geekhouse23's "LIFE'S WAITING TO BEGIN" Overland & Home build and all the Adventures in between!

Really excited to use it man!!

I went overkill. I used bolts with washers on the back, lock washers and nylon locking nuts. I didn't want it going anywhere. For added security, I used tamperproof torx bolts left over from swapping all the crossbar bolts on my Prinsu. All stainless hardware.

Bottle opener is from Mountain State Overland: http://www.mountainstateoverland.com/overlander

Looks like it's not available anymore.

 

darn I liked that black one. And I like your style. I just mounted my level to my prinsu with stainless everything, and even loctite haha.

 

Not a bad idea. I saw that actually. Might get me one too.

I use antiseize on all my stuff. Learned the hard way on the front rack as I have some bolts that are seized forever. Luckily they're ones that don't ever and will never need to move like the one's holding my light bar and Maxtrax mounts in place.

 

yeah the winter and steel and aluminum threads don't always play nicely! lol I'm probs gonna take my bolts out and hit them with some of that anti seize as well. Good call lol

 

Was able to get a few things done this weekend with it being so busy and eventful. Lots of running around.

- Friday after work, I got the tailgate handle fixed. The clips I found on TW and bought are DEFINITELY the wrong size and too big. I had to drill out the metal bracket to make the bigger clips fit and then, because the rod is a lot smaller, I used zipties to contain the rod to the clip in hopes it doesn't pop out of the clip. Works a lot better and smoother than the previous "temp fix". Without the zipties, the rod out DEFINITELY fall out of the clip.



- Saturday morning, the wife and I went to the mother-in-law's house to pick up another truckload of shit; mostly garage shit. Still don't have the bike at the new house yet Made sure to grab the rest of the tools and also my car wash shit. The truck desperately needs a bath. Perhaps I can get it washed up this weekend. Went through the kit and cleared some towels out. I received my Adam's plush towel at work:



- While we were at the mother-in-law's, the wife was doing haircuts for the city folk and then we went home to unload the truck. Cleared out the workshop of all the shit that was in there and reorganized everything. Still need a shed for the lawn care tools, mower and RTT. Fence first and then go through the shed purchase process. Then, went to the gym and came back home. While the wife was doing some more haircuts for the suburb folk, I was organizing the garage and then did some work on the truck:

- Raptor LED light kit FINALLY installed:

Testing


Confirmed working, wire routed, ziptied and buttoned up:


Hung my "No Trucks Allowed" sign from the old out. Inside joke now that I can actually fit into the garage:





- MAF sensor cleaning thanks to @boogie3478

Definitely noticed an increase of average MPG driving around once cleaning the MAF sensor. Not sure I would notice a jump in HP with the rig being such a heavy b!tch. Thanks for the easy maintenance/mod!

Sunday was the wife's birthday and just spent the day running around at Home Depot and bed bath and beyond. Got some house mods done that the wife wanted to do and then relaxed and enjoyed some Cinco de Mayo festivities in the afternoon with her family.

Overall, good weekend, busy weekend, weather was amazing and got a lot of shit done.

Happy Monday everyone!

 

Sounds like things are moving along nicely B! Excellent! Definitely a very productive weekend!

 

Creature comfort mod.

Was looking at the getta grip shifter, but didn't like how tall they were. They look awkward and ricey IMHO. They make shorties but not for Toyotas. Didn't feel like messing with a DIY setup (at least for now; still might attempt). Wanted something some, cheap, clean and black.

Ended up going with a 90mm Tomei (because JDM AF) and a M8 to M10 threaded shift knob adapter:

https://express.google.com/product/...Type-L-M10-P1-25-90mm/4360474984087844980_0_0

https://express.google.com/product/...-to-M10-x-1-25-10725/0_11554444745367629814_0

Came out great. Same length as the stock shifter so I can rest my hand while driving.



Definitely not as cool as Randall's wrench shifter, but definitely a cheaper option than the getta grip's kit at $65 before shipping and tax.

 

Not too bad. I like the idea of getting a new shifter but don't want to spend a fortune on one.

 

This was $35 shipped. About half of the getta grip system. Not too shabby.

 

I made mine for like 4 dollars. M8 coupler nut and some 7/8 OD steel tubing. 3 tack welds and boom! Shifter:

Oh, and a crapload for the bike the grips came with.

 

I definitely want to try tackling a DIY like you did. Might cost me about the same as you. Would be a fun first project when I buy a new welder.

I have the parts since the swingout latch rocks a BMX grip..and a second project for the welder would be a spare tire carrier like @EatSleepTacos

#RandallIsBae

 

Im about to swap out the grips again on my Santa Cruz again. If you want one, Ill send it to you.

 

Quick mod last night (again).

With the swingout removed, I noticed some paint "missing" on the tailgate. Turns out that the tailgate is kissing the bumper when the tailgate is down. I believe this is due to the added length of the bumper to accommodate the swingout when closed so everything sits flush. I don't believe this is an issue with the non-swingout models.

Shim protecting the tailgate while I worked:


So, I placed the tailgate cable bolt up into the notch where the "washer" sits into.

Normal:



"Modded":



Before:



After:





I only did this on the driver's side. If I need to use the tailgate as a table/workbench, it's easily removed on the driver's side and then the passenger's side assumes the "role" of the normal tailgate level. The ribs of the tailgate reinforcement plate stops items from rolling. I also still plan to install the EZ down tailgate shock on the passenger side as well rather than the driver's side.

I drilled a hole in-between the bolt hole and the hook washer hole. Because the bolt hole has a nut tacked to the back side, I would have to grind that down/out to put a washer and bolt on the back. That might be a better height/angle for the tailgate to sit and still use as a workbench/table while still being able to be somewhat supported by the passenger side. I will probably give that a try on the weekend when I have more time.

Realistically, I would remove the bumper and ream out the mount holes on the bumper and have it sit better. Which I plan to do. This was just a quick solution/"fix" to save the tailgate until I can get some extra hands and a weekend to do so.

 

Great quick and easy fix B! Necessity is the mother of all invention!

 

Thanks! Not bad for now.



Uh oh...back at it again...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ickid=RjzTPq3cfxyJTNh0MvSyQWlBUkl1Jj2kvyc00g0

Milwaukee chainsaw - $425 with another, beefy battery and no charger (new impact came with one). Still compatible with my new impact gun.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ickid=RjzTPq3cfxyJTNh0MvSyQWlBUkl1Jj2kvyc00g0

This was a conversation I had with my buddy last night at the house. He works for a professional tree cutting company and works HEAVILY with chainsaws. The wife and I went from having ZERO trees to a ton and I want to clean up the yard a good bit. I offered to split the purchase with him (probably gas model) and he said he would buy me out of it eventually. Which works for me, honestly.

I have done a little research on the topic from some threads on here that I found and I think that a battery powered one is the way to go over gas:

- fairly moderate use; my property will see HEAVY use of the saw for a little while. MANY trees and buckthorn to remove. Few bushes too; one is about the size of a fiat.
- Will be good up at the lake.
- don't want the hassle of fiddling with it and leaving gas/oil mix for months.
- grab and go
- will work with my impact gun and potential future tool purchases.
- can take in the truck or wife's care without worrying about fuel spillage
- easy flip if needed..
- Trail clearing events at local ORVP (once a year IIRC maybe twice but would be fun to get into)

If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts, please feel free to chime in.

Considering a 271 Farm Boss if gas REALLY is the way to go.

https://millerindustrialllc.stihlde...LjVTpJh17vBBMZeQk_zpNmXCPAOUFg1waApJYEALw_wcB

Hoping that I can get to a store with my buddy and get my hands on some and see and go from there. I can post pics of the yard and trees etc.

 

I have my electric dewalt with a 12” bar and love it, BUT I plan on selling it to Tyler and getting a gas one. There’s been twice now where we were on public land and had to constantly clear trees, and battery life was an issue. Even with multiple batteries it just eats through them. So for the single tree here or there it’s amazing. Very simple, no gas, etc. but for those odd times you need it longer, you just can’t beat a gas.

 

After reading some more, I started to rethink the battery idea. Granted you don't have to worry about fuel, however, you then have to worry about charging. This might be a good option for the truck once I go dual battery, but, idk. And the batteries for the Milwaukee I linked are $249 NEW. Some reviews were saying they got about 45-60 minutes out of one battery. If you want even just 2 spare batteries, you might as well buy the 271...

I think I might see what my buddy thinks about the 271 and we can go in together on it. At least that way, I can get bought out and my money back eventually.

 

What's nice about the stihl's is they really hold their value. I'm looking at craigslist right now and I may as well buy new. I was looking at the ms211 which seems like a decent saw for not too much money.

 

For what you are wanting gas is the way to go. I had 4 gas ones. From a climbing model to a big boy with a 36" bar. If your buddy is going in on it with you he'll want more of the professional grade which is a step above the farm boss. I would look into used older Stihl or Hisquavarna the newer ones with the rubber mounted engines though nice for keeping vibration down are weird IMO. You don't get the feel for what the tree or limb is doing since you are isolated from the bar.

 

That looks decent for the price. I didn't know how much there is out there!!

I need to ask him what he wants to use it for. Idk that he would for work since they supply the saws and they all run Stihls. I am willing to spend a little more if needed like the Farm Boss.