OEM Plus (2018 Cement TRDOR), Bikes, and BS

Quick trippin back to TX...

 

The rack wiring project:

I installed the @upTOPoverland quickwire loom.

I think it DEFINITELY shaved hours of wiring off the project. Just trying to modify it a bit to fit my application.

The wires that go to the right side scene pods are just two wires up front and two in back. so I hooked them up to a drill to twist them and they fit in a load bar channel. To keep it in the channel, I bought some rubber vacuum connectors from Advance Auto parts and split them. One on the bottom and one on top lip of channel and the wire seemed to hold.

I’ll probably get a skinny wire loom to cover the wires in the channel eventually and also some new DT connectors to trim som of the length. But it seems to hold great.

PS: the primary connectors will not be secured via zip tie. That’s just temporary. I have a solution for that I think will work.

 

Next project: Trail Comms

• MidlandUSA
  $165 MXT275 MicroMobile® GMRS Radio – 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone – Overland Caravanning Tractors – Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels
  MXT275 GMRS radio
• Firestik FL3-B Firefly Antenna (3ft Black)
• AirOnBoard RJ45 remote mic socket
• RG-58A/U 18ft coax antenna cable
• Antenna stud mount
• Generic Cat-6 3ft cable
• Expedition Essentials mic mount for 3TPAM

 

Got the radio in with some other accoutrements.

Firestik will be saved for a future CB install.

Still needed a UHF antenna for the Midland GMRS radio, though. Found RuggedRadios in California. Spoke with a guy named Dalton and he was super cool. Helped me find and get a stealth antenna and cabling. Also helped me find a Jeep antenna mount that I think will let me me fit the antenna perfectly on the Alpha rack.

 

More stuff this weekend:

• @runnin4tacos LCA skids
• OVTune via @runnin4tacos

 

Testing out rock lights during a nice CO sunset:

 

Been snowing in the mountains this week.

 

New switches and switch panel in store for future applications.

 

Picked up a set of OEM TRD Pro headlights.

Pro tip: don’t put those smoked decals over rye side markers. They look funky, they don’t age well and they are a PITA to get off.

 

Headlights are on with a ditch light lens switc to amber combo beam.

also stopped by @runnin4tacos to switch tune profiles to the 91 octane performance tune.

Initial impressions:

1. like the standard 85 octane tune, this one feels seamless yet more go.
   
2. I’m averaging 15mpg with full accessory weight (suspension, wheels/tires, racks, RTT, accessories, and a bike rack on the hitch).
   
3. The biggest thing I like is that it is definitely better in the mountains. Upshifts quick to pick up speed then downshifts quick to maintain it.
   
4. With the OEM tune, the truck was always searching for gears and would struggle to get out of third or would shift to fourth but immediately lose oomph and drop back into third while simultaneously letting every passenger know with a noticeable jerk.
   
5. With the 85 standard tune, MPGs went up by 2 and it was better performing in the mountains for sure but could barely get above 65mph on the steeper inclines and couldn’t pull away.
   
6. With the 91 performance tune, everything is improved. Truck pulls away on the inclines and acceleration/shifting is more responsive and smoother. MPG improvement has only been 1 over stock (minus one versus 85 tune). But then again, I have been driving it a bit more aggressively to get it up over those passes. Also, the fuel cost for 91 octane is considerable.

Overall the 91 tune is best for me in the mountains. I think I’ll keep it for awhile to really get used to it. Will also consider new gears. No matter what tune profile I have on there, 6th is pretty much worthless as I assume you have to going 90+ I order to shift into it.

 

Been doing some picture tweaking...

 

Been awhile since I posted some current stuff...

San Isabel National Forest, CO:

 

Also got the S8 lightbar, finally with a new switch panel....

 

Cruising around the mountains:

 

More motion Instagram:

 

I keep seeing the 2022 Tundra pics and am seriously thinking about a trade in.

 

Can't wait ! If it's awesome will think of upgrading around 2025 or so. Still luv the current model besides the mpg.

 

S8 lightbar in rack is all wired up. Kinda sloppy wiring for now. But my buddy (electrical guy) is making a custom micro switch board to clean it up.

super stoked to see how it works out.

Also need to figure out how to take cleaner shots. Turns out that all these lumens tends to over expose your shots. Lol

 

White River National Forest, CO

 

Trollin’ around the village with the OG Hardtail...