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Bubble level for overlanding

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by foothill96tacoma, Oct 12, 2020.

  1. Oct 12, 2020 at 12:48 PM
    #21
    IDtrucks

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    too bad the hood is the least level body panel of the truck lol
     
  2. Oct 12, 2020 at 12:48 PM
    #22
    m603holden

    m603holden @Koditten Pirate Radio member #063

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    Yeah lose that hope real quick lol
     
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  3. Oct 12, 2020 at 12:49 PM
    #23
    foothill96tacoma

    foothill96tacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hadn't considered inside the glove box, thanks for the suggestion!
     
  4. Oct 12, 2020 at 12:49 PM
    #24
    ResearchMonkee

    ResearchMonkee Techn9cian

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    As the other guy said, you are overthinking it, but don't listen to him complain about the whole "overland fad." Not sure why people are getting all up in arms about it, who cares.

    Just use a small leveler and put on tailgate/bed rails if you really want to be flat. I had a bubble thingamajig and it sucked, chucked that bad boy in the trash.
     
  5. Oct 12, 2020 at 12:55 PM
    #25
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    No complaint, just trying to shed light on the fact that companies are using the term to "sell" an image to people for items that are completely unnecessary.

    If a fool wants to part with their money, then so be it. I'd hope that said money would go into something with a larger return such as quality all terrain/mud terrain tires or a means of airing up.
     
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  6. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:00 PM
    #26
    MNMLST

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    Each and every time I have parked my truck, opened the tailgate and set a beer on it, it has proven absolutely and perfectly level enough for camping. In fact, the more beers the “leveler” it gets...
     
  7. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:04 PM
    #27
    ResearchMonkee

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    I mean he's asking about a $12 dollar product to give him peace of mind of a flat ground. I'm sure he'll be ok. I don't know what else he's rocking, so I'm not making any assumptions on what he needs to buy.
     
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  8. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:05 PM
    #28
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    Toss a carpenters level under the rear seat. Those mini bubbles are great if you can calabrate them against something bigger before permanently mounting them to a rigid point like the side of a trailer. Otherwise it's tough to find a perfect surface that's even somewhat accurate. By somewhat accurate I mean "better than just eyeballing it without any tools".

    The shorter the level, the more error you are introducing from surface irregularities. Those little guys are great for a trailer, but useless if you have them loose in your glovebox. You'll be second guessing your own instincts, and constantly wondering all night why you are rolling to the right when it says you were "level." You're better off just going by buttfeel at that point.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2020
  9. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:11 PM
    #29
    MNMLST

    MNMLST Well-Known Member

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    tinfoil lined cab runflat headlights pee-thru seats
    Lowe’s, 5 bucks, magnetic... will leave both hands free for beer.

    7B9F1A47-EFAB-40AE-A4A8-660DBB9C9E3E.jpg
     
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  10. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:13 PM
    #30
    foothill96tacoma

    foothill96tacoma [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. I use a free app on my iPhone that works well when I stop the truck, get out and place the phone on the rear gate and see if it's level after move and/or I throw rocks/wood under the wheel(s) :) This works fine, but I prefer to not have to get in/out of my truck each time I tweak the position of the truck.
     
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  11. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:13 PM
    #31
    Rock Lobster

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    Yep. One of these. Cheap and accurate.
     
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  12. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:16 PM
    #32
    MNMLST

    MNMLST Well-Known Member

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    tinfoil lined cab runflat headlights pee-thru seats
    0A9531FF-D0BF-44C3-8832-AA696E212FB6.jpg
     
  13. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:18 PM
    #33
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Well that's when you're surveying and figuring out the GM angle of a specific location.

    Earth is round and you measure in magnetic, and translate that to grid for plotting on paper.
     
  14. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:22 PM
    #34
    MNMLST

    MNMLST Well-Known Member

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    tinfoil lined cab runflat headlights pee-thru seats
    The earth is neither ‘round’ nor ‘magnetic’.

    The best approximation is an oblate spheroid with several anomalies, both topographic and ‘magnetic’.

    “Don’t bring an alidade to a theodolite fight.”
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2020
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  15. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:29 PM
    #35
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    4 run, 2 don't
    Tomato tomato.

    Old school navigation when shooting an azimuth with a lensatic compass. Using an aiming point will tell you the angle when converting from a real world measurement onto paper.

    I have some experience in the subject.
     
  16. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:31 PM
    #36
    MNMLST

    MNMLST Well-Known Member

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    Tomatos aren’t round either.
     
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  17. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:31 PM
    #37
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    No they're not.

    I don't care for them either in my burgers or sandwiches.
     
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  18. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:33 PM
    #38
    MNMLST

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    F6D44C36-F3BF-4F9C-A3FD-74EB5CBEC9CB.jpg
     
  19. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:34 PM
    #39
    Kwikvette

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    4 run, 2 don't
    We can't be friends.
     
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  20. Oct 12, 2020 at 1:34 PM
    #40
    IDtrucks

    IDtrucks Unhinged and Fluid

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