The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

There is another test that I somewhat regret not trying yesterday, but it can be performed at anytime in the safety of the driveway, and that is to swap the dead starter with the aux battery in the engine bay. I really don't know if the deep cycle can do it, but I'd like to think that it can. Maybe I'll try it and report back.

 

I got some bad news for you. I used to be a fan of fitting the largest battery in the Tacoma that would fit in the stock location. But no more. When I did the poly bushing radiator support upgrade a while back I had a hard time getting the drivers side bolt out (had to use a hammer to tap out) and even harder time getting it back in with proper alignment to bolt it back up. The reason for this is because my core support is bent, it's because of the 50lb battery in that location and bouncing down trails has taken it's toll. I'm not going to rehash it all here, but there is a very healthy discussion about this particular issue in this thread: Polyurethane Radiator Support Mounts (Cab Also) If I had the resources (time and money), I'd relocate my battery to the frame. I don't so I'm just going to roll with it and fix it later.

Anywho, my aux battery will fit in the stock location with the stock tie down and it's a relatively easy swap for me. I have a different philosophy when it comes to wiring my aux systems. I cable them up with Anderson power poles, molex connectors or other appropriate DC type connectors. This is so I can service everything quickly. Everything is modular, accessible and easy to replace. Yesterday when I tried jumping myself with the crap POS 10-gauge car jumper cables which were also too short, I had to do just that. Crawl into the shell, undo one strap, pull apart the 6-gauge power poles and moved the aux battery box to the front of the truck.

I am a fan of the lithium jump packs, they seem to work really well, relatively compact, and are not too expensive.

 

I've been contemplating which method I was going to go for sound proofing the truck. My wife's car provided an opportunity for me to test some cheap insulation material with a failed window lift motor.

So while I had her car apart I put it in. It's called Frost King. Easy stuff to work with. Wife gave the okay to do the other three doors and if it's good, then I'll do the truck the same way.

All in all it wasn't too bad, but I had no instructions except for what I read on Amazon from customer reviews. I had to drill out 4 large rivets, which eventually all spun on me so I pulled out an angle grinder and finished them off.

Then undo two nuts and detach the glass and move it outta the way, then pull the whole motor and glass holder assembly out of the door.

Then drill out (3) smaller rivets, remove old motor, and bolt up the new motor to bracket, apply some grease, and reinstall and reverse everything and add the insulation.

Wife was pretty happy about it and my oldest daughter was pleased as well as it was her window that had been out of commission for some time.

The Dorman motor came will all new bolts and nuts to get things back together.

 

I've heard of the Frost King option to overpriced other materials too. So ready to do this with the tinny doors and all the road noise coming from the back wall of the cab. But I want to get better speakers first and do it at the same time. And speakers require more research. And I still haven't sold my 1st gen. Sigh.

 

I sidelined it as soon as I had the 2nd gen to keep mileage and wear down ( an exposure to a million retarded drivers ever day).

 

I just drafted the ad, and I need to take pics. Want to do that today. Having a hard time finding time just to shit and eat these days.

Yesterday was a badly needed mental health day for all of us. We scrubbed our fall leaf camping trip (unrealistic expectations, kids been extremely difficult) and opted for a day trip to Hope Valley to see some color there. Had a good time, but the drought has screwed fall colors. Hope Valley is usually late Oct. Most trees on the high slopes were bare, and only a few right next to streams had leaves and color. However, we scope out multiple camping areas and it was Ben's first trip to the Sierra, and he did well all day long.

 

Interested to hear about the frost king stuff myself...

 

With a newborn, everything becomes 10-20 times harder. It gets easier though, take lots of pics because it goes by really fast! And with that, you reminded me of a day trip that we took when my second was only (1) month old. Short post coming...

This thread was helpful.

 

This is from 2012, a day trip in November to the Cuyamaca Mountains, Green Valley Falls Campground. My oldest was 2 years old, and my second was (1) month old! We day tripped it for a picnic and to take a short hike to the water falls.







The one month old was strapped to my chest with a ratchet strap, er, no... It was a mobi or whatever the heck it was called.



After soaking her feet, she climbed barefoot and all, up this large granite slab. Scared the shit outta me. I followed her up and eventually captured her.
This was during her get-away / keep-away phase. God I hated that.

Near the top.

Capture and carry back to trail.


Look no cab roof rack!


Good times!!!

 

Great pics Crom Looks like the little ones were bit by the adventure bug too.

 

Thanks Colton! They both love the outdoors. Not a day goes by that we don't talk about places we've visited, or places we want to go in the future. Today they were going on about a kangaroo rat that they found last year.

EDIT: Add pic of creature, it looked for crumbs under our table.



About 4 years ago I built a windows 7 box with media center on it. Its hooked up to a silicon dust network HDTV tuner and connected to an Antenna at home. We get our TV for free.

When I did this, I started putting pics from our trips and other photo albums on the computer. What's really neat is when the TV is paused for a minute, it will randomly screensaver our pics. I have something like 350 albums of photos. Its been so awesome to keep the memories alive.

 

Having a media computer in the house is fantastic. I haven't gone as far as you with an HDTV tuner and antenna. At the moment, I'm running Plex Media Server on a Linux computer with Plex Home Theater on various client computers. Someday I'll get around to installing the tuner and antenna.

 

I'm curious to see how this turns out and hear your thoughts. I currently installing RAAM Mat in my truck. I'm about half way done with the back wall, floor and rear doors complete. Still gotta do front doors and ceiling.

 

Subbed for a role model build

 

That's great to hear. Extremely versatile, and great value. When the time comes, look into the Silicon Dust HDTV network tuners, they have antenna and cable card devices. A cursory look at their site shows that Linux OS is supported with Myth TV, dunno about Plex though. What's really neat is that virtually any device on my home network can access the tuners, all my Android devices, and Windows laptops/desktops, are GTG! I have a Nexus 7 device which I use to stream into the kitchen during football games.

Right on. I know it's a ton of work. I've read nothing but good things about the RAAM products. When it's time to do the truck, I'm going for the back wall first, then the doors, and ceiling last.

I'll be installing more Frost King tonight, I'm hoping to finish the wife's car within the next few nights. Right on the heels of that, I got my quality EPDM rubber seals to go on the truck to help fight the war on dust and reduce wind noise.

Thanks!

 

I did the back wall first as well. It made a significant improvement over mid to high frequency road noise. As you may have observed, I took my back seats out. When I did this, it was shocking at how much more noise there was. So this was the impetus to sound dampen my vehicle. Also, since I'm a sound mixer by trade, I wanted to improve the over all sound quality of the stereo. I've never done a high end stereo system before, but I may upgrade the speakers at least. We'll see if I do amps or not.

Anyway, the back wall and rear doors were done over two days. Took about five hours total. The floor was one long day. Another five hours in the heat.

 

So brown delivered me a box. It came from Alaska and its 13.5 lbs. of Made in USA awesomeness. The last jumper cables I'll ever buy. Came in a nice ripstop bucket boss bag.

Polarwire premium Arctic Superflex Blue jumper cables, Item #: JC-2-20.

They are constructed with 2 AWG, pure stranded copper, rated at 400 amp continuous use, with solid copper field serviceable clamps. They are 20' long.

They were $192 shipped to my door from Alaska.

From their marketing page:

• Considerably more copper than standard auto jumper cables
• Ideal for all auto, fleet, and service applications
• Arctic Superflex Blue® Jumper Cables are pliable and easy to handle even in extreme cold weather
• Rated for -55°C to 105°C temperatures
• Highly abrasion resistant cable jacket withstands oil, gasoline, saltwater, acids, chemicals, and sunlight
• Built with UL/CSA listed components and processes
• 400 AMP continuous duty rated solid copper clamps
• Heat shrink sealed cable ends for corrosion protection and strain relief
• Extruded polarity stripe
• 2 gauge Jumper Cables are sized for heavy equipment—trucks, tractors, light planes—and most commercial applications
• Manufactured exclusively by Polar Wire Products

Product Link

 

Very nice build. How did you mount the studs onto the carpet to hold this? I have carpet in my shell as well and been trying to figure out the best way possible. Thanks in advanced.

 

Thanks.

The studs are actually bolts that are installed from the outside and are holding the Yakima roof rack track on.

You can easily drill thru the fiberglass and add your own hardware. For instructions find my link to installing a roof vent on the shell. I did a full writeup on that in another thread. It's linked on the first post of build.

 

Ohhh that makes sense lol. I have tracks on the way so I'm all set. Thanks!