C0d3M0nk3y's Whitewater build

Couple of updates. Pictures to follow.

AAL has been re-installed. I didn't get the height back the way I wanted. Ass end is still lower than I want. I will probably deal for the time being.

A rubber mat was purchased and carved up to protect the bed platform. It is thicker and heavier than I really want (~1/4"), but it will do a nice job of protecting everything.

I removed the Whispbars and installed some bolt on Yakima racks on the cab. It was a pain getting everything measured and punching holes through the rubber rain gutter guard. It turns out that the rain gutter guard has metal in it. I butchered it but good in a few places. I used Aquaseal with the bolts to prevent any leakage and it seems to be working well so far. I do have a few pictures, will post when I get a chance.

I pulled out my sewing machine and sewed up a bag for my stove. I learned a lot about sewing bags/pouches. I have a few more items I need to sew up, so this was a good practice project.

Trying to study for my Technician Class HAM radio license. Been busy doing other things, so this is not going half as well as I would like. Might end up doing a cram session before the test and see if I can pass it. I have until early August to get ready.

Some medium and little things are getting done. Nothing fancy, but still nice to make progress.

 

I really need to do a pic dump. No major truck updates, but I did pass my Technician HAM test. It will probably be a week or two until I am in the database.

I do not have a transmitter yet, so that search is now on. I am looking at a handheld and a truck mounted rig. I want to be able to have the truck one act as a transceiver for the hand held.

Now I start studying for the General license. I will probably take that one more seriously than the Technician (which I just crammed for).

Update 8/11/2016: I was informed that there was a problem with the FCC database and it could be a month or more before I am in the database. Guess that gives me more time to look at radios.

 

Cooler Tie Down

I didn't like the idea of the cooler (Yeti 35 Qt) bouncing around, so I found some stainless steal security bars from some broken kayaks I had, and bolted those to the bed platform. I used some T-nuts on the underside. There is a possibility that something could come lose, but I don't expect it.

The final result:

A close up of the tie downs:


The cooler I have is the Yeti Tundra 35 Qt.

You can find it here.

 

Alternative Rack Mount on front cab

I should have taken more pictures.

So...I read the thread here about how to get under the rain gutter guards and find the factory mounting holes. With just a little bit of feeling around, I was able to find the factory mount holes.

I used my leatherman and cut the vinyl protector out on just the holes I needed. The factory rack has many more attachment points.

On my daily driver I had (as in it was on the car when I started, and was migrated to the truck as I was doing this) a yakima rack that bolted to the factory mounting points on that car. Funny enough, the Mazda 3 has factory holes that are hidden in a similar fashion as the Tacoma, so I had practice with this before.

It turns out that the bolts for the Yakima mounts were not long enough to go through the rain gutter guard and into the factory mount points, so a trip to Home Depot solved my problems.

I cut the vinyl to get to the factory holes, and I butchered the rain gutter guards to allow the bolts to pass through. There is a little bit of metal in the rain gutter guards to give the guards something. It wasn't that big of a deal, but it did cause some issues when I was trying to go right through.

I coated the bolts liberally with some aquaseal (I had it laying around to repair some skits I use for kayaking, so I just used what I had on hand). We have had MANY serious storms since I did the install and no noticeable leaks yet.

Here is what the holes look like when everything has been cut away:

 

Just checked the FCC database. I have my call sign. I also picked up a Beofang

$40 UV-5R 8Watt Ham Radio Handheld Long Range UHF/VHF Radio with 2 Rechargeable Battery, Portable Radio for Adults with Earpiece, GV-771 Antenna, Programming Cable (3rd Gen)

UV-5R. I was looking at getting something nicer, but the store I went to ("local" radio store that specializes in HAM radios) didn't have a knowledgeable sales rep. I went with the cheaper option, and figure I will get something nicer when I have a better idea on my needs.

 

Updates on Windoor replacement and other assorted musings

I stopped of the Leer dealer to discuss switching out the Windoors with "vented" or "sliding" windoors. They quoted me a price, and I headed out. I got a call shortly afterwards, and was informed that Leer does not make a "sliding" or "vented" windoor for the size cap I have.

They offered to switch out the windoors for vented windows, but I am not very keen on that.

I have now ordered netting from Ripstop by the roll. I will be sewing up some netting for the windows to keep the bugs out. I also picked up some additional material to make a tarp to go off the truck somehow. I haven't figured that one out yet, but I will.

Made some bags for my grill grate and stove to organize the drawers better.

Going to get new leaf springs for the rear, and new tires. Going up a size in tires and getting a hybrid Mud Terrain/All Terrain. I should have almost everything done with the suspension (except UCA's and I am not sure if I am going there yet).

Still working on TruckPi project. I have gotten the Raspberry Pi, PiTFT Plus (3.5" touch screen), Alfa WiFi card, and GPS. I have Kismet working. It doesn't auto start yet, so there is work to be done there. I also want to get a navigational display working with Kismet so I can map what is around me. I will eventually have a more detailed write-up on this. I am also working with an Arduinio Mega and several sensors (3 temperature sensors, pressure, humidity, accelerometer and magnetometer). I am having trouble getting the screen and bluetooth working at the same time. If I can get the bluetooth working, I can pair up to the OBDII dongle and read the data from there as well. First part is getting Kismet and navigation working, then Sensors and finally OBDII.

 

Suspension and Tire Update

Had the rear leaf springs replaced with Dakars. At the same time had the tires replaced with Dick Cepek Fun Country 265/70r17. There is a little bit of rubbing on the lower control arms (though there was rubbing with the previous tires as well). I will want to get that taken care of at some point.

The truck is now level, and I am much happier with the stance.

The speedometer is now reading true, but the odometer is off (haven't done the math to figure out how much). It appeared that I lost some mpg, but with the odometer off, I am not sure by how much. With the heavier wheels there is a definite impact on power going up hill.

The truck sitting level (and a shot of the dog mod, best one out there).

Close up of the tread on the Fun Country tires.

Shot of the truck loaded up with 6 kayaks during Gauley season. I am sure I can fit more up there, but it is what it is (this is also prior to the leaf spring changes and new tires).

 

The Olde School Yakima Stackers are the BEST EVVVEEERRRR!

 

My old school yakima stackers are on their last leg. I have a feeling I am going to have to replace them very soon with another Thule The Stacker.

 

My son just sold a set of Yakima racks but was adamant that he was keeping the old stackers. Good luck with a replacement. It might be worth trying to rebuild the Yakimas if possible.

 

Know this is somewhat old but I super glued it on works great

 

Well...after I broke my sewing machine trying to sew the Velcro to the Grid-It, I got slightly miffed and tore the whole thing out and pitched it. The sewing machine is now fixed, and I have nothing in the top of the center console. I did pick up some ABS plastic, and I was thinking of shaping that to fit the top of the center console.

I am not giving up on fitting something up there, but it might be a bit more home grown than the Grid-It.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

I would be pretty pissed too. Im sure you can probably make your own grid it fairly easily. I love mine because it allows me to keep the flashlight and pens from rolling around. It clears the actual compartment up enough to mount a holster and still have room.

 

Truck Wing shaped Tarp Update

I ordered the Hex12 Tarp Kit from RipstopByTheRoll. The kit is for a hex shaped tarp, but I would rather have a wing shape, so I veered from their design.

I will have some pictures to show the tarp in the near future, but I finished the sewing last night. I still have to seal the seam, and I have to check to see how it fits. There is a good possibility that the tarp is going to be bigger than what I want for going off the truck itself. If that happens...I get to make a 2nd tarp (and possibly a 3rd that is bigger than what I just made). The goal is to be able to attach the tarp (and get some tension) to the racks on the front cab and rear cap. I will then get some poles and draw tension from the truck to the poles and have rain go away from the truck. I worry that the tarp is too big to draw tension between the racks on the truck.

This tarp packs down super small. I should be able to easily have 3 tarps that will be easily stored in the truck for all of my needs.

The rough dimensions of the tarp is 10'x12'.

I was able to get better at sewing through this project, so that is a bonus. I still have a few other sewing projects that I am going to kick off soon.

Future sewing projects:

• 9'x9' tarp (to go over dog's crate)
• 15'x15' (or 15'x20') large tarp for a crowd
• mesh windoor covering to keep bugs out (x2). This is probably my next big sewing project
• bed tie-down kit that will have 4 to 6 attachment points and cam buckles to keep everything from bouncing around in the bed

 

what shocks are you running in the back with the Dakar's? Are they extended length?

 

I went with the Icon Stage 2. I haven't done all the math, but I should be getting 14.22" coll. x 23.25" extended.

The shocks themselves can be found .

 

Sewing Update

I did a quick fit test of the Wing Tarp to the truck, and even when I go with the short side attached to the truck racks, it is too wide for my taste. I will not be able to get good tension on the side attached to the truck to keep things taut. But...I do have a good medium sized tarp for other uses.

The tarp itself does have some flaws, but for a first attempt I am happy. I learned a lot with this project and I will be able to use what I learned and make some better tarps in the future.

The test fitting looked something like this.

Since I had some time and some Nalgene bottles laying around, I decided to create some harnesses for them so that you can clip them to things. To keep things secure, I wrap duct tape around them (because you always need extra duct tape). I am gearing up for a Grand Canyon trip in January, so I am going to get some other sewing projects worked on between now and then. These bottles are specifically for that trip. Good way to carry liquor.

I took some measurements of the racks on the truck. I have 8' to work with. If I make the tarp 7', then I will have some room to get the tension I want. So...looks like another tarp (or two) is in the future.

I also went ahead and sewed up a center console organizer (to replace the Grid-It). I will take a picture or two when I get a chance. It isn't pretty, but at least it should work.

 

Sewing update (windoor netting)

So...I had an old rain fly that I kept, and I picked up some netting from Rip Stop by the roll. Since I could not get a sliding windoor, I figured I could sew up some netting that would fill the windoor area and keep the bugs out. This project turned out ugly, but I learned along the way, and I have something functional.

I was only able to get 1 side done. I will work on the other side when I have time.

I used Velcro around the edges of the windoor (the Velcro with the hooks goes on the frame, the soft side goes on the fabric, if you do it the other way, the hooks will destroy the netting in no time...I know, I made that mistake).

Outside view:

Inside view.

 

Nice mods!

 

So...I just got off a 13 day Grand Canyon trip. No truck pictures, but I do have a few from the river trip. Figured I would share. Here you go.