process is straight forward enough using the tech write-ups others have provided so nothing to report there. I did elect to install a larger cooler (B&M 70264) during the process and disconnected the factory tow package cooler and the radiator pass through to avoid any future failure points. With the grille pulled and the skid plate removed the job was pretty easy.




I really didn't have a mounting plan until the grille was off and I started holding things up. I knew I wanted the cooler to get more airflow than the factory tow package cooler which is tucked down below the bumper a bit but I also needed to consider the Warn contactor box and my rather large LED's. Started with some scraps of 1/2” x 1/8” steel angle and some stainless hardware. I braced to the center of the core support as well so everything is locked in nicely.




Old fluid, not terrible but due for sure.




Just about done, did about 9qts and things were looking pretty clean. The bottom rag was what came from the overflow plug after bringing the transmission to temperature and it's nice and red!




The next job was finally finishing up my bed storage by getting some coating on it. I elected to go with Monstaliner because I wanted something that has some light texture to it that will hopefully be a bit sturdier than plain old paint. After quite a bit of disassembly and prepping I started by using some Rustoleum ultra cover black paint on areas where extra thickness would cause interference including the drawer slider and roller areas.




After that paint set I taped in preparation for the two-part liner material and started rolling.






Tape pulled – worked perfect!




Also hit the underside of my access hatched with the Rustoleum black.




Reassembly time!













Pretty happy with the final product but time will tell how the finish holds up. I'm still going to put some interlocking foam back on top for extra protection and to keep cargo from sliding around but I ran out of steam haha.

I'm hoping to work on my awning lights (finally) again tomorrow and get the red LED's all setup and tested. Stay tuned!

 

Sorta made progress on the awning lights and got the red strip installed but I thought they ended up a little weak for what I'm looking for. For reference, the night photos were shot at the same settings.





I ended up adding a second strip but haven't been able to take a night shot yet.




I'm still thinking I need to add a set of LED strips on the outside extrusion but need to come up with a clean way of running the wiring!

 

Is the switch wired to run white/off/red? Cuz damn you got me thinking now lol

My plan to get to the outside extrusion is to add a quick connect to the end of the led strip on both extrusions. Then simply have a bridge wire like @JLink was saying. I figure the strip on the truck side could be a sort of mood lighting and if needed to eat dinner or play a card game at night take out the the bridge wire (both ends fitted with quick connects), setup awning but before you velcro the canvas just spiral the wire from one end to the other. it would be clean and functional, just not permanently set.

 

They are indeed wired that way! I refit a SPDT toggle switch on the hot side so I can toggle between white/off/red. Worked great since I only have a pair of wires running out of the topper into the awning bag right now.

I'm thinking along the same lines as you though for the outer extrusion, I'm just stuck right now on what I want to use as connectors on each end. I did hunt down a nice small gauge coiled wire to use so I'm getting closer though haha.

It's meant to be used as a cable for a microphone I think but because the amp draw is so low it'll work just fine. Bonus is it is a two conductor cable with a separate un-jacketed bonding wire. I should be able to use this un-jacketed wire as the common ground for the red and white strips in the outer extrusion and that'll leave two jacketed conductors to use for the hots for each individual circuit.

That's the plan anyway...

 

Im going to use these

CES 14 GAUGE 2 PIN QUICK DISCONNECT HARNESS

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XRPZTGU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

 

I used weather pack connectors because I had them. The duetsch plugs would be nice too because they are a bit lower profile than the weather packs.


Awesome job on the bed drawer system and etc. that's ALOT of skateboard wheel bearings lol.

 

Looks awesome! Couple quick questions for you, where did you get all the bearings from and where did you pick up the Monsterliner? Thanks.

 

Should work great and will be super clean when installed @Chux. I need a three conductor plug though since I'll need a hot for the red, a hot for the white and a common ground for each. I just ordered a few more parts today that should do the trick but I'll have to tinker with them a bit when they are delivered.

I've used the weatherpacks a few times and they work well but I'm looking more for a solid mount plug or jack on each extrusion rather than a set of loose pigtails. I am a big fan of the duetsch plugs because of their low profile but I only have two-pin ones in the shop right now.

And you're right, that is a lot of bearings. It's 48 in total... Let's just say disassembly and reassembly took a while haha.

 

Nice work on truck and trailer!!

 

Thanks bud! I picked up

608-2RS Skateboard Bearing, 8x22x7, Sealed (Pack of 100)

100 bearings through amazon here which have worked really well. They are sized just right to go on 5/16" bolts and with the 48 total I'm using I can sit in the drawer and it moves freely without any issue or sag. Placement is key here of course along with how much is still engaged on the rollers and slides at full extension. I think mine is around 16" at full extension if I recall correctly.

I picked up the Monstaliner directly from them through their website. Look around for coupon codes if you are going to order, I ended up scoring a free can of their chassis saver paint and free shipping with my order. They will also provide sample chips for you and provide a lot of color options. I ended up only using one gallon of black on the bed setup so I've got an extra gallon for future projects. I also picked up a gallon of light gray for my trailer but I don't think I'll get around to doing it this year because of the temperature requirements. The product is pretty user-friendly just be aware that the working time before it firms up can be pretty quick depending on temperature and humidity.

 

Very nice build up.

 

Thanks guys!

 

Managed to get some work done the last few days with the warm weather - main goal was to get the awning lights wrapped up before the next camping trip in early November. I ended up picking up some decent 3-pin 90* plugs and sockets through MCM Electronics that fit my original plan so I could install both red and white LED's in the far extrusion. They are actually meant for microphones or similar which work fine for the low draw LED's.



I made up the cable using a coiled wire also designed for microphones. Quite pleased once everything was soldered and sealed.


Jacks are installed in the plastic endcap of each extrusion so the cord can be completely removed so it's not dangling around when the lights aren't needed.


Cables plugged on each end along with the wiring and strips. Lots of wires and little space!





Camera settings were all the same for output comparison. The reds throw just enough light that you can easily work or cook under the awning after dark - perfect!




Also picked up a Pelican knock-off from MCM since they were a pretty decent discount. This one is the 18" one and was $25.00. Quality is nice but the latches and fake equalizing vent are a little cheaper than my real Pelicans but I hated the idea of buying a $75 case to drill holes in the bottom!





Case will be home for dirty recovery straps and such and for easy access rather than digging through the drawer in the bed.