cool, thanks.

 

Thanks!

No, I'm not planning on it at this time. I have a Optima red top that seems to do pretty good and I usually only use one or two of the extra lights/etc at a time. If it ever becomes a problem I'll add a yellow, top some place out of the way.

 

Not a problem

 

I got my new tires mounted up today!

4 Wheel Parts is having it's buy 3 get one free sale, so I picked up some new 35's. I went with the 35 x 12.50 x 15 Pro-Comp Extreme Mud Terrain. They seem like a pretty good all around tire and have a good amount of siping for snow and rain. The sidewalls seem a little stiffer than the MTR's but it's hard to say until I air them down on the trail. They do have some nice rim protectors built into the the sidewalls.

 

Mounted on the wheels

 

And a sneek peek of what it could like once it's done!

 

I also got a couple other little things done. I started with the engine bay light, I had it on the last truck and it came in useful. Even if you have to use it once or twice it's well worth having.







And with the light on, and the shop lights turned off.

 

you are just a well of useful ideas

 

Nice work! I like how you are taking care of the little things at the same time.

 

That engine bay light is outstanding. I didn't even realize I didn't have one until I went out and looked. Did you wire it to a switch in the dash or use some sort of contact switch so it comes on when you raise the hood?

Keep coming with the ideas, I'm making a list.

 

And last, I installed the back up/reverse light. I also had it on the last truck and it worked great, I didn't have to drill any holes and it was a pretty easy install.

Before



With the bracket installed



And the light itself, I've had this thing forever and it won't die!

 

Installed, still have to wire it up

 

Thanks, I really like night wheeling and camping but hate fumbling around in the dark. There's nothing worse than having a friend/or yourself broken in the dark and not being able to find anything.

The little things seem to take up the most time so I figure I'll try to get a head start. I really feel that the details are what makes a rig and it's worth the extra time.

I have not wired up anything yet, I'm going to build a complete stand alone harness for all the accessories. In the last truck I kept adding stuff and the wiring got out of control, there were wires everywhere and hundreds of zip-ties. This time I want everything together with some extra circuits in case I add something down the road.

There will be a switch under the hood for the light and the rear cargo light will also have a switch in the back near the light. The reverse light will have a switch near the front of the truck so I can turn it on while I'm driving. I'm working on keeping the truck as unclutered as possible, which is challenging with the amount of stuff that needs to be installed.

 

great ideas. i was thinking about doing an engine light. where'd you put the switch for that one? i was thinking i'd put in under the hood...

 

I still have to wire everything but I plan on putting the switch under the hood somewhere. The rear cargo light switch will be in the cargo area as well.

 

Nice build as always! You planning on some rock light as well? Make sure you post up how wire and switch all your lights. I need some ideas

Let me know what you think of those 3" TG front springs when you get them. I might have to buy the 3" to lower my front down. I want to get the frame height down on mine at least an inch and I figured swapping out the springs would help.

 

that looks awsome, im going to steal that deck light idea, but put two of them on top of my speaker boxes

 

i really like how the new sidewalls look on those...be interested in your impressions. a buddy of mine runs the same size but the model before these and loves em. they flatten out pretty good on the trail too.

curious about your thoughts on the dual batteries because of all the added lights...if something gets left on inadvertently then you've got no back up. i ran duals on my '84 and loved it. i used a cheap battery to power all my lighting accessories and the isolator ($35 used on ebay) kept it fully charged.

one more thought...i love the idea of an underhood light. i had an oldsmobile that had one and it worked great (and trust me, on an '83 olds, you need an underhood light ) but i think i would want to mount it closer to the latch at the front of the hood so that when the hood was up it gave more even light to more of the engine bay. just a thought. i also like the idea of an underhood switch for it.

keep the good ideas coming and we'll keep throwing the critiques!

 

Those Tires look good. 4 for the price of 3 is pretty tempting. What is the sidewall rated at? Debating about a yet of 36" Iroks but the PRo Comps look like they would work too..

After reading your thread I hit the boneyard trying to find a couple of those old GM/Chevy under hood engine lights with the retractable cord, but no luck.

Build it looking great

 

so just what would it take to get you to part with that beautiful machine? I could have a kid and sell him to you as a slave...