An expedition truck on portals...

[Oilworker]

Good morning, wherever you may be ;-)

After sleeping for 16 hours here´s the first new product which will be fitted to the car next week when the other lights and hopefully my stainless steel mounting rings have arrived, too.

This is a LED daytime driving light kit which was developed by Nolden Cars & Concept about 2 years ago but somehow never really made it into the market.
As I heard that one mayor german dealer got a test kit and said they were absolutely ugly after he´d installed it.

I really don´t understand why, except for the slight change of the facial expression of the Defender.

The kit comes with a metal template which you should use to make the cut-outs into the lower wing and the mask, all wiring, etc.
First impression is pretty good especially because the instruction uses a lot of images to show all steps of the installation.

....more to come soon. All I need now is some time to spend in the workshop

 

[Timo K]

Ha! I guessed right! Looking forward to the headlight before and after review...!

 

[Oilworker]

What did you guess, Timo?

What until you see the new 7" headlights. Those are pretty nice (for LEDs)

Last weekend I also finally started siping my tyres.
It was pretty tough to find someone who has a siping tool and it took a while until I got it right.

The rear is almost done, but I had to stop as they where closing the shop.

 

[Timo K]

Nolden LED's. I've been eyeing them for a while now. They have definitely done poor marketing, since if you mention 7" LED headlights, everyone automatically thinks Truck-Lite and JW Speaker. Can't wait to see how you like them, since I've been tossing between the idea of JW Speakers or the Noldens myself.

 

[Oilworker]

Before I get blown away by private messages here´s a preview of the 7" LED light

So long,

Robert

 

[tacr2man]

Some quite nice looking rims on here

 

[Oilworker]

:Wow1: :ar15:

 

[Oilworker]

Finally I sourced my new intercooler today, too.
Had the chance to speak with a few guys who already have it and have installed it, too.
It´s fairly new on the market but seems very promising, after a friend had 3 broken welds in his intercooler and I found 2 cracked welds in mine last week, too.

So long,

Robert

 

[Ray Hyland]

Let me know how you like the 7" lights Robert. I am currently testing the new Trucklite version in our 110 and the beam pattern is much better than the last gen.
Also I'm curious if you looked at the inflatable bead locks before choosing the hutchinsons? They have limitations but they are very light which is nice.
Cheers
Ray

 

[Oilworker]

Hi Ray,

shall we find a similar setting to photograph our lights then?
With the same camera settings, too? This would help compare them better.

I know the Staun inflatable headlocks but I am no friend of drilling holes into wheels.
I have also read of people where the valve stem sheered off while driving .

The mechanical solution of the Hutchinsons is fail-proof and after having the wheels in the lathe a tyre change is done as quick as on a truck.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Robert,

I just wanted to say I've read your thread a few times and hands down, I think it's the best thread on ExPo.

Thanks for the escapes.

 

[Oilworker]

Thanx :Wow1:
I like the way it all developed and am amazed by the help and assistance I received here at ExPo.

 

[Oilworker]

As somewhere further up the thread there has been a request for calendars, hasn´t there?
With shipping the major problem I have given it some thought and came up with this plan: "Calendar on Demand".

http://rallyewerk.photoshelter.com/gallery/01-2013/G0000bxUXvL7Ym.g/C0000SybH_1KdEP0

I will prepare a selection of at least 20 images and soon different calendar formats, too, for every month.
I will publish the next months images around the 15th of the current month.

Like this you can create your own calendar only having to print the sheets in the size you´d´like them yourself.

What do you think of this?

 

[Red90]

I assume both you guys have read the massive 7" headlight comparison that is on this forum?

 

[RMP&O]

Yes, Jeremy, foremost all parts of the car have to be road legal.
I know Stazworkz but these wheels aren't legal in Europe and could get me into trouble with a picky, underpaid police officer in Russia.
Too many custom solutions, especially important stuff like suspension or wheels can become a major problem, too, when they fail and you need replacement.

Hey I am just curious about this. Wouldn't whatever it is, wheels, suspension lift, axles, ect need to only be legal in your country or the country the vehicle is registered in? Or does it have to comply with say Russian road laws/safety if traveling through that country?

In the USA yes DOT is the standard for things like wheels & tires. However, it depends on your area if this would be enforced. Where I live not a problem at all to run non-DOT wheels/tires. I am running some Walker Evans beadlocks and it is not an issue locally. I got a friend running some Stazworks and no issues for him too and he is in the next state over from me. I do know though that if in a place, say Portland where it is enforced you could get a ticket for it if traveling there. I also know if the cop is reasonable you can get out of the ticket often by explaining it is legal in your state and you are traveling.

Over here to go into another country it really is not an issue. Canada or Latin America. But Europe I know nothing about. So I am curious.

Cheers