RileySB's 2013 OR Build

Installed @mattgecko 's LED bed kit, in warm white. Not bad. Bought me a crimping/stripping tool which helped the process along. it's nice to be able to light up the bed now that it's getting dark earlier. Not sure why I waited so long to do this mod. I bought the hood kit which I'll finish tomorrow.
Trying to learn how to weld. Today was my third day of practicing laying beads. Working on a pad but can't seem to hold a straight line. Just aiming to practice good consistency. 6010 3/32" at 65 amps this is me doing little e's.

 

Finally got around to doing the rear diff relocation mod. Don't know why it took me so long! Took me all of 5 minutes to do it. It took me longer to gather the parts! Next up, relocate the spare tire hanger back an inch to fit the 285 underneath. Oh in other news, picked up a Hobart 140 to start some projects!

 

Went to Alabama Hills last week to do some winter climbing and camping. Got there on Monday as the tail end of the storm was passing through. There was snow on the ground near Gorman when we cut East using the 138. The wind was howling, gusts up to 65mph in Mojave. I knew the temps would be cold so I built myself a bed platform using 2x6s and a plank of plywood. It allowed my friend and I to sleep comfortably without being scrunched together. We were on REI base camp mats 2.5" thick, and still had 6" of bare plywood between us. Perfect spot for our dogs. Under the soft topper it was nice and cozy with my new Alps Mountaineering 0 degree bag. The softtopper did great against the wind! It was near 15 degrees that night outside. I'm the one with the yellow Goat on my helmetDog pile!

 

Fantastic pictures! Looks like a great time. Love the snow pic in the Eastern Sierras. December always has some great inclement weather for us. Isn't it great to have quality camping gear?

Thanks for sharing.

 

added a Prinsu Cabrac that I got in the most recent group buy. Excited to get it mounted to the truck! Now an organized place to put my Rotopax fuel cans, Maxtrax and recovery gear. Still working on my damn spare tire carrier...

 

Anxiously waiting for mine!!!! Should be a great option for recovery gear. Can't wait to see yours mounted.

 

Thanks me too!

 

More goodies came in the mail today.... Front Superbumps from Wheelers Off Road and some Mavcoat to protect against rust. And free candy! Thanks again to @YotaDan for all the help!

 

got the Wheeler's Superbump installed on the drivers side. I had an epic fail on the passenger side and broke the bolt. Now waiting for a bolt extractor kit from Amazon to show up.

 

I'd spray aero kroil on the broken bolt. I've seen it do some amazing things on some very hi torque applications. It's not cheap, but I've yet to see another penetrant come remotely close to working as well as it does.

 

oops.

 

just means another tool purchase (broken bolt remover) from Amazon

and being on the EDHU for 30 minutes to break Adrienne led to this purchase...https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/redline-tuning-25-off-hood-quicklift-systems-group-buy.422195/

 

Finally got the Prinsu Cabrac installed thanks to @bwonger and my buddy Jo. Definitely notice the wind noise at higher speeds. Oh well. Guess I'll just have to turn the radio up!
In other news, bought myself another tool to add to the collection (bolt extractor). However the kit didn't remove the sheared and stuck bolt. will have to be creative how to install my passenger side superbump.

And my Redline Tuning Struts showed up.
Mods after mods after mods. Sheesh.

To be completed:
1. Fender trim
2. Finish cab mount chop and weld in the plates
3. Mount rear superbumps onto non-drilled All Pro flip plates
4. Mount e-locker armor
5. Install Total Chaos LCA tabs
6. Oil change
7. Replace front diff gear oil.
8. Mount spare tire onto homemade welded bed carrier
9. Install Maxtrac pins onto Cabrac
10. Install Rotopax mount onto Cabrac
11. Wash and wax the truck and vacuum/polish the interior.

 

Hah I thought it was you (saw the recessed light bar) but could've sworn you had a front bumper. Thanks!

 

Got the e-locker armor installed finally. So easy, not sure why it took me a few months. Arrgh. Finishing up my bed bar/spare tire carrier that I fabbed from scratch. It's taken me over a month. Soon to be mounted, finally. Washed and waxed the truck for the first time since summer. Done with the "dirty for the drought" nonsense...my poor truck was neglected for a long time. Tomorrow hope to finish the spare tire carrier, finish some cab mount chopping, grease the driveshaft zerks and either get the Redline hood struts installed or get to working on welding together my TC cam tabs. Then change the oil and get an alignment. Sheesh...it never ends! Hoping to hit the dirt next week... perhaps Mammoth Lakes or Utah.

 

Damn you busy!!!!

I'm going to Alabama hills and Bishop this weekend

 

Have fun!

 

Finally finished my bed mounted spare tire carrier for my 285. Gave up on relocating the elevator under the bed. Used some N-Fab straps which I welded the mount to the frame I fabricated and welded together. Then there is a hinge at the top that allows it to move up and down freely in case I have stuff to put underneath it's fugly but I made it and designed it myself with some ideas from the TW forum. It's removable so that when I put my softopper on for long trips I can utilize the bed for my camping setup. It's just nice to have the tire back in/on the truck since I was driving around without a spare since I got new tires last year.

 

dude clean rig!

 

Dudette