Build Thread MallCrl 3.0

[BenTN]

@anand These pics are excellent! It's great to see the corporate folks out there using the product. I bet that was a fun day.

 

[grenexplorer]

Whoa whoa whoa....you spent the day with the corporate team?! Did you hand them a list of demands?

 

[anand]

Whoa whoa whoa....you spent the day with the corporate team?! Did you hand them a list of demands?

It isn't the first time and I doubt it will be the last

But in regards to the list of demands, I didn't realize we had a hostage situation ... Personally, I really don't have any demands, other than I'd love to have access to the repair manual and wiring diagrams, but I understand that is nothing the US side has any actual control over.

 

[ADVAW8S]

Did you ask the suspension question on the QM? Asking for a friend that is me.

 

[anand]

Did you ask the suspension question on the QM? Asking for a friend that is me.

Without access to the parts catalog I'm sure they couldn't tell me specifics on it, which, where we were there is barely cell service

With that being said, we should be seeing QMs stateside pretty soon

 

[Tom109]

Did you ask the suspension question on the QM? Asking for a friend that is me.

I believe they said get a 3-inch lift and 34’s.

 

[ADVAW8S]

I believe they said get a 3-inch lift and 34’s.

Why stop at 3, go 5. 2 inch lift and 3 inch body lift. Throws some 40s with 22 and game over.

Just trying to see what size so I can get airbag man for rear to deal with compression when I put on a flattray with Canopy.

 

[ADVAW8S]

Without access to the parts catalog I'm sure they couldn't tell me specifics on it, which, where we were there is barely cell service

With that being said, we should be seeing QMs stateside pretty soon

Despite failing me, you still are my hero

 

[anand]

Despite failing me, you still are my hero

Maybe I'll be able to get you an answer in one form or another at Overland Expo West

 

[DaveB]

The last of the rapid fire upgrades are getting close...

BlendMount mount for the Valentine1 Gen2 - for how complicated it looks with all the adjustments, this was one of the easiest things I've installed and positions the V1 just under the mirror
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Also mounted my dash cam, Rexing V1P-SE... 4K front recording (with a 1080p rear cam that I didn't install), GPS, etc. I've used these in the last 5 vehicles, always with good results
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For those keeping track, the fuse I used to grab ignition switched power to trigger the "switched power" side of the ST Blade fuse block was the power mirrors fuse (5A). I figured if the piggyback fuse holder that I added to it was going to fail I wanted it to render an insignificant circuit out of service.

Also found that, while my normal "quick grab" first aid kit lives in the pocket of the passenger rear door, my bigger kit found a perfect home. It is wedged into place and not going anywhere, that is, until the fridge moves to on top of the drawer system in the coming weeks
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Is that a radar detector???
I haven't seen one of those in 20 years

 

[anand]

Is that a radar detector???
I haven't seen one of those in 20 years

I haven't had a vehicle without a Valentine1 radar detector in it since I started driving 23 years ago

 

[DaveB]

I haven't had a vehicle without a Valentine1 radar detector in it since I started driving 23 years ago

They were made illegal in Australia many years ago but prior to that the courts would take it into account if you were busted speeding.
Radar detector meant pre planning to break the law.
Cops here can also detect most of the radar detectors except the really high end passive units.
I have only been caught speeding once in the last 20+ years and that was my own fault.
I knew the speed camera was there and slowed down to 100 kmh but didn't realise the speed limit had been changed down to 90 kmh in that stretch
I went to court and won.
My exemplary driving record and the speed fine being exactly 98 kmh, I got off with a warning.

 

[landmannnn]

Whoa whoa whoa....you spent the day with the corporate team?! Did you hand them a list of demands?

 

[anand]

Today was a productive day...

I'm not super thrilled with any of the dash mount options currently on the market, so I decided to give it a go myself until something better is released.

This is a RAM B-size ball mount with a 1/4"-20x.5" stud off the back (I prefer metric, but this was in stock for next day delivery from Amazon); with a reasonably sized washer and nylock on the "inside" of the trim piece. For those who haven't messed with it, the trim piece pops out easily (straight upward), and can be easily replaced if this doesn't work out. For the arm it is a "double socket swivel arm", also from RAM, finally with a RAM magnet mount. The arm rests on the dash and the magnet mount against the center trim for a bit of extra stability, and in some very short testing, looks like it will work out just fine. I just need to figure something out for the passenger side now.



Also got the wheels/tires mounted up today!
Method MR703 in "Gloss Titanium" and are 17x7.5 ET50, wrapped in 255/80/17 (33x10) Falken Wildpeak A/T3Ws. The spare retains the OEM steel wheel with a matching tire. If you want to get into the weeds about A/T3W vs A/T4W and why I went one way vs. the other, that's a different conversation; but I'll say that either way I don't think you could go wrong. This is my 7th set of A/T3Ws (265/70/17 and LT255/80/17 on my 4Runner, 265/70/17 and LT255/80/17 on the GF's Tacoma, LT285/75/18 on my Tundra, and LT265/70/17 on our Sprinter), and I can't say enough great things about them. Initial impression of a quick few mile highway drive is that they might be a bit quieter while simultaneously being a bit harsher than the OEM Bridgestones. Oh! TPMS sensors! I installed new Autel MX sensors in the wheels and programmed them to be clones of the OEM sensors with the Autel TS508WF.



Tomorrow will be a day of packing and then off to Overland Expo West early Wednesday. Hopefully we can set up a forum meet up in Flagstaff this weekend!

 

[Catpaw4x4]

Short update with no true updates....

Broke through 2,000mi yesterday morning while headed down to NC, as I was fortunate enough to be in attendance and assist with a corporate training day for Ineos where nearly the entire team from their North Carolina HQ was able to put a Grenadier (and themselves) through the paces.

Oh! I almost forgot, the smallest quietest rock or similar substance to hit the windshield put a nice star on the passenger side, so much for the C-Bond doing anything. I've got a DIY repair kit here that I'll give a shot on Saturday when it stops raining, maybe it'll fix it, maybe it won't, either way not going to even consider or entertain replacing the windshield for another 2 weeks until I get back from driving out to Overland Expo West.

Since I don't have any actual updates, here is a photo of mine before the fun began, and the rest are "corporate cruisers" getting dirty
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Loking even more forward to the training weekend in Nov!!

 

[crashnburn]

The 703s were a close second to my choice the 701. I have wild peaks too but love your 33x10 choice.

 

[anand]

The 703s were a close second to my choice the 701. I have wild peaks too but love your 33x10 choice.

I was really set on getting 702s to match our Sprinter (our 4Runner, Tundra, and Tacoma all had matching wheels); but they weren't available, so I decided to branch out a bit and am quite happy (also the first wheel I've had in 6+ years that isn't black)