Life briefly stopped beating me down over the weekend for long enough to install some goodies.. which just beat me down some more
mostly just the rack..
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Damn near 100 bolts later... had the rack assembled and put on the roof
I'm glad assembly is a one time thing with this.. as any more would absolutely cause carpel tunnel.
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10 bolts was enough to get my plates installed.. opted to just re-use the factory hardware for these despite being provided new fancy gold bolts.
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..And finally the ditch lights.
The wires for the lights are currently just ran over the top of the mirror arm and squeeked through the gap between the hood and the aforementioned mirror piece. If I had more time (and the fiance wasn't going on about how she was about to die of hunger) I would've ran the wires backwards and in between the windshield & the cowl/wiper trim for a cleaner look... but this will more than work for now. I'll run the harness and give the lights a test this weekend hopefully.
No noticeable increase in cabin noise from the rack so far.. but I've only had it up to 55mph or so. I'm sure it'll be noticeable on the freeway.
The ditchlights start to whistle around 35-40mph.. but only ever so slightly. With the windows shut I can't hear it.
The plates are awesome, with one little criticism..
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The bit circled in blue is for clearance around the diff. It's welded extremely nicely on the bottom side as you can see... but the top side is completely unwelded. Nice spot for dirt and whatever else to accumulate and slowly start on its own deconstruction. I simply gooped some high temp RTV over where it should be welded.. and am currently hoping for the best lol.
....does rtv even stick to something zinc coated?
whenever they get beat up enough to the point I want to have them refinished I'll break out the welder and do it myself... it can ride until then.
The gaps around the tow hooks and stuff from the removal of the factory plastic 'bash plate' look a little hokey as well.. plastic bumper problems. If my rig came with the capable bumper it would look much more correct.. I'll put an upgrade to the capable bumper on the list of potential things to do.