Adondo's garage

[Adondo]

I guess it's time to get around to posting a few photos.

In its present form:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/10/DSCF0565JPG-1.jpg

About day 3 of ownership:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/DSCF3688JPG-1.jpg

[Adondo]

Camped out on a rainy July 4th weekend. (This year) My bed is in the back of the Jeep. :) We were in the Mt. Adams and/or Mt. St. Helens area.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/DSCF5785JPG-1.jpg

Going up Imogene Pass in Colorado:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/DSCF7109JPG-1.jpg

Parked in the Four Corners area.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/DSCF7268JPG-1.jpg

On top of the Mogi Dugway.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/DSCF4988JPG-1.jpg

A balanced rock somewhere north of Moab Utah. (If I remember, we passed the Poison Spider trail-head on the way here)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/DSCF5131JPG-1.jpg

[Adondo]

Stopped along highway 6... on the way to Moab.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/DSCF4488JPG-1.jpg

A line of Commanders on the way out of Silverton during the XK Camp of 2009.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/DSCF4518JPG-1.jpg

[Adondo]

Extra LED cargo area lighting.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3916JPG-1.jpg

A few extra lights up front, including HID's.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3784JPG-1.jpg

Lighting switch locations:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3900JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3794JPG-1.jpg

The ''relay farm" for the roof rack lighting:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3909JPG-1.jpg

[Adondo]

Installing the Blue Ox towing setup. (So it can be dragged along behind the motorcoach)

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3934JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3943JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3945JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3960JPG-1.jpg

[Adondo]

Ripping out the third row seat for storage.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3831JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3843JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3847JPG-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3852JPG-1.jpg

[strokeZ]

Nice job w all of your mods!! I like the 3rd row delete....

[LWM]

Very nice, someday I need to copy the rear storage box mod.

[Adondo]

Oh no, you can't copy my storage setup. It's patent pending number: 6,976,329,352. :p

You can see what I did. It's was a fit-as-I-went-along thing. I added the wedge shape to hold the floor jack in place. What you can't see are the 3" holes I cut in the right side 1x6 piece that lets the rear HVAC air out. There are duct openings in the trim there.

The only thing I might have done different is a split lid or the like. As it is, I have to unload everything off the false floor before opening up the full sized lid. I have recently redone my setup, by adding a Rubbermaid bin box. Bottled water, emergency food including MRE's, extra oil, antifreeze, etc. etc. etc. are all in that box. The box got heavy and is held in place by straps hooked to the back of the rear seat, but it can be set out on the ground when needed. It also doubles as a seat to sit on.

I left the original rear storage in place. With the lid turned upright, there's room there for handy grab things like a small shovel, the original jack, set of under-the-tire mats, road flares, a trucker's (reflective) triangle, and other items. Nothing has to get unloaded to open that up. Also, that original jack storage stuff houses HVAC duct work between the two sides of the back area.

I guess my problem is I pack too much crap to fit it all under the floor. There is a lot of room there, but what with an X-Jack, large ARB air compressor, recovery gear, floor jack, jumper cables, tire repair kit, tools, etc., there's no room left for the rest. I like to be set up well enough to live comfortably for three days should I get stranded somewhere. If I should ever blindly follow my GPS into a snowy road to oblivion like the tragic thing that happened in Oregon a few years ago, at least I'll be walking out clothed in a parka with electric heated socks and gloves, a rabbit hat, and snow boots instead of tennis shoes and a windbreaker. I'll be eating beef jerky along the way too.

It does work good now with the bin box idea. I can get into it easy for most often needed stuff, and if it comes out to get to the storage underneath, it's serious. (The Jeep is frame buried, a tire needs pumped up and/or repaired, etc.)

Note that I built mine flush with the original jack storage lid to make a flat floor. It could just as easily be built higher, making for a larger storage underneath the lid. Or lose the OEM jack storage and go all the way back to the hatch door. I came ''this close'' to doing that in the first place.

[Adondo]

A few more.

My stainless steel ''floor'' for the roof rack. I have a buddy in the scrap business. This is high grade stainless that was a fish screen from Ice Harbor dam. The neatest thing is it reflects the sun's heat, and the interior of the Commander stays ambient on the hottest days, assuming I leave the sunroof in vent mode.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF0187JPG-1.jpg

My pre-wired switch setup for the quad set in the dash. I used small wiring because all they do is switch relay coils at all of 0.1 amp.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3899JPG-1.jpg

My wiring loom pathway. I drilled straight thru the multi-layers on the kick panel area, and run the bundle up thru the fender space. Wiring for the coach towing setup is also part of that wiring mass.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3905JPG-1.jpg

Roof rack light wiring:
Large Molex plug/socket so the rack is removable.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3924JPG-1.jpg

[Adondo]

Schematic for my HID lights.
The relays follow the original lights at all times, the HID's are switched after the fact. The high beam lights follow the OEM lights. You dim the beams, the HID driving lights go out. The fog light switch is an override. It makes the HID converted fogs stay on at all times, instead of going off with high beams. (As per original Jeep design) With the override switch off, the fog HID's go off with the high beams turned on.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325Jeep_HID-1.jpg

Mounting for the front set:
Aluminum angle piece with braces underneath. The lights are more solid than mounted to the plastic trim.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF1956JPG-1.jpg

HID ballast buried under the little headlight access door.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3788JPG-1.jpg

Set of HID light relays.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3793JPG-1.jpg

The fog light relay center tap. (As noted in the schematic) My extra added white wire is soldered to the center terminal.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/12/imageaspxu200631160325DSCF3792JPG-1.jpg

[NeilSmith]

I see you have a EZ-UP Canopy. How do you like it ? We bought ourselves one for Christmas, a white Commercial grade 10 x 10.

[Adondo]

That's also the commercial version. The top is heavier, there is no network of rafter ribs inside, just long runners going up each corner. (Leaving an open roof inside) It's a heavy beast, maybe 40 lbs. more than the cheaper Costco version, but it's a nice top. I also have the sides for it. It weighs about 85 lbs. so it ain't easy to get up on the roof rack.

We usually use it for art shows, but it does come in handy at other times. It worked great for camping out. We only needed it the one day, and it was packed around on the roof rack 'til we set it up. The 10x10 is large enough to get under. Setup/take-down only takes about 2 minutes. I used bungees to attach it to the Jeep in case the wind decided to come up. It works good that way, one edge goes over the back hatch door, so the Jeep's interior becomes an extension of it.

By the way, what is it about holiday weekends, does the weather always have to go to crap?!? The weekends before and after? Not a wispy puff of cloud in the sky. We never did see a mountain in 600 miles of forest service roads.

We also snow camped once. The sides are solid, but you can get a set with clear windows. You can also get screen sides for summer. We had a little generator running with a long cord, and a 1,500 watt heater inside. It snowed while we were in it. The generator died during the night, and nobody was about to go outside to refuel it, so it was nice in there 'til then. :) Something started snuffling and rubbing the sides about 3am. We were in our sleeping bags with only ping pong ball eyeballs and the bores of pistol barrels showing. The next morning, we found elk tracks outside. (Expecting bear, cougar, Sasquatch tracks) That's the only thing about solid sidewalls, no way to see outside when the door is zipped up.

[NeilSmith]

Yeah, we got the side panels also, no screens. I was thinking you could have a heater in there and it would probably do ok. We also got the metal feet to help hold it down. Like you said, the whold set weight about 80 lbs it seems but it does have 2 wheels on the carry bag.

[Rocky Mountain Canary]

Thank you for sharing
I love the white with the black wheels

[Adondo]

I've kinda' sorta' tried to keep with the black & white scheme, but started adding chrome here and there. (New grill, door handles, etc.) But, for the most part, I do like the black and white look too.

Notice the grill. I added heavy screen (from a Lowes storm door kit) behind the grill bars. It's painted flat black along with everything behind it. (Everything behind the grill is hosed down with flat black paint) That makes a high contrast look for the Jeep's 7 grill bars, and makes everything behind them invisible. I thought about a B&G grill, I think they're really cool looking... but... they destroy the Jeep's look. In fact, a Commander with a B&G almost looks like a Land Rover or something else, but not a Jeep.

[DEERE G]

Nice XK and mods. VERY inventive. Thanks for the pics and ideas.

[Adondo]

Just got done a couple days ago... new LED dome light conversion.

Here's a shot of the rear ceiling light, I used a pair of LED patch lights. They're wired together with solder & heat shrink.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/CameraZOOM201101071746541-1.jpg

Lit up at night. There's a patch light in each front dome/map light, and the ceiling light. The passenger lights still have the bulbs. (And look like birthday candles now) The bulbs gives a filament load to the computer. If everything's LED, the lights don't work right.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/CameraZOOM201101071828071-1.jpg

Oh yeah, I also got a set of license plate lights. The plate has daylight on it now.

[LWM]

Do you have source and part numbers for your light conversion?

[Adondo]

I got them from this seller on eBay: http://stores.ebay.com/Fyre-Flyz-LED-Store

Just search for "Jeep"

Shipping is superfast too.

[Adondo]

For my next trick...

I just ordered one of these from eBay: http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/5-inch-touchscreen-gps-wfm-transmitter-and-bluetooth-camera/

It comes preloaded with IGO mapping software: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IGO_%28software%29 The eBay seller loads the mapping package onto it. We emailed back and forth a few times, as he answered a few questions.

The wireless camera is powered by the backup lights, and when it comes alive, the GPS screen switches itself to backup cam mode. I plan on putting my camera on the roof rack, so it'll see the world from 6 feet up. My rear floodlights are already up there, and a handy source of power.

The all-in-one unit will replace my Garmin Nuvi 1300 that's an almost HUD up on the dash. I didn't want to add another monitor somewhere for a backup cam, neither did I want to swap out the feature packed Jeep mirror for a mirror/monitor. I also didn't want to deal with running a camera cable, so the wireless cam will be great.

[Sal-XK]

Thats pretty cool man I like that.

[Adondo]

I already have the USPS tracking number. It's coming from San Diego CA, so hopefully by tomorrow or Saturday. Of course, a USPS tracking number is little better than a wild hairy guess, unlike a UPS tracking number where you can all but watch your box crawl across a map. :)

I like the 3D relief mapping. My current Garmin Nuvi 1300LMT is a nice unit, but it's ''3D'' maps are nothing more than a laid down flat map. The IGO v8 is a raised relief map. (Hills, buildings etc. stick up) The mapping packages are on SD cards, so if I want to spend extra bux, I can put most anything in up to and including Navtek aviation maps. I looked at a youtube demo of the unit, and it had a Garmin map package as well as the IGO.

I can't tell from the photos if the camera tilts or not. I guess I'll have to see if I need to build a tilting mount since it'll be up on the roof rack. Or... at a 120 degree viewing angle if it'll be good enough as it is. They're made to be a license plate mount, so that means 3 feet from the ground on the XK, and less than 2 feet on a typical car. I think it's going to have to tilt down from the 6+ feet it will be mounted. Backing up off-road will be great with a bird's eye view of what's back there.

Another cool thing I discovered, is it has an FM transmitter. All audio can be piped out that way, so GPS turns, MP3's, audio books, etc. can be heard on the Jeep's stereo system. And, yes, it does say it has an audio book reader. I've discovered a long time ago that a good audio book reduces the miles on a road trip to about 1/4 of what they would seem to be otherwise. :)

[strokeZ]

Let us know how the install goes and how it all works....very cool find indeed.

[Adondo]

Oh, yeah. And with install pix too.

Here's the eBay seller: http://shop.ebay.com/minigadgets/m.html

[Adondo]

Finally got un-busy enough to post these.

The unit... from behind. I modified the bracket to set it down close to the dash. The bracket comes with jointed arms etc., but they added too much length. I also took it apart to lose the suction cup crap. It's screwed down solid. The upper arm piece is screwed right into the lower mounting post. It's a little ugly, but is pretty solid that way.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/DSCF0928JPG-1.jpg

The camera. It's on the roof rack. I chopped off the ends of the license bracket parts.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/DSCF0929JPG-1.jpg

The little 2.4 Ghz transmitter is buried in the rubber light housing. I didn't want the ''weatherproof'' claim tested to the limits.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/DSCF0925JPG-1.jpg

Another view of the camera install.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/DSCF0924JPG-1.jpg

Looking back. I'm heading for the utility trailer, and it's about 10 feet away. I can see a large patch of ground, also to about 5 feet on each side. The screen switches from whatever its doing upon going into reverse. (And/or the camera powers up) It is color, but we're looking at night here.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/DSCF0930JPG-1.jpg

A couple of the routing menu doing its ''fly over'' routine. (Notice the hyper speeds shown) You create a route, it will fly over for a preview.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/DSCF0927JPG-1.jpg

Another view. The road signs always appear whether you're on a route or just driving. They pop up before the exit actually comes into view. You always know where you are. The map has switched to ''overview" mode, and does when upcoming turns get complicated. It's still in ''fly over" mode here.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/01/DSCF0926JPG-1.jpg

I love the Igo map package. I just bought the 7'' HD screen version to upgrade the Lowrance 500C in the motorcoach.

**SIGH** I see my Picasa watermark has (c) 2010. I'll have to change it to 20-ELEVEN!!

[Adondo]

Here's an online manual for Igo version 8. http://www.scribd.com/doc/35766823/iGO8-User-Manual-English-UK

It's a VERY NICE map package. The above photos show it in night mode. It changes (via GPS local/time) between a light day mode, to the dark colored (easy on the eyeballs) night mode.

The lower bar has running numbers on each side. Those are house numbers. The text in the middle is the road you're on. Main roads in a town/city are in yellow, side streets are gray. Highways red and freeways are in blue. The 3D mapping really is... overpasses are raised up with shadows underneath, hills/valleys really are. It's not just a laid down "paper" map like most ''3D" GPS's.

The ''bubble'' on the upper left is the upcoming turn. The box underneath is the turn after that, so you're always two maneuvers ahead. (In my photos it shows a stop button for the flyover playback)

The warnings include speed limits. (For main roads anyway) Exceed it, and a voice says so, as well as a limit sign pops up on the screen. You can set the tolerance.

In case you can't tell, I really like the Igo mapping software. I looked, a Nuvi has to get into the $499 range for lane assist and terrain mapping. (The popping up green road signs are what Garmin calls Lane assist)

The screen on the unit is actually over 5 inches, mine measures at 5 1/8'' It's only about 1/2'' thick, and weighs just about nothing. The OS is WindowsCE 6.0 embedded. You exit the embedded software, and you have the usual Windows 98 desktop and start button. Great for power users.

[strokeZ]

Looks pretty cool! That is going to be uber helpful when you go trekking about!!

[Adondo]

Here's the new motorcoach GPS. It's from the same eBay seller, except this is the 7" screen HD version. (800x480 resolution)

The "before" with the Lowrance iWay 500C
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/DSCF0931JPG-1.jpg

The "after" with the new unit running in night mode. (Darker color scheme)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/DSCF0932JPG-1.jpg

A side view of the ultra thin 8 oz. unit. I didn't get a "before" of the 2 inch thick, 5lb. iWay 500C.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/DSCF0933JPG-1.jpg

The bracket is one I made. It's 3/16'' thick steel, and was built to handle the heavy 500C. The original ball mount that came with it wouldn't hold it solid enough. I used pop rivets to secure the new GPS's snap-bracket to the steel bracket.

Here's an overall view of the driver's position. The TV set above also acts as my rear view monitor.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/DSCF0934JPG-1.jpg

[Adondo]

Here's an updated photo, taken today while I was on Joe Butte working on a radio system for an ambulance company.

I got the front window tinting done Tuesday. I can't roll the windows down until the weekend. I do like the look of the front tint, and it certainly blocks out the sun's heat.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/06/DSCF1230JPG-1.jpg

[pjmjr508]

you have a great looking XK Sir

[Sal-XK]

Yes he does

[Adondo]

Why, thank you.

I'm kinda' sticking to a black and white theme. The black front windows help. Even my decals on the other side are white. I did put some eBay add-on chrome door handles on, but someday I might pull 'em off to go back to the original black ones. I still have my painted grill in the workshop rafters, but I like my chrome front end. (Thanks again, eBay)

I do like my tires and wheels. They bring the rubber edge right up to, and (maybe 1/2" past) the fender flares, rather than 1.5" back like OEM. I've noticed a difference on sand too. That extra 2" width makes sand easy. I went over some dunes a couple weeks ago, and where I had to get a little run at a dune hill before, it putts around like the stuff is a paved Wal-Mart lot. :) We're heading to the Oregon coast, so I can't wait to see how she does on the beach this time. Last year, I still had the OEM wheels and tire size, and it was okay 'til we hit the deep and loose stuff away from the high tide mark. It struggled a bit, then again, you can't even walk easy in that stuff. :)

Looking at old photos, I have to say the biggest change in its looks are those big tires and Ultrasport wheels.

[4wheelaholic]

So I was wondering if you live in KPR considering I saw it on your GPS..... I work out of Wallula

[Adondo]

Yes, I do. In the 'P' part, actually. (Pasco for everyone else. :) )

We'll have to meet up soon and 'wheel around the junction of 730 & 37. (The Holdman road) There's some dunes there, and a few steep challenge climbs, even tho it's only a measly 10~15 acres or so. Also, we discovered a while back the road that takes off from Madam Dorian goes all the way to the road that leads up to the winery on the hill. (The place past Peirce's Green Valley, but I forget the name of the place) It's a long way, and the road clings precariously above a cliff over the Walla Walla river, but we've made it.

If you're into camping out, we'll have to meet up and head for the Tieton ridge area. It's not that far past Yakima, and the roads are like spider webs up there. There's also an old abandoned lookout tower overlooking Rimrock Lake.

[pjmjr508]

@4wheelaholic
also a good spot to wheel in your area (OR side) is TSF. thats where I have been playing at alot when in OR.

I would like to run some trails with you guys up here in WA too. Its nice to run with some other Commanders here in the PAC NW. Plus I have a friend that lives not that far from the "Slad" with a JK thats lifted that wants to play as well

[Adondo]

I assume you mean ''The Slab'' which is near Zillah. (Or Buena; both towns are wide spots in the road) It's a rat maze to find, but once you've been there, it easy enough. The last part of the route skirts an orchard, and follows a ditch road. It's named for a large concrete slab that looks like maybe it was a barn floor or something. It's a great place to 'wheel, and is about an hour west of here.

As for TSF... ??? A Google search finds "Tillamook State Forest' which is at least 6 hours from here. There's an ORV park in Morrow county, but even that's 3 hours south.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/06/Slab_I82-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

[pjmjr508]

Yes TSF is in OR. The spot I go to is here http://www.offroadatlas.com/lyda-camp-ohv-staging-area. I had brought it up because I have been going there the last 2 years & thats where the videos I have posted are from. I also brought it up because it looks that 4wheelaholic lived in OR so it would be closer to him (I was guessing, because it is not that far from portland)

The Slab is what I was talking about & my friends lives down the street from there & sent me pic's have not been there yet but want to go out there & play to see what it is like.

[Adondo]

My new Wild Country M/T 265/75/R17's.


My usual boat launch photo site. :) I cranked up the fill light in Picasa because the tires were too hard to see.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/08/DSCF1937JPG-1.jpg

In the dunes. They make a heckuva difference too. For one thing, they're pushing 11'' wide, so they float much more than stock 9" wide tires.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/08/DSCF1939JPG-1.jpg

A closer view
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/DSCF1967JPG-1.jpg

Had to do a little trimming on the fender well plastic. A utility knife does it pretty easy, as it's not much worse than a notebook cover. :) The lines end up exposed, but are just out of the way. Just. The infamous pinch weld isn't a problem for these tires, although 285's probably would be. For the front, I just removed the plastic air dam. It's made to be removable anyway, and is mentioned in the manual for removal during off road use.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/DSCF1966JPG-1.jpg

[Holaday07 4.7]

Those look great! How is the road noise? They fill out the wheel well really nice

[Adondo]

The M/T's have a kind of herringbone pattern, so they're not bad at all.

We have a company truck with similar tires for going on remote radio sites. They rattle teeth at low speeds, and are pretty much a log truck on the highway. Their tread bars are crossways, and the ''bars'' whump down one after another. With the diagonal/herringbone pattern, each bar is starting to touch the road as the last one picks up. So, no hammering of the tread lugs. At least that's my theory, because they are very livable. I actually expected much more noise than they make.

[Holaday07 4.7]

The M/T's have a kind of herringbone pattern, so they're not bad at all.

We have a company truck with similar tires for going on remote radio sites. They rattle teeth at low speeds, and are pretty much a log truck on the highway. Their tread bars are crossways, and the ''bars'' whump down one after another. With the diagonal/herringbone pattern, each bar is starting to touch the road as the last one picks up. So, no hammering of the tread lugs. At least that's my theory, because they are very livable. I actually expected much more noise than they make.

that sounds a heck of a lot better than the BFGs. The pull in the rocks and dirt/mud really was a huge step over the old ATs I was running, plus they look great!

[Adondo]

Thought I'd update the garage thread with some new photos.

My Chrysler 300 sitting at Toll Gate Oregon. It's at home in the snow - it's all wheel drive. :) We got 25.8 MPG on that run. (This last President's Day)

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/IMG_4221-1.jpg

Top of the world. (Well, about 1,000 feet above the Columbia River anyway)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/IMG_4199-1.jpg

Another view.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/IMG_4198-1.jpg

This area can be nerve wracking to wheel in. Super steep everywhere, and loose rocks. Just getting to this place is rare for full sized 4x4's as mostly bikes and quads are up here. The "road" leading up is about 30 degrees and stair-stepped from dig-outs of 4x4's that can't make it up. It's kind of a scary place to crawl past, and the QT II system is almost at limits to get past that place.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/IMG_4201-1.jpg

[Adondo]

A silly sticker. :p
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/20120814_161743-1.jpg

An appropriate amount of dirt on the sticker. :cool:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/20120813_171600-1.jpg

The new LED light bar.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/IMG_4227-2.jpg

New front camera for break-over hills. (Where you can't see anything but sky over the hood)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/20130216_143250-2.jpg

7 inch monitor that replaces the rearview mirror.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/20130217_150349-1.jpg

[Matt]

Why does that place have to be so far away. :(

[lekmedm]

How are you liking that Surco basket? I have been thinking about the 50 x 70 version.

[Adondo]

It's great for mounting lights because of all the flat pieces between the rails. It's worked good despite some of our camping trips looking like we need to take freeway exits to go around overpasses so the stuff doesn't get scraped off. :)

The only thing is the lack of floor; you need to add mesh like I did. Mine only has maybe three rails across, so anything like a bag just ends up on the roof of the Jeep. Expanded mesh would work, but I got lucky and got that fantastic surplus surgical stainless steel fish screen stuff.

If I had it to do over, I'd have gone longer with it.

Here's a shot of the Foxwing deployed. Notice the mesh floor.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/DSCF1212JPG-1.jpg

You can see the flat interconnect pieces here. You can put about anything on one.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/02/DSCF1186JPG-1.jpg

[lekmedm]

In that second picture it looks like you have the XK specific channel mount, yes? How tall does it make the basket off the roof?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

[pjmjr508]

looking forward to coming out this summer to play out there

[Adondo]

Here's before and after of my Jeep's Totron LED light bar setup.

Before...
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/IMG_1402JPG-1.jpg

And, after...
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/IMG_4256-1.jpg

I'm still undecided about it's looks. One thing is for sure, I do love the sheer massive amounts of light they produce!

[pjmjr508]

looking great

[LWM]

I like the new look better.

[stites-xk]

I like it! Looks awesome!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[1USMC]

Good look and Good lighting.. Very nice..

[Matt]

I like the new look better.

x2!

Can you take a few more pictures of the bumper mount? Can the LED bar be lowered ~1" so its more in line with the lower part of the grill and blend it a bit more?

[DetroitMarauder]

Love the look. Especially on the roof basket. Where did you get them?

[Adondo]

Here's the eBay seller where I got the bars. http://www.ebay.com/sch/totronusa/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

My HID bracket was built for, well, :) my set of HID lights. I've been debating on losing the bracket and dropping the bar right on the bumper. It may happen, but as it is now, it was fast 'n' easy to install the new bar.

Here's some shots I took over the weekend.

Driving in the dunes. Of course, that's 70 inches of light bar and/or 42 five watt Cree LED's running as well as the Jeep's OEM lights and a set of converted fog lights. (Converted to HID, which are close in and wide lighting)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/IMG_4265-1.jpg

A dirt road leading off to the next hill that's about a 1/4 mile away.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/IMG_4267-1.jpg

Driving down a deserted county road. I don't think I'd miss even a field mouse running across, let alone a deer.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/IMG_4269-1.jpg

[pjmjr508]

really looking great

[criket]

Looks great man! I love the lights!

I have a questions and you may have answred it but I missed. How does the camera work at night with the new lights? Is there a huge glare or can you see pretty good?