MJ's build (yes finally finding time to do this)

Ahh good call. Yea if I ever go with a HC rear bumper with a swingout, I'll put that same camera on my bed rack

 

Ya I'm gana have it so I can have it on when ever I'm driving not just in reverse. That way I can watch whatever I'm towing or who is tail gating me

 

got my fridge today

Edgestar 43 qt


I plugged it in the house and put some drinks in it. It went from 72* to 38* in 30 minutes. There's a "fast freeze" mode that takes it down to freezing temp super fast, but I think I'll be using this primarily for fridge temps.


When it's just my wife and I on trips, I can put it in the backseat. It fits snug with the bottom part propped up.


I'm installing a water proof, marine grade cig outlet in the bed so I can plug it there when store it back there (or any other device that uses 12V when the fridge isn't back there)

 

Nice. My Whynter brand one has been a champ

 

Yeah I've read Whytner and Edgestar are the same company. Hopefully they last just as long as ARB's and Engel's

 

hey there, love your truck. was wondering how you like the 4.56gears with 33s? i hear 4.56 with 35s runs like stock

Also where do you hide your spare? id like an allpro rear so that sorta rules out a swing out carrier. and im not sure im ready for a bed rack over the soft topper. id like to keep the bed for a sleeping platform for weekender trips.

 

thanks man! 4.56 with 33s has been a big difference. You can definitely feel the power. And on the rpms are high on the freeway, but I have a commuter now, so it's not really an issue. Still haven't done a real wheeling trip with them yet, so I can't say how they perform quite yet. I tell you this though, I didn't realize how much power I lost because everything that was added (lift, tires, armor etc) were all added on gradually, so I never really felt a power loss until I re-geared and gained the power back.

My bed rack has a custom spare tire mount


It leans pretty close to the side so it takes up minimal space. If you really like the AP rear bumper, PM ffdawson. He has the AP rear bumper WITH a custom swing out for his spare and jerry cans.

 

Thanks for the reply! i suppose 4.56's probably wont be the best choice for a DD. ill have to check out ffdawson's rig there.

 

with 33s, maybe not. But even if I had to DD my truck again, I wouldn't mind it at all.

But then again, that's just me. I've read that plenty of people have 4.56s with 33s and it fits them perfectly. Your best bet would be to check out a regeared taco at a meet and see/hear it for yourself.

 

Did a small mod over the weekend. Added a Blue Sea waterproof cig outlet in the bed. It's primarily for my fridge when I can't store it in the backseat (for when I have passengers). I was going to hook it up with a quick disconnect in the bed, but I figure add a cig outlet so that I can use it for whatever whenever the fridge isn't back there.

Maybe overkill, but I hooked it up to my fuse panel with 10ga wire. Saw that some of the guys on expo portal recommended that big of a gauge to make sure the fridge gets enough amperage.

 

Why not just use the AC while you're driving?

 

Yea but I was more concerned about it when I wasn't driving, like at camp and overnight. I'm not sure if AC holds up for as long as DC does when AC is from an inverter. Plus I just wanted a clean 12v source back there. In fact, I tapped my RTT lighs to that 12v source (via added fuse)

 

I think you do need the key on for the inverter to run. But I thought the fridge would hold the cold for a while? The energy required to run the fridge is much higher via the inverter than twelve volts directly.

It's a great idea to have 12v out back too.

 

That's what I was thinking too because it isn't clean AC. Plus I figure when I'm tailgating at a Niner game or cooking off the tailgate while camping, a 12V source right there can be handy

 

Nice fridge. Now I want one and some solar panels for it.

 

Thats my eventual plan, add in a panel to keep everything charged up.

 

One of my photography friends has a 1g that he's installed panels on. Waiting for an update but he should have plenty of power to keep things charged up. Panels are roof mounted.

I am curious to see what the next few years bring with respect to efficiency.

 

I was thinking of solar panels as well, but I think maybe eventually I'll get a 2nd battery - deep cycle, and an upgraded alternator and wiring (BamaToy1997's kit). The solar panel set up seems too bulky, and not to mention a lot of the places we go to are in the forrest and shaded by the trees. Not sure how efficient the solar panels would work without direct sunlight

 

Not really a mod, but thought I'd share how I mounted the RTT. I used 1-3/4" exhaust clamps, but I also put some velcro in between (the felt side), just so that it's not metal on metal. I painted it black, but that didn't really do that well near where the bolts are.



When I have time, one of the clamps will have 2 eye bolts instead of regular bolts/nuts. That way I can slide a padlock through and secure the RTT. Saw another member on here do it and thought it was brilliant!