Influencer I
New plates just came in! I like them very much!!
“Stinky” the 1997 FZJ80 build
- Thread starter TRED LYT
- Start date
Influencer I
Me too...super stoked they were available. I was actually kinda surprised they weren't taken with all the plates out there.
Influencer I
Influencer I
Enthusiast II
Influencer I
Now that we’ve made a few trips with the new gears, it’s a game changer! What an amazing difference. She pulls up big hills without having to over rev the engine...so much mo betta!
Influencer I
I dropped off my rig 3 weeks ago at Goose Gear to have my floor plate, drawers, and camp kitchen installed. Before I dropped it off, after a discussion with Brett at GG over the phone, I decided on a National Luna 52qt fridge. Thought long and hard about a Dometic and an ARB, but decided after discussing it with Brett. I'm sure the others have great products, but what did it for me was the extra 2 quarts of space and the fact that their cooling plates are in the walls of the fridge vs the floor. I'm told by Brian (owner of GG) that he's tried most of the fridges available and has been really satisfied with the National Luna. So be it, I ordered it. They said it also fits perfectly into their camp kitchen and fills out the space perfectly.
When I dropped off the rig, I asked Brian if they'd go ahead and install the fridge along with all the electrical necessary to get it running properly and safely. He asked if he could look at the electrical under the hood to see my battery set up so he could be familiar with it before he spoke to the electrician Greg. When he opened the hood, his eyes got really big! I told him my Blue Sea ML-ACR wasn't operating properly. He reached under and found the main wire was completely loose and almost detached...a hot wire mind you. The more he looked, he asked that I not drive the rig any more and if it was ok to unhook the electrical. After Greg got under the hood, they were all amazed that my rig didn't burn to the ground on my last trip up the Coast of CA to Big Sur!
Below are some shots of what they came up with for the electrical. I'm super stoked and mostly grateful for the guys at Goose Gear for finding what could have been a disaster before it happened! Thanks guys...for saving not only my rig, but my family, potentially another forest or wilderness area, communities, etc... In light of the recent fires here in CA, I cannot thank you enough!!!
When I dropped off the rig, I asked Brian if they'd go ahead and install the fridge along with all the electrical necessary to get it running properly and safely. He asked if he could look at the electrical under the hood to see my battery set up so he could be familiar with it before he spoke to the electrician Greg. When he opened the hood, his eyes got really big! I told him my Blue Sea ML-ACR wasn't operating properly. He reached under and found the main wire was completely loose and almost detached...a hot wire mind you. The more he looked, he asked that I not drive the rig any more and if it was ok to unhook the electrical. After Greg got under the hood, they were all amazed that my rig didn't burn to the ground on my last trip up the Coast of CA to Big Sur!
Below are some shots of what they came up with for the electrical. I'm super stoked and mostly grateful for the guys at Goose Gear for finding what could have been a disaster before it happened! Thanks guys...for saving not only my rig, but my family, potentially another forest or wilderness area, communities, etc... In light of the recent fires here in CA, I cannot thank you enough!!!
Glad to hear it was a happy ending story....after watching coyoteworks burn his Rubicon to the ground in the middle of fire season. Nice for something in the preventive area. Goose gear rocks.
Influencer I
I forgot to mention, in my previous set up, there wasn't a single circuit breaker. Everything was hard wired into their respective devices. I now have Blue Sea circuit breakers...6 of them, going to each critical electrical section of the truck. If I need to cut power to any area, it's as easy as pushing a button. Greg told me the wiring I had, was akin to a "Welding Cable"...that if it started to burn, nothing would put it out. I had several wires that were partially melted and on major cable with the plastic bubbling!!! If you look closely at the picture above, you can see that the battery positive was mounted outward toward the body work. You can see where it arc'd against the bodywork. You can see where it looks like a rodent chewed on the edge of the steel....I can assure you, it wasn't a rodent! It was my battery positive pole touching that side and arcing! I am so lucky......
Influencer I
My wife and I watched that video and for the first time, she's completely supportive of what it cost to fix it!!!
Influencer I
Now for the pretty stuff. Check out the new Goose Gear set up. I'm super happy with its functionality and can't wait to load up the drawers!! Since I got a new Skottle from Tembo Tusk before Jerry left for Overland East last week, I'm not going to install a stove in the pull out underneath the fridge, but instead, have Goose Gear make me another drawer box for things like utensils, spices, and small items for the kitchen. Do any of you have ideas for organizing the drawers? I've seen some pretty cool organizers, but I never seem to remember the names of the systems. Penny for your thoughts......
Influencer I
Right before she went in to be outfitted by Goose Gear, I also received my new aluminum cases from Zarges USA. These cases are awesome!!! Heavy duty and light as hell. So many sizes, I was able to order 2 cases that fit perfectly into my roof rack in front of RTT. Should save some wear and tear on the RTT cover and in turn, the tent itself. 23" X 23" X 16" Spring loaded handles, locking latches, and bear proof! They're made in Germany and have a US distributor in NC. If you're looking for high quality cases, give this a look. I don't think you'll be disappointed. 
Influencer I
Greg the electrician and avid Overland himself, is suggesting that I tear off my HID light system and replace them with Baja Designs LP9 series lights. Amber on the roof to cut through glare from dust. White spots up front. Pilar lights for spotting difficult terrain to the side of my rig at night. Also, rock lights to illuminate for my cameras front and rear. With a complete revamp of my lighting (expensive as heck), they'll all run with less energy than one of my HID's!! I'm thinking it's going to cost an arm and a leg, but I'm sure it will come in handy on our long trip North and South.
Member III
You have a nice setup there! Well thought out, too. I really enjoyed my 97’ FZJ80. I was going to build it up, but decided on something different, my diesel Cherokee. Still miss the Land Cruiser though at times not when I need to buy gas though! Vance.
Influencer I
You got that right! Although this last fill up I got a whopping 11.2 miles per gallon which is much better than the 9 I typically get! I watched a Ronnie Dahl video on YouTube and his big tip was to keep the vehicle below the wind resistance level...which in our case is 55MPH. Appears to be working! We’re taking a 2,000 mile trip next month. We’ll really get a chance to see if that 11 is consistent. Thanks for the nice compliment! Rich
Influencer I
I wanted to cut down on hood glare when driving directly into the desert sun as well as light bounce from the rooftop flood lights....so a matt finish hood wrap seemed like the right solution. Went down to my new friends at Gator Wraps in Laguna Hills, CA to see what might work. After studying many African rigs for so long, I decided on desert tan thinking it’s kind of drab, and less heat absorbing than dark green. I wasn’t very original in that I copied other wraps I have seen by going with a topo map....but I actually chose one from our local mountains in an area we enjoy, so at least it has meaning to us. But the topo by itself was kinda boring. So we improvised a bit and added a couple of graphics. 11 is my lucky number! Here’s what we came up with.....
Influencer I
Totally diggin’ the new anti-glare hood. First time the sun is out since the installation!!
Traveler III
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7082
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I dig it! Looking at wrapping mine eventually. Might look at something like this versus a good matte black.
