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)

 

[anand]

Been a few weeks, so a few bits and bobs of progress...

First off, the truck has just over 7,300 miles in 5 weeks of ownership, so that's fun The drive out to Overland Expo West in Flagstaff was great; the way out was 2x 15hr drive days and a 5-ish hour morning "commute" the final day; the way home had a 7hr, 16.5hr, and 12hr drive day. After all those hours the seats are still super comfortable, the 1 finger driving is better than the 14hr drive home (the steering really broke in after the first 1,500-2,000mi, just like the motor did with fuel economy).

Hand calculated (and taking into account the 4.4% odometer variance from the 33" tires) I averaged 15.8MPG covering around 4,700mi, with a moving average speed of 67MPH. Most of the time cruising speed was 77-83MPH (actual), with a good chunk of Oklahoma having faster cruising speeds than that given the 80mph speed limit. My best tank was 18.3mpg, headed East between Gallup, NM and Santa Rosa, NM. Worst tank (not including the tank that included driving around Flagstaff for 2 days) was headed West between Rolla, MO and Joplin, MO at 13.8MPG.

Now for the actual changes! First thing after getting back was to give it a bit of a rinse, nearly the entire drive West until Texas was done in the rain, so I gave it a quick bath in Flagstaff; the drive East was just full of bugs. So. Many. Bugs.

Not a thorough cleaning, just a quick pre-soak on all the forward facing surfaces with some P&S Mud Buster (4:1) and Chemical Guys Bug & Tar Remover (6:1) and then a wash with Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss. If you're wanting to get into the weeds, the "basic" wash also includes P&S Brake Buster with agitation on the wheels/tires and then Sonax "The Beast" wheel cleaner as a round. After 5 weeks the Griots 3-in-1 Spray Wax and P&S Clean Maker combo seems to still be holding up well for hydrophobic properties, but the smoothness on the paint is lacking a bit.

Anyways, back to the alterations! I finally got around to assembling my DIY drawer set up, ironically, without the drawers themselves as I still haven't decided whether I'm framing the drawers in aluminum extrusion or doing them in wood (or HDPE). Obviously, I'm also missing the top and sides; but wanted to get it assembled to make sure my measurements were correct and that everything fit appropriately.

Outer dimensions are 37" deep (front to back), 41" wide, and 9" tall (without the top panel). This makes it a bit taller than a "flat" sleeping surface, but that wasn't my goal. The fridge slide is from DFG Off Road, and intended to be used specifically with the CFX3-45 fridge. One of my biggest reasons for moving the seats into the commercial (or "Quartermaster") position was to gain another 3.5" of space in the cargo area, allowing me to "stash" the subwoofer between the fridge and the rear seat, in a space that normally is wasted.

The frame is constructed with 1"x1" Aluminum Extrusion (often called 80/20, but these came from TNutz). The middle horizontal pieces are for the drawers slides to bolt to, and thus can be freely adjusted in height based on the drawer construction that I decide to go with. Hard to see in the photo, but while the passenger side has one "brace" (between center and right side, on top); the driver's side has two, specifically because the fridge slide has 3 pairs of holes, and I wanted each set of holes to have a solid mounting point.

If you're wondering how close the drawer system is to the rear doors,

Also, keen eyes will notice that the cargo mat is sitting higher than normal; that's because there is a layer of 0.40" thick 3M Minicell closed cell foam under it, and 2 layers where the original Interior Utility rail used to be.

Final touch for the weekend was to finally get around to installing the XPel Door Sill Guard. My install method was to cut to length (front to back of vehicle), then tuck one edge between the rocker and body and work it up in sections towards the factory kick panel protector. Then use a razor knife to cut it where it meets the plastic kick panel protector.

That's all for now I think...

 

[anand]

Some temporary (maybe?) updates, some building on previous updates, some actual updates....

Finally got around to installing my Icom IC-2730A VHF/UHF radio... I bought this one over 2 years ago, expecting to install it into the Sprinter and never got around to it. It is MARS/CAP modded (which expands the TX/RX range to include commercial, GMRS, and others), and currently installed with a very temporary magnetic NMO mount on the rear of the roof.

The body of the unit is installed between the rear seat and the drawer system. There isn't enough depth to use the Icom mount, so instead it is protected on the bottom by two layers of 3M Minicell and currently held in place with a long strip of 3M VHB to the drawer skeleton. Don't mind the mess of wires, once I figure out if the air compressor is staying here or not I'll tidy the wiring up

The head is mounted just to the left of the steering column, this makes the display easily readable by just tilting your head a little left of normal

But where does the mic plug in? I have an extension run to the center console. I'm not thrilled with this positioning at all, and haven't installed the MagneticMic microphone holder yet either, so this may change. Also you can see my USB cable for my phone disappearing into the center console

Next up is the ARB single air compressor. I've never had a single in any of my trucks, always either something non-ARB, or an ARB twin. My GF had a single in her Tacoma with no issues, and this single was/is actually destined for her Forester, but given that we're supposed to be having a bit of dirt therapy on Sunday, I wanted some OBA. It is mounted using the included ARB bracket to the skeleton of the drawer system, angled upwards slightly for clearance of the rear seat back and the wheel well plastic. I made do with what I had laying around from various previous installs, so I'm running a 3/8" airline back to a 6 outlet manifold that has just the pressure sensor and ARB quick coupler in it. I'll be moving the pressure sensor back to the outlet of the compressor and figuring out a way to just have the quick coupler at the back, but alas, I came up with this plan on the fly yesterday and Amazon is still contemplating whether any of their deliveries to us are going to ship/arrive today as promised.

I also got the upper surface of the drawer system installed, it is 1/4" Aluminum composite panel. My last DIY box/drawer set up used actual aluminum as the top surface, but that was both a good bit of weight, and not quite the look I wanted so I figured I would try this material. We'll see how it holds up, but it arrived with two corners bent (they are at the rear-seat side) and got a bit of a scratch the first time I slid anything over it. Seems a bit ridiculous to carry all my stuff in a box on top of the drawer system, but since I don't have drawers yet...

Finally, a purely aesthetic modification to my WeatherTech mats...

 

[anand]

Total teaser photo while I wait on the second battery to arrive.... But I did get a box filled with blue today...