What Did You Do With Your Rig Today?

diabetiktaco · Feb 10, 2020

Wallygator said:
That solar panel is very nice but is there a reason/reasons it is almost $400 more than a comparable Renogy panel? That's a lot of cheddar.

I'd have to look at the specs of the renogy. I don't know anything about them. But there are quite a few determining factors between solar panels.

JimBill · Feb 10, 2020

Sunday played with a roof rack mount idea. I'm not a fan of roof racks on daily drivers (gas mileage waste), nor do I care for much on the roof on the trail (higher center of gravity). But when you need one you need one and they have a place. The upcoming trip this spring dictates pulling a trailer, roof rack, or overstuffing the WJ. I voted roof rack as my first option if I can make it work. The standard mounting has the rack sitting way too high for my tastes so it has been unused for the last 2 years. After recently seeing a Toyota with flipped mounts I thought hanging the basket from the cross bars might be the solution (there is no room to do the Toyota mount flip). The mock up worked well, with the rack sitting nice and low with about an inch and a half clearance from the roof. Looks like a winner, and with attention to crossbar placement the rack is reasonably level despite the descending roofline. Next weekend I'll figure out the crossbar to rack and cross bar clamp to rail mounting.

Edit 2/16/20
Worked out the final mounting. Holes deburred, all fresh exposed metal painted, locktite on the nuts... if was a nice day to work outside. Happy with results, it's tucked tight and low. But like any install using factory cross bars, strength is all in how the factory plastic ends hold up. Will be testing it on a 10 day Utah trip in a few months. I have plan B already figured if they show failure.

JimBill · Feb 10, 2020

Ruffrnr said:
200 miles of washboard with some rock gardens thrown in.

The most accurate description of off road travel in Death Valley I have ever heard!

RoarinRow · Feb 10, 2020

Tun_Of_A_Gun said:
Finally got these figured out and installed.. The hardest and most time consuming part was the Factory Bed hardware that was coated from the factory with bedliner.. .. Overall ABSOLUTELY satisfied with the roduct. Decked Drawer System. Enjoy...

View attachment 139394 View attachment 139393
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Looks great! How long did it take to install?

Tun_Of_A_Gun · Feb 10, 2020

RoarinRow said:
Looks great! How long did it take to install?

Time frame was roughly 6 Coronas, limes were already cut though

No seriously though, having a second hand is almost necessity though. Makes life a whole lot easier.. Around 3 hours.

RoarinRow · Feb 10, 2020

Tun_Of_A_Gun said:
Time frame was roughly 6 Coronas, limes were already cut though

No seriously though, having a second hand is almost necessity though. Makes life a whole lot easier.. Around 3 hours.

After 6 Coronas are you sure you installed it on your truck lol j/k. Looks great!

M Rose · Feb 10, 2020

Wallygator said:
That solar panel is very nice but is there a reason/reasons it is almost $400 more than a comparable Renogy panel? That's a lot of cheddar.

Zamp Solar is 100% made in Oregon... they don’t outsource any of their materials from other countries.

Zamp Solar | Dometic Mobile Power Solutions

Dometic Mobile Power is the premier solar panel manufacturerwith patented technology & award-winning designs to help fellow outdoor adventurers find THIS WAY OUT. Superior quality and craftsmanship are the foundation for the RV, Overland, or Marine industry's most energy efficient solar panels.

www.zampsolar.com

Wallygator · Feb 11, 2020

Slimpartywagon said:
Zamp Solar is 100% made in Oregon... they don’t outsource any of their materials from other countries.

Zamp Solar | Dometic Mobile Power Solutions

Dometic Mobile Power is the premier solar panel manufacturerwith patented technology & award-winning designs to help fellow outdoor adventurers find THIS WAY OUT. Superior quality and craftsmanship are the foundation for the RV, Overland, or Marine industry's most energy efficient solar panels.

www.zampsolar.com

Wow, didn't see that. That explains a lot and also why they have such a great warranty.

M Rose · Feb 11, 2020

Wallygator said:
Wow, didn't see that. That explains a lot and also why they have such a great warranty.

I only knew this because I used to work with Zamp when I worked at an RV manufacturing plant. My job was to separate all of the solar system kits into different parts to send out to the correct departments for installation. We had some problems with custom wiring harnesses for a prototype we were working on and I got to talk with several of the big corporate guys as we discussed their products. It’s an awesome company, and if you can ever make it out to Bend, Oregon I highly recommend stopping in their plant to take a tour.

eagle_A40 · Feb 11, 2020

eagle_A40 said:
Installed the front mounted trail camera. Works good. View attachment 139285

Not gonna install the rear camera at this time. I'll wait until I decide what to will go on the rear of the truck(swing out attachments, etc.). View attachment 139287

EDIT: Pics added. Front cam is mounted to the center hoop bar(above NISSAN emblem).

TJDon · Feb 11, 2020

Jump started it

My new job has kept me from taking time off. I can’t wait for my 6 month probation to be over!

M Rose · Feb 12, 2020

Almost finished with my auxiliary circuit box/switch panel... panel Is wired, just need 3 more switches. The circuit box still needs multi colored 12 gauge wire, and a couple of connectors, then I can install the system and make my wiring harness to connect the two together.