*RIP* Bijan's #EXPOASF Long Travel Build

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-9inch-1...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

These are them. Super bright and I've had no issues since I've had them. They're plenty bright for the cost!

 

Ive had those in my cart for awhile now but have hesitated because i havent herd of anyone running them. Cant justify the price on the arbs. But love the look! Ill give then a shot. Thanks for the feedback!

 

Yeah anytime! They do great. and even come with the covers which is very nice.

 

I did, Yakima Skybox 21 for $300!! It goes brand new on Amazon for like $650

 

Great build thread!! Already subbed to your channel

 

Thank you!!

 

Subbed here to BTW

 

Thank you guys!! Definitely cool hearing people are actually subbing and watching. Someone even asked me to roll my window down today then said “Do you make Youtube videos? I swear I’ve seen you!” It was a weird feeling being spotted like that!

 

Some more time in photoshop..Some did the original cement color. I ordered Avery Gloss Dark Grey wrap today! Should get started wrapping by next week!!!

 

SO many different designs! I am first going to be wrapping it, then picking from there. I think I will fall in love with the color and not want to be slapping trees and mountain decals onto it. Only time will tell! I will be making a video on wrapping my truck this week, then planning on doing the following videos

-Tire Talk: "Can I fit 33's with no rubbing" - ANSWERED!
-How to Pack Minimally for Camping!
-Suspension Talk: All Levels of Lifts!

The middle video (How to Pack Minimally) is actually something I have been working on for a long time. The first dozen times I went camping for extended periods, I found myself with SO many items that I would never need. I figure this may be helpful for some people who are just getting into it that stuff their entire kitchen/wardrobe/life inside their car for a 2 day trip. I also find the suspension talk to be something I have experience in and can hopefully help people find the right set as I've had everything from spacers, bilsteins, foxs, and kings.

That should keep me busy all the way up until Christmas, where I can switch gears and do an install video on Cam Tabs and hopefully a 12" relocation as well (Thanks Shane!). I think those videos will be a little longer as there will be so much going into it, and I can only film so much before it becomes boring.

I have completely ignored the analytics on Youtube but remained focused on the audience retention times. I realized if I made shorter, more "to the point" videos with less talking, audience retention will grow...and I really want to be able to get everything out that I have to say without making it boring for people watching. Going to try and spice things up by opening up to the camera a bit more and adding some humor which I have been sheltering.

 

ooolala, shiny!

 

What relocation mount are you using and who you going to for the install?

 

Shane (the person one post above you) is doing the work and I’m using his custom hoops.

 

Off to get wrapped! See ya in a week...

 

Also been doing a TON of high(er) end automotive photography...Figured I'd share a few shots of this AMG I shot today! I'm switching from doing dealership cars to more exotics (Ferrari's, Lambo's, etc)...Really cool being able to shoot these cars but also very stressful. I edit the photos how the person wants them to be edited - This particular person wanted me to edit them kinda...idk, weird? Lol.

 

Pretty much been spending the last few days evaluating the GFC purchase.

I have an opportunity on a Flippac, which would save me nearly $3,000. I have been going back and forth about it quite a bit. Some things I have been thinking about:

GFC Pros
-2 year warranty
-New design with "customer service" (even though they're a little slow starting out)
-Built extremely well and stronger materials
-Roof rack capability + Awning

GFC Cons
-Around $6300 with me picking it up
-Roof top tent + Camper Shell...Meaning, it's not as roomy as a Flippac. At all.
-Tiny windows on the side, and cross breeze is so important to me as I mostly camp in warmer climates
-Modular floor system. How does one sit up on the bed while another one meanders around the bottom

Flippac Pros
-Bigger space, especially with my 6ft bed
-Less than half the cost
-Found in near perfect condition
-Comes with WINDOWS. You can actually see
-Airflow is ridiculous...So many windows
-I've always wanted one, lol

Flippac Cons
-No customer support
-Build quality is worse
-Rain fly is a PITA (So I've heard)
-Leaks water without rainfly
-More susceptible to ripping the canvas
-Drill through the fiberglass to mount awnings or roof racks

So this is what I've been comparing recently. I have given it so much thought and thinking about what really is best for me. When I start getting into it, I realize that I am much more of a "camper + slow and steady," than a "haul butt through the desert and beat my truck" kind of person. I love the GFC design, but the floor plan is one reason I'm falling away from it. Think about it - Since it's floor panels, how would one person sit up in the bed and another person be below without smacking their head on the bottom of the panels?

The Flippac solves this problem. You have the ENTIRE bed space plus the truck bed. For someone like me who really camps only in heat, the windows is another huge thing. I die without airflow. I have had roof top tents with the same amount of airflow (window sizes) as a GFC, and it is actually hot as hell in there. The FlipPac honestly is probably the smarter way to go for me personally, but after reading so much on how people changed - I can't seem to have a solid answer in my mind.

Oh well, I'm just blabbering at this point. I am looking at the Flippac this Friday. If it so happens to be just what I want...I guess we'll see how this build changes.

 

That's a good point on the GFC. I guess I don't really see the "downstairs" as an area to really hang out. I put in my order for a GFC a couple months ago, so I am obviously bias. When I think of a GFC build, it will include a slide out stand for my mountain bike (front wheel) taken off. On top of that I will likely have a kitchen cabinet slider cabinet (decked-esque) on the other side of the bed. It eliminates the room to sit in the bed of the truck. I figure when I am outdoors, I would probably hang out outdoors. If I need to get inside due to bad weather, I'll likely be inside the GFC standing with floor panels removed or sitting/laying down up top. I don't foresee too many scenarios where my spouse or I am sleeping and the other is hanging out "downstairs". That's just my 2 cents on the topic.

If I'm up before my wife, I'm probably getting the coffee going outside of the truck.

Also, followed.

 

Thank you for the input!

Totally makes sense what you're saying. Although I have a lot of friends who just like to sit in my truck bed and hangout, and it would be impossible to do that in the GFC.

Also after camping in Anza multiple times as well as many other places, I realized how important airflow is. I could not see how the windows are enough, but I guess I should ask a few owners before making that assumption.

 

Definitely talk to owners about their experiences. They will have more valuable information that I will. If your truck bed is a typical gathering spot, why not this: remove square panels and rectangular panel and place at head of the bed, 2 people can sit in the GFC with their legs hanging down, and others can hangout in the bed?

I think that if airflow was an oversight we would hear much more about it in the GFC thread, no? Right now the hot topic in that thread is water condensation/leaking.