The Dusty Rose Project - '11 JK w/ Product Reviews

[Coal-Cracker]

Powertrain warranty is good for 5 years/100,000 miles so no big tires until I've met that criteria... 4 more years to go... I think I'm going to use the 2 sets of tires with different rims and use that to make the final call, so if I get 33,000 miles per set I'm good on this.

...

...yet

Just to throw this information out there, as warranty loss was an initial concern of mine prior to modding my Jeep...

In the event warranty work is required, modding a vehicle does not automatically void any and all warranty claims. This is contrary to popular belief by most vehicle owners and some dealerships as well. It is actually on the dealership to prove that the warranty claim was the direct result of the modification.
This in accordance with the MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT
http://law.justia.com/cfr/title16/16-1.0.1.7.71.html

[Tater Raider]

Understood.

Thus sayeth my dealer, who performs warranty repairs for me:

Thou shalt not put larger diameter tires upon thine vehicle under penalty of voiding thy powertrain warranty.

I can go wider, but not taller. The reasoning is that the increased strain could be used to explain the added wear and tear, so until I hit 100k I'm staying at 32" tires, which are already decent sized. Not as big as I'd like, but big enough for now, and there are a great many other mods I have to make that don't affect the drivetrain, not even a little bit.

If I go wider and I am, then I still have to replace the rims to get the proper backspacing. Since I only want to replace them once the earlier convo still applies, but I am seriously, very seriously, looking at 17's for summer and 18's for winter to compare them. If I do this then I will have worn out 3 sets of tires total about the time the drivetrain warranty kicks it and I can do my lift then.

So 4 years out on the lift. Given how much has to get done and how much money it will cost I'm alright with this.

Looming close is the trek I take every Leap Year. The cargo issues I have as a BOV must be fixed or at least stop-gapped by June.



Here goes nothing.

To get the cooler out of the cab and into the cargo area, I'm getting a pair of these:


1 tube up front, one in back, and we are good to go on soft drinks while driving.


Cargo? I got your cargo:


Only getting one of these. I'm leaving the other side open for a fire extinguisher at a later date.


That is not nearly good enough though, so:


These fit over the wheel well on either side of the back seat, leaving the seat open and the view there for the rear passengers.


And I still need a cargo rack on top of this. For the trip I'm going with a receiver basket as a temporary solution. the bikes and canoe are not making the trip so compatability is a non-issue. I'll be finding a use for it later on down the road, possibly as a welding project over the winter.

Other things on this timeline include the rear license plate braket needs replacing and a ding pulled from where something hit it. Finally, I'm converting the front bumper to a stubby to get rid of a beauty mark from when I went off-roading last year. Minnesota requires the bumper extend 10" beyond the frame rails and this bumper is (just) legal there.

Deadline on all of this is May 22 for ordering parts.

[KJ4VOV]

Damn Tater, I was really starting to like you... until I saw the Diet Coke stash. I had you figured for a fellow Mountain Dew worshiper.








Oh, and I assume you've looked into the issue of speedo calibration vis-a-vis possible differences in tire circumference? That will have an effect on transmission shift points and possible speeding tickets.

[Tater Raider]

Damn Tater, I was really starting to like you... until I saw the Diet Coke stash. I had you figured for a fellow Mountain Dew worshiper.








Oh, and I assume you've looked into the issue of speedo calibration vis-a-vis possible differences in tire circumference? That will have an effect on transmission shift points and possible speeding tickets.

Dt. Dew - prediabetic.

I have not looked into shift points - 6 speed manual. I have looked into speed v. RPM with taller tires and different gear ratios. The 4.10 I have will do the job but I'd be happier with a 4.56. I might go with a 4.88, but that's not likely. Front axle housing will also need replacing to avoid axle droop. I could weld on some reinforcement cheaper, but gain ground clearance if I go with a Pro-Rock Dana 44 plus I can keep the internals stock. Extended brake lines, shocks, long arms, speed bump stops, brake upgrades... it adds up so bleedin' fast it makes my head hurt. I can double check the speedo with my TomTom after reprogramming the chip.

Fortunately there is plenty of other stuff to do first, and the Rubi is a pretty good package to start with so I'm not in a rush to lift it. I'll let the driveline warranty expire first.

Lemme see.. I need skid plates to protect a lot, snorkel, more lights, beef up the roll cage, tire carrier, CB radio, ham radio (and try not to fry my nuts off on that one), winch (not wench), auxiliary fuel tank, ok, maybe a wench, but winch first - priorities...

[gustovski]

tater you should get an arb air compressor I have one in the mitsubishi and it works well
it just fits under the hood and when you need to pump up tires or whatever you flip a switch in the cab and then bingo you go some air

[Tater Raider]

Click Me:


Needs updating and I'm not explaining the color code. Just showing there's a plan and a lot of stuff on it. My purchase schedule is pretty well locked in for the next 2 years and not all of this fits on that. VA may approve some, but it's not likely, and bumpers and lighting is subject to change without notice.

Yes, I'm paying for this with my paper route.

[KJ4VOV]

Click Me:


Needs updating and I'm not explaining the color code. Just showing there's a plan and a lot of stuff on it. My purchase schedule is pretty well locked in for the next 2 years and not all of this fits on that. VA may approve some, but it's not likely, and bumpers and lighting is subject to change without notice.

Yes, I'm paying for this with my paper route.

Change the 80/40 radio to an all mode HF, add some air horns and I think you'll be good to go.

[Tater Raider]

Change the 80/40 radio to an all mode HF, add some air horns and I think you'll be good to go.

Ooo...

Air horns...

Maybe I can get a train horn...



I'm rethinking the bag thing a bit. I may be able to fit 3 roll bar bags (one in normal location and one on either side of the rear passenger area). I'll take a look at it after I get the first one to make sure they don't spoil the view for my passengers.

[KnightoftheRoc]

...
I'm rethinking the bag thing a bit. I may be able to fit 3 roll bar bags (one in normal location and one on either side of the rear passenger area). I'll take a look at it after I get the first one to make sure they don't spoil the view for my passengers.

"VIEW"??? Don't you mean "field of fire"?

[Tater Raider]

"VIEW"??? Don't you mean "field of fire"?

Sans canoe, 360° field of fire from driver or passenger seat. With canoe still have 180° form either side.
Needs pintle mount and something crew serviced.

I found a couple inexpensive cargo carriers on Amazon.com last night, and modifying them to fit over the spare tire at a later date seems simple enough to me once I've learned to weld. This makes me a happy Tater. <$100 for a carrier beats >$300 for something ready made, and I'll get more satisfaction out of it I think.

Oneswunk, I owe you. Again.

[Tperkins]

"VIEW"??? Don't you mean "field of fire"?

Sans canoe, 360° field of fire from driver or passenger seat. With canoe still have 180° form either side.
Needs pintle mount and something crew serviced.

I found a couple inexpensive cargo carriers on Amazon.com last night, and modifying them to fit over the spare tire at a later date seems simple enough to me once I've learned to weld. This makes me a happy Tater. <$100 for a carrier beats >$300 for something ready made, and I'll get more satisfaction out of it I think.

Oneswunk, I owe you. Again.

Heavy barrel AR with a crank trigger and drum mag? xD
Dusty's coming alone nice; I should have some new pics up soon, and I'm ordering my tires this week/weekend as well. 31" Duratracs.

[Tater Raider]

Heavy barrel AR with a crank trigger and drum mag? xD
Dusty's coming alone nice; I should have some new pics up soon, and I'm ordering my tires this week/weekend as well. 31" Duratracs.

I was thinking more along the lines of what my Dad dreamed up one day - a 12 ga. Gatlin Gun.

Air Bag Helper Springs are getting installed Saturday.

[44Dave]

Damn. What's your source for the roll bar coolers?

[Tater Raider]

VDP roll bar 6 pack cooler. I shop around a bit for best price including shipping, so sources vary. Amazon.com is consistantly a low cost source but they don't carry everything and deals have been found that were better elsewhere.

I have another secret I'll let ZS in on. I run things past goofygurl (when I mention GG, that's her) before I purchase. Sometimes she can find a deal I missed and sometimes she confirms I've got the best buy. She has an "in" with certain companies and is very good at sniffing out a deal. If the best deal is someone she's an affiliate with she gives me a purchase link that I use - same price, but she gets a commission. If there's a better price elsewhere, well, that's how it goes. In the long-term we both come out ahead.

So when you shop online shoot GG a PM to make sure you are getting the best deal you can, and I'll be mentioning when I buy through her from here on out.

[DarkAxel]

I've followed this thread for awhile, Tater. Looks like you are making some serious progress.

What kind of fuel efficiency are you getting with Dusty fully loaded?

[Tater Raider]

I've followed this thread for awhile, Tater. Looks like you are making some serious progress.

What kind of fuel efficiency are you getting with Dusty fully loaded?

Thanks. I'm starting to get stuff done, but never at the pace want to go. Funny, that.

On the fuel efficiency, in a bug-out I estimate I'll get 16-17 mpg and doing 55 mph or less to be getting that much. I'll end up driving the most direct paved route rather than the fastest because at those speeds I'll burn less fuel. Here's how I got there:

• In town: I'm getting 20 mpg rather than the 15 mpg the EPA suggests. I'm started hypermiling this week - a very light throttle, lots of coasting, and keeping the rpm just above 1,000 so it is mildly annoying to traffic. Then again I do the speed limit so I'm going to annoy them regardless.
• Highway, empty: 20-22 mpg, I refuse to exceed 65mph, interstate speed limit is 70 but do most of my highway miles in 55mph zones. It doesn't cause problems on the interstate because I keep right while on the 2-lane roads I drive middle of the lane when it's not clear to pass then move so far right I'm driving on the paint so they can see around me when it is clear.
• On paper routes: 17-18 mpg. Lots of stop-and-go, lots of gravel, some high speed 4 wheelin', and on top of all that I am under a deadline, but I keep it at 50-55 mph until the return trip, 30 miles of interstate. The further into the route I go the less careful I am on the throttle so that's a factor. This weekend will be wet, so lots of mud to play in while working. Okay, while getting paid to mud-bog.
• Highway, canoe up top: 18 mpg tops and a 55mph speed limit.

---

I went loaded for bear last summer with both boys on a trip to Arkansas and got 20-21 mpg with the 65 mph speed limit over 1,500 miles. Rear springs were close to the bump stops and there was 0 room in the truck due to luggage.

This year's annual vacation will be about 4,350 miles with the boys again and another 650 miles with Daughter Unit as well. I will have a mpg report for that if you like, but no canoes or bikes are coming with. Next year will be back to 1,500 miles with the addition of ZCON (here's hoping) and a mock bug-out so all the gear will come with and cargo space, including newly created space, will be stuffed to the gills. Bike, canoe, the whole smash is coming with and I'll have a mpg figure for you then.

Dusty is at her most efficient at 35-40 mph. Over 45 mph costs me about 1/10 mpg/mph, at somewhere around 65 that becomes something like 1/2 mpg/mph, and at 70 it's about 1:1 insane how fast she guzzles fuel. She does everything I want her to except set land speed records or pass a gas station without stopping and I was willing to give both up for what she can do.

[DarkAxel]

Thanks for the numbers, TR. My truck gets horrible mileage, and I'm in the market for a new Daily Driver/BOV myself. I've thought about getting a 4x4 S-10 or similar small truck and putting one of those fuel tank/pump deals in the bed to extend my range a bit. Reading through your experiences with Dusty is giving me lots to think about.

[Tater Raider]

Thanks for the numbers, TR. My truck gets horrible mileage, and I'm in the market for a new Daily Driver/BOV myself. I've thought about getting a 4x4 S-10 or similar small truck and putting one of those fuel tank/pump deals in the bed to extend my range a bit. Reading through your experiences with Dusty is giving me lots to think about.

Anytime.

Also, sent you a PM.

[KJ4VOV]

I wonder how much of the MPG loss with the canoe is due to air getting trapped in the hull? Have you considered/tried putting a cover on the canoe before putting it up top and see how that affects your MPG?

[Tater Raider]

I wonder how much of the MPG loss with the canoe is due to air getting trapped in the hull? Have you considered/tried putting a cover on the canoe before putting it up top and see how that affects your MPG?

Canoe covers on the water reduce wind resistance by up to 50%! I see no reason why this wouldn't apply to the canoe proper and it's something I've been thinking about ever since I got the mpg readings. There's a wrinkle though. There always is when it comes to me.



Okay, forget the load extender up front - it messes with the planned winch and the light bar is doing fine, so that leaves the extender in back, except I have the bike rack. So I take my grinder and remove the bike rack from it's hitch mount and reweld (or have welded) it to the load extender. Now the cargo rack that would go over the spare tire is useless (I knew I was screwing up again).

Wait, I can build one that I can clamp in place and remove easily that connects from the light bar to the load extender/rear canoe mount. I'll have to fab it myself, but still, doable. Looks like between the Jeep and Oneswunk I've got a new hobby, finding fun ways to burn myself.

Okay, so a canoe cover would work by going under the roof rack, and I'd need seperate pieces for the front and back, so a 3 piece cover. Except that the bike will be in the way when I toss it in the boat, but that's not going to be too often so yeah, 3 piece cover, well, maybe 2 of them, one for 1-man paddling and another for 2-man. But they don't make those. But I know what fabric I need and the canoe itself is the pattern and I have a book that describes them well so looks like I'm also a seamstress. Tailor? No, it's wind related so sailmaker. Sailmaker? They make sailing conversions for canoes, don't they? Maybe I can DIY for fun and to pinch a penny until it bleeds.

Where was I?

Oh, yeah, It's doable but kinda a pain until I hit the next step on the canoe hauling so until then I'm stuck at 18 mpg.

Yes, this is how my brain processes stuff.

[DarkAxel]

PM received and reply sent.

[Tater Raider]

Receiver hitch cargo carrier ordered today; however, it's on backorder so hopefully it will ship in 2 weeks. The one I picked will mod to do the rooftop thing at a later time and was under $75 with shipping.

One roll bar duffel bag ordered today too, but I switched from the cheap one to one that's a couple dollars more and made of canvas. It's made by the same folks that do the between roll bar bags I want and I thought in addition to hopefully being better made having matching luggage isn't a bad thing. A bit weird, true, but not bad.

Earlier in the week I bought a trash can that should arrive sometime today. That last ain't much, really, but a lot of not much, really adds up to doing a lot to keep things organized and having places for all the cargo when you are hauling around 3-4 adult-sized folk.

[Tater Raider]

Decals have now been installed on Soylent's Envy. I missed a line in the IA code that says I have to put a capacity number on one side, so guess what I get to do on Monday? If you said go back to the place that did the decals and get a "3" made, you nailed it in one!


The Girls. My BOV now has the depth I wanted.



I think the decals came out alright.


Yeah, she's in Packers colors. All 3 kids hate the Packers, but I had to use a high contrast color and I also wanted something that could blend in the grass. I think I pulled it off and the kids can get their own canoe if they don't like it.

I'm kinda hopelessly addicted to modding the vehicles at this point.

[Tetra Grammaton Cleric]

Classy.

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