TacoSTIG: PNW MT Build

Its always fun when contractors screw up...which happens more than it should.

Not that I dont mess up. Other day qualifying for a job. Mechanic and I were torquing something to 9-13in-lbs plus running torque. Both of us watching torque wrench. Mechanic goes running torque of 5. So we need to go 14-18in-lbs. So mechanic goes to 13in-lbs and calls it out good. I agree with him. Stop is called and first question to us is what is 9+5. Nothing like messing up basic math in front of 20 people watching you!

 

That's funny

 

Looks so good! I have this exact setup and love it. The light bar blends into the roof rack so well. If you find any covers let me know! I know they come with amber plastic pieces you can put on but I haven't done that.

 

Your truck actually helped seal the deal on this lightbar, so thanks! I was considering adding the amber gel but want to get it wired up and see it without before I change anything.

I forgot that I actually have a few of those kicking around that I bought for the bumper bar. I'll give them a go tonight, although I may have come up with an easier and cheaper solution. But now I want to rig a linear actuator to it...

 

Although I'm behind on my to do list I had to remind myself why I'm building the truck in the first place. So, the lady, pup and I went out for a quick day trip to Silver Peak.

 

Is that on the way up to the campsite you always go to? Looks like such a good time, i need to replace my u joints so I can get out again...

 

Actually, it's the first time I've been to this spot. But I've hiked through the area last year and decided to see where a few of the old logging roads went. Nothing crazy, just lots of gravel, the usual washboard, and a few irrigation berms to articulate over. I don't think I'd camp here, too many trail heads around that attract a few too many folks.
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.4017127,-121.4733257,1310a,20y,158.24h,79.97t/data=!3m1!1e3

Get those ujoints fixed asap! The snow is almost gone, the trails are calling.

 

Dude, your progress is coming along really well! Truck looks badass! One thing that sticks out to keep an eye on is that quick connect air hose fitting and line straight off the compressor. That thing gets SUPER hot and you may have issues with that part being plastic there.

Nice job on the switch pro mounting location! Looks clean.

 

Thanks Nate, I had held off updating the thread for a bit and just recently got caught up. A little bit of sunshine up here sure gets things rolling, especially when you've got a garage full of gear that's been waiting to go on for almost a year.

That's a good note about the plastic line. Being that you mentioned it I'd much rather make a steel braided replacement than worry about the plastic line busting in the middle of a trip. You likely just saved me a huge headache on that one.

The switch pro location worked out better than I expected, your in dash air pressure gauge came to mind as I was filing away. If and when the day comes that I drop for a crawlbox I'll be following your lead on that one.

 

Great build.
I just ordered a rack for my access cab. You have faced my biggest fears about the install. The dreaded Plusnuts. I asked Zach for some extras after reading what happened to you. Knowing how hard to torque them down is the problem. I am going to remove the headliner when I do mine. That should help. Did you need new clips for the weatherstripping? How hard was that to reinstall?

 

Thanks man, you'll be set removing the headliner first as you can keep an eye on the plusnuts while they're being compressed. Even with it out I did manage to mess another up so it was a good call to get a few spares. Regarding the weather stripping, it's almost too easy. You don't need anything new, it comes off way easier than you'd expect, and goes back in just as simple. There are two attachments points, one in the front (IIRC few inches from the windshield) and the other in the back located just before it goes vertical down the back of the cab. The back section of mine also had a small piece of double sided tape on it which I didn't find necessary to put back on. All I did was grab the front with my fingers and gave it a little upward tug and it came right off. All said and done, I love this rack, and I'm glad my install didn't turn you away. Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.

 

Thanks, seeing the rack on a blue truck makes me want to get installed ASAP. You put silicone on when you installed the plusnuts, correct? Then did you put more on like the directions said when you installed the rack? What I'm getting at is, how hard was it to install the weatherstripping, put on the silicone, spacers and rack, before the silicone starts to set up without making a mess? Did you put on the silicone before or after the weatherstripping? Sorry about all the questions, I like to know what I'm doing before I do it. I'll take advantage of your expertise. You had the best pictures of the install, exactly what I needed.

 

Truck is looking great. So how did it feel offroad?
Did you air down dem big tares?

Beautiful Golden Retreiver also mang.

 

I wish I took more photos but it was GO TIME when the sealant came out. I used RTV vs silicone, mostly because it's what I had on hand. I can't speak for set times for silicone but RTV gave me plenty.

Quick rundown of what I did after the holes were drilled:
-Apply sealant around the underside of the plusnut head all the way around. Just enough to fill that 90 degree into a gooberish 45.

-Jam it through the drilled hole in the channel. Compress with the tool etc... rinse and repeat. I wouldn't work in a wave on this part, just do one at a time start to finish.

Final mounting/sealing phase:
With your cut weather stripping ready, assembled rack, aluminum spacers, and pre-assembled bolt/washer/lockwashers on hand you're ready for the final sealant.
-I used a large marble sized drop of RTV on the top of each plus nut.
-Then placed my weather stripping back into place. Not much RTV will touch it.
-Now twist the aluminum spacers into the weather stripping to ensure they go in smooth and the base is fully adhered with the sealant.
-Place the rack on top, it doesn't need to be lined up perfect at this point.
-Grab a rag! (this will be used to catch rogue sealant that WILL drip through the plusnut as the screws push it through.)
-Start threading in your assembled bolts with washers into the plusnuts. (again... don't forget about the sealant that will drip into your interior)
-Once you have loosely threaded all 12, make sure the rack is where you want it and then get to tightening it down.
-Remember, this isn't a suspension component, don't crank them down too tight. Nice and snug is the key here. Watch the gap between the rack and the spacer, once it's flush you're good.

That's at least how I did it, and it's been working so far. I left the interior out to monitor how it does in the rain and so far it has held up strong. It's pretty straight forward once you're doing it, hope this helps ya.

 

Thanks, that's great I'll do it the same way. The wife will be in the truck to catch the silicone that comes through.

 

The dialog went like this...

Me: It's too nice out to wrench away another weekend. Lets hit the trail!
Truck: You know I'm not ready, right?
Me: Come on, you have all this cool shit now...
Truck: Do you even listen, bro?
Me: How bad could it be? I've given you fancy ass Fox DSC's and resi rears, expos, king 700's, MTR's...
Truck: Don't say I didn't warn you....

:On the trail:

Me: ....myyy...teeeth...are...shattering
Truck: how ya like those 700's and Expos nowww?!! #EEEAAAFFF brooooo!
Me: I'm sorrrrryyyyyy!!!!

So, yeah... it was nothing short of pretty darn horrendous.
Big mixture of issues, but mostly due to being underweight. I didn't pack much if anything being a day trip and I still need to install the compressor / dual batteries / and skids. These together will help a ton, not being able to air down was also a big issue out there. The tares were practically rocks themselves, mixed with stiff ass springs, I didn't expect any less. But! it was great to get out there, just went slow and steady as I do. In a way it was a nice benchmark, it'll only get better from here.

Plus the pup got to enjoy playing in some of the last snow of the season, he's like a crack addict in the stuff. If anything it was worth it for that alone.

 

Sucks you couldn't air down. Im so glad i built that co2 tank.

Im picking up aome Eibach 3.14.650s for when I add the weight. I think ill be ok woth those and the stiffer valving

 

700# are still that bad with your weight? I might not get mine installed yet then

 

@scottalot