RileySB's 2013 OR Build

Cool. I was mostly looking for one for the texting option, that will give the old lady peace of mind when off the grid for a week or two at a time. That alone justifies the cost

 

Exactly and the fact that it has a flexible plan that is month by month. I didn't like that about the Spot and the fact that it didn't have great reviews.

 

I had seen the same with the spot. Thanks guys, that makes my decision easy

 

New addition to the mod list. Now to find a good mounting location. Also picked up some sweet cable locks from @Shmellmopwho.

 

Thanks for your support. Glad your stuff will be secure now!

 

New stuff!

 

airflow snorkel installed! Nothing seemed to go right on the install...ended up taking me over 5 hours! The hole saw wouldn't bite through the metal and kept getting stuck, so I ended up using my dremel. Which was painstakingly slow. Then lining up the bolts...I used grease on the end to mark them, worked well. Getting the tube into the air box was a PITA, still wouldn't fit so I did my best to line it up and used a crap ton of Mortite on both inside and outside to seal it up. Used double sided 3M tape to anchor the snorkel along the A pillar. Also didn't secure the leftmost screw Bc I couldn't reach it. One day I might tear it all down and redo it but for now it seems to work fine

 

Yeah I've read you should insert it going at full speed, otherwise it chokes up, which is what it did. Thanks for letting me borrow it anyways, I'll drop it off in the next week or so

 

Got the rear bed lights wired up for power today thanks to help from my buddy Ryan. Helps having someone who knows something about electrical. Now to wire up the tent lights, get the air compressor in and the Blue Sea fuse box installed. Hoping to hit some dirt in the near future!

 

Dang these suckers are bright!!

 

Finally installed the

$310 CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

CKMA12 air compressor I got in the recent GB. Used Slee Offroad's bracket for the engine bay and it fit real easily! Instructions were detailed and clear with nice photos to accompany the words. Top notch! Now to wire it up.

 

Finally got the bed stiffeners by @At The Helm fab installed. Super easy! I ended up using step bits and it was a breeze to drill! I had some trouble with the T55 torx but (the silver one) but my friend helped me break it loose.
There was a little tiny gap at the top, not there anymore with the stiffeners in.
Also changed out the rear diff fluid, what makes it smell that freaking bad?? I hadn't changed in about 30k so it was time.
Also did an oil change. Next up will be to change out the spark plugs. 65k on the truck to date. Transfer case, tranny and front diff fluids were changed in last 15k.

 

Enjoy those reinforcement brackets and thanks for your order!

 

Went out to the 395 corridor with my friends, no offroading, mainly just camping and hiking. Can't wait to hit the trails up there! Still tons of snow at higher elevations and lots of runoff.

Camping just above the Owens River near Hot Creek. What amazing 360 degree views!! Visited the hot springs that night. So nice under a sky of stars.
This was camping off a FS road up above Lake Crowley. Couldn't see the fireworks going on but we heard them.
Hiking to Parker Lake. What a gorgeous lake! Short hike but it was hot and buggy.
Hiked up to Long Lake out of the Sabrina Lake basin. There was still a lot of snow on the trail, covered up some sections, and the entire distant part of the lake was still covered in ice, with tons of snow higher up in the mountain. The water was freezing but refreshing!

 

Added some new recovery gear to my kit. ARB tree saver and ARB snatch strap from recent group buy. Still need to get me a high clearance rear, and a front bumper!

 

Got my spark plugs changed at 65k. Last time I did them was probably 35k ago. They came out gapped at 0.50. New ones going in were at 0.43. Super easy this time, less than an hour! Helps to have all the right tools and a nice shady garage to work in.

Got some goods from step22- new Hi-lift jack cover to replace my old tattered neoprene one. Good quality and made in the USA. Tshirt is super soft.

 

Got my Total Chaos cam tabs welded up today. Only took me two years to have the confidence to do them, and they werent even bad considering my beginner welding skills!

Prep work for MIG flux core

After sanding down the weld/what it looked like before I welded in.

My welds

Finished product on the top side.

Fun! Now to finish the job and get them installed and my alignment back to normal!

 

Welds look damn good to me! Great job!

 

Looks like your welding skills are coming along nicely!

 

I've seen your truck around town a couple times, nice rig!