VBTaco Build

I had a really busy weekend but managed to squeeze in a minor update with the maxtrax. I ordered the end mounts for my Roam case but with this and the way the bars are mounted I'm not sure if they are going to work out. I may need to stick with the classic hole in the bottom method.

 

It's been quiet here, I've grabbed a bunch of stuff but haven't had time to install anything. I fell the other week and busted a finger on 1 hand and my wrist on the other so I need to chill a bit. I've also been working a ton of freelance work so I haven't had a lot of time. I got a CO2 tank setup on Craigslist for $200, Sherpa mounts for my Roam box, the smaller s8 in amber for the bumper, a lock for the tailgate from R4T, rocksliders on order from Explore Overland and a few other small things. I think I've missed the camping window for the summer (just not into sweating my balls off but we'll see) so the rest of the summer is all about getting this thing dialed in for the fall.

 

So after our first trip and then a family vacation to the Outer Banks, I've decided that the bed cover and future rack solution isn't going to work for me. Right now I think I'm going to stick with a ground tent and take the plunge on a shell. Somehow I was fortunate and stumbled on an RSI that's available and grabbed it. I'm not sure when it will be here but this will be a game-changer for my bed plans and mounting. Stay tuned.

Also I grabbed tickets to so if you're going LMK!

 

Did you 3d Print that left side switch panel to fit the switchpros?

Also where'd ya get that sticker/wrap for the front of your Prinsu? I have a light bar in mine but think it would look pretty cool cut around the bar

 

It’s 3D printed but it’s from Caliraised. The wrap was from a guy on Facebook.

 

Welp, that escalated quickly.

 

Definitely need to get up here soon.

 

Retrax sold and out of here. I loved it but getting that extra 10” of bed space back and more height are going to be so welcome.

 

I got the topper assembled and on this weekend. It was brutally hot here in VA so I spent about 2 hours on Saturday putting it together and maybe an hour on Sunday getting it mounted. Super happy with it so far but had a few questions I'll ask on another thread.

Having said, I know I'm super fortunate to even be updating this thread and asking everyone to keep Louisiana in your thoughts! Terrible destruction down there and it hits all too close to home having lost my house to flooding to hurricane Matthew 7 years ago.

 

This weekend I finished up the last little bit on the RSI by routing the 3rd brake light harness but the holiday was mostly dedicated to the yard. I made 3 trips to the landfill with tree and shrub clippings. I drilled a hole through the back panel of the cap just so nothing would hit/rub/pinch when loading and unloading against the edge. I tucked it up under the plastic trim and routed it to the taillight. They leave you to your own devices on this part in the instructions haha. "Whatever works for you" I suppose. Now that the weather has broken and yard is under control I have a bunch to do. Rock sliders should be here end of month, I have an interior molly panel, bed stiffiners and a few other small things to install. After that my focus will be on bed storage and a kitchen setup.

 

Added the Meso rack I got a few months back finally.

 

The past two weeks have been pretty crazy because I was preparing for the Northeast Overland Festival in PA. Most of my time was grabbing last-minute camping equipment and a full tool kit to round out my gear and doing a few mods. I planned to do a differential breather extension before the trip but parts showed up around 5pm the day before. I ended up just packing the parts and installing the breather extension at camp. Someone came by and asked if I was good and what I was doing. After explaining he laughed and said he had all the parts and if we could do his next so he pulled up next to camp and we did his after.

 

After the trip a few parts had come in so I installed the Hooke Road tailgate skin. It was a bit cheaper than some of the OG brands but I was actually impressed with the thickness and alignment for the price. Having this or any skin is going to be a game changer. I cooked and prepped everything on my tailgate this weekend and would have loved this there. While it was open I installed the R4T tailgate lock which has been sitting around for months. I haven't wired it up yet but it's ready to go when I get some time. It's not going to be as useful with the Smart Cap vs. the Retrax but anyway, it's on.

 

On to the main event. The Northeast Overland Festival was awesome. I took Thursday & Friday off to travel up to PA. We got a late start and got in even later traveling through some of the most intense rain I've ever been in around DC. The freeway was flooded and it was prime-time traffic. I was glad to be in something lifted vs all the NOVA beamers and Teslas. It took us 2 hours to get into Maryland and we didn't get to camp until 10:30pm. The event was far from overland as there was a Walmart 2m away as well as gas and everything else. However, Famous Readings had 26,000 acres of trails through non-active coal mining areas. The scenery was amazing and the trails offered everything from wide-open greens to intense reds. For those a few hours away or closer, a year-round access pass is totally worth it, especially if you have a side by side or dirt bike. The event was hosted by Explore Overland out of NY. It featured guided trail rides, classes, cornhole tournaments, a blind driver course and a massive raffle.

 

I ordered sliders back in June and still don't have them but my armor came in this week just in time for our next outing. I feel like diff drops are a hot topic but I got it installed due to a bad experience with a 4Runner's CVs years ago. The diff drop made a relatively easy install pretty painful but it's done now. So far I have all the front plates mounted and will probably tackle the fuel skid after I get back. It's primed, painted and ready to mount.

 

I took off Friday and spent 3 days in the VA Blue Ridge. Friday was Peter's Mill and Saturday we headed down to Pott's. Peter's Mill was super easy and fun. Pott's was the opposite. I knew going in I had step bars limiting clearance and 33s and I had to tap out 3/4 way up. The step bars took a huge beating and are coming off asap but the narrow trails produce some terrible pinstriping. I have a massive war mark on the rear passenger down the whole fender. Still waiting on sliders but the armor has already paid for itself!

 

After this weekend's adventure, I was finally able to get the front end redone. I got 14" 700# Eibach's swapped and got the preload adjusted. I'm now at 23" center hub to fender giving me a full 2.5" lift. My sliders are shipping tomorrow so I hope to have them on in a week or so!

 

BUH BYYYYEEEEE

 

Hell yeah! You go with a group to Potts? Or by yourself? I’m local also and am always going by myself. My friends that wheel including myself have out of town jobs so it’s hard to get schedules to match.

 

With my buddy, just the 2 of us. He has a much more capable Gladiator on 37s.