moved thread......can be deleted by admin

[desert_wagon]

I might have missed it, but what antenna mount is that? Will it fit an NMO mount?

Sorry for late response, been doin stuff. They are Baja Designs A-Pillar mounts for ditch lights. Originally I was going to modify for an antenna mount but decided to put the antenna on the shell, higher up is better, and go use the apillar mounts for ditch lights. Yes, I am finally done with forward lighting (at least zone 1, 2 & 3), there is still working lights and backup lights.

 

[JamesEvan]

Sorry for late response, been doin stuff. They are Baja Designs A-Pillar mounts for ditch lights. Originally I was going to modify for an antenna mount but decided to put the antenna on the shell, higher up is better, and go use the apillar mounts for ditch lights. Yes, I am finally done with forward lighting (at least zone 1, 2 & 3), there is still working lights and backup lights.

@eldedo - Was looking at LP6's and 9's how obstructed is the front camera with your setup?

 

[desert_wagon]

@eldedo - Was looking at LP6's and 9's how obstructed is the front camera with your setup?

the middle ones block a good portion.

 

[desert_wagon]

I might have missed it, but what antenna mount is that? Will it fit an NMO mount?

I haven’t devised where my antenna is going, yet. Either hood mount or rack mount on top of the shell(ideal)

 

[.genomer]

Dunno if you found an antenna solution yet, but I stumbled across this the other day and would love to see how it actually looks on our trucks! Bulletproof Diesel.

 

[UglyViking]

Dunno if you found an antenna solution yet, but I stumbled across this the other day and would love to see how it actually looks on our trucks! Bulletproof Diesel.

I have one of those! I got the first or second one they made after adjusting fitment for the 2019. Had it on since mid-late 2020, still no leaks after all the rain and snow (and accidental hits with the snow scraper). I currently have a cap on, but I had taken some pics you can see it without the cap.

 

[.genomer]

Looks great! Thanks for that!

 

[desert_wagon]

Dunno if you found an antenna solution yet, but I stumbled across this the other day and would love to see how it actually looks on our trucks! Bulletproof Diesel.

I have seen that, however not sure I have the room between my cab and topper. Suppose I could call em and get the cad file.

 

[UglyViking]

I have seen that, however not sure I have the room between my cab and topper. Suppose I could call em and get the cad file.

For what it's worth, I have the smartcap on mine now, and there is space, not much, but so far it's not touched even on trail rides.

 

[Cumminsluv]

View attachment 52542View attachment 52543
View attachment 31648View attachment 33059View attachment 36916View attachment 44444

---

Reserved:
Other Notes: Penetrol by Flood is by far the best powdercoat restorer on the market.
Planned:
Rear Bumper: Expedition One, dual swingout.
Always on camera mod...need to figure that one out
Other misc skids like the ones from Maple Offroad (trying to get White Knuckle Offroad to make these , they are prototyping now! yayyyy!)
Behind Back Seat mod..soon...maybe
Old school floor foot brights clicker, except this will cycle between amber high, white high and off. So doable with some breadboard work and a few transistors.
Garmin Camera Install for shell, have it will install when I run power to the shell.
70amp run to shell with distribution block and a secondary Garmin Powerswitch.
1010 bar for internal shell framework for storage, firstaid kits tools jacks etc.
Spare tire stuff, thinking of standing the spare upright right side of rig next to tailgate or front of bed(leaning towards this for stability)

---

In the Middle of:
Communication: Ham radio Kenwood TM-D710G (2m/70cm, GPS/APRS) fully open TNC, possibly HF later but don't think its really needed. (antenna bracket and main unit mounted under steering column) almost there....

---

Completed:
Front Bumper: Expedition One bumper ordered with Baja Designs XL Pro fog lights.
Suspension: Carli Pintop, Thuren Rear Trackbar, Carli Front Trackbar
Steering: Synergy Drag Link & Tie Rod. Fox TS steering stabilzer, had to modify the mounting plate, moved the mounting point about 1.25" to the drivers side. Was either hitting the u-joint@the passenger wheel or bottoming out.
CKMA12 + bluetooth controller (PCM), NH Overland engine mount bracket.(installed, now for brackets and air lines). Tapped F65(Inverter/USB) to provide "enable" signal for contessor/pcm module then the powerswitch controls a relay to turn the compressor on/off. Brackets installed, interrupted during airline install.
ARB Pressure Control: program can be side-loaded from sd card to Garmin Overlander, this means keeping control of system (powerswitch and arb pressure control) on one device. Crashed once but after that no crash and complete control.
Swing Case: drivers side, recovery gear.
Shiftsolutions x-fer case shift knob...the old one is just cheap.
ARE CX HD Shell & BajaRack Megamule.(bearly fits)
Method 315's Ram Edition (+25mm OS) + Nitto Trail Grabber M/T (only thing available)
Forward Lighting: Baja Designs LP9 Pro's x4 & Garmin PowerSwitch, so worth the price. 44k lumens is MORE than enough, aka went overboard......*LP9 Running lights tie into cab clearance/width markers. (Fuse 79, mini fuse taps)
Ditch Lights: Baja Designs a-pillar ditch light brackets + Squadron Pro's, another 9.8k lumens. (Routing was done by removing the center push pin in the cowl clips and using a wide flange stainless steel sheet metal screw and harness clip, seemed like a clean way to go.)
Trans Skid Plate: Dethloff Mfg.
Sliders: White Knuckle Offroad
Front/Rear Diff Covers: AEV
Plastic removal on various underbody parts including that front useless air dam
Resonator delete. Needs to be cleaned up a bit.

I can help you out with "Always on camera mod...need to figure that one out"

Ring just came out with a Dashcam that plugs into your obd port on your truck. Very good quality and it gives you a picture of the Cab and out front of you. Its always on and even has motion sensor settings so you can make it record depending movement around your truck. Now I can always check whats going on with my truck anytime with Live view and I get notifications if movement is detected around my truck. Im not sure on rules for posting links so if this is not allowed please feel free to edit mods. https://ring.com/products/car-cam
Its poured rain the past few days in Colorado sorry about the watery front cam photo =)

 

[Cumminsluv]

Here is my 2018 ram 2500 overland build with ARE topper. Figured Id post some pictures so you can get some inspiration. =)

 

[desert_wagon]

Here is my 2018 ram 2500 overland build with ARE topper. Figured Id post some pictures so you can get some inspiration. =)

the water storage is interesting...where did you pickup the tank?

 

[desert_wagon]

Clever idea. I've got the same radio and just mounted it under the drivers seat. I do wish it was louder, so perhaps this could help. When it's turned all the way up how is the volume?

swapped to a kenwood tm-d710ga, aprs is useful. volume is great, even though the speaker is pointed at the floor, 30% volume is plenty.

 

[UglyViking]

swapped to a kenwood tm-d710ga, aprs is useful. volume is great, even though the speaker is pointed at the floor, 30% volume is plenty.

Man, I wish I could find a d710ga for a reasonable price. Physical buttons and that early 2000s style screen bring me back and are 100% what I love. I had to hunt down a few Icom 7200s but I'm happy I snagged some excellent working ones, with the handles!

 

[desert_wagon]

Man, I wish I could find a d710ga for a reasonable price. Physical buttons and that early 2000s style screen bring me back and are 100% what I love. I had to hunt down a few Icom 7200s but I'm happy I snagged some excellent working ones, with the handles!

if the new yeasu hf+6m+2m/70cm all mode works the way I think it does, this one might be up for sale. The yeasu was supposed to be just a qrp rig but they added a 100w add-on for it, if I can mount the body under the steering column like I have the 710, then the 710 is going up for sale.

 

[T143]

Love the yankum ropes, my Defender as their full recovery kit and full metal free setup its insane.
Will be getting all of that for my Ram as soon as I find a bull bar I like every one so-far is just tasteless or inadequate.

 

[UglyViking]

if the new yeasu hf+6m+2m/70cm all mode works the way I think it does, this one might be up for sale. The yeasu was supposed to be just a qrp rig but they added a 100w add-on for it, if I can mount the body under the steering column like I have the 710, then the 710 is going up for sale.

I've been reading up on that new yaesu. Honestly, I just am not a fan of their layouts on the new products. I also am very weary of all the screens coming on the new products. I used to be categorized in the "innovators" phase of the tech adoption curve, but I now often find myself squarely in the laggards side.

What I really want, no one seems to make, which is basically a modern all band version of the icom 7200. The FTX-1 def caught me by surprise though, it looks like an ideal setup. I'm sure that the radio isn't IP rated, but if it is, it's gonna be a huge pull for me.

I also really dig the Icom 7100, but the absolutely horrible layout means I can't mount it anywhere I want in my truck. I would have thought by now there would be a flat panel version, but here we are over 10 years later and still nothing.

I know it's not all band, but I'm also really interested in that new kenwood d750a that's coming out this summer. It looks like a really great setup. APRS, built in gps, d-star, simultaneous receive, front mount speaker, physical buttons. If they can't nail it, then that may end up earning a place in my rig as my local comms rig, and then I'll just drag my 7200 out when I want HF, or find a smaller hf rig dedicated to the truck.

If you end up selling that 710 please let me know.

 

[desert_wagon]

I've been reading up on that new yaesu. Honestly, I just am not a fan of their layouts on the new products. I also am very weary of all the screens coming on the new products. I used to be categorized in the "innovators" phase of the tech adoption curve, but I now often find myself squarely in the laggards side.

What I really want, no one seems to make, which is basically a modern all band version of the icom 7200. The FTX-1 def caught me by surprise though, it looks like an ideal setup. I'm sure that the radio isn't IP rated, but if it is, it's gonna be a huge pull for me.

I also really dig the Icom 7100, but the absolutely horrible layout means I can't mount it anywhere I want in my truck. I would have thought by now there would be a flat panel version, but here we are over 10 years later and still nothing.

I know it's not all band, but I'm also really interested in that new kenwood d750a that's coming out this summer. It looks like a really great setup. APRS, built in gps, d-star, simultaneous receive, front mount speaker, physical buttons. If they can't nail it, then that may end up earning a place in my rig as my local comms rig, and then I'll just drag my 7200 out when I want HF, or find a smaller hf rig dedicated to the truck.

If you end up selling that 710 please let me know.

they never continued the icon 706 mk2, if they would just release that with digital, that would work for a all-in-one solution, but they never did. So I have a few choices, either the news yeas(provided it has extension cables to mount the body remotely, or get a ft891, looks to me that the 891 with the tm750(no release date yet) might be the way I will end up going.

 

[desert_wagon]

Love the yankum ropes, my Defender as their full recovery kit and full metal free setup its insane.
Will be getting all of that for my Ram as soon as I find a bull bar I like every one so-far is just tasteless or inadequate.

it is nice, as a plus I used my old winch line to make 3 soft shackles and 2 winch extensions. btw, 100' on the wagon barely, and I do mean barely fits. If I had it to do over, 80-90' would work well. I had to pretension the crap outta it to get it to fit, as in drag the truck thru soft sand while winching, had my kiddo drag the brakes a bit to get the tension up.