d.shaw 2012 DCSB build

ohhhh no..... sigh

 

They did a good job on it.

 

thanks, I am pretty stoked and as my tires have been getting 'scalloped' by some of the bolts, I'll be happy to not rub.....and get my drivers side fender flare back on is nice too. i did pick up some of these for the job-

Allmost for Compatible with 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma Fender Flare Retainer Clip 75495-35010 75397-35010 (Pack of 38)

https://www.amazon.com/ALLMOST-2005...9NjJ&pd_rd_i=B07K6QYLCW&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_41_t

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/d-shaw-2012-dcsb-build.578471/page-9

 

quick shakedown run out to the desert, fenders didn't rub, new windshield (with 50% nanoplex tint) is clean and @prof.jones new wacaco nanopresso worked a treat. was a lovely quick trip

 

Any good recommendations on windshield places/prices? Last place I went wasn’t super impressive. Mine is so pitted and chipped I feel like I have cataracts lol

 

I actually went thru "the truck shop" in miramar, so I'm just hopeful it's ok, it's not oem, but they deal with enough Toyota's I think it'll be alright. It was pretty cheap thou

time will tell.......


picture because - well why not

 

got a few days away with the family, was - as always - quite great

 

very nice!
how were the temps up there?

 

it was a bit toasty during the days but perfect in the evenings / thru the nights. had to seek some shade for sure

 

installed a Midland MTX115 radio into @prof.jones 3rd gen this week, a good radio for us to use between trucks when out on trips. I have the same installed in mine with the 3db gain antenna and Sally has been using a handheld in the past which is annoying - as much as anything else. I thought this would be as easy as the 2nd gen, but nothing about hers was simple, the area in the center console is hardly flat, and its textured (mine is installed just with VHB tape) so VHB tape alone didn't work, access to that area is limited - with no real access out the side (between center console and footwell) anyway - it sticks out a bit further than on my truck due to the only flat area - but will def make like easier in the future for chatting on trips (I didn't like any of the install's ive seen where people have them on the side of the center console etc)

$220 Midland – MXT115AGVP3 - 15 Watt GMRS MicroMobile Two Way Radio - Off Roading Outdoor Farm Radio - Extended Range 3dB gain Ghost Antenna, Antenna Cable, Mounting Bracket - Farm Tractor Bundle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P92Z2BB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT3CB-BARE.html

 

took the GFC out for a night, having recently upgraded the mattress with an overland softgoods mattress topper and sheets. @prof.jones said that it was the best nights sleep she has had in the GFC, with no tossing and turning. We also recovered a couple young girls who had high centered their Mazda SUV at 8.30pm Friday night, was a quick pull with the tow strap. Great local spot with trees, a view and a scorpion

https://www.overlandsoftgoods.com/shop/go-fast-camper

 

What spot was this? Killer views!

 

I PM'ed you mate

 

some old pics of a great campsite south of the border :

 

I have been thinking about solar for a while, and decided on this Cascadia 4X4 hood mounted panel. With the truck no longer being my daily it sits in the driveway more (than it should) - so having a way to easily keep the battery topped up and keep the fridge running on camp trips got more and more important. Yes my battery has sustained us camping two days in one spot and had no worries starting - but it is always an uneasy feeling - especially as we are often solo. (I have a NOCO GB40 as a backup too) Install was easy enough, I did it solo and followed the instructions (except the part about having two people) and actually took my time, for once. Might paint a part of my hood black now, but in one of the pics you can really see the effect of the flat clear coat I did one the hood a while back....

yes they are spendy, but the use of the hood space and the complete 'no brainer' wiring was quite intriguing
https://www.cascadia4x4.com/collect...nd-gen-tacoma-vss-system-90w-hood-solar-panel

 

I've been sitting on this same kit for a while now. Good to see someone do a writeup on it, def solidifying it in my mind as a future project.

 

yeah I think it will be enough for me, we don't run much - the fridge, basically that's it. ill let you know how well it works......

I have a Low Level Disconnect to my aux power, so it knocks the power to everything (fridge, drifter lights, etc) when battery drops below like 11.5v or something, it has been activating in the driveway as the truck sits there.....this will be better for the battery health too

random truck photo : (screen shot)

 

After the contract I worked was awarded elsewhere and having a bit of a job search, I drove to work a contract in AZ and then met @prof.jones on the way home to camp for a few nights. Super relaxing not remote but scenic as : also happy to report the cascadia solar panel worked a treat and kept the battery charged no worries.

 

Were able to get away for a few days with my son Oscar coming into town. Spent a quick night in Anza Borrego with Sally and Grace - a few of our 'go to' spots being unavailable due to roads being closed off, we scrambled to find somewhere in the dark - this one did the trick



Oscar and I then ran off to Glendale AZ to watch the Monster Energy AMA Supercross - Oscars first time, it was a triple crown event and Tomac won so was def a great night....



We then trundled our way west - attempted to run some dirt but several roads we tried to run no longer existed. We took the loss and decided to run to camp, which worked out as we were able to really chill out. Was a site I had been before with Sally, not remote but scenic as and the temps were perfect

 

From there we explored the canyon and checked out a couple of the sites, then continued our way west, having to pass thru a military area that required getting clearance, as I was checking my route (to ensure we stayed on the road we were told to) on Gaia Maps the next 145 miles crashed and disappeared - we had to scramble and figure things out using 1 bar of LTE - a downloaded map and the preloaded map in the tacoma. Ended up being easier than I thought - but was a bit funny really. we found a pretty sweet spot to camp and enjoyed a relaxing evening around the fire.