Astrocat with a Habitat

Wouldn't that require drilling in the side to mount it though?

 

Not sure, but probably. Can't do that then. I was just thinking that on rougher trails the Velcro would maybe pop off only to open the back to a yard sale.

 

I'm not saying it's not possible, but I'm just not ready to attempt drilling into the sides yet lol. I might test out to see if the bags can hold a fair amount of weight under rough conditions.

 

Good call. Truck looks great.

 

Thanks!

 

You can drill into the walls.

This is what was being used to mount log-track in a habitat when mine was being installed. They used rivnuts in the walls.

Make sure you verify depth and such before drilling.

 

Got the pump working for on board water. Just to test for now, I need to get it properly wired with a switch on the back panel and I want to put a valved colder fitting on the tank so it's easy to disconnect and take out.

 

How much water are you capable of carrying?

 

I have a 15 gallon RV tank.

 

Sheeet, it's been awhile since I've updated anything here. Not much has really happened, but kind of a lot also. Here's a rundown:

1. Stayed at the Girard Ridge Lookout with my brother and his cyborg-mut for three nights.
2. Ordered Whiteline poly LCA bushings
3. Ordered IEDLS poly carrier-bearing
4. Received WL bushings with missing hardware
5. Went to Nor-Cal TW mod day
6. Installed @siznarf's sway bar on my truck
7. Bought @MJonaGS32's used skids
8. Received a replacement LCA bushing kit without missing hardware (didn't even have to return the first, so double bushings)
9. Stayed at Calpine Lookout with my brother and his cyborg-mut for two nights.
10. Got a stupid goddamn nut and bolt stuck through the bed floor
11. Noticed 3 missing rivets on my Habitat
12. Bought gusseted spindles from @Bentrodder
13. Bought @DannyBFresco's OEM LCA take-offs

I think that just about covers it.

 

My dad used to service Girard ridge back in his hot-shot days.

I miss what that area was 20yrs ago.. but am glad my folks sold the family homestead, and moved out here.

 

Spent Saturday and Sunday replacing LCAs, TC gusseted spindels, and wheel hubs.





LCAs are OEM but in better shape than my old ones. I touched up the paint on them, replaced the ball joints with proforged, and replaced the bushings with Whiteline poly.

I was also going to try to replace my steering rack bushings but ran out of time. I'm convinced it's not possible without pulling the rack out.

 

Looks good, I did not know that TC made gusseted spindles for regular suspension setup. Those look nice! I rebuilt my front end last year and thought it would be super easy to just heat and beat the lower control arm bushing out and pop new ones in.....yeah right...ended up paying next to nothing for completely brand new LCA's with the bushing in place.

 

Have yet to meet up with you in the area, just bought my Habitat last Tuesday.

+Front slider window, rear window, pass/driver hatch doors. I am going to wait on the carpet and inserts, I have to install a lot of wiring and power distribution, water tank, stereo speakers, etc. Janine said it should take just under 12 weeks...road trip to Prescott, AZ!

I have front and rear bumpers, sliders and plate armor that are on the way from Pelfreybilt....and an empty bank account....

I finally made the two biggest purchases and just recently found out I am moving to Florida. Looks like I need to start buying some new maps. I am going to miss the Sierra's, seriously!

 

I found it pretty easy to remove the OEM bushings using the bottle jack and torch method, and I replaced them with Whiteline poly bushings that have their own sleeves so they just press right into the LCA, unlike the Energy Suspension bushings which reuse the OEM sleeve

I used this tool to press in the WL bushings. Not as as easy as a shop press, but it's cheaper and worked really well, and it comes with the right sized adapters for the WL bushings.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WQXMH1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, these are the Whiteline bushings for anyone looking:

$152 Whiteline W53312 Front Control Arm Bushing, Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0070I9I12/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Maybe the next time I replace my LCA bushings, I'll just buy TC lowers instead. Then again, I do have a spare set of WL bushings now...

Damn, you're going balls deep in one stroke lol. I've been slowly piecing together my armor opportunistically on used deals, first sliders and then skids. I need to start saving up for bumpers and winch, but I haven't even finished my current plans yet.

I'd love to meetup and hear what your thinking for your buildup, I never pass up a chance to poach ideas.

That's a good idea wiring speakers in the back too, I never thought about that before. I hope you get your Habitat in only 12 weeks, I had to wait 37 before I got mine, lol.

 

I have been saving and waiting for a couple years now, after I found out I was moving to the East Coast, I pulled the trigger. I have a dual fuel tank system that needs installed, hot water from engine block, Bussman relays for the habitat, camera system...the list goes on. All of this crap has been waiting because of the habitat! I am trying to do as few wire pulls as possible and I want everything to terminate via plug and harness so I can disconnect power and signal wires and remove the habitat when needed.

I remember you talking about the wait time on your Habitat, I hope I don't have the same scenario! that would be horrible as I am trying to move my family and household goods across the U.S. Driving back to Arizona is not an option, the plan is to actually camp in the Habitat on the way to Florida.

Ill hit you up some time soon, I just got back from my last deployment, I finally am going to get my life back! Truck build can finally start too. I started this whole thing because of my four year old Son. I want to take him on some adventures during his 3 month summer breaks, eventually move up to crossing borders or shipping the truck overseas....maybe Japan. I have been flying radio controlled gliders since 2004, I am training the little dude to fly as well. The weekend plan was to head up into the Sierras or Ocean Cliffs and spend the weekend flying and wheeling....I am guessing Florida is going to be a bust for the geographic features needed for that.

 

What's your timeline looking like?

 

PM sent corprin

 

Damn, that sounds awesome, hope the timing works out for you.