So better value than the real ones? I see them for just $110-120
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So better value than the real ones? I see them for just $110-120
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Way better :) And exactly the same as far a I can tell.
Cheers
Steve
;)
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Fitted the bonnet latches, easy job 30 mins tops, and decided it is soft top time again :)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psf9wcfwru.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psbxchnxtk.jpg
Cheers
Steve
They'd be one of my best "investments" too. Good choice SteveF.
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How Much? $$$
Thanks for the advice re diff cover. I ended up ordering for the Dana 30 like yours.. 44 new time when cashed up
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Finally added a front end to my tablet that works well in the Jeep, has some options to keep the screen alive whilst on power, nice big buttons so easy to select, changes the home button to go back to this front page and has other things like goes to night colours at sunset (from GPS time) and that sort of thing. A swipe to the right brings up a second page of less used apps I've added, all configurable. Also has a phone dialer and music controls etc but I don't need any of that so removed it from the views.
Really liking it so far.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pslnhl1uv7.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Solar setup ready to go, just need to add an external plug for my lights in camp (in tent as well) and so I can run the fridge out of the Jeep if I want.
With a break in the clouds today I plugged the 80W folding panel in.
Below shows main battery and aux deep cycle batteries with the panel plugged in. They charge from the Jeep but always nice to keep them topped up when it's parked for the day.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psrohm27oh.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psiquoknkz.jpg
Plugs into the existing Anderson plug that I use for running the compressor etc.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pszi2pb6vw.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Nice. So the panel has the MPPT charger built in?
I've got the option on my CTEK D250S Dual, good idea with the Anderson plug ;-)
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Yep, MPPT controller is mounted on the back of the panel on the legs, to be honest though I don;t know if MPPT does much good when the panel max's out at around 18V ;) A decent PWM would do the job just as well.
I also have an Anderson to alligator clips in-case I need to top up the starting battery for some reason, or another battery pack.
Cheers
Steve
Another job sorted before Coffs, fitted a fused 10A marine socket to the rear bar for running power to the tent or running lights etc.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pswdfbhgli.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psmq1e94pt.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psnv31jnn8.jpg
Cheers
Steve
How to fit all the gear in a 2 door ;) Grabbed one from Bunnings and was a lot cheaper than expected, so grabbed the only other one there so one grey and one blue. They weren't on the website so maybe running out? Anyway, just for light stuff to go on the roof racks, 9lt gas bottle in for an example of sizing.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pshayho0n2.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Ive had one of these for a few years now, cheap enough all right, the top warped a bit on mine but that's Ok because its inside all the time, I use it for my recovery gear, compressor, spares and tools, I fasten it to the seat mounting loops with turnbuckles, probably why the lid warped. Doggy..
They have a 3yr warranty now so not too concerned about warping and for some reason they cost $80 each :) (around $250 from the manufacturer) Probably why there are none left now ;)
Cheers
Steve
So decided I need a flat rack for the JK, all the ones on the market are expensive or are generic and I want one that fits the roof perfectly and mounts to the existing crossbar adapters I have for my Sherpa rack. The adapters take a 1 1/4" round cross tube so that's the size of tube I'm going to use.
http://www.quadratec.com/Assets/Imag.../182847-lg.jpg
Also decided it needs to be 1400mm long and 1200mm wide (roughly, will end up a little wider than this, closer to 1250mm)
Steel all sorted just need to fire the order off on Monday and get it delivered :) Wide enough to fit a box either side and the jettent up the middle and long enough to have the two boxes end to end if preferred.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psjc1trr3l.jpg
Cheers
Steve
But your cars black...
There you go
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps9xyh6anh.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Thankyou, much better. And clever too.
Roof rack kit has arrived :) Looks like my next free weekend will be spent welding
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psbkxocbqv.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Steve
We need to talk. ;-) too many good ideas. Roof top boxes mounting system, rear bar power plug. Good. Very good.
Actually, you need to talk with Kerry, I'm all thumbs but I'm easily directed. :fat:
Used the solar setup over the last 3 days :) Parked the Jeep and it didn't move after that. It ran my 50lt Waeco, charged tablets and ipads, ran lights etc, all from the 66AH battery array and the 80W solar panel. The battery was fully charged when the sun went down so had no problems running stuff overnight when it was cool and the extra oomph during the day meant I could crank the fridge up in the low 30's heat so the beers got icy cold quicker than I drank them. Without the solar I would have had to run the Jeep a couple of times to give the batteries a boost.
Having the power point on the rear bar also meant the internal one that the fridge is on while driving was free for other stuff and the fridge could be kept in the shade.
Really happy with the setup so far. I've also decided to mod the roof rack design a little so I can slide in my spare 20w panel so the batteries get a little top up all the time or for those times I can't pull the panels out and want to crank the fridge up a bit.
Cheers
Steve
2 hours from a pile of steel to the roof rack, all pressed together at the moment but I'll weld it later today and add some tabs for the solar panel etc :)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psln1fjvxg.jpg
Cross bars under way, I just had to get the flapper disc on the ends of the bars to add a small taper and then smack them together with a rubber mallet. Will drill and plug weld these I think.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps4b9kxbim.jpg
Once the cross bars were done I used the drop saw to split them.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pstgvvhynw.jpg
And then smacked them on to the main bars with a rubber mallet, I'll weld the split and treat it like a plug weld to attach them to the main bars.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psqbzkatwj.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps595f2wve.jpg
Then I split the end pieces, used a wedge to spread them slightly and pressed them on to the end bars and side bars.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psza3x7csc.jpg
All done, it mounts to my rack frame the using the current cross bar mounts and will replace the bars and basket. The gap at the back is wider to fit a solar panel.
Now to weld and paint (or powder coat)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psvitkb7bb.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Roof rack painted and 40W of solar ready to mount on it as well. Gives me a total of 120W of solar with 40W always on and always connected to the dual battery setup. Means when I can't get the 80w panels out, such as truck stops or arked in my driveway, I can keep the fridge running.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps2jgtanjr.jpg
Two of these panels going in the bottom section of the rack, will still leave room to mount stuff over the top but will provide some power when parked in camp for the day. They will total around 1080mm in length (rack ia 1200mm between side bars) and pretty much fill between the bars front to back.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psgpk0agje.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Roofrack done and back on :) Frame still fits so I must have welded the rack nice and square.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psvng9ck7a.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psjiutxoot.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pslpufno8k.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Added one 20W solar panel, one more to go and then wire them up :) Box just up there so I could check the panel was low enough to not have anything rest on it, basically needed it below the bars, ideally right between them to protect it from branches etc. I also plan to keep the rear section of the rack as clear as possible with just long items, like the tent pole bags etc going across it.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psyxur3pyt.jpg
Nicely tucked out of the way
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps3ct6l4gn.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psbxwlq5xj.jpg
Mounted with some homemade style rubber mounts, allows a little bit of movement and flex.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psbmoj4uv8.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Both panels mounted, so with these (not wired in yet) and the 80w folding panels I have 120w, these wired to the second battery setup and the 80w portable able to go to main or second battery. In theory I just need a few hours sun each day to get the 66AH up to full charge after a night running the fridge with 120w. Perfect for extended camping when the Jeep isn't driven.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psnisvrile.jpg
Cheers
Steve
More bits on the way, already had some mounts that fit the rack, 4 of them.
http://www.chinyunlights.com/image/c...07-500x500.jpg
So order a few quick fists to mount to these so I can easily mount a shovel etc to the rack, now looking at a way to mount the MaxTraxs
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/q...t003%20028.jpg
Slowly having less dependence on the inside of the Jeep for travel :)
Cheers
Steve
Wiring all done for the solar, seems to work very well so far. I mounted the regulator on standoff cross pieces to below the solar panel so it got good airflow, it's also done so I can just see the indicator LED's when I go to the drivers door, piece of mind that it is working as it should be. The regulator is fully sealed in epoxy and is IP68 rated (6 means no ingress of dust 8 means powerful jets of water and is one below submerged).
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psngafoyvu.jpg
From the front
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps3wxc1lva.jpg
With no load has the battery at 13.2v (overcast as well today)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psv9grxg9p.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Not really related but shot out to Clarke Rubber this morning and grabbed one of their swag mattresses (on special at the moment), now my swag has 10cm of mattress, this one goes under the egg crate mattress in it already, and is very comfy, all ready for the June long weekend away. Still fits the straps around it when rolled up as well.
http://www.clarkrubber.com.au/media/.../2/9/29522.jpg
http://www.clarkrubber.com.au/mattre...mmx2000mm.html
Cheers
Steve
More parts on the way, ordered a Flex-A-Lite transmission cooler in preparation for Fraser Island over the New Year.
Plan to use this as a guide for fitment, I was going to buy a kit for the JK but at over twice the price and with a smaller cooler this seemed better value :)
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/tr...ission-cooler/
Cheers
Steve
I bought mine from super cheap I think. Made up a bracket so as to not fit it straight onto the condenser .
Straight forward install. You'll need about an extra litre of oil
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Yep, I'll be mounting on straps like this.
http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/36785...nting_location
Cheers
Steve
Fitted a mesh behind the grill in preparation for the cooler, not sure if the stick on cable tie holders will stay there (although the ones mounted to the underside of the solar panels are doing fine) but if they don't I'll silicon it on when I do the cooler :)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps7h2ftt5t.jpg
Also, my tablet would go flat after a few days if I didn't turn it off. So I now have a folding 20W panel to keep it topped up when the Jeep is parked for a few days so the tablet is always ready to go. Testing at the moment.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psu4sszzbi.jpg
Cheers
Steve
The awning arrived today, even has a black cover which is handy. Now to work out how to mount it to the rack, I think I'll make some custom brackets for it as I want it to sit below the rack and up tight against it, still plenty high enough and won't reduce clearance.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psnkd8dqcw.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps1lnqwwny.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Made a mid morning cuppa on my wood gasification stove, works great, doesn't need much wood and small twigs and sticks do the job :) Packs small and fits in the nested pots I have so all good with a 2 door.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psiuvidylz.jpg
Drop it in, light from the top, used a magnesium rod to light some lint and then chucked on some leaves and blew on it, worked a treat.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pso7k14s9u.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pscdilnvi0.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Fitted the awning on the weekend
Brackets mounted using a pair of light mount brackets, really solid and tidy as well.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psipclcd0c.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psgowau5xg.jpg
Sits just below the rack so no change in clearance.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psmmoqnvrd.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps72hjx1hk.jpg
Cheers
Steve
Tested out the awning.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psmmnflagp.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...psuyhk0ufd.jpg
Has a sail track edge so I can extend it with a tarp I already have or use my tarp as a wall when camped under the awning.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...pstw83jr6l.jpg
Cheers
Steve