stickyTaco's boosted eff cancer build and ramblings

Lighter and faster....for about 24 hours

 

I think I have the lighting configuration dialed in the GFC for the truck bed level. I'll get that set and then work on the upper level lighting. Each level will have a switch that is easily accessible when the truck is loaded with gear.

The drivers side will be a mirror of the passenger side.


I tucked the lights on the outside of the frame so they light up the bed but don't blind you if you're sitting in the bed.


When I open the panel the lights provide decent lighting on the outside of the truck. It's bright enough that I could see well enough to air up or air down and possibly even change a wheel in a pinch without additional lighting.

 

Wait, you got an X3 and a GFC! Are you building your harem?

 

We're gonna build ourselves a camp compound

I've wanted windoors on the shell and a clamshell RTT, the GFC checked those boxes so when @RelentlessFab sold their shop bison the buyer didn't want the GFC that was on it I was happy to give it a new home.

The plan is to move the kids out of the X3 and into the GFC and the GFC will be perfect for skiing, solo camp trips, or when it's just me and one of the kids camping. It's pretty amazing how quick it is to setup and break down, it feels lighter on the truck than the shell/RTT combo, and having bed access with the side doors is great.

 

This was a lot faster than when I put lights in the Leer. I have two strips on each side and one across the front which is 3 less strips than I had in the Leer but should be plenty of light.



Now I just need to find a box that I can mount two switches in and clean up this mess.


Then I'll dive into the upper level lighting. Wires are pulled for that but I'd like to find some sort of dimmer switch. Plan is for a couple small red LEDs in the tent that come on with the lower level switch and then a white on a dimmer.

 

Ended up covering the LEDs with a yellow tinted vinyl to cut the glare and help hold them onto the frame. It puts out nice light.

 

Been doing some more tinkering on the GFC while I wait for parts to finish out the lights.

Mounted the compressor and will wire it once the relay and switch arrive. Access is convenient from the driver's side panel. In the same corner I'll be adding a switch for the compressor, one for lighting, a USB quick charger, and a 12v plug. The plan is to make a panel out of 1/8" PVC sheet that'll keep the wiring clean and tidy.


I also covered the red bar at the back of the camper with vinyl that I had leftover from the RTT. I'm undecided it I keep it on or if I remove the bar and color match it to the truck.

 

I was planning to wait until we had the new garage built before replacing the headlights but I got tired of the massive boxes with the TRD Pro headlights taking up room in the garage and it was time to polish the headlights again so I decided to just replace them. Took about as long as a proper polish and reseal.

 

New headlights really freshen up the front end. You're going to see much better at night.

 

Just drove with them in the other morning and it was a big difference. I still have the upgraded headlight wiring harness to install which will help even more.

 

Nice!

 

Picked up some new, non-leaky fuel cans since they go in the bed and I don't want to worry about gas fumes with the kids sleeping in the GFC...these will give me another 100 miles of range towing the trailer in 4lo. I have the mounts for the cans too but need to decide on the layout of everything before mounting them.


Also added a tailgate assist to make it easier to open the tailgate from inside the bed and installed a strap on the tailgate to assist with closing it from the inside.

I used one of the tie-down points that was removed from the bed when I installed the bed stiffeners to attach the strap. Now my kids can open and close the tailgate from inside or outside of the truck.

 

That tailgate assist was probably the best cheap mod I did to my wife's F150.

 

Quick trip to what might as well be the moon to launch some model rockets with the kids. Wandering around at night with a full moon was a bonus.

 

I'm jealous man, that looks like a rad time!

 

As a Washingtonian still dealing with daily smoke outs from all the still burning wildfires, thanks for going to the moon to launch rockets.

 

We've been lucky with clear skies most of the summer. Even without fires it can be hit and miss with dust on the playa but there was barely even a breeze while we were out. I set up on the edge where the surface conditions limit speed a bit so we wouldn't have anyone bombing by our camp. The white surface off in the distance is the fast section of playa.




This morning we had a leisurely start to the day. The kids wandered the playa in their pjs while I cooked oatmeal and had some espresso to get warmed up (it was 45f at 8:30am).


Having this next to bed is nice. I don't use it every morning but it was just what I needed today.


After a slow start, we were fed and packed up around 10:30am and headed for the flat part of the playa to launch the rockets. My son took a turn flying the drone while I set up the rocket and he snapped this pic of us. Not bad for his 1st time flying it.

After rockets we made the long trek back across the playa but I took the opportunity to let the kids have some seat time steering the truck. Last time my daughter drove (2 years ago) she was too young to remember.

 

The best kind of family time.

 

Brother, that pic of the truck and the sunrise is TW calendar worthy.

That pic of your daughter's smile is priceless.

Achievement Unlocked: Ultimate Dad Mode

 

That smile definitely makes me happy. The following Monday she told me that driving the truck and trailer was what she shared for her favorite part of the weekend when they talked about it at school. We were supposed to head back out this weekend but rain Saturday followed by lows in the 20's are in the forecast so we're working on coming up with another plan now.