Outdoor Adventure USA

Just posted my updated pics in the first post.

Well... I took the plunge and put a new set of wheels on the "BugEater". The Eater of Bugs (a DaveK so fondly calls it) is now sportin' 17" ProComp Xtreme 7089 series wheels.

The new look... need to get some better pics but these will give you the general idea.

I am in the middle of another wiring project... I'm wiring my roof rack lighting and installing a motorized retracting antenna mount (Diamond K9000) so I don't need keep removing my antenna to gointo my garage all the time. I'm also installing a duplexer on my FT-857 so I can use one antenna for that radio instead of two. I plan to have it already for display at our Ricky & Ronnie's meet & greet on the 21st of this month. I will post the results when I'm done.

The BugEater looks Sik with the new shoes Ollie. You spelled Chili wrong

The new wheels look great !! And I'm looking forward to seeing the Diamond K-9000 mount system in action. I've been playing with my FT-857D - what an amazing radio !!!

Looking forward to comparing notes at the Meet & Greet on 6/21 at Ricky and Ronnie's..

Looking good, you can be my offical recovery vech.

Finally got my roof rack lights all wired up. What a PITA. I also had an issue with my bumpe lights vibrating too much on the trail so I fabbed a reinforcement bar so no more shakey...

BTW: There is no reason at all to lower the headliner when wiring your roof rack (Unless you lose a bolt through the hole and don"t have a replacement.).

Here's some pics of the relay panel, wiring mess, and reinforcement bar.















I also hardwired my Diamond K9000 Mount while I was at it. Here's where I installed the switch.

JerryH wrote:Cool! Looks great Ollie! Isn't wire pulling fun.

Thanks Jerry... Wire pulling of this nature is INTERESTING. I wouldn't go as far as saying it's fun.

Ollie (K6JYB) wrote:BTW: There is no reason at all to lower the headliner when wiring your roof rack (Unless you lose a bolt through the hole and don"t have a replacement.).

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree.

If you want to loom the wires so they do not interfere with the operation of the side air bag system, you'll need to drop the headliner down to access the area. Also, when waterproofing with butyl rubber, you need access to the bottom of the hole to apply it - again, you have to drop the headliner for easier access. You do not need to completely take it down, but I want to make sure all my wires are routed correctly, fastened down, and weatherproofed. Running wires blind is easier, but does not always yield the same long term results...

cruiserlarry wrote:

Ollie (K6JYB) wrote:BTW: There is no reason at all to lower the headliner when wiring your roof rack (Unless you lose a bolt through the hole and don"t have a replacement.).

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree.

If you want to loom the wires so they do not interfere with the operation of the side air bag system, you'll need to drop the headliner down to access the area. Also, when waterproofing with butyl rubber, you need access to the bottom of the hole to apply it - again, you have to drop the headliner for easier access. You do not need to completely take it down, but I want to make sure all my wires are routed correctly, fastened down, and weatherproofed. Running wires blind is easier, but does not always yield the same long term results...

Larry,

I stand corrected... I ran the wires in the factory roof rack and not an aftermarket roof rack. The hole in my roof was large enough that I was able see through the hole and across to the opening where my pillar cover was emoved (it was actually big enough that I dropped a bolt through it accidently and was able to grab it out of the headliner with needle nose) and slide the end of the loom around the wire bundle. I then taped it at that end and then slid the loom while taping it through the roof hole to the fire wall with the wires loosely pulled through the roof, side pillar, and dash. I then used black silicon to seal around the loom and the grommet in the hole of roof. I further went on to seal the plastic gasket to the roof rack foot, then the foot to the bar. I was then able to secure the loom of wires securely behind the side pillar and not interfere with the airbag