Today was largely spent on logistics visiting and coordinating with local installers and distant fabricators, but I did get to installing some items. I'll break this post into several sections:
- PPF wrap project brief and approval
- Pulled the trigger a roof rack and coordinated with a local installer
- Installed the Owl Vans Dashboard Gear Rail
- Installed the Grenadier USA Overhead Gear Shelf
- Installed the Owl Vans Rosen Visors
- Installed the Grenadier USA Rear Door Handle
- Installed the GP Factor Tailgate Table
- Bison Gear rear-left basket failed install
PPF Project:
I dropped by the shop and went over the vehicle yesterday. Today I approved their proposal -- this is not a cheap vehicle to have wrapped. Here's the summary of what they're going to do.
- SunTek satin wrap all around
- Hard-wearing black wrap on the kick, step, and lower door panels
- Chrome delete on the grill
- Satin wrap on interior piano black trim
- Mount fender armor plates
- Replace hood badge
- Emphasis on protecting door hinge forward surfaces and lower step areas
Roof Rack:
I ordered the Benchmark Safari Roof Rack with a white-only drive/combo OnX6 light bar. I'm not interested in the high/low beam feature or amber lenses and this will drastically simplify the wiring install. Estimate to shipping is 6-7 weeks. It will be a simple install, but since I'll be solo and can't easily receive freight where I live I'm going to have a local place do it. It's a great looking rack and should suit my needs just fine. It's probably not ideal for rooftop tents, but I won't be using one. My only concern is how much the light bar protrudes into an already limited upward visibility for traffic lights. In case you haven't seen it, here's a picture of their setup.
Owl Vans Dashboard Gear Rail:
This was a very easy install and the trim pry tool they included was greatly appreciated. It looks quite nice and works well. I may have to find another phone mount/charger, but at least I won't have to look at that obnoxious 'Merica-munition logo except on the occasion that my phone isn't on there. When the audio installers do their thing they will run a flat USB-C through the dash to the charger.
Grenadier USA Overhead Gear Shelf:
This was also extremely easy to install. Nice attention to detail on this product with the custom flange washers to mount using the OEM screws. For now my sunglasses live up there as I was having a hard time finding a good place for them otherwise.
Owl Vans Rosen Visors:
These are excellent. They're expensive, but damn are they nice. I may be biased since they're closer to what I'm used to in aircraft, but they really are the way to go to preserve the already somewhat narrow and downward focused forward view.
Here you can also see how that driver side grab handle protrudes like a needle in the eye.
Grenadier USA Rear Door Handle:
This is also a very nice piece and is about a 2 minute install. A small trim piece or something to fill the gap around the rotational mechanism between the handle and the door would be a nice touch, but the handle looks very nice from the usual angles. I forgot to snap a picture of that gap, but Bodhi did a video on it if you want a deep look.
GP Factor Tailgate Table:
Other than the million screws to remove and replace, this is also a quick and easy job. I should have done this first to get a bit more working surface area since I was an absolute mess working around all the crap I had piled in the back. The table feels solid as hell and I have no worries about it rattling. I tossed a couple of the OEM screws in the top corners to hold it in position while I worked through the others then replaced them. There's some kind of florescent orange fluid that I think approximates Loctite Blue in case you don't have any at hand. I left the protective film on since the audio installers will have to remove the table in a few weeks anyway.
The tray in the back right on the cover over the high-amperage relay was a nice place to put screws.
The emergency kit fits nicely in the cubby still. The audio installers will run 12v to the National Luna light when they install the Wolfbox camera.
Bison Gear Basket failed install:
I must have missed the note on their website about some Grenadiers having a different panel shape on the left cargo area. I imagine this is must be for the inverter. My bad, but this is the risk one runs when ordering accessories ahead of the vehicle's arrival. This basket may be sacrificed to create a molle panel grill for the custom subwoofer box on the other side.
