Building My 06 at a Snails Pace

[daverami]

Hi all,

Seeing so many of you describing what you have done to your trucks, I finally decided to put in a few things I have done since I bought my 06 from my brother back in 07.

Started off by going up a tire size to 265/75R16 BFG AT's on FJSE Anthracite wheels. Haven't decided to paint them black yet. Also put on DR/Icon 2.5" coilovers.

Had some Alcan leafs on, but took them off while trying to figure out vib problems. In the meantime, I got the TSB 4-leaf packs done. I left the Bilstein 5100's on the back that I had with the Alcans. I sent the Alcans back to their shop to have them upgraded with an additional 250 lbs. of carrying capacity. I'm now debating whether to put them back on, sell them and go with some Dakars, or keep the TSB 4-leaf setup and maybe do an add-a-leaf. We will see.

Added ShrockWorks sliders about a year and a half ago.

Added an ARB Bullbar, Warn M8000 with synthetic line, IPF 968's and some other recovery gear.

Added a Yaesu 7800 with a Larsen antenna with an NMO mount, at the end of last year also, after getting my tech license. Also made a mount for my old Garmin GPSMap76. Added a Bluesea fuse block under the hood too.

No pics, but added a Maglite with Quick Fists, a la Tacodoc and others.

Here are a few pics, not great, but you can get an idea.

Thank you all for ideas and encouragement.

I think the truck looks really good with everything black. I did the grille emblem and did the black headlight mod I have seen around. I really debated on this, but it came out great, I think. It was easy, and no leaks after rain and snow. It was however, time consuming. Like I said, I'm still wondering if I want to do my wheels black. A black bumper for sure in the future. The truck has also been debadged.

The GPSMap76 is on a Ram mount that I attached to the back of the plastic above where the stereo is mounted. It is very easy to see. I put a metal bracket on the back for additional support. I have been down a lot of washboard road and it works fine. It's power comes from a cable which goes into the 12V aux. port. I am going to eventually get another unit, so I did not hardwire it. The 7800 faceplate is mounted on the shift console, the same way as the GPS. I like the location. It doesn't get in the way of the shifter, I can see it easily, and I can get to all the controls very easily. The guts of the 7800 I mounted under the driver seat. I still haven't figured out where I want to but my aux speaker though.
You may not be able to see it, but there is also an iPod connection down by the cupholder above and to the right of the shifter. It's tied into the head unit, so all controls work from the steering wheel. I like it.

Back side of mounts.

I added a 110V outlet, with a little red LED, to show when it is on, so I can use a laptop, or charge batteries for various devices.

I really haven't decided how to do the bed yet, but have added a few things.

I made a mount from 16 gauge (I think) sheetmetal and mounted it to the window frame. It has done a lot of bouncing around and is still very secure.

Did a homemade rail mount for my Pulaski, and mounted a shovel to the fender part of the bed, using Quick Fists for both.

Coming from the Bluesea block under the hood, I ran wire for an extra 12V accessory plug.

The FJSE Anthracite wheels, and you can barely make out the ShrockWorks sliders.

Not quite last, but not least...

I hope to one day improve the lift, so I can add 255/85R16 BFG MT KM2's. Do a regear, do some kind of drawer/storage system in the bed, add a few more lights, ARB lockers, some kind of rear bumper setup, you know, it never ends...

 

[Overland Hadley]

Good to see you start a build thread!

What is the story with your ipod connection?

 

[Applejack]

I love those wheels. If ever you want to go black with them. I'll powder coat them for you, gratis. You'll just have to come on over to Medford.

 

[daverami]

Good to see you start a build thread!

What is the story with your ipod connection?

Thanks Nathan, it's taken a while.

The iPod interface I have is a USA SPEC PA12 TOY. It hooks into an unused connector on the back of the radio. I have the 6-CD changer (non-JBL). It allows you to use all your steering wheel controls for playlists, just like a CD, or you can set it to manually use your iPod. Some people have had problems with them I have heard, but mine has worked great for a couple of years now. There is a newer upgrade, the PA15 TOY, http://www.usaspec.com/ipod.html (half way down on the page).

 

[daverami]

I love those wheels. If ever you want to go black with them. I'll powder coat them for you, gratis. You'll just have to come on over to Medford.

Whoa, I now notice you do live in Medford. I was just over there yesterday! That is an awesome offer, I really appreciate that. I will let you know. I have been thinking of doing them in black for a long time, but just can't make up my mind yet. They look pretty good now. I've seen some pictures of the new FJ Trail Edition ones that are the same style, but matte black, they are really cool.

By the way, I really like what you have done with your truck. I love the color. How do you like those Toyo's?

We do a lot of camping/exploring type stuff, what type of wheeling do you like?

 

[Applejack]

I like the Toyo's alright but even in their siped form their packed snow and ice performance is unnerving, but I'm used to BFG AT's. I will be getting BFG's again in a couple of weeks but I'm torn between the AT's which have proven their worth to me many times over, or the new KM2's.

We like to do all kinds of off roading but, we are mostly into exploring the back country, mostly central and eastern Oregon.

 

[Streakerfreak]

I'm now debating whether to put them back on, sell them and go with some Dakars, or keep the TSB 4-leaf setup and maybe do an add-a-leaf. We will see.

IMO if the Alcans are giving you vibrations I would most likely think the Dakars would do the same thing. Its not the brand thats causing your vib problems. I myself have custom Alcans and I am getting no vibrations.

I can add 255/85R16 BFG MT KM2's. Do a regear, do some kind of drawer/storage system in the bed, add a few more lights, ARB lockers

Anyways, looks like you have the same mod goals as I do. Truck is looking good.

I love those wheels. If ever you want to go black with them. I'll powder coat them for you, gratis. You'll just have to come on over to Medford.

Of course you had to wait and join up after we move from Oregon. That is a great offer for daverami. ExPo is a fantastic community!

 

[daverami]

Thanks for the comments Phil.

I'll decide on the springs before summer comes.

Expo is an awesome community. Applejack's offer blew me away. I need to decide on that soon also.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Hi Dave,

Do you have a carrier bearing drop kit in? Did you have one in when you had the Alcans?

My vibration problem got a lot better when I took the carrier bearing drop kit out, and went back to stock.

 

[daverami]

Hi Dave,

Do you have a carrier bearing drop kit in? Did you have one in when you had the Alcans?

My vibration problem got a lot better when I took the carrier bearing drop kit out, and went back to stock.

Funny you should ask. When I first put the Alcans on, there was a very mild vibration, but annoying. I put the OME drop kit in, but it was too much I think, the vibration got worse. I think the Alcans didn't lift as high as the Dakars. So, removed that, got some 1/4" stock, drilled out a couple holes, and tried them. That gave me a vibration about the same as before I started playing with the drop kit. Go figure? I even tried the pile of washers technique to find a sweet spot. I figured if I came close, It just machine down a piece of stock to whatever final measurement I needed. Never found anything better than just leaving it alone. It's all in the angles I guess, but what a pain.

I didn't try shims. I may go that route just because I haven't tried it! It's amazing that some people have problems, while others don't need to do anything, like Phil. I really don't want to get into drivelines, but it would be nice to have a little more lift, and be able to eventually run 255's.

How is your frontend liking the OME's?

 

[dodecagon2000]

"I added a 110V outlet, with a little red LED, to show when it is on, so I can use a laptop, or charge batteries for various devices."

how did you hook this up...looking to do the same in my truck.

 

[daverami]

I have a writeup on it, I'll send it to you. It's easier than trying to explain it off the top of my head. I used the stock inverter, because all I want is to charge things and it runs my laptop. I don't, at least yet, have a need for running higher wattage or amperage stuff than this can handle.

 

[Jacket]

^I did the same thing. You just have to tap into the wiring for the stock inverter; I believe it is the green and red/white wires on the main plug going into the inverter, plus a grounding wire. These two wires run from the inverter to the plug in the bed, so you just have to "steal" them for your additional plug(s).

Now if you don't have the stock inverter, then there's another step or two....

 

[Streakerfreak]

I have a writeup on it, I'll send it to you. It's easier than trying to explain it off the top of my head. I used the stock inverter, because all I want is to charge things and it runs my laptop. I don't, at least yet, have a need for running higher wattage or amperage stuff than this can handle.

I would like that too. I need one in my cab, but my electrical knowledge is almost nonexistent.

 

[daverami]

^I did the same thing. You just have to tap into the wiring for the stock inverter; I believe it is the green and red/white wires on the main plug going into the inverter, plus a grounding wire. These two wires run from the inverter to the plug in the bed, so you just have to "steal" them for your additional plug(s).

Thank you, exactly. I couldn't remember the wire colors. I pulled off the plug in the bed and checked out the wires. Pretty easy. I very carefully stripped off a 1/4" of each one and soldered the tap in there, plus ground. Got an outlet at Home Depot, cut where I wanted it with a dremel, secured it with epoxy (it's not coming out) and done.