Daily Driver and Wannabe Overlander

Nice!

 

Along with the CB, I decided to mount a

Ragnar Industries Tac-Mag Gun Magnet with 35 lb Rating

Tac Mag to hold my Glock 19 if I'm on a long drive and don't want it digging into my hip the whole time. Note: it will not stay here when I am not in the car, this is for driving, not storing. It was pretty easy, the hardest part was trying to use the screws that close to the magnet. I really like the magnet route v. mounting a holster because when the gun isn't there it doesn't still take up a bunch of space. Even though I don't really use the center console armrest for storing things, it's nice to have it if it need it. Plus, if someone is using the the radio, or sees me use it they may not notice the magnet, at least their first thought probably won't be: "that's to hold a gun".

https://imgur.com/a/zn4Ed

 

Nice setup! I have the same PA horn, where did you end up mounting yours? I feel like mine needs to move.

 

Ditch Lights:

I bought

HOUSE TUNING LED Pods Light Kit 60Watt 3" Diffused Flood LED Off Road Light with Wiring Harness Black Amber Cover (Pack of 2)

these cheapos from Amazon because I wanted amber covers. I haven't had a chance to aim them along with my hidden bumper bar but I'll get around to it. The wiring was surprisingly easy. I bought the switch plate cover that @Friedtacolover mentioned along with Air on Board "A Pillar Lights" switch to match the others I've got. I tapped the cubby light in front of the shifter fuse light circuit. The lights (along with the CB antenna) are mounted on SOS Ditch Light/Antenna Mounts. I really like that they came stock with holes for both the antenna and lights because I don't really like the looks of some of the other "extensions" like CaliRaised sells.

 

Not exactly a "mod" but I also got a Slumberjack Roadhouse tarp this weekend. Did a little test run this afternoon. Can't wait to use it for real!

 

Nice build

 

I finally got to do some dispersed camping in the Nanatahala and Pisgah National Forrests. Loved the view in the Pisgah, will be back hopefully sooner than later. Sorry for all the pics: my thread, I'll do what I want.

 

Is sex possible in the bed ?

 

Good question

 

With enough determination, anything is possible; though not ideal.

 

Thank you

 

Finally bought a dual battery voltmeter a few weeks ago and got around to installing it. Went pretty smooth. I should have done this when I originally got the dual batteries. Sorry, no progress pics, was in a time crunch.

 

The wife, dogs, and I spent a few nights floating between the Chattahoochee NF, Cherokee, NC, and Nantahala NF. Gotta remember to take more pics next time (which is hopefully sooner than later)

 

Got my technician license back in September, been listening on the local repeaters with my UV-5R. Finally became a big boy and got a Kenwood TM-V71a. It came in a few weeks ago, but I had some issues getting the faceplate mounting situation figured out and the right NMO mount. Really happy with the install and the radio so far.

The stuff:

• Kenwood TM-V71a used from a guy on QRZ
• $59 SBB-5 SBB5 Comet Original 146/446 MHz Dual Band Mobile Antenna
  Comet Dual Band Antenna
• $14 Roadpro RP-108C 2-3/4" CB Extension Speaker with Swivel Bracket
  External Speaker
• Car Phone Holder Magnetic Mount, Tackform [Cup Holder Magnet Phone Mount] Universal Car Phone Mount Fits ANY Size Phone - iPhone x, 8, 7 7 Plus 6s Plus Galaxy S9 S8 S7 S6 S5 Note 5/4/3
  Faceplate/Cell Phone Mount
• Antenna Mount: Same SOS bracket that my ditch lights are on
• NMO/Coax

First thing was to mount the radio body. I opted for under the drive seat, as many other people have done. I used the radio body mounting bracket that came with it, along with zip ties.





Next was running the wires for the antenna and power. Power went to by Blue Sea Fuse box (really glad I got the 12 bus version). Because the power cable that comes in Kenwood's separation kit wasn't long enough to get to my battery, I decided to cut the cable a few inches up from the connector so that I got to retain it, then butt spliced that part to the rest of the run to the fuse box.





I cut the coax to length once it was run all the way through and soldered on a PL-259. Even though the SOS ditch light/antenna mounts are pretty much 1/4" (by my measurement) the 1/4" thick NMO mounts did not work for me. So I had to get the 1/2" thick NMO mount (with a 3/8" hole, which is what the brackets were already drilled for) and use some 3/8" spacers to make it all fit right.






My original plan was to get a suction cup cell phone mount and make it stick in the cubby area in front of the shifter, but I couldn't get anything to stick there. I bought this suction cup mount from ebay, but the suction cup didn't stick to anything except glass and the magnet was nowhere near strong enough. I did, however, like the metal bracket part that screws into the radio. So I am using that and the cup holder cell phone mount linked above. This magnet is much stronger. I was kind of bummed to lose a cup holder, but this truck has plenty of them and the faceplate is in the perfect spot. I routed the separation cable from the radio, up under the center shifter area and drilled a hole in the cubby to run the wire.



The microphone just runs under the seat to the radio itself and sit near the E brake, I didn't have to use this part of the separation kit.


The speaker is mounted near my right leg and the wire for that runs along with the faceplate cable under the shifter. It took a lot of measuring to get this is the right spot. I didn't want it rubbing against my leg while I was driving. I mounted it as close as possible to the driver seat with the seat as far forward as it might be (when my wife is driving). Working great for now.



Now I've just gotta program the thing and learn how to use all the features.

 

40k in and I finally got lucky enough to need new tires. After stalking lots of threads around here I went with Falken WildPeak AT3. I really like the way they look and fill up the well a little more. I'll be sure to pay attention to how they handle offroad next time I get a chance to do that (Whenever that is). I sized-up with 265/75/16 from the stock, I assumed they would give it SOME lift but wasn't sure how much, 3/4" ain't bad. Stock: rims, suspension, mudflaps. No rubbing.

Finished product first:




Stock:


Stock Tire Height:


WildPeak Height:

 

Not exactly truck related but I finally got around to building a "Hammo Can" (this is a ham radio mounted in an ammo can, for the uninitiated). I've got a 15Ah battery, switched and unswitched anderson power poles, and a volt meter also wired up. I had to cut the clamps off of the charger I bought and add power poles to work with the new setup. All is working great and I'm really happy with it. I've got a cell phone suction cup mount on the way that I plan on using to hold up the faceplate. Pretty much everything came from Amazon or PowerWerx.
Parts List:
Wouxun Radio: $180 Used locally
Ammo Can: $20
15 Ah battery: $33
Battery Charger: $11
Panel Mount: $8
Volt Meter: $20
PowerPoles $20
Switch: $10
All in: $302 Plus some connectors and stuff that I had to buy 100 of and used only a handful, so we won't count that.

Finished Product First:




Guts:


All the wiring, minus the radio and battery:


Charger: