Norsmanvike's Budget Build Escape to Freedom With Azure...

Being stuck at home under CA Gov. Newsome's "go to your room" order for this covid19 mess, I got bored. So yesterday, I removed the gear shifter nob and took off the rear plastic portion, then color coded it to Azure. It turned out really well and since I had nothing but time, I was able to let it dry properly before handling it for reinstallation this morning.

 

Nice! I have the Inferno dash trim and color-matching the shifter was one of my first "mods".

 

Azure had a BIG change yesterday on 28MAR2020. I had a local shop install @HeadStrong Off-Road 's custom designed 3rd Gen specific 3 Leaf AALs. Also installed were Bilstein 5100 shocks on all four corners for a full 1.5" lift which were also purchased through @HeadStrong Off-Road . I took HS' advice and only went 1.5" to balance between lift and ride because their feedback on maxing out 2" was too stiff with OEM coils and rear springs. I'm glad I listened because the 2" would have negated the factory rake and instead, the factory rake is retained and re-enforced with HS's 3rd Gen AALs. On the advice of @erice , while the installer had the wheels off, I used the opportunity to plastidip them in order to get rid of the silver machine face which drove me nuts. I really like the new look and just like that, new wheels are no longer necessary ( saving a HUGE expense- $25 of dip vs $800+ ).

Photos of the AALs, shocks, and wheels!

 

Order some magnetic trail armor for protection from trail stripes. I already got a few minor ones and one big one, so this should keep future ones at bay. And my first photo of it is off-roading in the street...

Overtime from work paid for it!

 

This is what happens when you're under national and state wide quarantine because of covid-19, bored, and have had a couple of beers because you can no longer call your dad: things from Amazon get ordered.

I present...

A 6' flag with with 'Merica flag ( I painted the pole red ), a cigarette lighter converter that displays the battery charge with 2 USB ports, and front and rear recovery shackle isolators with washers.

 

Earlier in the day though, I had to drive to work and pick up a few things to make teleworking more bearable. Unable to off-road because of national and CA state covid-19 quarantine orders, I went "off-roading" at work.

Note to self: Use a bigger rock next time.

 

I received my Full Length Bed Molle Panels today from @CaliRaisedLed and the install was pretty simple. Now I can start attaching things to them that I don't want in the cab or don't want to forget at home. I couldn't be happier with them!

 

I finally got these sold 5 months after getting my sliders on. Whoot! One less thing taking up space in the courtyard closet. $80, but ya know what, they went above and beyond protecting the truck in situations they shouldn't have been subjected to.

 

I little late on a few items...

Behind the bumper light bar, scoop light bar, vinyl wrapped scoop, and painted engine cover...

 

More of the little things today...

Installed @EasyDoesIt 's front seat molle panel and promptly attached my flashlight, emergency escape tool, and my dad's favorite knife that I inherited from him. It's a Buck brand from El Cajon long before they vacated CA's anti-business climate for Utah which is more accommodating. I'll also be installing my emergency strobe lights control module and switch on this molle panel as well.

 

Nice! Looks good man. Love the build.

 

28MAY2020 - Azure got some new tires!

Falken Wildpeak A/T 3W 255/80/17 for another 1.5" inch lift ( 3" overall with the Billy 51s ).

 

Very impressive record keeping! Such detail.

 

Thanks Tyler. It will be fun to look back on this years from now...

 

With overnight camping on the to do list for some remote photography, I picked up few necessities that attach to the bed molle panels. A quality lightweight Smittybuilt axe and a tactical shovel with lots of extras. The shovel handle tubes can hold whatever you can fit into them.

 

On the advice of @Tombiology70 , I removed the bracket on the top front of the engine that supports some of the air components, lopped off the part that rubbs on the hose and abrasion sheath, ground it down and smoothed it out. Then rattle canned it black and installed. Now that hose won't prematurely wear or burst because of a poor engineering design.

 

Three things today...

1) Rear Diff Breather Relocation from @state48overland - https://state48overland.com
2) Installed @KB Voodoo Fabrication Hi Rise Crossbars for Tonneau covers ( planning on a RTT soon ) - https://www.kbvoodoo.com
3) Installed @BAMFTACO Front Bed Corner Tie Downs to help re-enforce the bedsides from the weight of the RTT and additional off-roading - http://bayareametalfab..com

Sorry I didn't get a photo of the bed corner tie downs since I put the tonneau cover back on before thinking of getting a photo.

 

After @eccracer104 made me realize I didn't have enough room to properly store my spare tire, we lopped off about the last 18 inches or so of the tail pipe and removed the bracket that helped hold the last piece in place. @erice lopped off the pipe since he was already there showing me where to cut, but I lopped off the bracket and ground it down so that it didn't cause issues when someone was under the truck.

 

In preparation for my inbound RTT and continued off-roading, I finally added some CaliRasised bed stiffeners ( Channel Supports ). It was an easy install with the right tools, but conversation with a friend was even better.

 

I have these as well, they're great.