Sour Grapes Build Thread

[SWbySWesty]

Gosh I haven't updated this...BAD me!

For my birthday and Christmas I got a few Jeep things:

1. CB Radio - I mounted it between the sun visors and out of the way
2. Tire deflator and Tire repair kit (why didn't I have this before??)
3. Miscellaneous tie downs and recovery strap
4. MOJAVE ROAD GUIDE - oh yes, April trip?

and I gave the Jeep a trip to Baja for Christmas...

 

[OverlandZJ]

and I gave the Jeep a trip to Baja for Christmas...

I wish you'd stop rubbing it in... :littlefriend:

:sombrero:

Thats a trip i'd love to do someday.

 

[SWbySWesty]

I wish you'd stop rubbing it in... :littlefriend:

:sombrero:

Thats a trip i'd love to do someday.

LOL - sorry, just want to keep the masses informed. I wish I was back down there right now...I start grad school today, so I won't get a trip until maybe April when the semester ends. Then maybe it's Mojave Road time since my buddy and I each got the guide books and cb radios :smiley_drive:

I was doing one trip per month in the grape...now this is gonna drop my average LOL.

 

[SWbySWesty]

So I've finally got around to installing the two Hella 500 converted HID auxiliary lights on my front bumper and WOW - what a night time difference. They are even brighter than my headlights!

I can't wait to get 4 HIDs with internal ballasts running on the roof rack!

I also installed a CB radio which was a gift from my girlfriend (I don't know if I said that yet) and put it in between the sun visors on the roof. Very functional!

 

[SWbySWesty]

Pics of said installs PLUS I just picked up an Engel fridge to keep things nice and cool since I do more camping trips than day runs...of course a cold one at lunch will be handy
CB Radio placement:

Hella 500 HID lights:

I also installed a nice little flourescent battery powered cargo light...can't make graperitas in the dark!

I couldn't resist the smokin' deal on an Engel fridge/freezer. So I got this MR040 which is a great little unit...it'll even freeze water! I do more camping trips than day runs so now I don't need a cooler anymore and won't have to deal with soggy messes of leftover food!

And of course, in the desert (like the Mojave Road or Johnson Valley), what good is relaxing for lunch and enjoying a cold one when you're being beaten by the sun? Enter the Kirkham's auto canopy:

I'm now debating on doing a dual battery setup just so that I don't strand myself with the fridge running overnight. It's currently being tested in the vehicle to see just how long my battery can last running the fridge.

 

[SWbySWesty]

haha - so I decided to test my battery and how long it could support the fridge - went about 20 hours and I was able to start the Jeep, but I only drove it to the market and couldn't get it started again (dead battery).

So basically I'm now going to look into a dual battery system to run my lights, cb, inverter, fridge...and hopefully one day a winch (but time will tell). This will also provide a backup battery for starting in case I ever get a short or leave a dome light on etc.

 

[BIGdaddy]

haha - so I decided to test my battery and how long it could support the fridge - went about 20 hours and I was able to start the Jeep, but I only drove it to the market and couldn't get it started again (dead battery).

So basically I'm now going to look into a dual battery system to run my lights, cb, inverter, fridge...and hopefully one day a winch (but time will tell). This will also provide a backup battery for starting in case I ever get a short or leave a dome light on etc.

Thats smart. Seems like a lot of folks figure out they need to test their system after it has failed in the outback.

good on ya!

what did you pay for/where did you get your freezer fridge? PM me if you want.

 

[SWbySWesty]

what did you pay for/where did you get your freezer fridge? PM me if you want.

$500 for a used MR040 - picked up via Craigslist and the associated email. He's a new dealer and looking for business. I posted about it in the For Sale section:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=568586#

 

[SWbySWesty]

Picked up a whole set of replacement battery cables (Selarep on NAXJA is Rick at (559)248-6990) which are thicker gauge allowing for upgraded alternator in the future. He also hooked me up with the cables needed to do my dual battery setup for running my lights, CB and fridge - and in the future whatever else I bring camping...yea - I bring a lot of gear. Pretty sweet - everything came pre-terminated and labeled for which end goes where and which cable goes where...no guesswork, simple which is what I like/want.
Write up to come probably in April...

 

[TheGleam227]

Nice looking XJ. Would love to see a couple more shots of that JCR roof rack. I've been looking at it for a while trying to decide if I want it or not. I like it because it's low profile and good for carrying lights, tire, hi-lift...which is probably all I would have on a rack anyways.

 

[SWbySWesty]

Nice looking XJ. Would love to see a couple more shots of that JCR roof rack. I've been looking at it for a while trying to decide if I want it or not. I like it because it's low profile and good for carrying lights, tire, hi-lift...which is probably all I would have on a rack anyways.

I'll try to get some today after work while there is still some sunlight. It's pretty useful; however, I would say for an adventure rig that a generic rack might be a better route. While this rack was the best option financially since it came with all the tabs pre-welded, it isn't set up to hold smaller things like a small Pelican case without modifying the floor a bit - and JCR didn't want to custom make one to my dismay.

On my list is to move to a rear tire swingout w/ jerry can holder in order to take the tire off the roof. Then I'll cut off the tire mount from the roof rack so that it's totally flat and then I'll be satisfied with the rack - the tire mount just makes it a little dysfunctional for putting things like surfboards or what not up there with the tire.

Anyways - if I were you, I'd really debate on what you want to DO with your rack. Put lots of gear or just put the tire, hi-lift, and lights? If you're loading gear, I'd go with more of a cargo basket than this one...I just wanted the dang tire out of my trunk - but now I want it off my roof since I got stuck in a parking structure!!! - talk about embarassing!

 

[SWbySWesty]

OK - So I got the National Luna dual battery kit since I'm using my dual battery for a slightly different reason than other folks...I'm not running a winch - yet. But I do have a fridge, lights, cb and probably more to come.

Anyways here are some photos of my install. I went through the hole under the rear driver's quarter panel. There was a grommet there.

DON'T DO THAT!!! Most would say...YOU'RE GOING TO SHORT THE WIRES!!! Well, I thought of that, which is why I used the original grommet and ran the wires through it.

Then I routed underneath the car following the fuel/brake lines because I didn't want to be near the exhaust system on the passenger side. I followed the brake line all the way to the engine compartment securing with zip ties along the way. No moving parts will touch the wires.

Then I routed from the brake booster thingy area, with the wire harness around to the battery. Secured to the battery posts, everything works great.

Of course, I had to make sure it was working by chilling some beer.

So - which system is this? This is the National Luna Portable Power Pack dual battery system. It does everything automatically like when to connect itself to the charging system, when to disconnect, etc. It has lights showing me what the state of my Optima Yellowtop is and how much my vehicle is charging the battery. Pretty nice setup!

I also figured out where my rattling is coming from...3 of 4 tabs holding the rear panel thingy on the outside of the lift gate are broken - causing it to vibrate against the vehicle. I need to get this part either from someone or the dealer...I wonder if it's $$$

 

[SWbySWesty]

Making chop suey out of my fenders in order to stuff the 33's better especially since I'm planning on dropping the lift to 4.5'' instead of 5.5/6''

 

[SWbySWesty]

I built a ghetto drawer in order to hold things llike tools and fluids and recover gear all in one spot. I'm heading up to Big Bear tomorrow for an "Adopt A Trail" run in the snow and will see how this setup holds up as it's all strapped down

 

[Nikson]

So what you make of the snorkel from AirFlow (or what was it called)...

I am thinking of doing something of my own, but at the same time trying to weight to time vs money on this project... so far not sure if its worth the trouble to build one myself...

One issue I've got with these that stick out like this... (SAFARI & similar),,, is that brush/branches seem to be a big problem when going through...

Whatcha say???