81 Trekker Build

[dropzone]

October and the weather looks like this in the PNW

Kind of glad the top didn't make it back on

[dropzone]

Got a killer deal on a 7" GPS

Not sure if I will keep it or not. Have my tablet I can use too.

Swapped out my roller Fairlead with flip up license mount to a hawse so I could get my front recovery mount back

Don't like the alternate plate mount but need the recovery point more..

[R.DesJardin]

I like that GPS, it shows topo and I like that feature. I'd like a killer deal on a 7" GPS  , I'm still using a 4" model.

[dropzone]

I like that GPS, it shows topo and I like that feature. I'd like a killer deal on a 7" GPS  , I'm still using a 4" model.

Trade you a triple stick, i'l even cover shipping both ways

[dropzone]

Got a few things done today.
Project Extend-a-hatch is mounted.  Not exactly perfect. I think I can adjust it slightly with the hinges.

the whole truck has that kind of lean to the left..

awhile ago i swapped out my roller fairlead for a hawse fairlead and didn't like the way i ended up with the license off to the driver's side


I don't know why I didn't think of this before, centered the license and counter sunk some cap bolts into the winch mount and tacked them into place...five minute job

[SKULLYOTA]

i love this build

[dropzone]

i love this build

Thanks appreciate it

So many of you know I haven't been able to make up my mind on lighting.
A friend at work made an offer for both my light bars I couldn't really pass up so they are gone.
Though the outpUT of the roof mounted light bar was awesome I really didn't like the glare on the hood.
I picked up some knock off Vision X type 25w round lights.  Incredible out put in a small package.  Construction quality seems to be better than some of the other lights I have had.
I have 5, currently have 3 mounted, may go with 4 up front and 1 on the back.
Used a smittybilt Fairlead light mount

found some aluminum to make a triple mount

Ordered a Vision X filter to see if it would fit.
sure enough it does.  I can order flood beam and other assorted filters for about $20 each.  Which to me is a nice option for changing conditions.


The two smaller light pods on the bumper will probably become back up lights on the Dodge.

Got a CBI Tire Carrier for christmas(again, had one 6 or 7 years ago) I think I may cut and angle it towards the hatch somewhat since it kind of sticks out a ways.  This will be nice since I will be able to use it on a future truck too.

it has a mount for a high lift
one thing i like about this variation of the CBI mount is the reciever mount for a recovery point


Santa also brought a nice rolling tool cart (our christmas was delayed due to kids coming in from out of town late, well worth it:hillbill:

had some extra stickers

7" grinder will make cutting and other stuff easier


I had posted a pic of my GPS , Rory said he could use a bigger GPS.  I said I'll trade you for a set of triple sticks and he said sure 
I'll need to pull the cases to remove the interlock pin.  I will also need to angle the levers back quite a bit, there should be enough adjustment on the two outer levers to do it with out modifying them.  The stick for the front box will need to be cut, angled and welded. It has had times popped out of low when shifting from 3rd to 4th, might as well fix it when i do the install..

(pic from http://www.radesignsproducts.com/Triple_Sticks.html)
have a wheeling trip planned at the end of the month so hopefully have the sticks in by mid February,  will need to reconfigure my tunnel slightly at the same time.

[dropzone]

So have a not so good update 2 years later.
On the way home tonight my passenger side headlight high beam was flickering quite a bit even though I was using low beams.  Fortunately it was dusk so I was able to get away with out my headlights for the last couple of miles.
Got home thinking I had a bad relay, short or headlight switch.
Decide to take a look at the lights...kind of ticked, found moisture in the passenger side housing.

the light has not been subjected to a crash or anything.
I swapped out an old H4, not one flicker with the truck idling for 30 minutes.  Plug the trucklite headlight back in, high beam starts to flicker again.
Glad I didn't start a lot of chasing ghosts with a DVM..the swapped light leads me to believe the moisture is the culprit.  No moisture or any issues with the d/s light.

time to see how Truck Lite's customer service is with their 3 year warranty.
I really like the out put on these things and glad the warranty might come through for me but I really don't want to have to pay $180 for a replacement.  That will probably not happen for a month or more..

[dropzone]

Last summer I started to redo a dash pad i picked up awhile ago.




It has 3 layers of fiberglass
I used a roll on bedliner on it, than covered that with 4-5 coats of plasti-dip.


old dash pad out

this set of plastic prybars from harbor freight work great for pulling interior parts

I don't recall what year the truck was that the dashpad was pulled from  ut of but it is interesting that the stock 81 had more spots for clips..little bit of stupid trivia




Not perfect but did this with stuff left over from other projects.  Biggest pain was unbolting the cage and pulling it back six inches to get the new dash pad back in.  No more looking at holes..

[dropzone]

Got a great deal on a set of seats:


Now if I can find a decent carpet, this old hunk of junk interior wouldn't be half bad...
and find where i stuck my passenger side door panel...

[dropzone]

Truck Lite came through with their warranty finally.  Emailed multiple times, no response so posted it on their facebook page, got an immediate response

[helipilot77]

Truck Lite came through with their warranty finally.  Emailed multiple times, no response so posted it on their facebook page, got an immediate response

FYI they also create a lot of RF. It is really annoying when I am using my VHF radio. It is produced by the dimming circuit. That is disappointing that they leaked. Glad to hear they honored the warranty. I also love the light output.

[dropzone]

FYI they also create a lot of RF. It is really annoying when I am using my VHF radio. It is produced by the dimming circuit. That is disappointing that they leaked. Glad to hear they honored the warranty. I also love the light output.

That is good to know about the RF interference.  I haven't had a radio on my truck for 3-4 years.  Putting it back in soon.

[Cheesemaker]

Got friends at the local Parts Store wanting me to try those lights.  But its really hard for me to justify them. 

[LittleSteve]

So, these are $180 each?

[helipilot77]

So, these are $180 each?

At least that much.

[Cheesemaker]

Amazon lists them fro $195 + $15 for shipping EACH!!

[dropzone]

$180/each with free shipping was the best price I saw on ebay.
when I got them two years ago it was $410 for the pair.

[LittleSteve]

$180/each with free shipping was the best price I saw on ebay.
when I got them two years ago it was $410 for the pair.

I dont think so.
I know im on the wrong side but ive bought new style (pattern in the reflector) lamps and 4000lumen LED conversion for $120 delivered,

[dropzone]

I dont think so.
I know im on the wrong side but ive bought new style (pattern in the reflector) lamps and 4000lumen LED conversion for $120 delivered,

You saw price for the same model Truck Lite LED headlights?? And did they have a 3 year warranty?

Instead of spending $80 on a tank mount from Power Tanks, scored a cheap used fire extinguisher mount

[LittleSteve]

You saw price for the same model Truck Lite LED headlights?? And did they have a 3 year warranty?

Sorry no, there probably generic chinese lenses and the leds are definately chinese, i just couldnt warrant that kind of money on trucklite parts..
I just hope they work as well...

[dropzone]

Finally had a weekend off


hopefully have more pics from last weekends adventure later on



A buddy from Warn Cool D-90

Carb was not liking 6000'



Toyotas out  stalking a Jeep

[Cheesemaker]

Scoot and his D-90!!   hahaha

You guys in Bend? 

[dropzone]

Scoot and his D-90!!   hahaha

You guys in Bend? 

Yep that would be him
we had about 15 assorted Rovers, Jeeps, FJC's and a 4Runner.  My truck and a 90 Wrangler were the only ones with manual hubs

We were outside of Bend- Saturday at East Fort Rock, Sunday at Cline Butte.

I didn't think it was warm enough for these guys to come out:

Rattler Heaven in another month or so

[helipilot77]

I didn't know there were scorpions in Bend! Whoa!

[LittleSteve]

Them pictures are awesome. So clear.

[Cheesemaker]

You should go to Groundhawg in June.  I think I might go.  I know that Bam, Hairtrigger, and Bigzook will be there.  MR4x42U might compete.  I'm debating, since I'm not going rat hunting this year with them.  I think Scoot last said he was on the fence.

[SqWADoosh]

Whats up DZ! I didn't know you were on Marlin too! I'm digging the build man. I hope we can wheel together some day. Give me a shout if you ever run anything in WA. Thanks again for the sticks. I have to call USPS today about them though. The tracking says they were delivered to a storage locker but they didn't leave a key in my mailbox. My local mailman is an idiot though so I'm not surprised. If I had a nickel for every time I have to go down to the hub to sort some mess out because of him.... Oh well I'll get them come hell or high water!

[dropzone]

I didn't know there were scorpions in Bend! Whoa!

Oh yes there are.  The rattlers should be showing up as soon as it warms up too

Them pictures are awesome. So clear.

One of the guys on the run does photography on the side and has some cool equipment with the knowledge on using it too.   His pictures are awesome.

You should go to Groundhawg in June.  I think I might go.  I know that Bam, Hairtrigger, and Bigzook will be there.  MR4x42U might compete.  I'm debating, since I'm not going rat hunting this year with them.  I think Scoot last said he was on the fence.

That would be fun.  What date is it? 

Whats up DZ! I didn't know you were on Marlin too! I'm digging the build man. I hope we can wheel together some day. Give me a shout if you ever run anything in WA. Thanks again for the sticks. I have to call USPS today about them though. The tracking says they were delivered to a storage locker but they didn't leave a key in my mailbox. My local mailman is an idiot though so I'm not surprised. If I had a nickel for every time I have to go down to the hub to sort some mess out because of him.... Oh well I'll get them come hell or high water!

That would be cool.  That sucks the mailman did not get the key for you..Let me know if there is a problem, they were insured.

[Cheesemaker]

Groundhog Rock Crawl is June 27th. 
http://www.deschutescounty4wheelers.com/whatsnew/view/groundhog-rock-crawl-9

Link to last years comp.
http://www.deschutescounty4wheelers.com/page/groundhog-rock-crawl