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There are some good points in this thread, and technology can be leveraged before a purchase in much the same way it is used afterwards. Some things I’ve added to my vetting list: BBB Review Google company name and similar names No website - no sale No address on website - no sale Street and...

You got pretty lucky if it was $80. When I learned my hard lesson it was $800 and the shifty morons dragged it out long enough that my bank wouldn’t do a chargeback. I suggest you hold onto the anger this situation creates and use it to fuel suspicion of all future online and even some...

It will be expensive and difficult to work with 6 AWG. Use any available online DC voltage wire size calculator. I ran 2 different sites and both said 19 AWG, so literally, using the 12 or 14 that is commonly available and easy to run into MC4 connectors is all you reasonably need...

I’ve found that low voltage landscape wire at the big box is a good option for vehicle solar panels. Really Good UV protected and thick insulation, paired cable with marking to sort positive and negative, and available in 12 AWG. A huge plus…’sold by the foot!

I think if I ever decide to go the van route I’ll just stick with the classic “free candy” sign.

Life will be short enough that just one or two is probably adequate ?

So, I don’t necessarily share any sort of prepper spirit, and don’t really know what would be destroyed by EMP, but if life were to revert back to pre-electric days, I believe a really good calculator, a multi-meter, and flashlights will be among the most valuable things on earth. Cell phones…...

What is the intended purpose? Are you trying to prevent scanning / tracking, or is this to help something survive an EMP event? I think the list of items included changes based on the answer. For instance, including your cell phone to save it from EMP seems like a waste, losing all the...

If you’re new to older diesels: I’ve always been a fan of Rotella T4 or T5 oils. 15w40 is kind of standard diesel weight, high temp summer driving I might go 20w50. I was surprised that the Toyota F (gas) was spec’d for 15-40 already, with 20-50 called out as a high temp option. Even after...

Buy some jumper cables. That truck attracts enough attention that someone will be around to jump you whenever you need it. You could easily get across country that way until you get to home base and can figure it out properly.

Toyota electric systems are not horrible, but when you say 1980 and Florida, you could very well find a nightmare of corrosion and bad connections or short circuits. I’ve been working on a 1970 FJ40 here in dry Cali and it only took me about 5 minutes to decide to strip all wiring out and begin...

Interesting. I’m not getting those emails. I wonder if they have different lists by region or customer spend level.

I get constant email from them, but haven’t seen a straight % of anything coupon in months. Maybe I’ll go re-sign for email or something.

Does anyone know if Harbor Freight still puts out the general %off one item coupons? I haven’t seen any in a very long time, and everything on the web seems to be specific to single items.

Do you have a multimeter? You mention taking this to a mechanic, but testing a battery fault versus an alternator fault is about as simple as it gets with very cheap tools and is where many people start to learn. I couldn’t imagine driving a 1980 truck if I had to rely on mechanics all the...

I don’t know, but I can tell you that I chose 2 panels wired in series so that I would specifically avoid a failure mode. The Victron data all says that MPPT charging requires panel voltage of battery plus 5 to initiate charging. Today for example, a cloudy and cold day, my panel voltage was...

I don’t think you’re wrong, but I’m also not sure that a solution in the form of total re-design is needed across all manufacturers. The first assumption would be that engineers designed in a flaw… much more likely that accountants drew a line and engineers accepted a compromise that serves the...

Long ago (maybe 18-20 years) I did a few bench-bucket conversions with Qualitex seats. About $1k at the time and well worth it. Not sure if they are still around. Also, local upholstery guys can often work wonders in refinishing seats and replacing foam.

Rivnut tool is definitely a good suggestion!

I’m not sure you will get enough voltage from a single panel to enable the MPPT function, and I don’t know if it will charge without reaching that threshold. IIRC, you have to be at battery voltage plus 7? I don’t remember exactly, just that a few years back I chose two panels in series to...