TheCochese's Project Con Queso

Currently taking suggestions for a potential move. My personal first choice would be to move to the UK/Ireland, but there are some big hurdles that would have to be tackled.

I hate the heat/humidity combo. I don't particularly enjoy having to drive fifteen minutes to get to anything, but that's a problem lots of places. Somewhere that is hooked into good public transport or has a damn clue about public planning would be nice. I'd like actual seasons vs winter's fart, pre-summer, summer, and post-summer. Fuck the massive amount of mosquitos here, doing anything outside for most of the year isn't an option. There are some other aspects about why I'd move that isn't and can't be covered here. I'd like to keep a compatible COL, but I know we're already on the lower end. If we didn't move to Europe we'd like the financial flexibility to visit more often.

Has to be in close proximity to a hospital with a pediatric component.

E: I'm outside Atlanta.

 

Spokane Washington was really nice. They have a Shriner's hospital (and a lot of other nice medical facilities), 4 distinct seasons (winter can be a bitch) and summer fishing that is just fan-fucking-tastic.

 

This is also more of a 4-7 year plan than anything immediate.

 

Try these out in your flight simulator.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/scenic-airport-landings-2020/index.html

 

Got the old (borrowed) vehicle a new battery and I drove it to the park to get some sale pictures.

It's funny, my truck is basically at stock height (plus about 5mm or so), but driving anything else feels like I'm dragging ass. This Altima is standard sedan height, but I can't imagine going back to this height. Also does a lot to explain why people have moved to SUVs, even though I was already aware.

 

It’s nice to be able to see why you’re stuck in traffic. My old 99 5 lug Tacoma sat at the same height as a sedan.

 

I was washing it and I was amazed I could reach all of the hood and see the roof. I guess I need a stool to wash my truck.

 

Planning some low-cost mods over the next few weeks before it gets too cold.

1) MESO interior LEDs. Should be here tomorrow, hopefully they aren't too bright.
2) AC drain mod. This came up on a new threads listing and I should look into it.
3) Rear diff breather relocate. At some point this thing is going to need to do some trails, and there are a few water crossings that I used to go through in the Jeep.

 

Chirped second today, thing has some move once you get into the powerband.

Should consider the accumulator mod though.

 

I'm hoping that perhaps as early as next year I can put together an initial trip out west to see some natural landscapes. This means I need to put together a to-do list. And since I will be most likely travelling alone (or at least without another vehicle) I need to be thorough. I'll need to do quite a bit of research on what to bring. I do know that by the time the first tire rotation comes around I am going to get another Open Country A/T3 and possibly a fifth SEMA wheel in bronze and possibly go to a five tire rotation. Not sure if the spare mount will damage the wheel, I also need to check that mechanism out.

Do the breather and A/C relocate mods as mentioned. I've had a first aid kit saved in my Amazon cart for months, I should grab it. I got a small commission on the car I just sold, so I'll be grabbing the TRD skid plate when Toyota hopefully has a sale this Black Friday. I learned that the RCI skid package can connect to it going further back. I also need to look into cutting the exhaust so that it doesn't crunch the bed side.

 

I also need to add a front camera.

 

Post up your first aid kit choice. Front camera is a fun and rewarding one. Having a matching wheel for the spare is something I’m pretty happy with. Also maybe consider a TPMS? I don’t have a programming tool but figured if I can’t patch it I’m going to need a shop to fix it and they could reprogram at that time.

 

Good point about the fifth TPMS, I'll have to research that.

This is the first aid kid, it's pretty basic. I mainly chose it due to the harder case, and my wife can supplement supplies and we can swap things out if needed.

$23 Protect Life Scar Therapy First Aid Kit for Home/Businesses | HSA/FSA Eligible Emergency Scar Therapy Kit | Hiking, Camping & Travel First Aid Kit for Car | Small Survival Medical Kit (200 Piece)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07315P1X6/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_6?smid=A3IKAKS2P2CBVL&psc=1

 

Thanks. There is a thread on first aid kits too. Some says shears are important. Some hunters say clotting is all that matters. Everyone has an opinion.

I got my 5th TPMS from eBay and it worked ok based on the programmer at discount tire. Be careful though, 3rd Gen TPMS is different than 2nd gen I think and there are a lot of knockoffs. But then there are people paying a dealer $600 for this if they forgot when buying new wheels, nuts.

 

I am beginning to narrow down options to get me on the trails out west.

• TRD skid plate
• SOS bolt-on sliders
• Trans/TC skids - undecided. Leaning RCI.
• RCI or SOS gas tank skid

I also need to research recovery gear if things go south. I'll likely be wheeling alone, but I'm really not planning anything more severe than FS roads if at all possible. I really want to see things vs test out the vehicle.

 

Some little recovery stuff incoming over the next week. Just some things to get the gear bag started.

 

You need to get that products discussed list going, just one thing.

 

When things start arriving I'll post them up.