Build Thread Angus’ build thread

[AngusMacG]

10k Mile Update:

Hit this “milestone” yesterday driving through Connecticut. I absolutely still love driving it. I continue to forget to turn off ADAS before driving off. Sometimes when I hit the favorite button it doesn’t take me fully to the correct screen so have to oppress it a couple of times. The start/stop doesn’t affect me too much but I have noticed it is very quick to “engage” when I come to a stop sign. This is a problem when the light changes just as I stop and the hesitation is an issue causing more of a delay to get going.

I recently made a trip to New Jersey for work then extended that trip to South Carolina to watch Louisiana play Coastal Carolina in baseball. The Grenadier garnered a bit of attention and one Univ. of Florida student actually recognized it (this was quite unexpected). He and his teammates checked it out and asked a few questions. I stopped at a car wash and they had several questions. The Grenadier drove fantastic on the Highway and the seats were very comfortable both there and back.

While in SC my windshield crack grew tremendously. I am a bit concerned about the delays in getting a windshield. I know I wasted almost a month on Safelite getting their sh*t together but even dealing with a delay at the dealer (see the Curry Ineos thread). Hopefully this improves over time but knowing all the other cracks that have occurred and then my issue with a chip that has turned into a full fledged break makes me feel as though the windshields are of lesser quality than other components in the vehicle.

Mileage:
My mileage has ranged anywhere from about 12 mpg to 16.5 mpg while running the tires around 45 psi. Currently calculating mileage at about 40 psi. Will add a follow-up in a couple of weeks.

“MODS”
1) affixed my GG medallion; eagerly awaiting the enamel version
2) added some colored letters to the hood/bonnet and the rear ladder door.
3) added WeatherTech floor Mats and cargo liner. Find both acceptable but not fantastic. =Will not be buying the rear seat mats.
4) added American Flag/Gadsden Flag stickers to the rear are side windows. Nothing ostentatious, subtle but visible.

Upcoming Mods
- Special order Sidesteps/sliders. Hopefully will be in by the end of May. Hiking myself up into the Grenadier everyday is becoming tiresome.
- Bison Gear Roof shelf (hopefully this summer)

 

[rovie]

10k Mile Update:

Hit this “milestone” yesterday driving through Connecticut. I absolutely still love driving it. I continue to forget to turn off ADAS before driving off. Sometimes when I hit the favorite button it doesn’t take me fully to the correct screen so have to oppress it a couple of times. The start/stop doesn’t affect me too much but I have noticed it is very quick to “engage” when I come to a stop sign. This is a problem when the light changes just as I stop and the hesitation is an issue causing more of a delay to get going.

I recently made a trip to New Jersey for work then extended that trip to South Carolina to watch Louisiana play Coastal Carolina in baseball. The Grenadier garnered a bit of attention and one Univ. of Florida student actually recognized it (this was quite unexpected). He and his teammates checked it out and asked a few questions. I stopped at a car wash and they had several questions. The Grenadier drove fantastic on the Highway and the seats were very comfortable both there and back.

While in SC my windshield crack grew tremendously. I am a bit concerned about the delays in getting a windshield. I know I wasted almost a month on Safelite getting their sh*t together but even dealing with a delay at the dealer (see the Curry Ineos thread). Hopefully this improves over time but knowing all the other cracks that have occurred and then my issue with a chip that has turned into a full fledged break makes me feel as though the windshields are of lesser quality than other components in the vehicle.

Mileage:
My mileage has ranged anywhere from about 12 mpg to 16.5 mpg while running the tires around 45 psi. Currently calculating mileage at about 40 psi. Will add a follow-up in a couple of weeks.

“MODS”
1) affixed my GG medallion; eagerly awaiting the enamel version
2) added some colored letters to the hood/bonnet and the rear ladder door.
3) added WeatherTech floor Mats and cargo liner. Find both acceptable but not fantastic. =Will not be buying the rear seat mats.
4) added American Flag/Gadsden Flag stickers to the rear are side windows. Nothing ostentatious, subtle but visible.

Upcoming Mods
- Special order Sidesteps/sliders. Hopefully will be in by the end of May. Hiking myself up into the Grenadier everyday is becoming tiresome.
- Bison Gear Roof shelf (hopefully this summer)


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Nice summary.

 

[matt34]

10k Mile Update:

Hit this “milestone” yesterday driving through Connecticut. I absolutely still love driving it. I continue to forget to turn off ADAS before driving off. Sometimes when I hit the favorite button it doesn’t take me fully to the correct screen so have to oppress it a couple of times. The start/stop doesn’t affect me too much but I have noticed it is very quick to “engage” when I come to a stop sign. This is a problem when the light changes just as I stop and the hesitation is an issue causing more of a delay to get going.

I recently made a trip to New Jersey for work then extended that trip to South Carolina to watch Louisiana play Coastal Carolina in baseball. The Grenadier garnered a bit of attention and one Univ. of Florida student actually recognized it (this was quite unexpected). He and his teammates checked it out and asked a few questions. I stopped at a car wash and they had several questions. The Grenadier drove fantastic on the Highway and the seats were very comfortable both there and back.

While in SC my windshield crack grew tremendously. I am a bit concerned about the delays in getting a windshield. I know I wasted almost a month on Safelite getting their sh*t together but even dealing with a delay at the dealer (see the Curry Ineos thread). Hopefully this improves over time but knowing all the other cracks that have occurred and then my issue with a chip that has turned into a full fledged break makes me feel as though the windshields are of lesser quality than other components in the vehicle.

Mileage:
My mileage has ranged anywhere from about 12 mpg to 16.5 mpg while running the tires around 45 psi. Currently calculating mileage at about 40 psi. Will add a follow-up in a couple of weeks.

“MODS”
1) affixed my GG medallion; eagerly awaiting the enamel version
2) added some colored letters to the hood/bonnet and the rear ladder door.
3) added WeatherTech floor Mats and cargo liner. Find both acceptable but not fantastic. =Will not be buying the rear seat mats.
4) added American Flag/Gadsden Flag stickers to the rear are side windows. Nothing ostentatious, subtle but visible.

Upcoming Mods
- Special order Sidesteps/sliders. Hopefully will be in by the end of May. Hiking myself up into the Grenadier everyday is becoming tiresome.
- Bison Gear Roof shelf (hopefully this summer)


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View attachment 7854654View attachment 7854655

Hi AngusMacG,

Curious, are you still dealing with the Start/Stop delay? Mine has the same issue. Sometimes taking 2-3 seconds for the motor to turn back soon after I take my foot off of the brake. Sometimes the vehicle actually rolls backward. My dealer is incapable of providing advice or a repair. This is the 4th issue that they just scratch their head and say they can't help. I love the truck but this is a bit silly.

Thanks

 

[AngusMacG]

Hi AngusMacG,

Curious, are you still dealing with the Start/Stop delay? Mine has the same issue. Sometimes taking 2-3 seconds for the motor to turn back soon after I take my foot off of the brake. Sometimes the vehicle actually rolls backward. My dealer is incapable of providing advice or a repair. This is the 4th issue that they just scratch their head and say they can't help. I love the truck but this is a bit silly.

Thanks

Matt,

I’ve only noticed it in traffic which I try to avoid at all costs…the hesitation only happens as I stop and the function kicks in just as I’m stepping on the gas to go again. That is when there is a delay. If it stop and sit and the function engages for few seconds to a minute or two and I step on the gas there isn’t much of a delay. Only when it engages and I step on the gas to go (usually within 1-2 seconds. Any delay is about 2-3 seconds but is really annoying.

 

[AngusMacG]

25+k Mile Update
Well it has been about 7.5 months and am now at 26,321 miles. Tracking around 98% asphalt. I’ve run out of fuel once but had my Jerry Cans at the ready so all was good. Was interesting as the Grenny went into “Limp Mode” before any warnings came on. I was only about 3 miles from the gas station…

I still absolutely LOVE driving this. I have gotten so used to it I forget that there are people that still have no idea what it is. I am always surprised buy the people that cruise along my side then give me a Thumbs Up when they pass. Earlier today had a Porsche Carrera 3 GTS pass me with the thumbs up.

I am up to a total of 3 “in the wild” sightings and oddly enough all different colors (Queens Red, Inky Black, and Shale Blue). I am not counting @Krabby ’s and @smbennett ’s Grennys. Hoping to start seeing more!

Since purchase, my Grenny has been to Quebec City area twice, Long Island, New Jersey, South Carolina, Upstate NY, and every New England State. I did take part in a one day off-road class with OEX in CT and loved it! Will hopefully be signing up for a 2 or 3 day in the future. I almost signed up for the 4 day trip in Northern Maine with another group but wasn’t comfortable with my lack of camping in the past 40ish years for several days.

Add-ons: Bison Gear cargo roof shelf, Buzz Overland custom steps/sliders (same as @DaBull ), WeatherTech front floor mats and cargo mat, my GG medallion, Vinyl lettering on the hood and rear 1/4 door, under seat bags from @OverlandGearGuy, window tint all around other than the windshield.

Future adds: WolfBox G900Pro (should arrive soon); Suma Performance Grey mirrors (should arrive in a day or two); Bison Gear (BG) 3/4 roof rack, BG drivers side Molle panel, BG NATO can holders, BG camping table, and Diabolical drawer system. Possibly will be increasing tire size to 285/70/R17 when the current KO2’s get worn down.

Pros:
1) Eldoret Blue definitely catches the eye (both genders) and then the Grenny styling configured them as to who makes it and what vehicle it is. It is amusing to see the expressions on people’s faces as they struggle to figure what it is.
2) The overall uniqueness is truly one of the major pro’s. The RAI causes people to ask if it goes underwater and acts as a conversation piece.
3) Drivability. I am still impressed with how well it drives on the highway for its size, weight, and tires. It is smooth on the highway, the steering has definitely “settled” in.
Cons:
1) Noises: even though I have the shortcut for ADAS it still bothers me; going over a speed bump, dip, bump, etc. the car “bongs” at me. Passengers ask what that noise was and I reply “No Fucking idea….”
2) Fuel: I do drive a little too fast so that is a factor but I tend to average around 14-15 mpg. Putting in 91 or higher Octane is a bit expensive especially when I fill up on average with 22 gallons.
3) Infotainment: same issues as mentioned in my prior posts.
4) Fuel gauge/remaining miles: I have zero confidence in the remaining miles calculation. My old Infiniti was not accurate at full but very accurate when low. The Grenny’s remaining miles is a complete and utter joke. I no longer look at it. The gas urge itself seemed to adjust itself but lately is trending back to early on. Gauge shows 1/2 a tank and I’ve driven 200ish miles but I normally only get about 325 miles on a tank without running out of fuel completely (got to just over 340 miles when I did run out of gas). Now I only use the trip odometer to know when to fill up.

My hopes are to start doing more off-roading classes and ease into some overlanding trips. Looking to drive out to the SW and hit Moab and AZ. Would love to do some meetups with local and regional groups in the coming months.

More Pics to follow as I forgot to take them when the sun was shining…

 

[AngusMacG]

Finally had my WolfBox G900 Pro installed. It’s been a couple of days use with 1 night of driving. Here’s my review:

Pro’s:
1) Like being able to record my drives. Since I drive a lot for work (at ~32k miles now) I feel better knowing that if something happens I will have a record of it.
2) Ease of Use. Very easy to figure out how to get to features with out reading the user manual (have to keep my “man card”)
3) Picture: the picture is very crisp and clear and the split screen is a nice option though I wont use it.

Con’s:
1) Rear distortion: The visibility is great with a wide angle view but that compromises the detail and distance for what is directly behind you. What is about 50 yards away in actuality appears to be about 100 yards away. I sure this is due to the lens allowing for the wide angle/panorama capability. This makes it difficult to really see what exact vehicle is behind you.
2) WiFi: not sure why the WiFi turns on and off during a drive. When I stop and look at the setting it is off. During the drive it will kick on and the pop up takes up the center of the screen for several minutes limiting your visibility. This is quite annoying
3) Lock: I understand why you would “lock” the controls but like the WiFi this keeps popping on and off during a drive. It doesn’t take up as much of the screen as the WiFi does.
4) Night visibility: This is not that great. headlights of vehicles have a large “aura” around them and makes it difficult to see exactly what is behind you. Also everything appears in B/W though I know this isn’t the case but highway driving that’s how it looks to me

Summary:
Overall I do like the product and will keep it mounted. Not a fan of the WiFi connection as it is “janky” at best and takes more effort to access when using the app. Wishing they just integrated with Bluetooth. I did not have the GPS hooked up as location and speed tracking is not important to me. The usefulness of being able to record in case an accident happens to me or around me is more important to me than the negatives I mentioned above. If I do get really irritated by it I will probably move the camera down and see if it can mount around the back of the infotainment screen and act as alternative rear view mirror while still utilizing the OEM rear view.

 

[AngusMacG]

So I took advantage of Bison Gear’s free shipping deal…Had s snag w/Customs that apparently will cost me an additional $62 dollars??? Not sure why. I ordered the right side cargo basket, left exterior mole panel, and 2 Jerry can mounts. Installed everything and holding up well. Had to re-tighten the holders already so keeping an eye on them.

I do believe it is affecting the fuel economy by about 1-2 mpg. Will probably try putting the Jerry cans in the cargo area to see if MPG improves.